MXPA97003283A - Closure plug with one joint - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure cap for the threaded reception by the raised neck end portion of a container for closing the final part of the neck in a liquid-tight manner includes a closure plug body having an annular rim at one end and opposite to the other. This externally threaded portion, the closure plug body is formed of a thermoplastic material. Mounted to the body of the closure cap is an annular sealing gasket which is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer of an EPDM base with added polypropylene. The annular seal gasket is integrally joined to the closure plug body at the molecular level by actual fusion or crosslinking of the seal gasket material with the material of the closure plug body.

Description

CLOSURE PLUG WITH UNITED GASKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a threaded plastic closure cap, molded to close the open outlet of a storage container. The closure cap includes a molded seal that is pressed with compression against the top edge of the container outlet. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combination of molded closure plug and molded joint wherein the joint is created by means of a two-step injection molding process which results in the fusion of the joint material with the plug material in its interface. When considering existing technology, it should be understood that threaded closure plugs are typically used for sealing the outlet opening of a container. Normally the outlet opening is internally threaded and includes an upper annular edge which? It is placed around the series of internal threads. The closure plug is usually externally threaded with a radial flange which has a diameter size at least as large as the diameter of the outlet opening to extend over the opening of REF: 24565 outlet. A seal is mounted on the closure cap and placed against the radial flange. When the closure cap is threadably mounted in the outlet opening of the container, the seal is placed between the radial flange and the upper annular edge. When the plug is threadedly advanced towards the outlet opening, it is desired that the seal be compressed by the radial flange in a sealing arrangement against the upper annular edge of the outlet opening. The desired liquid-tight seal that is intended to be created by the seal in this combination is an important consideration of the present invention. To ensure that the gasket will remain in the plug, the internal diameter of the gasket should be sized to be smaller than the outlet diameter of the plug in the portion of the plug where the gasket is to be placed. . While dimensioning the internal diameter of the gasket in this manner will tend to keep the gasket mounted on the body of the plug, the time and effort to properly assemble the gasket over the closure plug will increase. To be able to reinstall the gasket over a closure plug in this manner, the gasket must be stretched and pulled to move it into position. When this occurs, there is a likelihood that the joint will turn or twist in some way so that the sealing surface of the joint, which is on the intended surface, comes into contact with the upper annular edge, can not be properly aligned. . A concern about a turned or twisted joint is relevant when the sealing surface of the joint is misaligned with the upper annular edge of the outlet opening of the container. To treat and prevent the presence of a closure cap assembly with a twisted or turned joint, some square cutting board designs have been made or a 0-shaped ring has been made. As will be understood, even if the ring in the form of 0 twists or turns, its radial sealing surface for the most part will remain aligned in relation to the upper annular edge of the outlet opening. With a square cut-off joint this can normally be stretched and pulled without twisting and it is very easy to see if a twist has been introduced in the joint or untwist the joint in the final assembly. Accordingly, the designed, annular, flat sealing surface of the square cutting gasket remains or can be made substantially planar and directed towards the upper annular edge. Another concern with current closure plug designs that incorporate a separate, loose seal, is the size or degree of the "outgoing area". When the board is free to walk or moveIt is difficult to ensure that the required amount of joint material will be centered on the neck at the end of the neck to obtain an adequate seal. When these joints are compressed axially, they expand or extrude by themselves laterally, and if they are not verified, they can thin out where there is no proper seal. Although the closure plug body could be modified to try to trap and retain the joint or dramatically oversize the joint to account for deviation or advancement, these are costly changes. By the means of the present invention wherein the seal is integrally attached to the body of the cap, the protruding area can be decreased (approximately half) because the seal can not move or walk. It is also possible with the present invention to control more precisely the alignment of the contact surface of the seal with the target location on the end of the neck of the container. If the design of the joint is limited to a square cutting gasket or an O-ring, the shape of the sealing surface is fixed. With a square gasket, the sealing surface has a substantially flat, annular ring shape. With an O-ring, the sealing surface has a radial, partial circular shape. Although either of the forms can provide a suitable sealing engagement against the upper annular rim, the optimum sealing depends on the specific geometry of the upper annular rim of the outlet opening. If the geometry of the upper annular rim is known, it is possible to specifically form the sealing surface of the joint for that particular edge geometry to create a more optimal seal. If the shape of the sealing