JPS62168866A - Expansible ring cover device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lid device for plastic containers, and more particularly to a tamper-proof lid.

[Conventional technology]

The plastic containers to which the present invention is directed are widely used in the pharmaceutical and health industry for storing and transporting liquids, pharmaceuticals, materials, etc., both prescription and non-prescription. The container is generally disposable and made of thermoplastic with a sterically sealed top.

The manufacture of this container generally utilizes blow-fil-seal technology whereby the container is formed in a single run and
The container is filled with the selected contents and sealed. The blow-fill seal that manufactures this container
The l-5eal) method can be easily mass-produced, primarily due to its simplicity and low cost.

A feature of blown-fil-seal containers is that during the manufacturing process, the neck of the container may be configured to have a frangible portion between the intended body of the container and the integral cap. A closure device is then used on the container and configured such that manipulation of the closure device breaks the frangible portion and opens the container.

Lid devices of the general type described above have taken many forms over the years. For example, Komenski
U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,282 (1996), U.S. Pat. Regarding the lid device used. Reply! J
(Rivli) U.S. Patent No. 4゜096.96
No. 2 relates to a ring opener with a separate chisel for opening sterilely sealed containers, so that when the ring opener is twisted downwards into the container, the downward pressure is applied only to the ridge of the container. Insert. When the ring oven is twisted upwards, the chisel breaks the frangible part and opens the container.

The opening action of breaking the frangible portion of a sealed container has been demonstrated in a variety of ways. For example, Belmy
No. 4,111,325 to M. Lamy, an outer ring is used which, when rotated downwardly, causes an upwardly lifting action on the overcap, thereby breaking the frangible portions. Another example is D'Amico (D'
No. 4,434,904, the rotation of the outer part creates a lifting action and the fingers of the lifting link push the top of the lid upwardly.

Another example is Bertaud, US Pat. ). Removal of the frangible portion causes the cap to engage the threads of the container, and as the cap is rotated downwardly, the frangible portion of the container is ruptured. Next, unscrew the cap along the threads to open the container.

These devices are not completely satisfactory. This is because they involve complex lifting actions, downward rotation, frangible parts of both external and internal caps, are complex in their manufacture, and are often difficult to open, regardless of their configuration. be.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides an inexpensive solution to the problems and difficulties encountered with conventional lid devices by providing a lid device that is easy to manufacture and assemble. The present invention therefore provides a lid device that can be assembled without stressing the weak lines of the container and therefore without risk of breaking the fit' to a point where it is susceptible to bending.

Moreover, the inflatable ring lid device of the present invention allows the container to be opened by either clockwise rotation through the use of direct uniform compression or counterclockwise rotation through the use of uniform tension, and the inflatable ring is temporarily The vertical lift acts as a member. 3
The single-part construction provides ease of manufacture, mechanical and environmental protection near the lid, and a frangible overcap with immediate visibility of the previous opening. It includes three easily assembled parts that fit into the body of a blow-fil-seal container with a frangible section as the top of the container. The closure device of the present invention with a cap includes an outer circular ring and an inflatable ring means. The circular outer ring has a lower portion (including inner threads that match the outer kink of the neck of the blow-fil-seal container) and an upper portion (having an inner annular rim). The inner annular rim is shaped so that it wraps around the lower end of the cap groove and further receives the inflatable ring. The inflatable ring is molded and fits around the cap;
It is then held in a groove in a ring-shaped cap that is integrated with the container.
Further located below the top of the container. Overcap (
(including a frangible line of weakness that fits over the cap of the container and further defines a frangible ring) is attached to the blow-fil-seal container by means such as spin welding, for example.

