JP2024529113A - Closure for container, and container and closure - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A closure 10 for a container 20, the container having a side 21 and an opening 23 and an edge 22 defining an opening axis A perpendicular to the opening, the closure comprising a top 11 configured to cover the opening of the container and a skirt 12 connected to the top and configured to surround an upper region of the side of the container when the closure is connected to the container, the skirt comprising one or more threads 13 configured to cooperate with one or more threads 26 on the side of the container to define movement of the closure in a direction parallel to the opening axis relative to the container as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container, the closure further comprising a liner 90 extending across a surface of the top of the closure and extending at least part way up the skirt away from the top, the liner configured to seal the opening of the container when the closure is connected to the container.

Description

The present disclosure relates to containers and closures for such containers. Such containers may be used to contain beverages or other liquids or fluids. The containers may be of various sizes, for example, wide-mouth containers or bottles. In some cases, the containers may be designed to hold carbonated beverages. The present disclosure also relates to separate containers, closures for use with the containers, the manufacture of such containers and closures, the use of such containers and closures, and methods of filling such containers and closures with beverages.

Closures for containers and wide-mouth containers and bottles are known, such as those described in the applicant's earlier applications WO2006/000774, WO2011/151630, WO2014/006418, WO2017/109463, WO2017/017415 and WO2019/141973. These seek to provide a closure that is capable of reliably closing a container whose contents may be at high pressure, for example during transport and/or when subjected to high temperatures, while remaining relatively easy for the consumer to remove.

Wide-mouth containers may be used both for storage of beverages (or other contents) and as drinking vessels after the closure is removed. In some cases, the closure may also be designed so that it can be used to reclose and/or reseal the container. A typical wide-mouth container may have a mouth with a diameter or width in the range of 55 mm to 65 mm, although the term may also apply to containers with mouths with a diameter or width in the range of 40 mm to 90 mm.

Bottles are typically used to store beverages (or other contents) prior to pouring into a drinking vessel. Commonly used bottles, such as those used to store beer and other beverages, typically have a mouth with a diameter of about 28 mm.

WO2006/000774 WO2011/151630 WO2014/006418 WO2017/109463 WO2017/017415 WO2019/141973

While the closures described in the above documents are sufficient in many cases, the present disclosure seeks to provide improvements.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a closure for a container, the container having a side and an edge defining an opening and an opening axis perpendicular to the opening, the closure comprising:
a top configured to cover the opening of the container;
a skirt portion coupled to the top portion and configured to surround an upper region of the side of the container when the closure is coupled to the container;
the skirt portion comprises one or more threads configured to cooperate with one or more threads on the side of the container to define movement of the closure relative to the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container;
the closure further comprising a liner extending across a surface of the top of the closure and extending away from the top at least part way down the skirt;
A closure for a container is provided, wherein the liner is configured to seal the opening of a container when the closure is coupled with the container.

In one configuration, the liner includes a sealing region configured to form a fluid-tight seal between a side of the container and a skirt portion of the closure when the closure is coupled to the container.

In one configuration, the liner is configured such that the sealing area of the liner does not contact the edge of the container when the closure is coupled to the container.

In one configuration, the closure is configured such that a portion of the liner extending across a top surface of the closure forms a liquid-tight seal with the edge of the container when the closure is coupled to the container.

In one configuration, the liner is integrally formed as a single component.

In one configuration, the liner is formed from cross-linked rubber.

In one configuration, the closure further comprises a lubricant provided between the liner and at least one of the top and skirt portions of the closure.

In one configuration, the lubricant comprises an antimicrobial material.

In one configuration, the closure includes an antimicrobial material provided between the liner and at least one of the top and skirt portions of the closure.

In one configuration, the material used to form the liner comprises at least one of a slip agent and an antimicrobial material.

In one configuration, the closure further comprises a hand engagement region on an outer surface of the closure that is configured to have a higher static coefficient of friction between the closure and a human hand than an inner surface of the closure.

In one configuration, the hand engagement area comprises a layer of material having a higher static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand than the material used to form the top and/or skirt portion of the closure.

In one configuration, the hand engagement area comprises a textured surface provided on at least a portion of the top and/or skirt of the closure.

In one configuration, the top and skirt portions are formed from a non-metallic material, optionally a plastic material.

In one configuration, the top and skirt are formed from metal.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a container is provided for use with a closure according to any one of the above aspects or configurations.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a container and a closure comprising a closure according to any one of the above aspects or configurations.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of filling a container with a beverage, comprising filling the container with a beverage and connecting a closure to an opening of the container, the closure being a closure according to any one of the aspects or configurations described above.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of using a container and closure according to any one of the above aspects to contain a beverage.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a closure according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a closure according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the top of the container of FIG. 3. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process for removing a closure from a container according to the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a closure having a sealing arrangement. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the closure of FIG. 12 when installed on a container. 11A-11C are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating closures having alternative configurations of seals. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the closure of FIG. 14 when attached to a container. 11A-11C are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a closure having an alternative seal configuration. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the closure of FIG. 16 when attached to a container. 13A-13C illustrate containers having alternative thread configurations. 13A-13C illustrate closures having alternative thread configurations. FIG. 19 is an elevational view illustrating the top of the container of FIG. 18.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a closure 10 according to the present disclosure from an upper/outer and lower/inner perspective, respectively.

