JP2902391B2 - Open display package - Google Patents

Abstract

A tamper indicating package comprising a container (30) having a neck (31) with a threaded finish, an annular bead (37) on the neck, a plastic closure (32) which includes a base wall (33) and a depending peripheral skirt (34) having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band (35) attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions (36) defining a line of severing. An annular flange (40) extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure, and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion (42) connected to the band by a hinge portion (41) and a second portion (43) which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. <IMAGE>

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an open display package.

[0002]

In the packaging of a container having a lid, it is common to use an opening indicating package. In such an opening indicating package, an opening indicating band includes a plurality of bridges, that is, score lines. Are connected to the lid along a line of weakness consisting of: the interlocking means between the opening indicating band and the container, the band is cut along the bridge portion when the container is removed from the lid, and the lid is opened. Is displayed.

[0003] US Patent No. 4,394, issued July 26, 1983 to Jean Grussen.
In 918, the threaded lid includes a retaining ring connected to the bottom of the cap skirt by a series of breakable tabs, the retaining ring having an inner diameter at least equal to the outer diameter of the cap skirt. . A plurality of locking lugs supported by the retaining ring are sloped upward and inward to prevent the retaining ring from being lifted from the container neck when the cap is removed, so that a collar or mating on the container neck is provided. They are hooked behind the ring.

[0004] US Patent No. 4,550,844, having the same assignee as the present application, discloses an arrangement in which a continuous annular flange extends from the lower end of the opening indicator band and is sloped upward and inward. I have. Such an arrangement, while effective, has the disadvantage that the continuous flange requires excessive force to attach the lid to the container at certain extreme tolerances.

In an attempt to reduce the force required to apply the lid, US Pat. No. 4,653,657 discloses a method for simplifying the application of the lid by providing a plurality of free edges on a continuous annular flange. It is suggested that a segment be provided. U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,77
No. 1 discloses an open foldable band to constitute an independent foldable ring segment and a plurality of resilient tabs connected to each end of each ring such that the free end rests on the bead or shelf of the container. Proposes the use of a plurality of spaced ring segments provided in.

No. 5,090,788 mentioned above,
No. 5,219,507 and 5,310,069
No. 5,370,520 and 5,462,18
No. 4, and US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 535,803 disclose an open-label package and an apparatus and method for making the package. The tamper-evident package includes a container having a threaded neck and an annular bead at the neck, and a plastic lid, the plastic lid having a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having screws interengaging with the screws of the container. And the opening indicating band is attached to the skirt by a plurality of cutouts forming a cutting line. An annular flange extends axially upward and inward from the opening indicator band toward the base wall of the lid;
A first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion having a free end of a segment portion that engages below a bead of the container when the lid is screwed into the container. Have. In one form, the second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upward and inward from the first continuous portion. In another aspect, the second portion comprises a second continuous flange portion. The flange is bent between the ends such that the second portion extends inward at a greater angle than the first continuous flange portion.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an opening indicator band on a lid by a bridge formed by a notched knife score line (ie, by using an interrupted knife with interrupted edges). 5th, 09th
No. 0,788, No. 5,219,507, No. 5,3
No. 10,069, No. 5,370,520, No. 5,
462,184, and US patent application Ser.
In some cases, an opening indicating package of the type shown in US Pat. No. 5,803 is provided. An improvement is a notched knife of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned patents and patent applications, having an improved opening that is easy to apply and that minimizes breakage of the opening indicating band when the lid is machined. Associated with a notched lid.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an opening indicating lid includes an opening indicating band spaced circumferentially for receiving a segment portion when the lid is added to a container. I have. The opening indication band has a projection on the inner surface thereof, which extends into the sheet between the segments when the lid is attached. Each projection has a length in the axial direction and a width in the transverse direction. The side surface of each projection converges toward the lower end. The sides of the slot are preferably V-shaped. Each segment portion has a substantially rectangular shape having a straight upper edge inclined side forming a slot. Each recess has a shape that substantially complements each part, has an upper cross section, a base surface, and a side wall, and a lower end portion of the side wall is united with the inner surface of the opening display band.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, an opening indicating package embodying the present invention includes a container 30 having a terminal end or a neck 31, and a lid 32. The lid 32 is formed as a single unit from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene and includes a generally disc-shaped top or base wall 33 having a cylindrical depending skirt portion 34 (FIG. 2). reference). A substantially cylindrical opening indicator band 35 is connected to the surrounding skirt 34 by a weakening line (shown here as an intermittent score line 36) defined by the bridge or cut portion of the skirt 34. . The lid and neck are provided with interlocking screws 32a, 31a that cooperate to hold the lid in place on the container. The container 30
It has an annular bead 37.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 8B, an annular flange 40 extends radially inward of the inner surface of the tear indicator band 35 and the flange 40 is raised upwardly toward the base wall of the lid. It is connected to the inner surface of the opening indicator band by an integral hinge portion 41 which is spaced apart so as to extend inward. The flange 40 has a first continuous annular flange portion 42 and the annular flange portion 42
Extends from the hinge portion 41 at a slight angle inward in the radial direction before the lid is attached to the container. Flange 4
0 further has a second portion in the form of a plurality of integral circumferentially spaced segment portions 43 extending from the free edge of the first continuous flange portion 42. Flange 40 extends between the ends such that the free end of segment portion 43 extends at a different, greater angle to the axis of the lid than the first continuous flange portion 42 of annular flange 41. It is bent at. Thus,
The annular flange portion 42 has a first pivot or hinge to the band 35 via the hinge portion 41 and the segment portion 43 has a flange 4 at X.
It has a second hinge for the rest of the zeros. The first continuous flange portion 42 extends axially at a very small acute angle to the band 35 so that it is substantially vertical prior to attaching the lid to the container.

