KR20020077714A - A tamper evident closure and a mould assembly for moulding the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: Provided is a tamper evident closure and a mold assembly for molding the same, which is produced at a reduced amount of raw material, thereby reducing production cost. CONSTITUTION: The tamper evident closure is formed of a plastic material and includes an upper wall(3); a skirt part(5) extending downward from the upper wall(3) and having a spiral line(7) to be fastened to a spiral line on the outer surface of a neck part(13) of a container(11); and a tamper evident member(9) having bridges(21) to connect the tamper evident member(9) to the skirt part(5) and side walls; The side walls of the tamper evident member(9) have serial openings(21) and a plurality of tab members(33) extending inward and upward in a space defined by the closure and extending to the inside of the openings(21).

Description

Tamper evident closure and a mold assembly for molding the same

The present invention relates to a tamper evident closure for a container.

The present invention also relates to a mold assembly for molding a tamper secondary closure and a molding method using the same.

A known bar, which is molded from plastic material, is a series of tabs (often called "petal"), which are connected to the bottom edge of the tamper evidence band and extend in the upper and inward directions of the band via a flexible hinge. Also referred to as ")".

The tamper evidence band is connected to the rest of the closure via a bridge. When the closure is in the closed state, the tabs are provided to restrain the undercut surface of the outer bead on the neck of the container.

With this arrangement, the first rotation of the closure from the container causes the tabs to contact the outer bead, which prevents the tabs from moving upwards. Continued rotation of the closure past this position causes the bridge to gradually become in tension and ultimately break the bridge, which separates the tamper-evidence band from the rest of the closure. The tamper incident closure described above is often referred to as a J-band type closure.

Another form of known tamper-evidence closure, formerly the J-banded closure, includes a series of tabs extending inwardly from the bottom of the bead or tamper-evidence band.

As with the J-banded closure, the beads or tabs are provided to contact the undercut surface of the outer bead on the neck of the container. In addition, like the J-band type closure, the tamper evidence band is connected to the rest of the closure via a bridge.

Unlike J-banded closures, the beads or tabs are not connected to the tamper evidence band by the hinge portion. As a result, the beads or tabs are relatively inflexible and stiff. The hinged connection structure of the J-banded closure allows the tabs to be relatively flexible and requires less force to fit the closure to the neck of the container after filling the product with the contents to the filling line of the container. As it is meant, this is an advantage of the J-banded closure over the other known closures described above.

To the best of the applicant's knowledge, there are no known methods of molding a J-banded closure from plastic material with tabs in the operable position, ie with tabs formed in the upper and inward directions. Accordingly, Applicant further includes: (a) molding a closure having tabs in the downward and inward directions; (b) demolding the molded closure from the mold; (c) After that, only the molding method of the J-band-type closure including; step of folding the tab in the upper and inward direction to be in an operable position.

In general, the need for step (c) of folding the tabs is a structural burden on the tabs and the closure. In addition, the folding step is an additional manufacturing step, which is a disadvantage in this criterion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of a J-band type tamper secondary closure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved molding apparatus and method for molding a J-band tamper secondary closure.

According to the invention, (a) the upper wall; (b) a skirt portion extending downwardly and having a spiral line on an inner surface thereof and fastened to a spiral file on an outer surface of the container neck; (c) a bridge that connects the tamper evidence member to the skirt portion, and a tamper evidence member comprising a side wall surface, the side wall surface being connected to the side wall surface and connected to a series of openings. There is provided a tamper secondary closure molded from a plastics material having a plurality of tab members formed (viewed from the outside thereof) formed in the space defined by the upper and inward directions and inwards of the opening holes.

Preferably, the openings are formed at predetermined intervals along the side wall.

Preferably, the side wall surface includes a band forming the bottom edge of the opening holes.

Preferably, the side wall surface includes a plurality of pillars formed extending upward from the band and defining side edges of the opening holes.

Preferably, the bridge is formed extending from the upper end of the pillar.

Preferably, each tab member has a base connecting the tab member to the side wall.

Preferably, each tab member is shaped so that the base is flexible so that the tab members can be bent outward from the molded position in the upper and inward directions at the base.

Preferably, each base has a thinner thickness than the rest of the tab members, and the relatively thin thickness makes each base flexible.

Preferably, the tab members are connected to the bottom edge of the opening holes.

Preferably, the closure is produced by molding a polyolefin (polyolefin).