As shown, the closure 10 includes a top 11 for covering an opening of a container, surrounded by a skirt 12 extending from the top 11. The skirt 12 includes a threaded portion 13 that is configured to engage a threaded portion of a container to define movement of the closure 10 relative to the container to which the closure 10 is attached.

3 and 4 illustrate an example of a container 20 to be used with the closure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The container 20 includes an exterior side 21 and an edge 22 that defines an opening 23. The edge 22 also defines an opening axis A that extends perpendicular to a plane in which the opening 23 lies. The container 20 includes a compartment 24 that has the primary purpose of containing a beverage or liquid, and a top portion 25 that has the primary function of engaging the closure 10.

The container 20 includes a threaded portion 26 configured to engage with the threaded portion 13 of the closure 10 to define movement of the closure 10 relative to the container 20 while the closure 10 is attached to the container 20 and/or while the closure 10 is removed from the container 20.

As shown in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the closure 10 may include a seal 14 secured to an inner surface of the closure 10. The closure 10, seal 14, and container 20 may be configured such that the seal 14 provides a fluid-tight seal between the closure 10 and the container 20 when the closure 10 is attached to the container 20.

In one configuration, the seal 14 may be formed from a different material than the closure 10. This allows each material to be selected with properties beneficial to their respective functions. For example, it may be desirable for the seal 14 to be formed from a more elastic material than the material used to form the closure 10. Thus, in one example, the closure 10 may be formed from a metal that may not be suitable for forming the seal 14.

As shown in the configuration illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the seal 14 may be retained in a recess or gland 15 formed in the skirt 12 of the closure 10. The recess or gland 15 may be configured such that as the closure 10 advances onto the container 20 in a direction parallel to the opening axis A, the position of the seal 14 relative to the closure 10 in that direction is substantially fixed, subject to small movements that may occur due to compression of the seal 14 and/or manufacturing tolerances.

Thus, as the closure 10 moves relative to the container 20 in a direction parallel to the opening axis A, the seal 14 also moves in the same direction relative to the container 20. In one configuration, the seal 14 is traversed across three regions 31, 32, 33 of the container side 21 during the process of attaching the closure 10 to the container 20 and/or during the process of removing the closure 10 from the container 20.

In the first region 31, the configuration of the closure 10 and container 20 may be configured such that the seal 14 may be switched between states of compression as the seal 14 is moved across the first region 31 by movement of the closure 10 relative to the container 20. In one state, the seal 14 is compressed between the respective surfaces of the closure 10 and the container 20. In one configuration, the seal 14 may be compressed between the side 21 of the container and a surface of the recess or gland 15 into which the seal 14 fits. In the other state, the seal 14 is not compressed or is less compressed, i.e., not compressed to the extent that the seal 14 may be used to provide a fluid-tight seal.

In one configuration, the closure 10 and container 20 may be configured such that during the process of attaching the closure 10 to the container 20, the seal 14 is forced across a first region 31 of the side of the container 20 such that the seal eventually transitions from an uncompressed state to a compressed state between the side 21 of the container 20 and the inner surface of the closure 10.

Conversely, during the process of removing the closure 10 from the container 20, movement of the closure 10 relative to the container 20 may cause the seal 14 to traverse the first region 31 of the container side 21 such that the seal transitions from a compressed state to a non-compressed state.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a first region 31 of the side 21 of the container 20, the surface 28 may be inclined relative to the opening axis A. In configurations in which the opening 23 is circular, the inclined surface 28 may be frustoconical. As the seal 14 traverses the region 31 that includes the inclined surface 28, the spacing between the side 21 of the container 20 and the surface of the closure 10 against which the seal 14 is retained decreases. As a result, as the seal 14 traverses the first region 31 of the side 21, the seal 14 is compressed.

In one configuration, the angle of the inclined surface 28 relative to the opening axis A is in the range of 5° to 30°, and optionally in the range of 10° to 20°.

In the configuration illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the second region 32 of the side 21 of the container 20 has a plurality of grooves 27 positioned around the side 21. When the seal 14 is positioned adjacent the second region 32 of the side 21 of the container 20, the grooves 27 allow fluid to bypass the seal 14 even when the seal 14 is in compression. This may allow, for example, the closure 10 to release high pressure gas while it is partially attached to the container 20. In a configuration in which the closure 10 and container 20 are configured such that the seal 14 is in compression when in contact with the second region 32 of the side 21 of the container 20, releasing high pressure gas through the grooves 27 rather than between the edge 22 of the container 20 and the seal 14 prevents the seal from moving too quickly and making noise that may disturb the user.