surface needs to be somewhat different from the flat or radial configuration, neither the square cutting gasket nor the 0-shaped ring will provide the optimum design. However, if a seal is desired in a special manner for optimum sealing, there is a concern that it will be twisted during installation and the sealing surface may not be properly oriented relative to the outlet opening. When a seal is manually mounted on and around an annular plug body, the seal tends to deviate and move. This is clearly a problem and more pronounced when the internal diameter of the gasket has been slightly enlarged in relation to the external diameter of the body of the plug to make assembling the gasket on the body of the plug somewhat easier. This type of deflection or displacement movement can prevent a secure seal between the seal and the annular upper edge of the outlet opening from being obtained. Another problem that can result from a detachment or sliding of the seal around the body of the closure plug is a reading of the erratic torque dynamic moment. If the closing plug is to be tightened to a particular torque dynamic moment value and the joint slides with the rotation of the plug, the dynamic torsion torque reading will not be reliable. Currently there is a used molding technique which is referred to herein as the two-step injection molding process. In this process, a first component is molded and before it is ejected from the mold, the second material is added for the other portion or characteristic and is integrally joined to the first component. There is at least one company that describes the use of a co-extrusion or co-extrusion process by which thermoplastic polymers of different hardness are joined. This company is DSM Thermoplastic Elastomers, Inc. of Leominster, Massachusetts 01453. With respect to the present invention as described and illustrated herein, a novel and non-obvious way of using a two-step injection molding process has been conceived to create a new part, the benefits of which were not available until now. The new part, a threaded closure cap, is capable of being optimally designed depending on the type of container, a result that was not possible or had been projected so far. The second phase of the manufacturing process of the present invention creates a seal whose shape is specifically selected for the optimum seal. The joint is constructed in such a way that it does not turn or twist when it is anchored to the body of the threaded plug and, once assembled, will not be displaced radially or twisted. This is achieved by first molding the body of the closure plug and before the polymer material of the cap body hardens completely, a related material is used to mold the seal. These two materials are subjected to a process of crosslinking at the molecular level, which integrally joins the joint to the body of the plug. For years, a variety of molded compounds have been invented for sealing joints as well as a variety of shapes and types of joints. Board types have been employed in a variety of structures for a variety of applications. It is believed that the following list of North American Patents provides a representative sample of those early design efforts: PATENT NO. PATENT HOLDER EXPEDITION DATE 3,607,362 Cormack, Jr. Sep. 21, 1971 3,283,936 Kehe, et al. Nov. 8, 1996 5,275,287 Thompson Jan. 4, 1994 4,527,705 Prades Jul. 9, 1985 4,700,860 Li Oct. 20, 1987 1,423,592 Baldwin Jul. 25, 1922 3,935,968 Rausing Feb. 3, 1976 2,920,778 Foye Jan. 12, 1960 3,532,244 Yates, Jr. Oct. 6, 1970 5,137,164 Bayer Ago. 11, 1992 4,697,716 Mumford Oct. 6, 1987 4,585,135 Sinnott Abr. 29, 1986 4,304,744 Stroud Dec. 8, 1981 4,988,467 Holdsworth et al. Jan. 29, 1991 4,968,469 White Nov. 6, 1990 4,068,776 Wszolek Jan. 17, 1978 Even in view of this wide variety of early design efforts, the present invention is still novel and not obvious. It should be noted that the two-step injection molding process used with the present invention has not hitherto been applied to a combination of sealing plug and seal so that the seal can be specifically formed to optimize the interface of the seal. seal that cooperates with the outlet opening of the container. Associated with the present invention is a novel and non-obvious mold and accessory design as well as a novel method of manufacturing the novel and non-obvious sealing gasket and sealing gasket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A closure cap for closing the neck end portion of a container in a liquid-tight manner according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a closure plug body having an annular rim at one end and opposite to this one. Externally threaded portion. The body of the closure cap is formed of a synthetic material and combined with an annular seal which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer of an elastomeric base with a carrier resin which is compatible with the material of the paper body. The seal is integrally joined to the closure plug body at the molecular level. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved closure cap for closing the end portion of the neck of a container. The related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a closure plug according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1A is a partial, front elevational view of a closure cap body comprising a portion of the closure cap of Figure 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the closure cap of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front elevation view in full section of a container outlet opening. Figure 4 is a front, partial, full-cut elevational view of the threaded closure cap of Figure 1 in the outlet opening of Figure 3. Figure 4A is an enlarged detail of the joint interface and an aperture of the Figure 4. Figure 5 is a front elevational view, partial in full section of a closure plug according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a