MXPA03003243A

MXPA03003243A - Container-closure arrangement.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03003243A
Application number: MXPA03003243A
Authority: MX
Inventors: David Alexander Woinarski
Original assignee: Innovative Design Co Pty
Priority date: 2000-10-12
Filing date: 2001-10-09
Publication date: 2004-12-03
Also published as: CN1473127A; TW577843B; NZ525217A; AU2001293518B2; MY128453A; AU9351801A; CN1222444C; JP2004509817A; EP1326785A1; WO2002030780A1; CA2425635A1; KR20030051715A; US20040011790A1

Abstract

A container-closure arrangement includes a container (10) having a base (13), a peripheral wall (15), a rim (16) forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and a flange (19) formed integrally with and surrounding the wall below the level of the rim. A closure (11) has a central portion (25) that is arranged to overfit the opening of the container, and has a skirt (26, 29, 31) formed integrally with the central portion and arranged to surround and engage the rim (16) when the closure is fitted to the container. A part (34) of the skirt is adapted for being bonded to the flange (19), or a part (50) of the skirt can be push-fitted in an upwardly directed opening (52) in the flange (19), when the closure is fitted to the container.

Description

CONTAINER-CLOSURE PROVISION COUNTRYSIDE. OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an obvious container-closure arrangement against tampering, the closure optionally being resealable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A container-closure arrangement of the type with which the present invention relates typically must satisfy a number of seemingly incompatible requirements. It must provide a container-seal seal that is maintained when dynamic loads and dynamic forces, such as those arising from the dripping of containers and / or displacement loads, tend to break the seal. However, the container-seal seal must at the same time be sufficiently docile to allow convenient removal and replacement of the closure as and when required. Also, the container-closure provision must provide evidence of any tampering that may occur after containing the product and before delivering the contained product to an end user. However, the obvious structure against tampering must not be so hard that it prevents the legitimate removal of the container from being closed. REF: 146500 Several container-closure arrangements have been developed in an attempt to meet these requirements. US 5730309 discloses a container having a molding edge and a closure having a peripheral skirt. The skirt is formed with an inwardly directed flange which is arranged to engage in a snap-fit hitch with the trim of the edge, and the skirt incorporates a removable release strip that functions to prevent removal of the container closure until the strip is removed. detachment is removed. The arrangement of US 5730309 provides multiple engagement between portions of the closing skirt and interlocking portions of the wall of the container. FR 2599004 discloses a container having a side flange projecting outwardly thereof, and a closure having a peripheral skirt, with a corresponding lateral peripheral flange extending from the skirt to align with the flange of the container when the closure fits the container. The peripheral flanges can be connected to each other by ultrasonic welding. In addition, a detachment line is provided in the closure, wherein the peripheral skirt is attached to the central portion of the closure body. This allows the closure to be removed from the container, but the arrangement is such that the closure can not be sealed back to the container once removed. US 443907, in a manner somewhat similar to FR 2599004, discloses a container having a corresponding peripheral flange projecting laterally, and a closure having a peripheral flange projecting laterally, the flanges aligning and joining together. In this arrangement, a weakening line is provided in the side tab of the container to allow the release of the closure of the container. However, once detached, the closure can be reassembled to the container in such a way that a molding of the inner wall of the skirt can be pressed beyond a remnant of the container flange (i.e., remaining after detachment). of the container in the weakening zone). Australian patent 682096, of the applicant of the present invention, discloses a container having an edge, and a peripheral flange projecting out of the container at a site lower than the edge. A closure having a first peripheral skirt, with a flange directed inwardly on the skirt arranged to interlock with the edge molding, can be mounted to that container. A second skirt is connected to the first skirt in a brittle connection and projects downwardly thereof, with a lower end which sits in a depression in the flange. of the container when the closure is mounted to the container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container-closure arrangement that includes: (i) a container having a base, a peripheral wall, an edge forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and a flange formed integrally with the wall below the edge and surrounding it; and (ii) a closure having a central portion that is arranged to fit over the container opening, a first skirt portion formed integrally with the central portion and arranged to surround the edge when the closure is fitted to the container, a second portion of skirt and optionally a third skirt portion extending in sequence from the first skirt portion, the second skirt portion is peelable from either the first skirt portion or, when present, the third skirt portion, or which is removable from both the first and the third skirt portions; the arrangement is such that, when the closure is fitted to the container: (a) one of the second or third skirt portions, which portion is adjacent to the flange, can be adjusted by pressure in an opening directed upwards in the eyelash; or (b) the third skirt portion, when present, may be attached to the tab. In (a), when facing up the opening, that part of the skirt can be adjusted by pressure inside the opening simultaneously when the closure itself is adjusted to the container. The term "pressure adjusted" is intended to include an interference fit, a spring action adjustment and a friction fit. The resulting arrangement prevents the insertion of an implement of a thin blade between