In operation, the overcap is removed by use of a puller that breaks the frangible line of weakness in the overcap, thereby separating the frangible rings. The evidence of opening is thus clearly visible and the split ring lid device is revealed. The container is then opened in either of two ways. One is the rotation of the circular outer ring in an upward direction with respect to the body of the container (the circular outer ring cams uniformly with the inflatable ring against the cap, thereby breaking the frangible seal between the cap and the container) The other is rotation of the circular outer ring downwards with respect to the body of the container (creating enough tension to
Uniformly applied compression destroys the frangible seal between the cap member and the container. Once the frangible seal between the cap member and the container is broken, the cap is removed. The cap is held within the circular outer ring, advantageously by an inflatable ring.

The attached drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention without limitation.

In the drawings, the same elements are indicated by the same symbols in each drawing.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the lid device showing the entire components before assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the overcap and outer ring and a side view of the container and split ring, showing all elements attached to the sealed container.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the closure device with a cross-sectional side view of the outer ring, with the overcap removed and the outer ring in a position above the threads;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the closure device with a cross-sectional side view of the outer ring, with the overcap removed and the outer ring in position below the threads.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the frangible portion between the cap portion and the container body.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the interface between the split ring and the outer cap.

Figure 7 is a side view of the closure device with a cross-sectional side view of the outer ring, with the container cap removed and retained.

Regarding the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention with a container 1. FIG. The invention therefore consists of a circular outer ring 20 and a split ring 30. The embodiment shown includes an overcap 40 with a puller 50.

Container 10 is constructed in units and is preferably manufactured from plastic material using well-known blow-fil-seal techniques. The container 10 is narrowed to form a neck 11 with a discontinuous bottle thread 13. A discontinuous bottle thread is preferred because it reduces friction while moving along the thread. The neck 11 is further reduced in diameter to form a vertical cylindrical portion 15 which is frangibly connected to the cap portion 12 of the container 10 along a line of weakness 16 . The cap portion 12 has a large diameter in order to surround the preferably vertical cylindrical portion 15. The upper portion of the cap portion 12 forms a split ring groove 18 for holding the split ring means and further forms a cap joint 19, which will be described in more detail below.

The outer ring 20 is generally circular and defined by outer jagged serrations 25 and further includes discontinuous bottle threads 13 of the neck 11 of the container 10 in its lower portion as shown in FIG. Includes matching internal threads 21.

With reference to FIG. 6, the upper portion of the outer ring 20 has an inner rim 26 that extends from the upper surface 24 (providing a cradle 23 for the split ring 30) and the lower surface 22 (the edge of the lower groove of the cap portion 12). 17) including (
Figure 6).

As best seen in Figures 4.6 and 7, the inner tab 2
6 means for transmitting or imparting the rotational force applied to the outer ring to the line of weakness 16 and opening the container with sufficient force to break the line of weakness when the outer ring 20 is rotated in that direction. I will provide a. For example, inner edge 2
The upper surface of 6 serves as a means for transmitting or applying rotational force to the spritz l-IJ ring 30 when the outer ring 20 is rotated to open the container. To illustrate, the upward force caused by the counterclockwise rotation of the outer ring 20 is transferred by the lip 26, the latter preferably evenly moving the split ring 30f upwardly against the cap joint 19.
r, to create the tension necessary to cam and break the frangible line of weakness 16. The lower surface 22 of the rim 26 also acts as a means for transmitting or imparting rotational force to the end 17 of the groove in the lower part of the cap when the outer ring is rotated to open the container. To illustrate, the downward force caused by clockwise rotation of the outer ring 20 is transmitted from the lower surface 22 of the inner rim 26, preferably uniformly, to the edge 17 of the lower groove of the cap, thereby This creates the necessary compression to break the frangible line of weakness 16.

The first aperture embodiment is generally preferred. It utilizes the cap removal exercise gold for which it is well known,
This is because no training is required. Moreover, it is generally fast, which makes it valuable for use in hospital emergency rooms and the like. Additionally, the split ring material is preferably selected to reduce friction, which also aids in the ease of opening the bottle.