According to the invention, there is also provided a mold assembly for molding a closure of the type described above, the mold assembly having a central core and a mold cavity for forming at least a portion of the tamper evidence member together with the central core. at least two insertion sliders adapted to be movable to a molding position defining a mold cavity.

Preferably, the center core is upright, and the insertion slider is movable in the horizontal direction.

More preferably, each portion of the core forming part of the mold cavity for forming one of the tab members of the tamper evidence member has a first surface tapered in the lower and inward directions, and a lower side of the first surface. A second surface tapered in its lower and outward direction. The second surface defines a mold cavity surface that forms the inner surface of the tab member when in use. The first face defines a surface that allows the tab member molded in the mold cavity to be demolded. In particular, in use, the tab member moves in contact with the surface for demolding, while the closure stripper assembly moves the molded closure upwards to demold the closure from the core. The tab member being brought into contact with the tapered release surface deflects the tab member outward to facilitate demoulding of the closure from the core.

Preferably, each portion of each insertion slider that forms part of the mold cavity for forming one of the tab members is (a) tapered in the lower and outward direction in a shape complementary to the demolding surface of the central core. A first surface in contact with the demolding surface when the insertion slider is in the molding position; (b) a second surface extending from the first surface in the lower and outward directions, the second surface being configured to define a mold cavity surface for forming an outer surface of the tab member when in use; and (c) an intermediate surface configured to connect the lower edge of the first surface and the upper edge of the second surface to each other and define a mold cavity surface that, when used, defines the upper edge of the tab member.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method of molding a closure of the type described above using the mold described above.

The invention is explained in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the tamper secondary closure according to the present invention in a closed state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure of the present invention, in an open state, having a tamper evidence member left on the neck of the container and the remainder demodulated from the container.

3 is a plan view of a closure of the present invention in a closed state on a container;

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 'A-A' of FIG. 3.

5 is a side view of the closure of the present invention in a closed state on a container;

6 and 7 are perspective views of the closure of the present invention.

8 is a side view of the closure of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a closure with side walls removed, with the arrows shown indicative of the direction of movement of the insertion slider of the three-way split for molding the tamper evidence member with plastic material.

10A through 10D are diagrams illustrating the sequence of molding processes by the mold assembly of the present invention for molding the closures shown in FIGS. 1 through 9.

11 and 12 are perspective views showing another embodiment of a closure formed by the mold assembly of the present invention, wherein the arrow shown in FIG. 11 shows a two-way split insertion slider for molding the tamper evidence member from plastic material. It indicates the direction of movement.

13 is a side view showing another embodiment of a closure according to the present invention.

14 is a side view showing another embodiment of the closure according to the present invention, a side view in which the closure of FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

3: upper wall surface 5: skirt part

7: Spiral file 9: Tamper Evidence member

11: container 13: neck of the container

15: spiral line 21: opening hole

23: band 25: pillar

27 bridge 33 tab member

41: Insertion Slider 51: Core

55: cavity 79: base

Here, as an embodiment of the present invention, it will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

The closures shown in FIGS. 1-9 can be manufactured by molding from polyethylene or polypropylene or any other suitable plastic material.

The closure is such that the container 11 can be closed. The vessel 11 includes a spiral line 15 having a spiral line 15 on the outer surface and a bead 17 formed along the circumference of the outer surface under the portion where the spiral line is formed. The beads 17 have an undercut face 19 of FIG. 4 which restrains the tamper-evidence member of the closure on the neck 13 of the container when in use.

1 to 9, the closure comprises an upper wall 3, a skirt portion 5 which extends downwardly and has a spiral line 7 of the inner surface shown in FIG. It includes a tamper-evidence member, indicated by 9.

The tamper-evidence member 9 is formed extending in the downward direction and includes a side wall surface having a series of opening holes 21. The openings may be formed at any suitable size and spacing. The side wall surface is formed with a lower band 23 defining a lower edge 29 of the opening 21 and extending perpendicular to the band 23 and defining a side edge 31 of the opening 21. It includes a series of pillars (25).

The tamper evidence member 9 also comprises a series of bridges 27 extending from the top edge of the pillar 25 and connecting the tamper evidence member to the skirt portion 5. With this arrangement, the bottom edge of the skirt portion 5 defines the top edge of the opening holes 21.