the container and the skirt portions of the closure, which prevents the contents of the container from being tampered with. In (b), by joining the third skirt portion to the container flange, after adjusting the closure and, for example, after filling the container, inserting a knife implement between the container and the skirt portions of the container. closure will also be blocked, which will prevent the contents of the container from being tampered with. PREFERRED MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION Preferably in (a) a remote end of the second or third portion is adjusted by pressure in the flange opening, the remote end is defined by a projecting edge which, in cross-sectional cross-section, has a distal head enlarged and a narrower proximal neck connecting the head to the remote end, wherein the opening is an upwardly directed annular channel formed in and extending around the flange, the channel includes an annular projection in the opening within the same and beyond which the head of the edge must be pushed to be adjusted within the channel; or in (b) the third skirt portion is arranged and configured to be secured to the flange by welding or adhesive bonding, the flange optionally being formed with a peripheral recess portion, the arrangement and shape of the third skirt portion. It is such that it is located in the recessed part. In (b) the joining can be effected by an adhesion welding process or by a continuous seam welding process, by the use of, for example, an ultrasonic welding process. Preferably, the second skirt portion is removable from the first and / or third portions in a relatively narrow brittle connection between the skirt portions, the spacing along which it allows the closure to be detached from the container. Preferably, the annular channel is located in the recessed portion of the flange. Preferably, the projecting edge extends downwardly from the third skirt portion. Preferably, the projecting edge is snapped into the annular channel. Preferably, a molding is formed integrally with the edge and surrounds it and preferably the first skirt portion engages the molding on a flange located within the first skirt portion and formed integrally therewith and positioned to be in interlocking engagement with the molding. . The third skirt portion preferably has an inner peripheral wall that is diametrically larger than an inner peripheral wall of the second skirt portion. In that case, preferably the second skirt portion has a lower marginal edge that is configured and arranged to be adjacent to a wall portion of the container flange that is located radially inwardly of the recessed portion. A flange is preferably located within and integrally formed with the peripheral wall of the container and, in such a case, the closure is formed with an internal skirt which is arranged to be inside the container edge and to engage with the flange when the closure is adjusted to the container and a · force is applied to the closure, for example, as a result of containers loaded in a pile. The inner skirt may be arranged to be adjacent to the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the container or the inner skirt may be arranged obliquely with respect to the peripheral wall of the container. The central portion of the closure is preferably formed with a cavity having a base and a peripheral wall and, in this case, the closure may be formed with radially extending membranes, which interconnect the peripheral wall of the cavity and the inner skirt. The projecting edge of the second or third skirt portion may also be attached to the container flange in a manner similar to the attachment of the second or third skirt portion to the container flange in (b). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Regardless of any other forms that may fall within the scope of the present invention, the preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container-closure arrangement according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional elevation view of a portion of the arrangement as seen in the section plane direction 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view of a portion of the arrangement as shown in Figure 2 but incorporating a modification of that arrangement; Figure 4 shows a view of another portion of the arrangement as shown in Figure 2 but incorporating another modification of that arrangement; Figure 5 shows a sectional view similar to Figure 2, but of a second assembled container-closure arrangement; and Figure 6 shows a view of a portion of the arrangement of Figure 5, or a modification thereto. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a container-closure arrangement according to the invention comprises a container 10, a closure 11 and a handle 12 that rotates in the shape of pivot connected to the container. The container and closure can be molded of polypropylene or high density polyethylene. The handle can be formed of steel or a plastic material. The container can be molded to any desired size and will typically have a volumetric capacity of the order of 4 to 25 liters. The container 10 has a base that is dimensioned to be within a depression 14 of the closure, whereby a number of the container-closure arrangements can be stacked on top of each other. The container also has a peripheral wall 15, and an edge 16 forms an upper margin of the wall 15 and surrounds an opening of the container. A molding 17 is formed integrally with the edge 16 and surrounds it. The molding has a lower surface 18 the outer surface of the peripheral wall 15 is connected. An annular flange 19 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 15 of the container and surrounds it. The flange is located vertically below the level of the molding 17 and has two wall portions 20 and 21. The wall portion 20 is inclined with respect to the peripheral wall 15 of the container, and the wall portion 21 hangs from the outer margin of the inclined wall portion. A series of radially extending membranes 22 connect the flange 19 to the peripheral wall 15 of the container. In accordance with the present invention, a recessed portion 23 is formed in the flange at the junction of the two wall portions 20 and 21. A flange 24 is located within and integrally formed with the peripheral wall 15 of the container. The rim 24 is located at a level below that of the depression 14 of the closure.

