MX2013005325A

MX2013005325A - Closure for a container.

Info

Publication number: MX2013005325A
Application number: MX2013005325A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Lino Dreyer; Alexandre Rouquette
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland
Priority date: 2010-12-23
Filing date: 2011-12-07
Publication date: 2013-09-18
Also published as: WO2012084514A1; ES2535320T3; BR112013011387B1; US20130256306A1; AU2011347858B2; AU2011347858A1; NZ610137A; BR112013011387A2; EP2468654B1; CN103261044B; IL226008A; JP2014503434A; EP2468654A1; IL226008A0; CN103261044A; MA34825B1; AR084560A1; RU2013128775A; CA2820567A1

Abstract

A closure for a container comprising a circular base (20, a skirt (30) extending from the periphery thereof, an outer seal (60) and a plug seal (50) in the form of an annulus and at least one rib (80) lying on the surface of the base (20) in a substantially radial direction and in contact with the radially inner surface of the plug seal (50) at one end for transferring any movement of the base (20), relative to the skirt (30), to the plug seal (50) such that the plug seal (50) is pulled radially inward to allow venting of excess pressure within the container, whereby the outer seal (60) of the closure comprises at least one deformation portion (65) which interrupts partially the sealing effect of the outer seal (60) in case overpressure occurs.

Description

CLOSURE FOR CONTAINER Description of the invention The present invention relates to a closure according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Thread closures for containers with pressurized fluids such as carbonated beverages are widely known. If the pressure exerted on the container exceeds a desired level sufficient to overcome the thread coupling, the closure can be ejected suddenly from the neck of the container, an effect also called "closing missile" which can lead to injury to users .

Container closures have therefore been developed, with which excessive gas pressure in the container is decreased by automatically self-discharging the container closure arrangement in the direction of a pressure control valve.

EP 0 858 416 describes a closure with a base and a skirt that hangs down defining the outside of the closure. Inside the closure, an internal seal downward hangs from the base. Radially between the inner seal and the skirt, there is also a stop that hangs down from the base. This stop acts to avoid excessive tightening of the threads located inside the cover and in an associated container, and acts against the edge of the container. Between the top and the Ref. 240923 internal seal the thickness of the base becomes thin. A rib of uniform thickness lying on the inside of the base extends from the inner seal towards the axis of the center of the base and the inner seal projects radially outward by its presence in case of excessive pressure, whereby the container performs the download.

The discharge mechanism of EP 0 858 416 operates so that the thinned portion as described functions as a hinge that allows the portion of the base, which includes the part having the internal seal hanging therefrom, to move towards above. Accordingly, the inner seal has to be lifted slightly from the inner side of the container neck to allow discharge.

WO 2006/051068 describes a suitable closure for self-discharge of excessive gas by a rib lying on the surface of its base and which is in direct contact with an internal seal and which transfers any movement from the center of the base with the excessive gas towards that Internal seal allowing download.

According to the WO self-discharge mechanism 2006/051068 the internal seals move away from the internal side of the container by its direct contact with the neck.

The internal seal described in these documents is sealed by pressing against the inner side of the neck of the container when the closure is applied. In this context, a known problem is that damage and tortures on the rim or inside the neck reduce the sealing effect.

Therefore, in case there is damage or tortures on the internal surface of the container neck, such self-discharging arrangements additionally reduce the desired sealing effect of the internal seal or result in premature discharge which intensifies the aforementioned problem.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a closure that supports the functionality of such an internal seal to improve the sealing properties and thereby avoid diminishing the viability of the self-discharge function.

This problem is solved with a closure according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention provides a closure for. a container comprising a circular base, a skirt extending from the periphery thereof, a ring-shaped seal, which is usually also called a dip seal, and at least one rib lying on the surface of the base in a substantially radial direction.

The hermetic seal seals the closure against the inner side of the container. The rib is in contact with the radially internal surface of the seal at one end to transfer any movement from the base, relative to the skirt, to the seal in such a manner that the seal is pulled radially inward to allow discharge of the seal. excessive pressure inside the container.