front elevational view, partial in full section of a closure plug according to another embodiment in the present invention. Figure 7 is a front elevational view, partial in full section of a closure plug according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a front elevational view and complete cut according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a front elevation view in full section of a container outlet opening intended to receive the cap closure of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a side elevational, schematic view of the first station of an arrangement of molding accessory for effecting the injection molding process in two steps of the present invention. Figure 11 is a side elevational, schematic view of the second station of the molding fitting of Figure 10 arranged for the second step of the molding process to create the seal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY In order to expedite the understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the modality illustrated in the drawings and a specific language will be used to describe the same. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, so that further alterations and modifications to the illustrated device, and in such additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, were contemplated as would normally be would occur to one skilled in the art with which the invention relates. Referring to Figures 1, 1A and 2, there is illustrated a closure cap 20 which includes a plastic closure cap body 21 in a flexible seal 22. A material suitable for the seal 22 is a thermoplastic elastomer of an elastomeric base with a carrier resin that is compatible with the material of the plug body. As will be explained hereinafter, a two-step type of injection molding process was used to create a fusion or crosslink connection between the joint material and the body material of the plug. Accordingly, when we refer to the compatibility of the carrier resin and the material of the plug body, it is with respect to fusion or crosslinking. Once the joining of the closure plug 20 occurs, it becomes the equivalent of an integrated, single assembly. When it melts and joins the body of the plug 21, the seal 22 is unable to be twisted or flipped or detached or detached from the body of the closure plug 21, without tearing or breaking the seal. The top plan view of Figure 2 in combination with Figure 1 illustrates that the body of the closure plug 21 is a substantially annular member having an upper annular rim 25 and below it an externally threaded portion 26. An aperture channel outward, annular 27 (see Figure 1A) is located between the lower side of the upper flange and the beginning of the first thread of the threaded portion 26. The channel 27 is sized, formed and positioned to receive the seal 22 The upper annular flange 25 defines a cavity 28 formed with four radially inward projections 28a-28d for manually tightening and removing the closure cap 20 in relation to the final part of the neck 30. The four projections are positioned approximately 90 degrees apart and they are integrally molded as part of the body of the unitary closure plug 21. The projections 28a and 28c have a similar geometry with "corners" that they are slightly greater than 90 degrees. The other two projections 28b and 28d have a more rounded contour for a more comfortable feel to the fingers of a user when manually advancing the closure plug of the end portion of the neck of the container 30. Referring to Figure 3, the part end of neck of internally threaded container 30 defines an outlet opening 30a. In addition, the end portion of the neck 30 includes an annular upper lip or edge 31 and a generally cylindrical hollow interior 32. The lip 31 is configured with an upper surface 33, the inclined surface 34 and the intermediate surface 35. The final part of the neck 30 is a raised extension of the receptacle or container with which it is designed to receive the closure cap 20. The hollow interior 32 leads to the interior of the container. The closure plug 20 is intended to seal the end portion of the neck in a sealed manner so that the contents of the container will not spill or leak or receive any contaminants unintentionally (see Figures 4 and 4A). In order to establish the desired leak-tight seal for the end portion of the neck, it is important that the seal 22 strongly push against the inner annular inclined surface 34 of the lip 31. In the illustration of Figure 3 the surface 34 has a shape inclined that converges towards the interior of the container. The three-dimensional shape of the surface 34 is conical. Referring now to the assembly illustrations of Figures 4 and 4A it will be noted that to close the end portion of the neck 30 in a leak-tight manner, the lower end 37 of the threaded portion 26 is inserted into the uppermost portion 38 of the hollow interior 32. Once the lowermost thread 39 of the closure plug is passed into position against the uppermost thread 40 and the At the end of the neck, the closure cap 20 rotates clockwise for the threaded coupling. As the clockwise rotation of the closure plug 20 continues to rotate, the closure plug threadedly advances further towards the end of the neck. This pulls the flange 25 close to the lip 31 which in turn pulls the seal towards the initial contact against the inclined surface 34 of the annular lip 31 of the end part of the neck 30. By continuing to tighten the rotation of the closure toward the end of the neck, the integral seal 22 is pressed between the flange 25 and the lip 31 and pressed tightly against the inner annular edge 34 of the upper lip. The compression of the seal in this manner creates a liquid-tight interface between the closure cap 20 and the end portion of the neck 30. The assembly of the closure cap 20 of the container outlet (ie, the final part) of the neck 30) is illustrated