The tamper evidence member 9 also includes a plurality of tabs 33 extending upwardly and extending inwardly of the space defined by the closure. As best shown in FIG. 4, the tabs 33 extend from the bottom edge of the opening hole 21. Each tab 33 has a base 79 that connects the tab 33 to the bottom edge 29 of one opening hole 21. The tab 33 is tapered in shape, the thickness of which becomes thicker from its base 79 to its end. The thickness of each base 79 is relatively thin compared to the rest of the tab 33 is flexible from the base 79 to the outside from its formed position as shown in the accompanying figures. Make it happen. This is an important shape for positioning the closure in an initial position on the container 11. The number of the tabs 33 is equal to the number of the opening holes 21, and one tab 33 is positioned inside each opening hole 21 when the closer is viewed from the outside. It should be noted that the present invention does not require that only one tab 33 exist for each opening hole 21. The tabs 33 are provided to contact the undercut face 19 of the bead 17 formed on the neck 13 of the container, whereby the tamper evidence member 9 is removed from the neck 13 of the container. To prevent it. The tabs 33 may be of any suitable size and shape, subject to the requirement that the tabs 33 be the same size or smaller than the openings 21.

The closures shown in FIGS. 1-9 are designed to be molded using the insertion sliders 41 divided in three directions shown in FIGS. 10A-10D to form the tamper-evidence member 9 of the closure. . The direction of movement of the insertion sliders 41 is indicated by arrows in FIG. 9. The positions of the insertion sliders 41 and the remaining components of the mold assembly for molding the closure are shown by the figures of FIGS. 10A-10D at four points per time of the continuous molding process.

In FIG. 10A, each view of FIG. 10D includes an upper view and a lower view. 10C further includes an enlarged view of the left side of the drawing. The upper figure in each figure is a plan view showing the relative position of the insertion slider 41 with respect to the remaining part of the mold assembly at each point in time for successive molding processes. The lower figure in each figure is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in the upper figure, showing the position of the components of the mold assembly located at each point for each successive molding process.

10A shows the mold assembly in a molded position. In this position, the components of the mold assembly form the mold cavity 55 in the closed state. The hatched cross section in the mold cavity 55 indicates that the plastic material is injected into the mold cavity to form the closure. The mold assembly components comprise an upright form of a central core 51, three horizontally movable insertion sliders 41, and an upper mold cover 53. These components define the mold cavity 55. In particular, the central core 51 and the insertion slider 41 define a mold cavity for forming the tamper evidence member 9 of the closure. The mold assembly components also include a vertically movable stripper member 57 for demolding the molded closure from the mold assembly.

FIG. 10B shows an initial step of demolding a molded closure from a mold assembly. In particular, this step involves moving the respective insertion sliders 41 outward at the same time so as to deviate from the upward vertical path of the stripper member 57, and moving the mold cover 53 vertically to move away from the closure. Process.

FIG. 10C shows demonstrating subsequent steps of FIG. 10B, as described above, demolding the molded closure from the mold assembly. In this step, the stripper member 57 is moved vertically upwards, while the stripper member 57 is in contact with the lower end of the molded closure, and pushes the closure upwards to be separated from the core 51. In more detail, when the closure is pushed upward with the stripper member 57, the molded tabs 33 of the inwardly facing closure from the molded position can be pulled out on the core 51 without jamming. The core 51 is formed to escape to the outside. That is, as the closure is pushed up, the tabs 33 are erected at an angle that can exit from the core 51.

10D shows the final step of demolding the molded closure from the mold assembly. In the step shown in this figure, the tabs 33 are displaced from the core 51 and, in turn, are bounced back to the molded position, i.e., to the upper and inner sides, by the inherent elasticity of the plastic material. This figure shows the closure in a demolded position so that it can be moved out of the mold assembly.

In order to form the openings 21 and the tabs 33 of the tamper-evidence member in the closure, (a) the core 51 is a generally cylindrical core 51 at predetermined intervals along its outer circumferential surface. A surface 71 inclined in the lower and inward direction and a series of inclined in the lower and inward directions forming a series of cut-out or notch portions with a predetermined distance on the outer circumferential surface of the And (b) a portion of the insertion slider 41 corresponding to each of the inclined surfaces 71 and 73 of the core 51 to the inclined upper surface 71 of the core 51. Complementary shape top surface 75 and the lower surface 77 complementary to the inclined bottom surface 73 of the core 51 is included.

At this time, in the pair of surfaces indicated by reference numerals 71 and 75 and the pair of surfaces indicated by reference numerals 73 and 77, the insertion slider 41 is in the molded position as shown in Fig. 10A. , When the surfaces 71 and 75 paired together are complementary to each other in the sense of being in contact with each other, the surfaces 73 and 77 paired together are mold cavities for forming tabs 33, respectively. Complementary to each other in the sense of defining the inner side and outer side of the.