It should be understood that any number of grooves 27 may be provided, and that the grooves 27 need not be equally spaced around the side 21 of the container 20. Optionally, a single groove 27 may be provided. In an alternative configuration not shown, one or more ridges may be provided on the side 21 of the container 20 in the second region 32. Such ridges may inhibit the seal 14 from forming a fluid-tight seal against the side 21 of the container 20. In particular, a discharge path that bypasses the seal 14 may be provided on either side of such ridges.

In a third region 33 of the top 25 of the container 20, the sides may be configured such that the seal 14 forms a fluid-tight seal between the container 20 and the closure 10 to allow a fluid, such as a beverage, to be contained within the combination of the container 20 and the closure 10.

In one configuration, the side 21 of the container 20 in the third region 33 may be cylindrical or substantially cylindrical disposed about the opening axis A. The same may be true for the second region 32 of the side 21 of the container 20, except for any grooves and/or ridges used to form a bypass path for fluid around the seal.

Such a configuration may ensure that at any location of the seal 14 within the second and/or third regions 32, 33 of the side 21 of the container 20, the spacing between the side 21 of the container and the surface of the closure 10 adjacent the seal will be substantially the same. This may ensure consistent compression of the seal 14 and ensure a fluid-tight seal excluding any bypass in the second region 32.

In one configuration, the side 21 of the container 20 in the second and/or third regions 32, 33 may be at a small angle to the opening axis A. This may aid in releasing the top section 25 of the container 20 from a mold used in the forming process. In such a configuration, the third region 33 of the side 21 of the container 20 may be configured such that a line in the surface forms an angle of less than 5°, optionally less than 3°, with the opening axis A. The second region 32 of the side 21 of the container 20 may be configured such that a line in the surface forms an angle of less than 10°, optionally in the range of 2° to 10°, with the opening axis A. The line may be a line whose tangent plane meets the curved surface of the side 21 of the container 20 in the second and/or third regions 32, 33.

It should be appreciated that in configurations in which the side 21 of the container 20 is slightly inclined in the second and/or third regions 32, 33, the change in spacing between the side 21 and the surface of the closure 10 adjacent the seal 14 is sufficiently small across the second and/or third regions 32, 33 that the change in the extent of compression of the seal 14 is not significant.

In one configuration, the side 21 of the container 20 may be less inclined in the third region 33 than in the second region. This may allow for a gradual transition from the third region 33, which is at a minimal angle or no angle at all with respect to the opening axis A, through the second region 32, to the first region 31, which may include the inclined surface 28 used to compress the seal 14 when the closure 10 is attached to the container 20 as described above. This may result in an improved user perception. Alternatively or additionally, the side 21 of the container 20 may be less inclined in the second region 32 than in the first region. This may also result in an improved user perception.

5 to 11 diagrammatically illustrate the engagement of the threads 13, 26 of the closure 10 and the container 20, respectively, during the process of removing the closure 10 from the container 20. In the images shown, the container 20 and its side surface 21 and threads 26 are shown in a fixed position. For clarity, the closure 10 itself is not shown, but the relative positions of the threads 13 and seal 14 of the closure 10, both of which have a substantially fixed position relative to the remainder of the closure 10, are shown.

In the illustration, as the closure 10 is rotated about the opening axis A relative to the container 20, the illustrated threads 13 become less and less visible. However, the seal 14 surrounding the closure 10 remains visible in all of the figures. It should be understood that in practice, the closure 10 may have multiple sets of threads 13 such that as one thread 13 rotates about the opening axis A and becomes invisible, another thread 13 becomes visible. However, for clarity of this illustration, only a single thread 13 is illustrated.

5, in the fully closed position, the first portion 41 of the threads 13 of the closure 10 is initially held under the threads 26 of the container 20. In this position, the seal 14 is disposed within the third region 33 of the side surface 21 of the container 20. Thus, a fluid-tight seal may be maintained.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the closure 10 is rotated about the opening axis A relative to the container 20, for an initial angle of rotation, the first portion 41 of the threads 13 of the closure 10 remains under the threads 26 of the container 20. This maintains the position of the closure 10 relative to the container 20 in a direction parallel to the opening axis A. Thus, the seal 14 remains within the third region 33 of the side surface 21 of the container 20, maintaining a fluid-tight seal.

7, as the closure 10 is further rotated about the opening axis A relative to the container 20, the engagement between the threads 26 of the container 20 and the threads 13 of the closure 10 moves to the second portion 42 of the threads 13 of the closure 10. The second portion 42 of the threads 13 of the closure 10 is inclined relative to the first portion 41 so that it also moves in a direction parallel to the opening axis A as the closure 10 rotates. This movement causes the seal 14 to move from the third region 33 to the second region 32 of the side surface 21 of the container 20. As described above, when the seal 14 is in contact with the second region 32 of the side surface 21 of the container 20, pressurized fluids such as gas from a carbonated beverage may be released by bypassing the seal 14 through the groove 27.

As mentioned above, in one configuration, the seal 14 may remain in a compressed state when the seal 14 is in contact with both the second and third regions 32, 33 of the side 21 of the container 20. In such a configuration, moving the seal 14 from the second region 32 back to the third region 33 does not require compression of the seal 14. In such a configuration, a user can easily move the closure 10 from a position where the seal 14 is in contact with the second region 32 to a position where the seal 14 is in contact with the third region 33 of the side 21 of the container 20.