in Figure 4. The details of the compression of the gasket 22 against the surface 34 are illustrated in Figure 4A. The material of choice for the seal is a consideration in view of the temperature range that may be experienced as well as the types of chemicals that may be present. However, the shape of the surface that is dragged into contact with the upper lip 31 of the final part of the neck is another consideration. Since the closure plug 20 is to be used in a variety of containers, the final part of the neck of each container needs to be considered. Differences in size and shape of the upper lip between different containers will have a reliability effect of the sealed interface, depending on the size and shape of the seal 22. In other words, if the contact surface of the joint has a shape This can provide an excellent seal for a type of upper lip, but not necessarily for a different type of upper lip. By changing the style and geometry of the seal according to the type of upper lip in the outlet opening of the container, the integrity and reliability of the sealing interface can be optimized. When the sealing gasket is not integrated into the closing plug body, there is a risk that during the installation it turns or twists and as a result it becomes misaligned. As a way to avoid this problem, seal joint designs have typically been limited to a square-cut, flat-type gasket or an O-ring type. The problem with limiting the seal to a of those two forms is that the integrity and reliability of the sealed interface can not be optimized, depending on the shape of the upper lip of the exit opening. Another concern with the use of a non-integrated seal is the time and expense associated with assembling the seal over the body of the closure plug. Since this assembly step is typically performed manually, the labor costs may be greater than the cost of molding the body of the closure plug. When the sealing gasket is molded integrally and attached directly to the body of the closure plug, two aspects are solved: first, the automated molding process eliminates the need to manually assemble the seal on the closure plug body. Second, the seal is capable of being molded to a size and shape that is specifically designed for the type of end portion of the neck that is present in the container that is intended to be the receiver. The specific nature of the upper lip of the outlet opening was evaluated and the optimum seal joint shape was determined accordingly. Once this is done, the seal is capable of being molded with that specific shape and the resulting closure plug is created and identified for use in that particular container. By attaching the seal directly to the closure plug body by molecular crosslinking or fusion, the seal 22 is prevented from deviating or displacing relative to the closure plug body 21. In Figures 1 and 3, a form of particular gasket 22 and a particular end-neck equipment 30. The gasket 22 has a contact surface shape that approximates a portion of a parabola. As an alternative modality the shape of the contact surface (in cross section) can approximate a portion of a circle. The thickness of operation of the joint in relation to its durometer is sufficient to flex and conform to the inclined surface 34, which is placed at an angle of 60 degrees in relation to the horizontal (30 degrees of vertical). In Figures 5, 6 and 7, other types of seal are illustrated, each in combination with a suitable closure plug body. Each type of gasket 44, 45 and 46, respectively, is a suitable choice for use with the type of end neck portion represented by the neck end portion 30 as illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 4A. Referring to Figure 5, the closure plug 50 is partially illustrated with the seal 44 securely attached to the closure plug body 51, in accordance with the present invention as described above for the closure cap 20. of the Figures 1. The annular gasket 44 has a size that is similar to that of the gasket 22 and is placed on its corresponding plug body 51 in a similar manner. However, the exposed surface 52 that comes into contact with the inclined surface 34 has a different geometry. The exposed surface 52 of the seal 44, as illustrated in cross section, includes a flat portion 53 which transitions uniformly toward the radial portion 54 which transitions uniformly toward the flat portion 55. As illustrated, the portion flat 53 is substantially perpendicular to flat portion 55. Referring to Figure 6, closure cap 59 is partially illustrated with annular seal 45 securely attached to closure body 60 according to the present invention. invention as described above for the closure plug 20 of Figure 1. The annular gasket 45 has a size which is similar to that of the gaskets 22 and 44 and is located on its corresponding plug body 60 in a similar manner. However, the exposed surface 61 that comes into contact with the inclined surface 34 has a different geometry. The exposed surface 61 of the seal 45, as illustrated in cross section, includes a flat portion 62 which bends with a slight radius toward the inclined flat portion 63 which is bent with a slight radius toward the flat portion 64. As illustrated in Figure 6, the flat portion 62 is substantially perpendicular to the flat portion 64. When the geometry of the joints 44 and 45, the selected terminology that has been used is based on the two-dimensional cross-sectional shape that was illustrated. Since the joints 44 and 45 are in annular, three-dimensional members in reality, terminology such as "flat portion 62" must be understood in the context of an annular ring shape. The so-called "inclined flat portion 63" is actually a conical shape in its three-dimensional form as it should be understood from the fact that the joints are annular in shape. Referring to Figure 7, the closure plug 70 is partially illustrated with the annular seal 46 securely attached to the closure cap body 71 