The width of each segment 43 is at least several times the thickness at the smaller cross section. The segment portions are substantially rectangular and are slightly spaced by narrow slots S such that the segment portions include the main portion of the second portion. Segment part 4
The number of 3 is preferably 12 but may be 2. The slot S preferably extends beyond the bend line X from the free edge of the segment portion such that the length of the segment portion 43 is greater than the corresponding length of the flange portion 42. The segment portion 43 of the flange 40 includes approximately 60% of the flange 40, and the flange portion 42 includes approximately 40%
, Satisfactory results can be obtained. However, the length of the slots may vary. As described below, it is essential that the continuous flange portion 42 have sufficient dimensions or length so that the flange 40 remains inverted without thermoforming and thermosetting. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the lid 32 is
When attaching to the container 3, the continuous flange portion 42
Engage the 0 annular bead 37 and bend the flange 40 outward. During the addition, the first continuous portion bends radially outward and the free end of the segment portion 43 is
5 may come into contact with the inner surface. When the lid is further screwed into the container, the segment portion 43 will bead 37 of the container 30
Bend radially inward below (see FIG. 3). When closed, the first continuous flange portion 42 is substantially vertical and the free edge of the segment portion 43 engages below the bead 37 at the neck of the container.

[0013] It has been found that the lid forming part of the tamper-evident package effectively provides the desired tamper-evident protection, while requiring a relatively small amount of additional force to add the lid. It is believed that a significant reduction in the additional force through the bead of the container is obtained by reducing the hoop strength of the flange 40 toward its end. The bend of the flange 40 is preferably at or near the junction of the segment portion 43 with the flange portion 42. In such a configuration, the segment portion 43 has a thickness at the bending line X so that it can be bent substantially along the hinge line X. The radially outward force applied to the tip of the segment portion 43 first causes a bend at the second hinge line X, thus allowing easy displacement of the segment portion 43 of the flange 40, thereby providing additional force. Decrease. If the length of the slot S is such that the base of the slot is between the bend line X and the free end of the segment portion 43, the segment portion 43 is attached to the base of the slot constituting the segment portion. May bend adjacent.

As shown in FIG. 22, the free edge of the segment portion 43 engages the bead 37 when the lid is rotated and removed from the container. As the lid 32 continues to rotate, the flange 40 bends along the line X, engaging the segment portion 43 with the inclined inner surface of the band 35. When further rotated, the band 35 is cut along the cut line.