The closure 11 has a central portion 25 which incorporates the depression 14 and which is arranged and sized to fit over the opening of the container 10. A first skirt portion 26 is formed integrally with the central portion 25 and is sized to surround the molding 17 of the container and hook it. An annular flange 27 is located within the first skirt portion 26 and is integrally formed therewith, and the flange 27 is located to be in interlocking engagement with the lower surface 18 of the molding of the container 17 when the closure is adjusted to container. The first skirt portion 26 widens outwardly from the flange 27 and has an inner surface 28 that is contoured with smooth curves. The inner surface 28 is configured to accommodate the fingers of a person seeking to lift the closure of the container. The inner surface 28 is also configured to facilitate the sliding engagement of the closure and the container when the closure is pushed onto the container. The molding 17 of the container is also configured in a manner that facilitates engagement by engagement between the closure and the container when the closure is pushed onto the container. A second portion 29 hangs from the skirt portion 26 and is fragilely connected to it by means of an integrally molded thin connection membrane 30. Also, in this first embodiment, a third skirt portion 31 forms an extension of the second skirt portion 29 and is fragilely connected to the second skirt portion by an integrally molded membrane 32. The third skirt portion 31 is configured and sized to be located within the recessed portion 22 of the flange 19, so that the third skirt portion 31 can be attached to the flange of the container 19 when the container has been loaded with material and the closure 11 is adjusted to the container 10 for the first time. The joint between the third skirt portion 31 and the flange 19 can be established by injecting a sealant (not shown) or it can be created by welding the third skirt portion 31 in the recessed part 22. The latter can be achieved by a Adhesive welding procedure or when creating a continuous seam weld. Welding can be affected in several ways including, for example, rotating the container-closure arrangement around the vertical axis of the container and directing electrically heated air within the welding zone from a nozzle 33. The third skirt portion 31 it has an inner peripheral wall 34 that is larger in diameter than the inner peripheral wall 35 of the second skirt portion 29. The lower marginal edge 36 resulting from the second skirt portion 29 is then located above the inclined wall portion 20. of the tab 19. With the first embodiment as heretofore described, when the third skirt portion 31 is attached to the flange 19, it will be impossible to insert a lever blade or other implement between any of the skirt portions 26, 29 and 31 and the wall 15 of the container. Therefore, the closure can be removed only by first removing the second portion of skirt 29, and this will provide evidence that an attempt has been made to remove the closure of the container. As indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the second skirt portion 29 can be formed as a release strip and can be provided with a release tab 37. Figure 3 of the drawings shows a minor variation of the arrangement shown in Figure 2. As illustrated, the third skirt portion 31 is formed with a flange 38 which is configured and dimensioned to be located within a complementary depression 39 in the recessed portion 22. This arrangement can be provided in circumstances where it is required to attach the closure to the container and / or when an increased mechanical connection between the closure and the container is required.

