JPS62193960A - Vacuum display thermoplastic resin closing member - 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 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to vacuum packed products.
cksd product). More particularly, the present invention provides a container vacuum indicator closure for the packaging of vacuum-packed products.
(indicating closure). More particularly, the present invention relates to a closure member formed from a thermoplastic material having the property of indicating a vacuum when used in a container containing a vacuum packed product.

Many food products that are caged in glass jars are placed under a partial vacuum to prevent them from spoiling or losing flavor.
Ylleuurn) is placed under the
It is important that the closure for such containers is capable of adequately sealing the container in order to maintain the vacuum in the container until the closure is first opened.

It has been recognized that it would be desirable for closures for containers for vacuum-packed products to be associated with means for indicating the presence or absence of a desired degree of vacuum, and the prior art has not been able to do so. He was knowledgeable about metal closure members with unique characteristics. For example, Smally et al.
, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,093.091A, discloses a home-size can closure.
ng closure), and in the US patent, the metal lids of the closure members of many parts are vacuum indicating? Working with Tan. The butane in such a closure member is deflected downwardly by the presence of a suitable degree of partial vacuum in the associated container and, due to the inherent elasticity of the closure member, when the vacuum is released. The deviated pig/pops out to its normal position and repressurizes the container (
repressurizatlon).

vacuum? The use of tongues or panels has traditionally been limited to metal closures or at least closures with metal lids; however, plastic materials, which have long been used extensively in the manufacture of container closures, have similar It did not have a feature to indicate vacuum. The reason for this is that such plastic materials are dimensionally stable only in the absence of additional loads.
lly 5table), and the central IJ of such a closing member? Vacuum in the flannel (in flannel or li/), the strain caused by the effect of the vacuum in the associated container usually causes the central panel to gradually expand (or cleave) under the continuous load resulting from the vacuum. This is also the reason why plastic materials have not been equipped with the characteristic of vacuum marking. The above-mentioned problems are exacerbated as containers are sometimes stored in the warehouse for long periods of time.
It cannot be guaranteed that the vacuum display panel under stress in the plastic container will pop out clearly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a closure for a container for a vacuum-packed product, the closure being made of a thermoplastic material or having a central portion made of a thermoplastic material. It has at least a panel. The closure member central panel has an inner portion integrally attached to the inner annular surrounding portion by a thin circular region of reduced thickness, and the thin circular region is in contact with the inner portion. It is integrally attached to the outer annular portion by a circular region, and this second thin circular region acts as a hinge between the inner and outer annular portions. Due to the presence of a circular hinge in the closure member, the inner part of the closure member is located in the head space of the container.
such vacuum is easily drawn into the headspace of the associated container by the presence of a vacuum in the space ( presence will be displayed.

In addition to this, the closure member is uniquely dimensionally stable in this (lower) position. The deflected condition of the inner portion of the closure creates a significant level of tensile stress in any portion of the closure panel.
This is because it can be achieved without causing. And therefore, the closure member will not deform or cleave up to a certain point, at which point it will not deform or cleave due to repressurization of the headspace of the container due to loss of vacuum in the headspace of the container. The inner part will definitely pop out (
pop-up).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container closure for the packaging of vacuum-packed products, comprising:
At least a central panel portion of the closure member is formed from a thermoplastic material and cooperates with a dimensionally stable portion movable in response to the presence or absence of a vacuum in the container. It is also an object of the present invention to indicate the presence or absence of a sealing engagement with a container.
An object of the present invention is to provide a cage including such a closure member and a product packaged therein.

Another object of the invention is that the center panel portion and the depending skirt portion are made from a single piece of thermoplastic material.
a piece of molded closure member, in which the central panel portion includes an interiorly disposed portion, the interiorly disposed portion containing a vacuum nosected product. when the closure member is secured to the containing container, it is movable in a dimensionally stable manner relative to the outer annular portion to indicate the presence of a vacuum within the container;
And it is a (yet another) object of the invention to provide a package including such a closure member molded from a thermoplastic material in sealing engagement with a container and a caged product in the container. be.