An external seal is arranged concentrically to the skirt. Such an external seal is sealed against an outer surface of the wheel of the container and additionally centers the closure against the container and generates a force contrary to the hermetic seal that supports its sealing properties against the container neck.

The outer seal has at least one deformation portion that is weaker than a major fraction of the outer seal and that will partially interrupt the sealing effect of the outer seal in the event of excess pressure occurring. Such deformation portion maintains the desired functionality of automatic self-discharge, whereas, especially under normal gas conditions and ambient temperature in the container, the sealing effect in the position of such deformation portion is as effective as in the fraction main external seal. The deformation portion can be formed by locally reducing the size of the seal, eg, its axial length and / or its radial thickness. The deformation portion can also be formed by influencing the properties of the material. The deformation portion may even break when extreme pressure conditions develop within the container.

The closure preferably comprises six fraction and deformation portions, respectively, if the circular base has a diameter of 28 mm. The closure preferably comprises 8 or 9 main fractions and deformation portions, respectively, if the circular base has a diameter of 38 mm.

The closure preferably further provides a top shoulder located on the lower side of the top wall between the seal and the outer seal. The upper projection leaves at least one space by means of which excessive gas can pass. Therefore, in addition to the deformation portions, a defined route for the gas escape reinforces the self-discharge effect.

Preferably, the stop shoulder is disposed concentrically and between the hermetic seal and the outer seal.

There is a radial clearance between the upper shoulder and the outer seal such that excessive gas can reach and pass the deformation portion. However, preferably the space of the upper shoulder is aligned circumferentially with the deformation portion to ensure a defined and direct route for the excess gas, whereby the self-discharge effect is increased.

The outer seal of the closure is preferably disposed vertically to the circular base or may be inclined radially inwardly or outwardly. Such inclination of the outer seal will reduce the contact with the surface and therefore reduce friction, in order to keep the torques of removal torque low.

The end of the rib with the radially inner surface of the seal is preferably thinner, in a plane parallel to the base, than in a region spaced from the end of the rib in contact with the radially internal surface, in particular thinner than the other end of the rib. Relatively light contact with the hermetic seal results in many advantages such as a minimized reduction of the hermetic seal flexibility. Such an arrangement is described in WO 2006/051068.

The deformation portion can be formed by reducing the radial thickness of the external seal.

Preferably, the rib is aligned with a deformation portion in order to shorten the excess gas path when it is discharged.

The deformation portions are preferably located at a constant circumferential distance from each other.

The radial angle included between the deformation portions is preferably between the near inner sides of 34 ° to 50 °, more preferably of between 34 ° to 45 °, even more preferably of 34 ° to 40 °. A constant distance between the deformation portion results in a homogeneous and centered force distribution when the closure is applied to the container. Likewise, the self-discharge is performed homogeneously over the entire circumference of the external seal.

Additionally, the thickness of those deformation portions is preferably between 0.3 to 0.5 mm, more preferably between 0.3 to 0.4 mm, when compared to a 0.7 mm thickness of the outer seal.

The circumferential length of the deformation portion is determined with a radial angle from the center of the circular base that preferably includes from 6o to 30 °, more preferably from 6 ° to 20 °, even more preferably from 6 to 15. °.

The embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following figures: Figure 1 shows an external view of the closure cover.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure when self-discharging.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the base of the closure.

Figure 1 shows an external view of a closure 10. A base 20 is a circular upper foundation and there is a skirt 30 hanging down from its periphery Figure 2 shows approximately half of the closure cover 10 in cross section. The base 20 can be seen in Figure 2 and the skirt 30 is hanging down its periphery.

On the inner surface of this skirt 30 are the threads 40. These threads 40 cooperate with the corresponding container threads 45 located on a radially outer surface of a container.

In addition, an olive-like seal 50 hangs down from the base 20 which extends in a complete ring as shown in Figure 3 and which is sealed with a rib projecting radially 51 against an inner surface of a neck of a container .

An upper shoulder 70 acts as a constraint for the container advancing towards the base 20. The upper shoulder 70 is interrupted by at least one space 75 which constitutes a passage for the excess gas P and the space of the upper shoulder 70 is aligned with the deformation portion as also shown in figure 3.