As shown in Figure 2, the closure 11 is integrally formed with an inner skirt 40 which is arranged and sized to be located within the edge 16 of the container and to rest on the rim 24 of the container when the closure 11 is fitted to the container 10. and loaded in the direction of the flange. The inner skirt 40 and the first (outer) skirt portion 26 form a channel 41 in which the flange 16 is located and the channel 41 can be occupied by an elastomeric packing type sealant (not shown). The inner skirt 40 is connected to a peripheral wall 42 of the closure wall by radially extending membranes 43. Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates a variation of the arrangement shown in Figure 2, in that the inner skirt 40 is formed to extend in the oblique direction between the central region 25 of the closure and the flange of the container 24. In this case , a second skirt portion 44 is provided to define the inner surface of the peripheral wall 15 of the container. Again, the membranes 43 (not shown in Figure 4) can connect the wall 42 to the inner skirt 40 and / or to the second inner skirt 44. Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, where similar reference numbers are used for denoting similar or equal parts, a second embodiment of a container-closure arrangement according to the invention will now be described. In this embodiment, a skirt arrangement 48 comprises a first skirt portion 26, a second skirt portion 29 and optionally a third skirt portion 31. Either the second or most preferably the third skirt portion 31 is modified to include a flange in downward projection 50. In addition, recessed portion 22 is modified to define an annular groove 52 directed upwards, in which flange 50 can be received, typically in a pressure adjustment arrangement such as a snap action adjustment. , by interference or friction. With particular reference to Figure 6, it will be seen that the projection edge 50, in cross-sectional cross-section, includes a distal head portion 54, and a relatively narrow neck portion 56 that connects the head portion to the head portion. It will also be seen that the annular groove 52 has, in transverse cross section, a relatively wider lower region 58, and a relatively narrow opening caused by an annular projection flange 60. The arrangement is such that the head portion and collar 54, 56 sit tightly in the slot 52 as shown, but to insert or remove the flange 50 towards or from the slot, the head portion 54 and / or the flange 50 must be deformed sufficiently to allow insertion of the flange 50 in the slot 52. To assist with this insertion, a beveled face 62 is defined on a lower edge region, along which the flange 60 travels during insertion of the edge. The deformation of either or both of the edge 50 and the flange 60 provides a characteristic spring action adjustment. However, other suitable adjustment arrangements may be employed, including interference and friction type adjustments. In the second embodiment, the second and third skirt portions can only be replaced by a second skirt portion. For example, the skirt arrangement 48 may simply comprise a first skirt portion 26 and a skirt portion 31 fragilely connected thereto (e.g., as indicated in Figure 6). However, it is highly preferable that the arrangement 48 be composed of three skirt portions, because the second skirt portion 26 can define an easily removable release strip. Before or after locating the edge 50 of the groove 52, a joint can be established between the third skirt portion 31 and the flange 19, which includes the formation of a joint between the outer edges of the edge and the inner walls of the groove. . As described before, you can use sealers, - adhesive welding, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, etc. Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be moralized in many other ways. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. 1. A container-closure arrangement characterized by including: (i) a container having a base, a peripheral wall, an edge forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and a flange formed integrally with the wall below the edge and surrounding it; and (ii) a closure having a central portion that is arranged to fit over the container opening, a first skirt portion formed integrally with the central portion and arranged to surround the edge when the closure is fitted to the container, a second portion of skirt and optionally a third skirt portion extending in sequence from the first skirt portion, the second skirt portion is removable either from the first skirt portion or, where present, from the third skirt portion, or which is removable from both the first and the third skirt portions; the arrangement is such that, when the closure is fitted to the container: (a) one of the second or third skirt portions, which portion is adjacent to the flange, can be adjusted by pressure in an opening directed upwards in the eyelash; or (b) the third skirt portion, when present, may be attached to the tab. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in (a) a remote end of the second or third portion is adjusted by pressure in the flange opening. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the remote end is defined by a projecting edge which, in cross-sectional cross-section, has an enlarged distal head and a narrower proximal neck that connects the head to the remote end, wherein the opening is an upwardly directed annular channel formed in the flange and extending around it, the channel includes an annular projection in the opening therein and beyond which the edge head must be pushed to be adjusted within the channel. 4. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that (b) the third skirt portion is arranged and configured to be secured to the flange by welding or adhesive bonding. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the flange is formed with a peripheral recess portion, and the arrangement and shape of the third skirt portion is such that it is located in the recessed portion. 6. A container-closure arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second skirt portion is detachable from the first and / or third portions in a relatively narrow brittle connection between the skirt portions, the separation. along which it allows the closure to be detached from the container. 7. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the flange is formed with a peripheral recessed portion in which the annular channel is located. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that the projecting edge extends downward from the third skirt portion and the projecting edge is snapped into the annular channel. A container-closure arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a molding is formed integrally with the edge and surrounds it and the first skirt portion engages the molding in a rim located within and formed integrally with the first. portion of skirt and located to be in interlocking engagement with the molding. 10. A container-closure arrangement in accordance with claim 5 or claim 7, characterized in that third skirt portion (when present) has an inner peripheral wall that is diametrically larger than an inner peripheral wall of the second skirt portion, and the second skirt portion has a lower marginal edge that is configured and arranged to be adjacent to a wall portion of part of the container flange which is located radially inwardly of the recessed part. A container-closure arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rim is located within and integrally formed with the peripheral wall of the container and the closure is formed with an internal skirt that is arranged to be inside the rim. of container and to engage with the flange when the closure is adjusted to the container and a force is applied to the closure. 12. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the internal skirt is either arranged to be adjacent to the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the container or is arranged obliquely with respect to the peripheral wall of the container . A container-closure arrangement according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the central portion of the closure is formed with a cavity having a base and a peripheral wall and the closure is formed with radially extending membranes. that interconnect the peripheral wall of the cavity and the internal skirt. A container-closure arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the projection edge is attached to the container flange in a manner similar to the attachment of the second or third skirt portion to the container flange in ( b)