For a further understanding of the invention and its objectives, attention is directed to the following detailed description and claims, with reference to the compartment and its description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 1, a closure according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral //, is placed in a closed position on a container, generally designated by the reference numeral 2/. The container is preferably kept at sub-atmospheric pressure or under a partial vacuum to prevent foodstuffs or other products from spoiling and spoiling with loss of flavor. partial vacuum condition
It is a type of container suitable for packaging products of the type packaged in s). Typically,
Container 2/ constitutes a conventional wide-mouth glass container, which can be used for storing, for example, baby food.
Product 1 Junior food product
This is the type of container used to package powdered coffee products.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 2/ has a threaded neck or finish.
tion) 22 are provided. However, it is contemplated that the closure member m of the present invention may also be used in containers having other types of finishes, where the other types of finishes may be provided with lugs, for example. lug type flnishe
s) and a finished part (sna
There is a p-onbead finishshag). In each case, the closure member // comprises a generally horizontally arranged top part /2 extending over the mouth of the container 2/ and a vertically depending annular skirt part /3.

Additionally, a closure member // is shown as comprising a sealing material /≠ provided inside the top /2 at the junction of the top /2 and the skirt /3. and thin sealing materials, such as plastisol sealcon/4'ound.
ng compound) engages the top or rim of the finish 22 of the container and contributes to maintaining the desired degree of vacuum within the container. Naturally, the vacuum indicating features of the vessel //, as described in detail below, may be of the linerless type or self-sealing type known in the prior art.
) is also intended to be used in containers.

The hanging skirt part /3 of the closure member // is connected to the container 2
/ is dimensioned to extend beyond the rim of the finishing part 22 and downwardly across the threads 23 or other closure retention means in the finishing part 22, and the retention is , by providing means, shown as inwardly projecting threads /j, on the inside of the depending skirt part /3 of the closure member //, said means ? It engages in a known manner with the closure member retaining means 23 on the tor.

The closure member// is made of a flexible thermoplastic resin, such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene, before inserting the slit material/lA therein.
hylene) and illustrated by injection molding or compression molding, as is well known in the art.
vsrslon). When the closure member is formed in this manner, the closure member has serrations (5 errats) on the outer surface of the skirt portion/3.
lon : indentation)/Z may be provided to facilitate gripping of the closure during application and removal and to facilitate reuse in the case of closures used in large containers or multi-use containers. Apply (r@app
l 1cation). In case the product contained in the container concerned is oxygen-sensitive, a barrier cover i (b
barrier coating or barrier fill material.
er material) can be added to the composition of the thermoplastic material used in the manufacture of the closure.

The vacuum indicating feature of the closure member // is such that the annular portion /9 is the outermost portion of the top of the closure member and from which an annular skirt /3 depends. The material at the junction of the circular part/7 and the annular part/7 is such a part C/7. /I), forming a hinge that is circular in shape, and that the hinge generates a large tensile force in any of such parts (/7, /♂). Allows bending with respect to each other.

Similarly, the material at the junction of the annular member /♂ and the annular portion /♂ is thinned to form a circular hinge between these parts /♂, 79 and therefore these parts (/♂). 1./ri) can be similarly bent with respect to each other without producing large tensile strain in any of them.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the closure member // is in the closed position over the container 2/ containing the vacuum packaged product 3/, the "head space" of the container
ce) A subatmospheric pressure or negative pressure in the unfilled part of the container above the top surface of the product 3/, commonly referred to as j, draws the circular part /7 downwards, so that said part /7 The top surface of is the annular part/
9 below the top surface. The head of the container 2/ may be damaged, for example by opening or partial opening of the closure member //, or by defects in the seal due to irregularities in the top of the finish of the container or an improperly formed closure gasket. If the vacuum in space is lost,
The headspace draws air from its surroundings and is repressurized by air. Circular portion at the top of the closure member/7
The increase in pressure on the underside of the annular portion/7 is such that the vertical position of the annular portion/7 is noticeably higher, as shown in FIG. higher than the vertical position.