The lid can be formed into a complete form as shown in FIG. 4 by a complex forming apparatus, but with a flange 40 extending radially inward and axially outward from the base wall of the lid. Preferably, a closed lid is formed. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, lid 32 is preferably injection molded or compression molded with annular flange portion 42 and segments extending radially downward and inward relative to the base wall of lid 32. Preferably, the molded annular flange and segment are aligned with each other. More specifically, as shown in FIG.
The first hinge portion 41 for connecting the first to the band 35 has an upper inclined surface 45 extending downward and inward from the inner surface of the band 35
The upper inclined surface 45 has the annular flange portion 4.
Merge in an arc with respect to the straight upper surface of 2 and the segment portion. The lower surface 47 of the annular flange 40 is formed so that the flange 40 gradually becomes thicker toward the free end.
It is at a certain angle to the upper surface. The lower surface of the hinge 41 is connected substantially horizontally along the inner surface of the peripheral skirt by a small arc.

After forming into the configuration shown in FIG. 8A, the flange 40 can be formed to form a flange portion 42 at a substantially vertical angle and form a bend X, The flange 40 may then be reversed by known techniques. However, by appropriately controlling the reversing process, the continuous flange portion 42
Is substantially vertical, and the flange portion 42 can be deformed so that the bent portion X can be formed simultaneously at the time of reverse rotation. More specifically, by appropriately controlling the reversal, the angle between the flange portion 42 and the axis of the lid can be reduced beyond the elastic limit of the flange portion 42, and the elastic limit of the flange at line X can be reduced. Bends can be formed as desired.

An annular flange portion 42 forming a separate angular relationship between the annular flange portion and the segment portion 43
The reversal of the segments and the segments is preferably achieved by a plunger or mandrel M as shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, wherein the plunger or mandrel M has a free end, the free end of which is A thread positioning diameter for engaging the screw diameter of the lid, a first inclined portion, a pilot diameter 52, and a laterally inclined reversal engaging the segment portion and reversing the segment portion and the annular flange portion. And a shoulder 53.

The sequence of steps during the reversal is shown in FIGS. 9-14, and these steps include the following. (A) Advance the lid radially into the tool relative to the machine and position it approximately centered by the mandrel M. at this point,
The mandrel M may be rotated in order to perform the cutting operation continuously. (B) The cam action of each tool causes relative axial movement between the lid 32 and the mandrel M (top and bottom). (C) When the mandrel M is relatively advanced into the lid 32, first, the cap centering cone 50 is moved to the segment 4 of the lid.
3 (FIG. 9). This action centers the lid 32 inside the mandrel M, if necessary, by moving the lid sideways to correct the misalignment.

(D) When the above relative movement is continued, the segment portion 43 is engaged with the screw positioning diameter 51, and the friction between the segment portion 43 and the screw positioning diameter 51 is reduced if necessary. 43 is pilot diameter 5
2, the lid is given a rotational movement so that it substantially matches the rotational speed of the mandrel (FIG. 10). (E) When segment portion 43 engages pilot diameter 52, segment portion 43 engages in a more obstructive manner, which is important for this reversal method.
The hoop strength of the flange portion 42 and the segment portion 43 directs the free end of the segment portion 43 toward the mandrel M, thus preventing the flange portion 42 and the segment portion 43 from sliding on the shoulder 53 (FIG. 1
1). Further, such interference provides additional rotational drive to the cap, if desired, and for this reason,
Preferably, the relative axial movement is stopped at this point, so that little or no rotational movement occurs between the lid and the shoulder at the time of reversal. This reduces the likelihood of the segment portion tip scuffing.

At this point, it is desirable that the mandrel screw positioning diameter 51 engage the lid screw to maintain the lid 32 in a rigid concentric relationship with the mandrel M. Further, when the mandrel M is moved axially relative to the lower tool (and lid), the flange 40 is folded down, first in the annular space between the mandrel pilot diameter and the band 35. (FIG. 11). This causes a bend in the cross-section of the flange 40, the center of this bend moving downwards (upside down) towards the top 33 of the lid (FIG. 12).