In addition, when the closure is demoulded from the core 51 by the stripper member 57, the upper surface 71 of the core 51 inclined at a predetermined angle may allow the tabs 33 of the molded closure to escape outward. Make sure In this regard, preferably, the upper surface 71 is inclined at an angle between 10 ° and 40 ° with respect to the vertical direction.

Another embodiment of the closure shown in FIGS. 11 through 14 is very structurally simple compared to one embodiment of the closure shown in FIGS. 1 through 10. Only the differences that arise as a result of designing a closure for molding using an insertion slider divided in two directions are present.

As described above, the tamper evidence closure according to the present invention has several advantages as follows.

1. By providing the opening holes 21 in the side wall surface of the tamper evidence member 9, it is possible to reduce the amount of material required for manufacturing the closure.

2. Aligning the tabs 33 with the apertures 21 has the advantage of allowing the tabs 33 to have direct access while being required from the standpoint of molding the closure. This is important in order to prevent the overflow of milk (or other liquids) or the accumulation of liquids such as the accumulation of water while washing the closure.

3. Another advantage in aligning the tabs 33 and the apertures 21 is that when the closure is fitted to the neck 13 of the container after the product is filled into the container, the side walls of the tabs 33 It doesn't limit movement outward. With this configuration and the structure of the flexible base 79 of each tab 33, the closure of the present invention requires much less force than the J-banded closure when fitted to the neck 13 of the container. Will be.

Many modifications to the preferred embodiments of the invention described above can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

Tamper Avid Closers molded from plastic materials are: (a) an upper wall surface; (b) a skirt portion which extends downward from the upper wall surface and has a spiral string formed on the inner surface thereof and fastened to a spiral file on an outer surface of the container neck; (c) a tamper evidence member comprising bridges connecting the tamper evidence member to the skirt portion and a side wall; The side wall surface includes a series of opening holes and a plurality of tab members formed in the space connected to the side wall surface and extending in an upper and inner direction thereof and an inner direction of the opening holes in a space defined by a closure. Tamper Abyss closure. The tamper evidence closure according to claim 1, wherein the openings are formed at predetermined intervals around the side wall. 3. The tamper evidence closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side wall surface includes a band forming the bottom edge of the opening holes. 4. The tamper evidence closure of claim 3 wherein said side wall surface comprises a plurality of pillars extending upwardly from said band and defining side edges of said apertures. 5. The tamper incident closure of claim 4, wherein the bridge extends from an upper end of the pillar. The tamper evidence closure of claim 1, wherein each tab member has a base that connects a tab member to the side wall. 7. The tamper secondary closure of claim 6, wherein each tab member is shaped such that the base is flexible such that the tab members can be bent outward from the molded position in the upper and inward directions at the base. . 8. The tamper secondary closure of claim 7, wherein each of said bases is made flexible by being thinner than the rest of said tab members. The tamper evidence closure of claim 1, wherein the tab members are connected to bottom edges of the opening holes. The mold assembly for molding the closure of claim 1 is: A central core; At least two insertion sliders movable to a molding position defining a mold cavity for forming at least a portion of the central core and the tamper evidence member; Mold assembly comprising a. 11. The mold assembly of claim 10 wherein the central core is upright and the insertion slider is movable in the horizontal direction. 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein each portion of the central core forming a portion of a mold cavity for forming one of the tab members of the tamper evidence member is for demoulding a tab member molded into a mold cavity. A first surface tapered in the lower and inward directions to define a surface, and a second surface tapered in the lower and outward directions from below the first surface to define a mold cavity surface that, when used, forms an inner surface of the tab member. It includes; In use, while the closure stripper assembly moves the molded closure upwards to demold the molded closure from the central core, the tab member moves in contact with the release surface and the taper of the tab member. And the closure on the demolding surface allows the closure to be easily demolded from the central core. The method of claim 12, wherein each portion of each insertion slider forming a portion of a mold cavity for forming one of the tab members is: (a) a first surface which is tapered in the downward and outward directions in a shape complementary to the demolding surface of the central core and in contact with the demolding surface when the insertion slider is in a molding position; (b) a second surface extending in the lower and outer directions and defining a mold cavity surface which, when in use, forms an outer surface of the tab member; (c) an intermediate surface connecting the lower edge of the first surface and the upper edge of the second surface to each other and defining a mold cavity surface which, when used, defines a top edge of the tab member; Mold assembly comprising a.