Preferably, the closure member is molded in the position illustrated in FIG.
The residual strain in the closure member, referred to as m@mory) J, will contribute to the movement of the closure member to the "up" position. Appropriate warnings or instructions on the closure or container or associated printed material may prevent the consumer or retail store employee from using a package that did not contain the desired vacuum when first opened. You will be able to be advised of any associated hazards and will be required to operate the closure for 8 minutes.
The position of 7 allows instructions on how to easily determine the presence or absence of such a vacuum. In addition to this, the vacuum marking feature can be used as a basis for the continuous inspection of a large number of filled containers in a packing plant, where various Dynamically read and discard filled containers in which the closure panel portion/7 is not in an acceptable position.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-3 includes a modified embodiment of the closure member, indicated generally by the reference numeral ///, and identical to that illustrated in Figures 1-3. The closure member is located on a container which is considered as a container and which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 2/. Closure member ///, like closure member //, includes a generally horizontally disposed top and a vertically depending annular skirt, the top and skirt having reference numbers //2 and 2, respectively. //3 is displayed. Drooping annular skirt of closure member ///
3 is identical to the depending annular skirt part /3 of the closure member //, and at the same time the important difference between these embodiments of the invention is the top /,! and //2 exist in the difference between the structures. As a result, if it is desired to use the gasket seal features of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 in the embodiment of FIG. The closure member //7 is provided with a suitable sealing material at the junction of the top part and the skirt part //3, said inner part //7 being PI of the closure member // in position and function.
Corresponds to shape part/7.

The solidification closure member ///'y is located at its lower vacuum indicating position as shown with a plurality of radially extending reinforcing lips //7a on its underside. P4 contributes to preventing downward curving when there is a shadow, and prevents upward curving when the inner d portion is located at the upper non-vacuum display position as shown in FIG. The inner part /7 of the closing part /// is structurally different from the circular part /7 of the closing part // in that it contributes to the circular part /7 of the closing part //.

The inner circular portion of the top //2 of the closure member //7 is
Similar to the relationship between parts /g and /7 of the closure member //,
surrounded by the inner annular part//g, these parts/
with thinned material between the parts //7 and //♂ to form a circular hinge between /7 and 77g, and in turn the annular part //♂ Annular part/
surrounded by /7, parts of the closed vessel // /9 and /♂
between parts //♂ and //9 to form a circular hinge between these parts // and // to correspond to the hinged relationship between these parts // and //. It is accompanied by thinned material. As in the case of the inner circular portion //7, each of the annular portions //I and //9 is provided with a plurality of radially extending lips on its underside, each of these lips having a reference number. //? It is indicated by a and //ria.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the radially extending lips //7a, //♂a and //ria
The pairs are preferably all in line with each other, which means that each of the pairs of annular portions //t and //r
Particularly desirable for & and//ria. This is because such a relationship results in the lips interfering with each other and coming into contact when the circular portion //7 is located at the lower vacuum display position as shown in FIG. . Rig//In and//L? Such an interference relationship between a and the circular part //
7 upward biasing force (blaming fores
) can be useful to add a pop-up char to the closure when vacuum is lost.
Acterlstles).

The best mode for carrying out the invention is sufficiently clear and clear to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention.
It has been written in concise and extracted language. However, certain modifications of the modes described above for carrying out the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and therefore:
It is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a container closed by a closure member according to the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates the container of FIG. 1 and the closure member and the caged product in the container; FIG. 3 is a cut-away cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale related to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, but in which the closure member constitutes an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but illustrating the relationship between the container and the closure member; and Figure 6 is a view below the closure member illustrated in Figures μ and 5. It is a diagram seen from the side. // , ///... closing member, /2, / /2・
...Top, /3゜//3...Skirt part, /≠, //
l...Seal material, /j, 23...Screw thread, /O-
... Serration, /7. //7...inner part, /1
．． /ri, //1. //9...Annular part 1.2/...
Container, 2.2...Finishing section, 3/...Product, //7
a. //f h, //9 a... Reply. FIG, 4 FIG, 5 FIG, 6

Claims (20)