This action continues, whereby the bending action is directed along the flange, towards its tip, and towards the continuously increasing thickness of the segment portion 43.
pass. At some point in the process, the band is inflated such that axial movement of the mandrel reverses the segment portion 43 (FIG. 13). This action first causes a stress in the segment at the bend line X, thereby causing the flange 40 to permanently bend toward the interior of the lid.

As the mandrel M further advances, the shoulder 52 becomes
It passes through the diameter of the first hinge 41 (FIG. 14). This action moves the continuous annular flange 42 such that the flange portion 42 exceeds the elastic limit at the hinge 41 so that after removing the lid from the mandrel, the flange portion is substantially vertical in the final lid. Stay in the right position. This further reduces the interference of the hinge on the opening bead of the applied container. Upon withdrawal of the mandrel, the lid 32 engages the rim of the lid 32 and is removed by a fixed stripper (not shown) extending at least 180 ° around the lid.

The above-described plunger reversing tool has two main functions as follows. (A) The flange portion 42 is deformed toward the lid wall 35. (B) causing a permanent bend, the segment portion 43
However, the bent portion X is formed so as to project inward in the radial direction at an angle larger than the first flange portion 42. After reversing as described above, the flange 40 was found to be in a stable state, which was achieved without the need for heating.

In the form of the lid shown in FIGS.
Flange 40a includes a segment portion 43 with a ridge 60 along each axial edge positioned adjacent the inner surface of flange 40a when flange 40a is inverted.
have. Such thickened portions of the side edges provide rigidity to each segment portion 43a in the axial direction while permitting circumferential bending of each segment portion 43a to conform to the termination.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the raised rib 61 of the flange 40b performs a similar function. 23, 24, and 25 (A), and FIG. 25 (B)
In the configuration of the lid shown in FIG. 2, the second portion 43a comprises a second continuous flange portion connected to the continuous flange portion 42, the second continuous flange portion being separated from the flange portion 42. Extending at a large angle. In all other respects, the lids are the same, made in the same way, and function the same.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 26 to 28,
The lid is shown in FIGS. 2-8 (A) and 8 (A) with the exception that the inner surface of the band 35 above the inclined surface 45 is provided with a circumferentially spaced axially extending protrusion 50. This is the same as the lid shown in FIG. The protrusion is aligned with the slot S and has a width slightly smaller than the width of the slot S. The length of the protrusion as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is such that the lower edge of the protrusion is not engaged by the second portion of flange 40 (ie, segment portion 43).

When the lid is applied to the container, the protrusion functions to prevent any attempt to interfere with the opening indicator band by hooking the tool to the segment portion 43. The above arrangement is disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat.
No. 0,788, No. 5,219,507, No. 5,3
Nos. 10,069, 5,370,520 and 5,462,184.

A modification of the plastic lid is shown in FIGS. This form is shown in FIGS.
Is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. The opening display band 35 is provided with recesses 60 extending in the axial direction at intervals in the circumferential direction, and these recesses 60 face the inner surface 61 radially inward. Opening indication band 3
Each of the five recesses 60 has a generally rectangular cross-section with a surface 63 and a radial surface 62 that slope upward and outward.
The axial height of each recess 60 is equal to the flange 4 of the band 35.
0 is smaller than the axial length of each segment 43. The axial width of each concave portion 60 is larger than the axial height of each segment 43 so that the concave portions 60 and the segments 43 complement each other as a whole, and the circumferential width of each concave portion 60 is the circumferential direction of each segment 43. Greater than width. as a result,
When the lid is applied to the container, a portion of each segment 43 extends into an adjacent recess 60 upon addition of the lid to the container as shown in FIG.