This may be beneficial if the user experiences excessive release when initially opening the closure 10, for example if the beverage in the container 20 is a carbonated beverage. In such an instance, the user can simply rotate the closure 10 relative to the container 20 in a direction opposite to the opening direction, moving the seal 14 back to the third region 33 where it forms a fluid-tight seal, stopping the flow of fluid through the release groove 27.

As the closure 10 continues to be rotated relative to the container 20, as shown in FIG. 8, the closure 10 reaches a position where the third portion 43 of the threads 13 of the closure 10 engages with the threads 26 of the container 20, preventing further movement of the closure 10 relative to the container 20 in a direction parallel to the opening axis A and resulting in the closure 10 being removed from the container 20.

The fourth portion 44 of the closure threads 13 may be configured to initially restrict further rotation of the closure 10 about the opening axis A relative to the container 20, as shown in FIG. 8. The closure 10 and container 20 may be configured such that in this position the seal 14 remains in the second region 32 of the side 21 of the container 20. This may aid in completing the release of any pressurized fluid before the closure 10 is completely removed from the container 20.

In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 9, the user may need to simultaneously rotate the closure 10 about the opening axis A and push the closure 10 back toward the container 20 in a direction parallel to the opening axis A in order for the fourth portion 44 of the threads 13 of the closure 10 to clear the threads 26 of the container 20.

As shown in FIG. 10, further rotation of the closure 10 relative to the container 20 about the opening axis A results in the fourth portion 44 of the threads 13 of the closure 10 engaging with the threads 26 of the container 20, causing the seal 14 to traverse the first region 31 of the side surface 21 of the closure 20. As described above, as the seal 14 traverses the first region 31, the seal 14 transitions from a compressed state to a non-compressed state.

As shown in FIG. 11, with further rotation, the threads 13 of the closure 10 disengage from the threads 26 of the container 20, so that the closure 10 can be completely removed from the container 20.

It should be appreciated that to couple the closure 10 to the container 20, the above steps are reversed and the closure 10 is rotated in the opposite direction about the opening axis A relative to the container 20. During such a closing process, the seal 14 is compressed as it traverses a first region 31 of the side 21 of the container 20. The seal 14 may then remain compressed as it traverses a second region 32 where ejection may occur due to relatively high pressure fluid bypassing the seal 14 through the groove 27. After further rotation, the seal 14 moves to a third region 33 of the side 21 of the container 20 where the seal 14 can form a fluid-tight seal between the closure 10 and the container 20.

In a configuration different from that described above, one or more of the grooves 27 may extend into the first region 31 of the side 21 of the container 20. In such a configuration, the release may occur while the seal 14 is compressed or released from compression when the closure 10 is attached to or removed from the container 20, respectively.

In the above configuration, the seal 14 is described as being compressed during the process of attaching the closure 10 to the container 20. The seal 14 may be made of a resilient material. In one configuration, the seal 14 may be formed from an O-ring, a gasket formed from a loop of material having a circular cross-section. Alternative seal configurations may be used, such as gaskets having different cross-sections, including, for example, D-rings, U-rings, V-rings, or square rings. Other known compressible seals may also be used.

Such a seal 14, compressed between the side of the container 20 and the skirt 12 of the closure 10 rather than simply forming a compression seal at the edge 22 of the container 20, for example, can provide a highly reliable seal, particularly with high pressure contents in the container 20, such as carbonated beverages. In such a scenario, it should be appreciated that a pressure differential is established between the contents of the container 20 and the environment surrounding the container 20. This pressure differential acts across the seal 14. However, a pressure differential across the seal 14 in a direction that encourages leakage from the container 20 will result in the seal 14 deforming, for example, from the gland or recess in which it sits, into the gap between the container 20 and the closure 10, filling the gap more tightly. This increases the ability of the seal 14 to resist leakage. As a result, the higher the pressure of the contents of the container 20, the better the seal 14 will resist leakage.

As explained above, when the closure 10 is secured to the container 20, the seal 14 engages the side of the container 20 at a location away from the edge 22 of the container. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the seal 14 may be located below the groove 27. The threads 26 of the container 20, which are configured to engage with the threads 13 on the skirt 12 of the closure 10, are located below this area. Thus, the threads 26 of the container 20 may be separated from the edge 22 of the container 20. For example, the space between the threads 26 of the container 20 and the edge 22 of the container may be at least 2-3 times the space occupied by the threads 26 on the surface of the container 20. In one configuration, this spacing of the threads 26 of the container 20 from the edge 22 of the container may be configured to provide sufficient space for the user's lips not to touch the threads 26 of the container 20 when drinking from the container 20. This can enhance the user's satisfaction when drinking from the container 20.

One or both of the closure 10 and the container 20 may be formed from a metal. Alternatively or additionally, one or both of the closure 10 and the container 20 may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a plastic material.