according to the present invention as described above for the closure cap 20 of Figure 1. The annular gasket 46 has a size that is similar to that of the gaskets 22, 44 and 45 and is positioned on its corresponding plug body 71 in a similar manner. However, the exposed surface 72 which is in contact with the inclined surface 34 has a different geometry. The exposed surface 72 of the seal 46, as illustrated in cross section, includes a series of three annular sealing fingers 73, 64 and 75, each of which has a similar shape and are axially spaced from each other in a direction coined or inclined. The exposed surface 72 begins with the lower tip 76 which transits uniformly towards a small inclined portion 77 which bends towards the first sealing finger 73. This particular geometry is repeated finger by finger, where each finger is separated from the adjacent finger by means of a short inclined portion which is actually a conical surface in three-dimensional form. Referring to Figure 8, another embodiment of closure plug according to the present invention is illustrated. The closure cap 81 includes a plastic closure cap body 82 and a flexible polymer seal, 83. The seal 83 is attached to the closure cap body 82 by means of the two-step injection molding process described. previously. The fused interface between the seal and the body of the closure plug creates an integral combination as described above. A closure plug 81 is of a specific type for mounting to the end portion of the neck of the container 85, which is illustrated in Figure 9. The end portion of the neck 85 includes an upper annular lip 86 which is shaped with a surface substantially planar upper 87, a substantially cylindrical internal surface 88, a substantially cylindrical external surface 89, and a substantially horizontal pedestal 90. As described above and as it should be understood with respect to the illustrations of Figure 9, the upper surface 87 is shaped of annular ring and as the substantially horizontal pedestal 90. Surfaces 88 and 89 are substantially concentric with each other. The size of the outer diameter of the upper annular flange 93 of the closure plug 81 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter defined by the internal surface 88. The annular seal 83 is inserted into the annular channel 94 so that the outer surface 95 is flush with the surface of the outer diameter 96 of the flange 93. The lower side surface 97 of the joint 83 is substantially flat and substantially parallel to the horizontal pedestal 90 when the closure cap is threaded into the end portion of the internally threaded neck 85. The outer surface 95 is substantially perpendicular to the surface 97. When the closure plug 81 is advanced in the end portion of the neck 85, the seal 83 is entrained until it comes in contact with the horizontal pedestal 90. As the advance continues, the It establishes a fluid-tight interface between the closure plug 81 and the end part of the neck 85. As can be seen by making a comparison between the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 and the first embodiments, the end portion of the container neck has a different geometry. The inclined surface 34 that provides the surface for the sealing coupling by the corresponding gasket is not part of the embodiment of Figure 9 and has been functionally replaced., by the horizontal pedestal 90. Accordingly, the type and geometry of the joint 83 has been selected as the preferred type of gasket for this particular type of end portion of the neck. As described in each of the closure plugs, the seal is integrally attached to the body of the closure plug. This method of manufacture is important to eliminate the time and costs of manual assembly of the seal separately. This method of manufacture also avoids the problem of the joint turning or twisting during assembly and as a result of this being improperly aligned. By creating a molded gasket, greater versatility is allowed, so that the shape of the gasket can be specifically designed to engage the upper lip of the neck end in cooperation. The initial step to produce a closure plug according to the present invention is to form the body of a closure plug. This is done by injecting either a polyethylene material or a polypropylene material into a cavity of a mold which is designed according to the configuration of the closure plug body that is required. The press is then opened and rotated 180 degrees and made to coincide with the body of the stopper, which is still in the curing process, with a stationary mold cavity. This stationary mold cavity provides the vacuum for the second injection step. At this point, in the manufacturing process, a suitable gasket material has been heated to have the desired viscosity and flow, it is injected to create the seal. Since the body material of the plug is still curing at the time the joint material is injected, this process can be considered and referred to as a two-step injection molding process. A suitable material for the seal is a thermoplastic elastomer which has an EPDM base to which polypropylene has been added. A commercial material that meets this material specification is offered by a DSM Thermoplastic Elastomers, Inc. of Leominster, Massachusetts. This material is currently offered under the trademark of SARLINK®. At the time of injection of the seal material, such as SARLINK® material, it is in the molten state. In addition, -the polypropylene in the material of the seal is compatible with the material used for the body of the closure cap, either polyethylene or polypropylene, which is in the process of being cured when the material of the seal it is injected. As a result, there is a molecular mixture of the two materials at their contact surface which is described as a fusion or crosslinking of the two materials at the molecular level. The result is a seal that is integrally attached to the body of the closure plug.