With reference to FIG. 2, the splint ring 30 is formed of a resilient material, is generally circular, and includes a cut 31 to allow the split ring 30 to rest over the cap joint 19 and to fit into the groove 18 of the split ring. Adapt to. The cap joint 19 therefore provides a means of retaining the ring in the groove 18 of the split ring after assembly. The split ring 30 preferably has a symmetrical cross-section so that no orientation of the split ring tW is required during assembly. As shown in more detail in FIG. 6, the split ring 30 has a figure-7 shaped lower portion 32 that provides a ramp that cooperates with the top surface of the rim 26 of the outer ring 20. The split ring 30 further includes an inverted V-shaped upper portion 33, the inner surface of which fits well against the cap joint 19. Therefore, when an upward force is applied from the outer ring 20 to the split ring 30, the split ring 30
Provides uniform contact and force transmission to the

1 and 2, the overcap 40 is cup-shaped and serves as a tamper-proof protection as well as an environmental deterrent to prevent contamination of the lid area-band until first use. To prevent. The structure of the overcap includes three weak lines that are easy to break.41.43
．． 46 and a frangible ring portion 42 therebetween. The pull tab 50 is attached to said frangible ring part so that when it is operated the frangible lines of weakness 46, 41 and 43 are broken and the frangible ring part 42 is separated from the overcap 40 with it. The lower end 44 of the overcap 4o is sealed to the body 1o of the container by a seal 45 and remains attached thereto. Seal 45 is achieved by bonding or welding means such as heat sealing, ultrasonic or spin welding techniques.

The simplicity of manufacture is clearly demonstrated. That is, the preformed plastic container body 10 receives the outer ring 2° by screws, then inserts the split ring 30 into the split l-IJ ramp groove 18 of the cap portion 12 and attaches the overcap to the container body 10. and these operations are performed in one continuous manner.

In operation, manually applied tension on the puller 50 removes the overcap 40 as described above, leaving the top of the container 10 and revealing the spritz device.

Container 10 can then be opened in either of two ways.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first method of opening container 10 requires the application of a counterclockwise torque or normal loosening motion to outer ring 20, thereby causing outer ring 20 to open.
0 compatible inner thread 21 as well as the neck 11 of the container.
The outer thread 13 of causes an upward force on the outer ring 20.

This upward force is transmitted by the edge 26 of the outer ring 20 to the split ring 30. This force tightens the cut 31 of the split ring 30, causing the cap portion 1 to tighten.
Tighten the split ring 30 around the groove 18 of the second split ring and raise the split ring 30 evenly upwards against the cap joint 19. This transmitted upward force causes the cap portion 12 and the neck portion 11 to
5, which is sufficient to completely destroy the frangible line of weakness 16 between the cap portion 12 and the neck 11, as shown in detail in FIG.

A continuous counterclockwise torque applied to the outer ring 20 opens the container. The cap portion 12, as shown in FIG.
It is retained within the outer ring 20.

Upward movement of the cap portion 12 with respect to the outer ring 20 is limited by the edge 22 of the underside of the inner rim 26 of the outer cap, and downward movement of the cap portion 12 with respect to the outer ring is limited by the edge 22 of the underside of the inner rim 26 of the outer cap. The split ring 30 is located on the support 23 of the outer ring 20, which is adapted to be adjacent to the split ring 30.

A second method of opening the container, shown in FIG. 4, requires the application of a clockwise torque or normal tightening motion to the outer ring. The torque of the turn causes the transmission of rotational force to the mating inner threads 21 of the outer ring 20 as well as the outer threads 13 of the container neck 11, thereby forcing the outer ring 20 to move downwardly. generate force. This downward force is uniformly transmitted by the edge 22 of the lower surface of the inner tab 26 of the outer ring 20 to the edge 17 of the lower groove of the cap portion 12. The transmitted uniform downward force compresses cap portion 12 and neck 11 and causes cap portion 1
The outer ring 20 is then rotated counterclockwise or in a normal loosening motion, which is sufficient to completely break the frangible line of weakness 16 between the neck 11 and the neck 11. Part 1
1 to open the container. Cap portion 12 is retained on the outer ring as previously described.