While the above description relates to a configuration in which the seal 14 of the closure 10 engages the exterior side 21 of the container 20, it should be understood that in one configuration, the seal 14 of the closure 10 may engage the interior side of the container 20. In such a configuration, the closure 10 may include an internal skirt configured such that in the closed position, the skirt extends inside the opening of the container 20. In such a configuration, the seal may form a fluid-tight seal between the internal skirt closure 10 and the interior side of the container 20. In such a configuration, the closure 10 may have an external skirt having threads that engage with corresponding threads on the exterior side of the container 20.

12 and 13 illustrate a closure 10 having a variation of the sealing configuration described above. As shown, in addition to a first seal 14 that can provide an airtight seal between the closure 10 and the container 20 and that acts against the side 21 of the container, the closure may include a second seal 50. The second seal 50 may form a compression or flexion seal against the edge 22 of the container 20.

As shown in the configurations illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the second seal 50 may act against the topmost surface of the rim 22 of the container 20. In one configuration, the second seal 50 may alternatively or additionally act against the inner and/or outer surface of the rim 22 of the container, for example in an area slightly below the topmost surface of the rim 22. In one configuration, the second seal 50 may act against a tapered inner or outer surface of the rim 22.

In one configuration, the first seal 14 may provide a primary airtight seal when the closure 10 is attached to the container 20, providing a seal sufficient to preserve, for example, a carbonated beverage. The second seal 50 may function to prevent any liquid from inside the container 20 from passing through the rim 22 to a point where it stops on top of the first seal 14.

In one configuration, the second seal 50 may be insufficient to provide an airtight seal. Thus, the gas pressure in the area 51 between the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may equalize with the gas pressure in the body of the container 20. However, the second seal 50 may be sufficient to prevent liquid from passing through the edge 22 of the container 20. Preventing or minimizing the presence of liquid above the first seal 14, i.e., in the space 51 between the first seal 14 and the second seal 22, can prevent unwanted leakage of liquid during removal of the closure 10 from the container 20, which can be problematic, especially for liquids stored under pressure.

In one configuration, the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be integrally formed, i.e., formed simultaneously from the same material. In one configuration, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be connected by a relatively thin web 52, which may facilitate forming the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 simultaneously and/or facilitate mounting the seals 14, 50 within the closure 10. In one configuration, the first seal 14, the connecting web 52, and the second seal 50 may be integrally formed as a single component.

In one configuration, at least one of the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be co-molded with the closure 10. In such a process, also referred to as overmolding, the body of the closure 10, including the top 11 and the skirt 12 extending from the top 11 that cover the opening of the container 20, may be first formed by any suitable process, depending on the material to be used. Then, at least one seal 14, 50 may be formed inside the closure 10, such that the already formed closure 10 forms part of the mold in which the at least one seal 14, 50 is formed. For a configuration such as that illustrated in FIG. 12, the first seal 14, the web 52, and the second seal 50 may be formed in a single injection molding process in which the body of the closure 10 provides part of the mold.

Such a process may be beneficial because at least one of the first and second seals 14, 50 may be intimately attached to the body of the closure 10 as a result of the co-molding process. This may result in the closure 10 being more robust to handling, i.e., one of the seals may be less likely to become detached from the remainder of the closure 10. Alternatively or additionally, co-molding at least one of the seals 14, 50 with the body of the closure 10 may reduce or eliminate the possibility of gaps being present between the seals 14, 50 and the body of the closure 10. Such gaps may be undesirable for containers 20 and closures 10 used to hold liquids, such as beverages, because such gaps may be difficult to clean and/or may create spaces in which undesirable microbial activity may occur.

At least one of the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be co-molded with the body of the closure 10, although in one configuration, at least one of the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be formed separately from the body of the closure 10 and later attached to the remainder of the closure 10. In such a configuration, as described above, the seals 14, 50 may fit within a suitable sized gland or recess 15 that may be sufficient to hold the seals 14, 50 in place. In one configuration, at least one of the seals 14, 50 may be attached to the body of the closure 10 by an adhesive.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate variations of the configurations shown in Figures 12 and 13. Most of the configurations illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 correspond to those shown in Figures 12 and 13, and the description thereof will not be repeated. It should also be understood that the variations of the configurations shown in Figures 12 and 13 described above also apply to the configurations illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

14, the difference between the configurations is that in FIG. 14 the first seal 60 is a U-ring or V-ring rather than a D-ring as shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 14, the U-ring 60 may be configured to include a first limb 61 that can fit within a recess or gland 15 in the skirt 12 of the closure 10. The U-ring 60 may also include a second limb 62 having one end connected to the first limb 61 and the other end separated from the first limb 61 by a space 63. The second limb 62 may protrude toward the center of the closure 62, i.e., toward the opening axis A. As shown in FIG. 15, when the closure 10 is attached to the container 20, the first limb 62 of the U-ring 60 may deform and move closer to the first limb 61, reducing the size of the space 63 therebetween.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, in the normal configuration of the closure 10, the second limb 62 of the U-ring 60 projects generally inwardly and upwardly, but it should be understood that this may be reversed and the second limb 62 may project generally inwardly and downwardly.