The design of the mold and the related accessories that are used for the manufacture of the closure plugs according to the present invention are illustrated schematically in Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a side elevational view in cross section of a first station of the process of injection molding in two steps. It is at this station that the body of the plug 21 is molded. Figure 11 is a side elevational view in cross section of the second station of the molding process. It is in this second station in which the seal 22 is molded and attached to the body of the plug 21 which is still healing. Referring to Figure 10, the illustrated molding attachment 100 includes a first pair of sliding blocks 101 and 102 which define the mold cavity for the portion of the annular rim 25 of the cap and the channel portion 27 which is for receiving the sealing gasket 22. A second pair of sliding blocks 103 and 104 define the mold cavity for the external threads of the body of the cap 21. The central pin 105 forms the lower cavity of the body of the cap and the central pin 106 forms the upper portion of the body of the stopper. Once the polymeric material for the cap body is injected, the sliding blocks 101 and 102 open and the molding attachment 100 is separated along the central line 109 so that the movable side 110 is approximately 3 inches away. from the stationary side 111. At this point in the process, the movable side 110 of the molding attachment 100 is rotated 180 degrees to the position of the cap body in the second station (see Figure 11). This is the lateral movement 110 of the molding attachment which actually transfers the plug body that is still healing from the first station to the second station. In this position the mobile side 110 is aligned with a different set of sliding blocks 112 and 113 for molding the seal. In the arrangement of Figure 10, the polymeric material for the plug body is injected through the runner channel 114 located in the center pin 106. The ejector pin 115 which is located in the center pin 105 is used to eject the finished part of the second station. Referring to Figure 11, the molding attachment 100 is illustrated schematically in the second station where the seal 22 was added. Sliding blocks 112 and 113 define an annular mold cavity which has the size and geometric shape required for the seal, regardless of the particular joint type or geometry that may have been selected. The material of the gasket is injected through the path of the pouring channel 118 once the movable side 110 is again closed against the stationary side 111. Once the gasket and the curing part are formed, the sliding blocks 103, 104, 112 and 113 are released and the mold is opened. The ejection pin is used to eject the finished part. Due to the presence of two molding stations and the rotation of 180 degrees of mobile side, both stations can be in operation at the same time. While the mobile side 110 is configured with a second arrangement to that illustrated in Figure 10, placed 180 degrees apart, both stations can be used simultaneously. This allows a second plug body to be molded into the first station (see Figure 10) while the seal is being molded onto the first plug body (see Figure 11). This arrangement of two stations reduces the cycle time so that the total cycle time is approximately equal to the cycle time for the molding of the plug body, plus two to three seconds for the rotation of the mold. Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description above, it is considered that it is illustrative and not restrictive, it should be understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes are to be protected. and modifications that fall within the spirit of the invention.