Concentrically and as an inner ring adjacent the skirt 30 there is an outer seal 60 that hangs vertically from the base 20. The outer seal may also tilt slightly radially inwardly or outwardly. The outer seal 60 is provided with at least one deformation portion 65 which is relatively thinner than a main fraction 61 of the outer seal 60.

A rib 80 extends radially between a position of the base 20 and the inner surface of the seal 50.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a part of the base of the closure. Figure 3 shows a base 20 that is substantially circular. An airtight seal 50 hangs down from the base 20 and extends as a complete ring from the center of the base 20, thus providing a seal with an internal part of the neck of a container. as you can see in figure 1.

The outer seal 60 is concentrically disposed towards the skirt 30. At least one deformation portion 65 is shown as part of the outer seal 60 which is relatively thinner than the main fraction 61 of the outer seal 60.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of those deformation portions 65 is between 0.3 to 0.4 mm.

The radial angle between the lateral sides of the deformation portions 65 is between 34 ° to 40 ° and includes a constant circumferential length between the deformation portions 65.

The circumferential length of the deformation portion 65 is determined with a radial angle of the circular base 20 including from 6o to 15 °.

Such closures comprise 8 or 9 deformation portions 65 and major fractions 61, respectively and their circular base 20 has a diameter of 38 mm.

The closure with 8 deformation portions 65 and major fractions 61, respectively, comprises a thread 40 having two inlets. The closure with 9 deformation portions 65 and major fractions 61, respectively, comprises a thread 40 having three inlets.

The upper shoulder 70 is located radially outwardly of the seal 50. The upper shoulder 70 is located between airtight seal 50 and the outer seal 60. The upper shoulder 70 is therefore interrupted by at least one space 75 defining a passage for the excessive gas P during self-discharge.

The rib 80 extends radially between a position of the base 20 and the inner surface of the seal 50. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the end 81 of the rib 80 having contact with the inner surface of the seal 50 is more thin compared to the end 84. It can be seen that the rib 80 has a first part 83 and a second part, the second part ends at an end 81 in contact with the seal 50 and the first part 83 extends radially inwardly at the other end of the second part. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 81 of the rib 80 is substantially stiffer than the second portion 82.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A closure for a container comprising a circular base, a skirt extending from the periphery thereof, an airtight seal in the shape of a ring and at least one rib lying on the surface of the base in a substantially radial direction and which is in contact with the radially internal surface of the seal at one end to transfer any movement from the base, relative to the skirt, to the seal in such a manner that the seal is pulled radially inward to allow the discharge of the excess pressure inside the container, characterized in that it is provided with an external seal having at least a deformation portion to deform in case of excessive pressure to interrupt the sealing effect of the external seal.

2. A closure in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that an upper projection is located on the lower side of the base concentrically to and between the hermetic seal and the outer seal, and is interrupted by at least one space.

3. A closure according to claim 2, characterized in that the space of the upper shoulder is aligned with the deformation portion.

4. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external seal is inclined radially inwardly.

5. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external seal is inclined radially outwards.

6. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that one end of the rib in contact with the radially internal surface of the seal is thinner, in a plane parallel to the base, than in an area of the rib arranged spaced from the inner surface of the hermetic seal.

7. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rib has a first part and a second part, the second part ends at one end that is in contact with the hermetic seal and the first part extending radially towards out from the other end of the second part.

8. A closure according to claim 7, characterized in that the first part of the rib is substantially more rigid than the second part.

9. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rib is aligned with a deformation portion.

10. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the deformation portions are constantly distanced and the included angle between the lateral sides of the deformation portions is preferably between 34 ° to 50 °, more preferably of between 34 ° to 45 °, even more preferably from 34 ° to 40 °.

11. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the thickness of the deformation portions is preferably between 0.3 to 0.5 mm, more preferably between 0.3 to 0.4 mm, when compared to a thickness of 0.7. mm of the outer seal.

12. A closure according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the circumferential length of the deformation portion is determined by a radial angle from the center of the circular base that preferably includes between 6 ° to 30 °, more than preference between 6 ° to 20 °, even more preferably between 6 ° to 15 °.