As mentioned above, at least one of the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be formed from an elastic material. In one configuration, at least one of the first seal 14 and the second seal 50 may be formed from a cross-linked rubber. Such a material may advantageously provide a better seal, i.e., a seal that is more resistant to gradual release of stored gas under pressure, than alternative sealing materials such as synthetic elastomers, including thermoplastic elastomers (commonly referred to as TPEs). The use of cross-linked rubber may also be advantageous because cross-linked rubber can be significantly deformed during the demolding process and still return to the desired shape. This may facilitate the formation of the seal 60 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate variations of the configurations shown in Figures 14 and 15. Most of the configurations illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 correspond to those shown in Figures 12 to 15, and the description thereof will not be repeated. It should also be understood that the variations of the configurations shown in Figures 12 to 15 described above also apply to the configurations illustrated in Figures 16 and 17.

16 and 17, the seal may be replaced by a liner 90 provided within the closure 10 that can perform the sealing function. The liner may be provided within the closure 10, i.e., positioned such that the liner 90 is located between the closure 10 and the container 20 when the closure 10 is connected to the container 20.

16 and 17, the liner 90 may include a first portion 91 that extends across the surface of the top 11 of the closure 10 and a second portion 92 that extends away from the top 11 and partway down the skirt portion 12 of the closure. In one configuration, the second portion 92 of the liner 90 may be configured not to extend far enough down the skirt portion 12 of the closure to reach the threads 13 on the skirt portion 12 of the closure 10.

Providing such a liner 90 within the remainder of the closure 10 provides a component that encloses the opening 23 of the container 10 and extends partway up the side 21 of the container 20, thereby improving containment of the liquid held within the container 20.

In one configuration, the liner 90 includes a seal region 93 configured to be compressed between the skirt section 12 of the closure 10 and the side 21 of the container 20 when the closure 10 is coupled to the container 20. In such a configuration, the seal region 93 may form a fluid-tight seal between the side 21 of the container 20 and the skirt section 12 of the closure 10.

It should be appreciated that the sealing area 93 of the liner 90 can perform the same function as the seal described above that engages the side 21 of the container 20. The variations of such seals described above may equally be applied to the sealing area 93 of the liner 90. It should further be appreciated that the liner 90 may be configured such that when the closure 10 is coupled to the container 20, the sealing area 93 is positioned away from the edge 22 of the container 20 and is positioned on the side 21 of the container, i.e., the sealing area 93 does not contact the edge 22.

In one configuration, the closure 10 may be configured such that when the closure 10 is coupled to the container 20, a first portion 91 of the liner 90 extending across the surface of the top 11 of the closure 10 engages and forms a liquid-tight seal against the edge 22 of the container 20. The configuration of the liner 90 having a seal area 93 forming a fluid-tight seal between the side 21 of the container 20 and the skirt 12 of the closure 10, and a first portion 91 forming a liquid-tight seal against the edge 22 of the container 20 may provide benefits similar to those described above in connection with the configuration illustrated in Figures 12 through 15. For example, in cooperation with a second seal against the edge 22 of the container 10 that can prevent liquid from the container 20 from being trapped outside the side wall 21 of the container 20 above the seal area 93, a high quality fluid-tight seal is provided that can preserve the condition of the carbonated beverage.

Furthermore, by providing a liner 90 within the volume defined by the top 11 and skirt 12 of the closure 10, which encapsulates the opening 23 of the container 20 and includes at least one integrally formed seal, the likelihood of fluids from the container 20 leaking to a location between the seal fitted within the closure 10 and the remainder of the closure can be significantly reduced, thereby improving its food hygiene performance.

In one configuration, the liner 90 may be integrally formed as a single component, for example in a single step, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and the possibility of leakage through the liner. The liner 90 may be formed separately from and then assembled to the remainder of the closure 10, i.e., the top portion 11 and the skirt portion 12.

The liner 90 may be formed from any of the materials described above as suitable for use in forming a seal. In particular, the liner 90 may be formed from a crosslinked rubber.

In one configuration, a lubricant, such as a food-grade silicone spray lubricant, may be provided between the liner 90 and at least one of the top 11 and skirt 12 of the closure 10. For example, the lubricant may be provided to the exterior surface of the liner 90 and/or the interior surfaces of the top 11 and/or skirt 12 of the closure 10 prior to assembly.

Providing such a lubricant can aid in coupling of the closure 10 to the container 20 and/or removal of the closure 10 from the container 20. Specifically, for a wide-mouth container 20, the forces between the closure 10 and the container 20 can be significant when the container 20 holds a carbonated beverage. Combined with the large surface area of the liner 90 in contact with the container 20, this can result in a large torque required to rotate the liner 90 relative to the container 20. However, reducing the frictional forces between the liner 90 and the remainder of the closure 10 allows a user to rotate the top 11 and skirt 12 of the closure 10 relative to the container 20 while the liner 90 remains stationary relative to the container 20.