According to another aspect of the present invention, circumferentially spaced raised axial ribs or protrusions 64 are provided between the recesses 60 on the inner surface 62 of the band 35. The upper end of each projection 64 is rounded. Each protrusion 64 extends in the axial direction and is generally rectangular to conform to the configuration of the slot between the segments 43. Referring to FIG. 34, when trying to remove the lid, the protrusion 64
It projects through the slot between the segments 43 and engages the annular bead 37 of the container during removal. The projections are centered on the lid and the band more concentric with the end to avoid band fatigue or reversal effects that can occur when the band 35 is moved to the side of the end. Help maintain. The protrusion 64 also provides additional strength to the band 35 provided with the recess. However,
The overall weight of the lid with the recess 60 and the projection 64 is substantially the same as the overall weight of the lid without the recess and the projection.

As described above, there is provided an opening indicator package with an improved structure for interlocking a lid with a container, wherein the opening indicator band remains in the container when the lid is removed. The lid can be easily attached to the container, and the opening indication package is
Minimize opening effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a package embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the package shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the package.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of a lid.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a state where a lid is attached to the container.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid when being molded.

7 is a partial elevation view of a portion of the lid shown in FIG.

8A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a part of the lid shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 8B is a part of the lid shown in FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the reverse rotation of the flange from the molding position of the lid to the final position.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the reverse rotation of the flange from the molding position of the lid to the final position.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the reverse rotation of the flange from the molding position of the lid to the final position.

FIG. 12 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing reverse rotation of a flange from a molding position of a lid to a final position.

FIG. 13 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the reverse rotation of the flange from the molding position of the lid to the final position.

FIG. 14 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the reverse rotation of the flange from the molding position of the lid to the final position.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the reversal of the flange on the opening display band of the lid.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a modified lid.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a modified lid.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a modified lid.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another modified lid.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another modified lid.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another modified lid.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the relative positions of the container and the lid when the lid is removed.

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified form of the lid in place on the container.

24 is a sectional view of the container and the lid shown in FIG. 23,
It shows the state when the lid is removed.

FIG. 25 (A) is a partial cross-sectional view of the lid shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, showing a molded state, and FIG. 25 (B) is a lid shown in FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state after being formed into a final shape.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of another modified form of the lid, as it is being molded.

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lid shown in FIG. 26, showing a state after being molded and attached to a container.

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the lid of FIG. 26, showing a state in which the lid is being removed.

FIG. 29 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 8B relating to a modification of the lid according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing a part of the lid shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31, taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 31, showing the lid after it has been molded;

FIG. 33 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 30, showing a state where a lid is attached to the container.

FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the lid when detached from the container.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65D 35/00-55/16

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tamper-evident package comprising a plastic lid (32) having a base wall (33) and screws adapted to interengage with threads of the container. An opening indicator band (35) having a hanging peripheral skirt (34) and integrally provided on the skirt (34) by one or more cutout portions (36) constituting a cutting line; ) To the base wall (33) of the lid (32)
And an annular flange (40) extending axially upward and inwardly toward the front side, the annular flange (40) being spaced radially inward from the inner surface of the opening indicator band (35). ) To the inner surface of the opening indicator band (35).
A continuous annular flange portion (42), said annular flange (40) being larger relative to the axis of the lid (32) than the first portion (42) engaging below the bead of the container. The second portion (43) is bent between the ends such that the second portion (43) extends inwardly, the second portion (43) being upward from the first continuous flange portion (42). and having a plurality of segments spaced circumferentially, which is divided by the width inwardly extending narrow slots (S), said opening indicating band (35) is formed on the inner surface
In addition, it has a plurality of recesses (60) spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and the recesses (60) are used when attaching the lid (32) to the container.
An opening indicator package, wherein a portion of each segment is configured to extend into an adjacent recess (60). 2. The recess (60) and the segment (43).
2. The opening display package according to claim 1, wherein the packages have complementary shapes. 3. The recess (60) has a segment (4).
3. An opening display package according to claim 1, having a circumferential width substantially equal to the circumferential width of 3). 4. An axial height of each of the recesses (60) is:
An opening indicating package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is greater than the axial height of each segment (43). 5. The segment (4) on the inner surface of the band (35).
3) a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections (64) between them;
The projections help maintain the concentricity of the tamper-evident lid to the container when the segments engage the annular bead of the container when the lid is being removed from the container. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the package extends in the slot.