The sterile seal is thus broken, but the container is closed by normal unclamping rotation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the lid device, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the overcap and outer ring, as well as a side view of the container and split ring, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the outer ring. This is a side view of the pig device with υ, the fourth
Figure 5 is a side view of the lid device with a side sectional view of the outer ring, Figure 5 is a sectional view of the frangible section between the cap portion and the container body, and Figure 6 is a spritz).
A cross-sectional view of the interface between the IJ song and the external cap;
and FIG. 7 is a side view of the lid device with a side cross-sectional view of the outer ring. 10... Container 11... Neck 12.
... Cap 13 ... Thread 15 ... Cylindrical part 16 ... Line of weakness 17 ... Edge of groove 18.
...Split ring groove 19...Cap joint part
20... External ring 21... Inner thread 22... Lower surface 23... Support stand 24...
・Top surface 25...Serrations 26...Edge 30
...Spirit ring 31...
Cut 32...V-shaped lower part 33...Inverted V-shaped upper part 40...Overcap 41
．． 43.46...Weak line 42...Easy to break ring
44...lower end 45...50...pull 1=. Patent applicant: Abbott Laboratories ゝ：′、：、
-7, -2・kaiFIG,/. FIG, 2゜FIG, 4゜F/, 6゜FIG, 3゜FIG, 5゜FIG, ? .

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) A lidding device for use in a blow-fil-seal container, the container having an integral cap and a body portion, the cap having a top, a cap joint at the top, and a cap joint below the cap joint. a groove in the cap, the body portion including a threaded neck and connected to the cap by a frangible line of weakness between the cap and the neck; a generally circular outer ring means and a generally circular inflatable ring means, said outer ring means including a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower subdivision adapted to mate with said neck thread. said top portion forming a force transmitting means supported by said inflatable ring means, and said inflatable ring means connecting said force transmitting means to said top joint. rotation of said outer ring means in either direction transmits a force through said force transmitting means to prevent said frangible weak A lidding device that breaks the wire thereby opening the container. (2) said force transmitting means forms an inner rim having an upper portion retaining said inflatable ring means such that counterclockwise rotation applied to said outer ring means;
causing an upward force applied by said force transmitting means to said inflatable ring means, said inflatable ring means being thereby cammed against said groove in said cap to cause said inflatable ring means to be cammed against said cap groove to cause said inflatable ring means to 2. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the closure device transmits a force to said cap joint, thereby transmitting thereto a force sufficient to break said frangible line of weakness. (3) the force transmitting means is adapted to be carried by the cap of said container, such that clockwise rotation applied to said external ring means causes a downward force to be applied to said external ring means; 2. A closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said force transmitting means is applied to said container cap, thereby transmitting thereto a force sufficient to break the frangible line of weakness. (4) said external ring means and said inflatable ring means retain said container cap on said external ring means after removal of said container cap from said container body; Claim 2 adapted to
Lid device as described in section. (5) said inflatable ring means is retained in said upper portion of said inner rim and adapted to be adjacent said cap joint of said cap, and said inner rim is adapted to forming a lower surface portion adapted to be adjacent to the outer ring such that upward movement of the cap with respect to the outer ring is restricted by a junction of the lower surface portion of the inner rim to the cap; 2. A downward movement of said cap relative to said cap is limited by a joint of said inflatable ring means to said cap joint, whereby said cap is retained on said outer ring. Lid device. (6) Said inflatable ring means comprises a split ring, said ring including a slit, said split ring being expanded beyond said cap junction and placed into said cap groove. A lid device according to scope item 5. (7) The lid device according to claim 6, wherein the split ring has an inverted V-shaped upper portion. (8) The lid device of claim 6, wherein the split ring has a V-shaped lower portion.