In one configuration, an antimicrobial material, such as a silver-containing antimicrobial agent, may be provided between the liner 90 and at least one of the top 11 and skirt 12 of the closure 10. Like a lubricant, this may be provided on either surface prior to assembling the liner 90 with the top 11 and skirt 12 of the closure 10. The antimicrobial material may improve the food hygiene performance of the closure 10, especially if there is any risk of liquid being trapped between the liner 90 and the remainder of the closure 10, either by leaking from within the container 20 or by leaking in from an external source. Optionally, a single material that functions as both a lubricant and an antimicrobial agent may be used between the liner 90 and the remainder of the closure 10.

In one configuration, the liner 90 may be formed from a material that includes at least one of a lubricant and an antimicrobial material. Such a configuration may provide some or all of the benefits described above for providing a lubricant and/or antimicrobial material between the liner 90 and the remainder of the closure 10. However, providing such materials in the liner 90 may facilitate the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, providing a lubricant within the liner 90 can reduce friction between the liner 90 and the container 20. This can facilitate some movement of the liner 90 relative to the container 20 and reduce the risk of squeaking and/or juddering that can result in an unsatisfactory user experience when a user removes the closure 10 from the container 20.

Even with reduced friction between the liner and the remainder of the closure 10 and/or between the liner 90 and the container 20, a relatively high torque may be required to remove the closure 10 having the liner 90 enclosing the opening 23 of the container 20. This may result in an unsatisfactory user experience. Therefore, the closure 10 may optionally be provided with a hand engagement region 95 that makes it easier for a user to rotate the closure 10 relative to the container 20.

In one configuration, the hand engagement region 95 may be configured such that the static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand is greater than the static coefficient of friction between the hand and the closure 10 without the hand engagement region 95. While such a configuration does not reduce the actual torque required to remove the closure 10 from the container 20, the perceived torque, i.e., the level of torque that the user feels is required, may be reduced, for example, because increased friction between the closure and the hand means that the user does not need to grip the closure 10 as hard as they would like to be able to apply the required torque, reducing the user's effort.

This beneficial effect may be particularly evident for wide-mouth containers and corresponding closures. As previously mentioned, for such containers containing carbonated beverages, the forces between the closure 10 and the container 20 are greater than for narrow-mouth containers. However, for such containers 20, the entire hand, including the palm, can engage with the closure 10, in contrast to narrow-mouth containers where only the fingers can engage with the closure 20.

In one configuration, the hand engagement area 95 may be provided on an outer surface of the top 11 of the closure 10. Optionally, the hand engagement area 95 may cover the top 11 of the closure 10. Alternatively or additionally, the hand engagement area may be provided on an outer surface of at least a portion of the skirt portion 12 of the closure 10.

The hand-engagement area may include a layer of material on an exterior surface of at least a portion of the top 11 or skirt 12 of the closure 10, the layer having a higher static coefficient of friction between the top 11 or skirt 12 of the closure 10 and a human hand than the material used to form the top 11 and/or skirt 12 of the closure 10. For example, at least a portion of the top 11 or skirt 12 of the closure 10 may be coated with an epoxy resin-based lacquer or a non-BPA replacement equivalent. Alternatively or additionally, the hand-engagement area may include providing a textured surface, for example on at least a portion of the skirt 12 of the closure 10.

18 and 19 generally illustrate a container 70 and corresponding closure 80 that are largely similar to those described above, but with a variation in the thread configuration. It should be understood that this thread configuration may be combined with any of the variations described above.

In the configuration shown, the container 70 has six threads. Three threads 71, 72, 73 on the side of the container 70 visible in FIG. 18 provide a first interrupted thread. The remaining threads of the container 70, not visible in FIG. 18, form a second interrupted thread. As shown, the threads of the container 70 are arranged such that none of the threads of the container that form the interrupted threads overlaps with any other thread of the container 70. In other words, no portion of any thread in the opening axial direction is located over a portion of any other thread or over a portion of a virtual thread formed by two or more other threads.

Figure 19 illustrates a closure 80 to be used with the container 70 shown in Figure 18. As shown, in this configuration, the closure 80 has threaded portions that form two continuous threads 81, 82. When the closure 80 engages the container 70, each of the continuous threads 81, 82 of the closure engages with a threaded portion that forms one separate thread on the container 70.

20 illustrates a side elevation of the top of the container 70 illustrated in FIG. 18. In particular, FIG. 20 illustrates the threaded portions 71, 72, 73 forming a single, interstitial thread on the container 70. As shown, the lower edges of the threaded portions 71, 72, 73 forming the interstitial thread of the container 70 extend at an oblique angle in a direction along the thread toward the opening of the container 70. In one configuration, the threaded portions 71, 72, 73 forming each of the interstitial threads of the container 70 may be arranged to form a virtual helical thread. It should be understood that the continuous threads provided in the closure 80 are arranged at a corresponding angle.