[Claims] (1) A container containing a vacuum-packed product therein and having a finish for receiving a closure member to close and seal the container, and a closure member in sealing engagement with the finish of the container. and said closure member is in combination: a top extending over the finish of the container; a mating annular skirt, the top portion being formed from a thermoplastic material and including a circular inner portion, an annular portion surrounding the circular inner portion, and a first annular portion surrounding the first annular portion; two annular portions, the circular inner portion, the first annular portion, and the second annular portion are integrally formed in one piece, and the circular inner portion is hinged to the first annular portion. , and the first annular portion is hinged to the second annular portion, and the plane of the circular inner portion is relative to the plane of the second annular portion such that a vacuum is applied within the container. movable from a first dimensionally stable position in one case to a second dimensionally stable position in the case of loss of the desired vacuum in the container, when the container is in its normal upright position; . A container and closure combination, wherein the second dimensionally stable position is higher in vertical position than the first dimensionally stable position. 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the vertical position of the first dimensionally stable position is below the vertical position of the second annular portion of the top of the closure member. 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the vertical position of the second dimensionally stable position is above the vertical position of the second annular portion of the closure member. (4) The top of the closure member and the annular skirt of the closure member are
4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein the thermoplastic resin material is formed integrally into one piece. (5) The closure member is provided with a sealing compound therein adjacent the junction of the top panel and the annular skirt, and the sealing compound is in sealing engagement with the finish of the container. The combination described in item 1. (6) The combination according to claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic resin material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and high density polyethylene. 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the closure member is formed by molding with the circular inner portion in a second dimensionally stable position during molding. (8) A plurality of reinforcing ribs extending in the radial direction are provided on the lower side of the circular inner portion of the top.
Combinations listed in section. (9) the underside of the first annular portion is provided with a plurality of radially extending ribs, the ribs being aligned with the radially extending ribs of the inner circular portion; A plurality of radially extending ribs are provided on the underside of the second annular portion, and the ribs are arranged in a radial direction of the radially extending ribs of the second annular portion and the circular inner portion. 9. The combination of claim 8 in alignment with the extending ribs. (10) the radially extending ribs of the second annular portion are in contact with the radially extending ribs of the first annular portion when the circular inner portion is in its first dimensionally stable position; The combination according to claim 9, which is in interfering contact. (11) A closure member that sealingly engages the finish of a container containing a vacuum-packed product, the closure member comprising in combination: a top adapted to extend across the finish of the container; and from the top. an annular skirt extending downwardly and adapted to surround and securely engage an upper portion of the finish, said top portion being formed from a thermoplastic material and having a circular inner portion; an annular portion surrounding the circular inner portion, and a second annular portion surrounding the first annular portion, the circular inner portion, the first annular portion, and the second annular portion; is integrally formed in one piece, with a circular inner portion being hinged to the first annular portion, and the first annular portion being hinged to the second annular portion; The plane of said circular inner portion is arranged relative to the plane of the second annular portion from a first dimensionally stable position in the presence of a vacuum in the container to a position in the case of loss of the desired pressure in the container. movable to a second dimensionally stable position, the second dimensionally stable position being in a more vertical position than the first dimensionally stable position when the container is in its normal upright position; A closure member characterized by a high (12) The vertical position of the first dimensionally stable position is
12. A closure member as claimed in claim 11 below the vertical position of the second annular portion at the top of the closure member. (13) The vertical position of the second dimensionally stable position is
13. A closure member as claimed in claim 12 above the vertical position of the second annular portion of the closure member. 14. A closure according to claim 13, wherein the top of the closure and the annular skirt of the closure are integrally formed in one piece from the thermoplastic material. (15) The closure member is provided with a sealing compound on the interior thereof, adjacent the junction of the top panel and the annular skirt, and the sealing compound is configured to seal the container when the closure member is added to the container. 12. A closure member as claimed in claim 11, adapted for sealing engagement with a finishing portion of. 16. The closure of claim 14, wherein the thermoplastic resin material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and high density polyethylene. 17. The closure member of claim 16, wherein the closure member is formed by molding with the circular inner portion in a second dimensionally stable position during molding. (18) The closure member according to claim 11, wherein the lower side of the circular inner portion of the top portion is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending in the radial direction. (19) a plurality of radially extending ribs are provided on the underside of the first annular portion, the ribs being aligned with the radially extending ribs of the circular inner portion; A plurality of radially extending ribs are provided on the underside of the second annular portion, and the ribs are arranged in a radial direction of the radially extending ribs of the second annular portion and the circular inner portion. 19. A closure member as claimed in claim 18 in alignment with the extending ribs. (20) the radially extending ribs of the second annular portion are in contact with the radially extending ribs of the first annular portion when the circular inner portion is in its first dimensionally stable position; 20. Closing member according to claim 19, which contacts in an interfering manner.