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 to which it relates. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (29)

1. A closure cap for closing the end portion of the neck of a container in a liquid-tight manner, characterized in that it comprises: a closure plug body having an annular rim at one end and opposite to this an externally threaded portion, Closing plug body is formed of a synthetic material; and an annular seal gasket which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer of an EPDM base with added polypropylene, the seal is integrally attached to the body of the closure plug at the molecular level.

2. The closure plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry that approximates the shape of a portion of a parabola.

3. The closure plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry that includes two separate substantially flat portions which are separated by an integrated radial portion.

4. The closure plug according to claim 3, characterized in that the first of one of the two separate substantially flat portions extends in a first direction and a second of the two separate substantially flat portions extends in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

5. The closure plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry including three substantially flat portions, each of the three substantially flat portions extending into a different one. address.

6. The closure plug according to claim 5, characterized in that the first of one of three substantially planar portions extends in a first direction, the second of the three substantially planar portions extends in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third of the three substantially planar portions is positioned between the first and second of the three substantially planar portions and is arranged in an inclined direction relative to the first and second directions.

7. The closure plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes a plurality of sealing fingers that extend outwards, separated.

8. A closure cap to be received in a threaded manner by a container for closing an outlet opening of the container, characterized in that it comprises: a closure cap body which is formed of a synthetic material, and a seal which is manufactured of a thermoplastic elastomer and is molecularly bound to the body of the closure plug.

9. The closure plug according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry which approximates the shape of a portion of a parabola.

10. The closure plug according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes two separate substantially flat portions, which are separated by means of an integrated radial portion. .

11. The closure plug according to claim 10, characterized in that the first of one of the two separate substantially flat portions extends in a first direction and the second of the two separate substantially flat portions extends in a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The closure plug according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes three substantially flat portions, each of the three substantially flat portions extending in a different address

13. The closure plug according to claim 12, characterized in that the first of the three substantially planar portions extends in a first direction, a second of the three substantially planar portions extends in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. direction, and a third of the three substantially planar portions is positioned between the first and second of the three substantially planar portions and is arranged in an inclined direction relative to the first and second directions.

14. The closure plug according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry that includes a plurality of sealing fingers that extend outwards, separated.

15. In combination: a container having a raised neck end portion defining an outlet opening with an upper annular rim; and a closure cap received in a threaded manner by the container for closing the outlet opening of the end portion of the raised neck, the closure cap characterized in that it comprises: a closure cap body which is formed of a synthetic material; and a seal which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer and is molecularly bonded to the body of the closure plug.

16. The combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry which approximates the shape of a portion of a parabola.

17. The combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes two separate substantially flat portions, which are separated by an integrated radial portion.

18. The combination according to claim 17, characterized in that the first of two separate substantially flat portions extends in a first direction and the second of the two separated substantially flat portions extends in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. .

19. The combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes three substantially flat portions, each of the three substantially flat portions extending in a different direction .

20. The combination according to claim 19, characterized in that a first of three substantially planar portions extend in a first direction, a second of three substantially planar portions extends in a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third of three substantially planar portions is located between the first and second of the three substantially planar portions and is arranged in an inclined direction relative to the first and second directions.

21. The combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry, which includes a plurality of sealing fingers that extend outward, separated.

22. A combination: a container having a raised neck end portion, defining an outlet opening with an upper annular rim; and a closure cap received in a threaded manner by the container for closing the outlet opening of the end portion of the raised neck, the closure cap characterized in that it comprises: a closure cap body, which is formed of a synthetic material; and an annular seal gasket which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer of an EPDM base with added polypropylene, the seal is integrally attached to the body of the closure plug at the molecular level.

23. The combination according to claim 22, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry which approximates the shape of a portion of a parabola.

24. The combination according to claim 22, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes two separate substantially flat portions which are separated by means of an integrated radial portion.

25. The combination according to claim 24, characterized in that a first of two separate substantially flat portions extend a first direction and a second of the two separate substantially flat portions extend a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

26. The combination according to claim 22, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross section geometry which includes three substantially flat portions, each of the three substantially flat portions extending in a different direction .

27. The combination according to claim 26, characterized in that a first of the three substantially planar portions extends in a first direction, a second of the three substantially planar portions extends a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third of the three substantially planar portions is positioned between the first and second of the three substantially planar portions and is arranged in an inclined direction relative to the first and second directions.

28. The combination according to claim 22, characterized in that the annular seal has an external contact surface with a cross-sectional geometry, which includes a plurality of sealing fingers that extend outwards, separated.

29. A mold attachment for manufacturing a closure plug body in combination with an integrally bonded seal, the molding accessory is characterized in that it comprises: a stationary mold portion defining two molding stations, a first of the two molding is constructed for the molding of the closure plug body part and a second of the two molding stations constructed for molding the seal to the body of the closure plug; and a movable molding portion constructed for molding the body portion of the closure plug, the movable portion moves away from the stationary portion, and moves toward the stationary portion and further rotates relative to the stationary portion to move the body of the closure plug of the first station to the second station.