It should also be understood that, although in the configuration illustrated in Figures 18-20, the container 70 has six threaded portions arranged such that the container 70 is provided with two spaced threads, other configurations may be used. In particular, the container 70 may be provided with threaded portions that combine to form any number of spaced threads, and each spaced thread may be formed from any number of threaded portions.

18-20, a preferred configuration of the container 70 may have three interspaced threads, each formed from two thread sections. Alternatively, in a preferred configuration, the container 70 may have a single interspaced thread, formed from three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten thread sections. In each configuration, the closure 80 may be provided with continuous threads corresponding to each of the interspaced threads provided on the container 70.

Providing the container 70 with a non-overlapping, spaced thread may provide a configuration in which friction between the threads of the container 70 and the threads of the closure 80 is kept low enough that it is not difficult for a user to remove the closure 80 from the container 70. Alternatively or additionally, the use of one or more spaced threads on the container 70, i.e. a configuration with substantial spacing between the threads of the container 70 forming the spaced thread, such as a spacing significantly greater than the width of the threads, may ensure that no additional pressure relief features need to be provided to allow excess gas pressure to pass through the threads. Alternatively or additionally, providing a non-overlapping, spaced thread may reduce the impact on a user drinking from a container with a thread present on the container. Alternatively or additionally, minimizing the size of the threads formed on the container 70 may facilitate the manufacture of the container 70.

In one configuration, the length along each thread of the container 70 may be approximately the same as the spacing between adjacent threads. In such a configuration, the total length of the threads of the container 70 engaged with one of the successive threads of the closure 80 that couples with the container 70 will represent approximately 50% of the circumference of the container 70. Such a configuration may provide a good compromise between the desire to minimize the size of the threads of the container and the requirement that the thread material formed on the container have sufficient thread engagement to maintain its integrity under the stresses imposed by the containment of a high pressure beverage within the container 70. In a configuration, the length along the threads of the container 70 and the spacing between them may be configured such that the combined length of the threads is within a range of approximately 25% to approximately 75% of the circumference of the container 70.

However, by combining a container 70 having one or more spaced threads with a closure having a corresponding continuous thread, a configuration is possible in which the risk of the closure 80 being accidentally removed can be reduced to an acceptable level, since the closure 80 must be rotated a sufficiently large angle about the opening axis relative to the container 70 in order to remove it.

In this regard, it should be appreciated that while the threads of the container 70 are arranged so that none of the threads of the container overlap any other thread of the container, the threads of the closure 80 forming one or more continuous threads may overlap to ensure that they are long enough that the number of turns required to remove the closure 80 from the container 70 is sufficiently large. For example, it may be desirable to ensure that the threads of the closure forming the continuous threads of the closure extend around at least half of the circumference of the closure. In the configuration shown in FIG. 19, each of the threads 81, 82 forming each continuous thread of the closure 80 extends around substantially the entire circumference of the closure 80.

Claims (19)

1. A closure for a container, the container having a side and an edge defining an opening and an opening axis perpendicular to the opening, the closure comprising:
a top configured to cover the opening of the container;
a skirt portion coupled to the top portion and configured to surround an upper region of the side of the container when the closure is coupled to the container;
the skirt portion comprises one or more threads configured to cooperate with one or more threads on the side of the container to define movement of the closure relative to the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container;
the closure further comprising a liner extending across a surface of the top of the closure and extending away from the top at least part way down the skirt;
A closure for a container, wherein the liner is configured to seal the opening of a container when the closure is coupled with the container. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner includes a seal area configured to form a fluid-tight seal between the side of the container and the skirt of the closure when the closure is coupled to the container. The closure of claim 2, wherein the liner is configured such that the seal area of the liner does not contact the edge of the container when the closure is connected to the container. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closure is configured such that a portion of the liner extending across the surface of the top of the closure forms a liquid-tight seal with the edge of the container when the closure is coupled to the container. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liner is integrally formed as a single component. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the liner is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a lubricant provided between the liner and at least one of the top and skirt portions of the closure. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an antimicrobial material provided between the liner and at least one of the top and skirt portions of the closure. The closure of claim 7, wherein the lubricant comprises an antibacterial material. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material used to form the liner comprises at least one of a lubricant and an antimicrobial material. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a hand-engagement area on an outer surface of the closure configured to have a higher static coefficient of friction between the hand-engagement area and a human hand than an inner surface of the closure. The closure of claim 11, wherein the hand engagement region comprises a layer of material having a higher static coefficient of friction between the layer of material and a human hand than a material used to form the top and/or skirt portions of the closure. The closure of claim 11 or 12, wherein the hand engagement area comprises a textured surface provided on at least a portion of the top and/or skirt of the closure. A closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the top and skirt are formed from a non-metallic material, optionally a plastic material. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the top and skirt are formed from metal. A container for use with a closure according to any one of claims 1 to 15. A container and closure comprising a closure according to any one of claims 1 to 15. Use of the container and closure of claim 17 for containing a beverage. A method of filling a container with a beverage, comprising the steps of filling the container with a beverage and connecting a closure to an opening of the container, the closure being a closure according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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