NZ574166A - A bottle closure that includes an top flange on the bottle neck that is deflected downwardly when load is applied by closing the treaded closure - Google Patents
A bottle closure that includes an top flange on the bottle neck that is deflected downwardly when load is applied by closing the treaded closureInfo
- Publication number
- NZ574166A NZ574166A NZ574166A NZ57416607A NZ574166A NZ 574166 A NZ574166 A NZ 574166A NZ 574166 A NZ574166 A NZ 574166A NZ 57416607 A NZ57416607 A NZ 57416607A NZ 574166 A NZ574166 A NZ 574166A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- bottle neck
- closure
- bottle
- neck
- skirt
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 210000003739 neck Anatomy 0.000 description 132
- JGFZNNIVVJXRND-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) Chemical compound CCN(C(C)C)C(C)C JGFZNNIVVJXRND-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 7
- 235000013365 dairy product Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 4
- ABAFKQHGFDZEJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-4-carbaldehyde Chemical compound C1C2C(C)(C)C1CCC2(C)C=O ABAFKQHGFDZEJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 241000218633 Pinidae Species 0.000 description 3
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010101 extrusion blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000008939 whole milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
- B65D41/0414—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck
- B65D41/0421—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck and combined with integral sealing means contacting other surfaces of a container neck
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
An assembly of a bottle that includes a bottle neck (7) and a closure positioned on the bottle neck. The bottle neck (7) has an outwardly projecting thread (14) and includes a top flange (17) that extends inwardly and upwardly to an inner edge that defines the bottle opening. The cap includes a top panel (1), a first member in the form of a peripheral skirt (2) including an inwardly projecting thread that cooperates with the thread (14) on the bottle neck, a second member in the form of an inner concentric skirt (9) positioned inwardly of the peripheral skirt (2) and depending from the top panel (1) to provide a primary bore seal, and a third member (11) positioned between the peripheral skirt (2) and the inner skirt (9) contacting an outside of a rim of the bottle neck (7) and having a lead-in surface (40). The lead in surface (40) is flexible and has a diameter that decreases towards the top panel to provide a secondary bore seal (12). The bottle neck (7) and the closure are formed so that the top flange (17) of the bottle neck deflects downwardly in response to an applied top load from the closure as the closure is being applied to the bottle neck (7). The flange is compressed when the closure is located on the bottle neck and becomes wedged with an interference fit between the second member (9) and the third member (11). The lead-in surface (40) and the flexibility of the third member (11) make it possible to accommodate variations in bottle neck diameter and to maintain a consistent seal.
Description
Received 9 September 2008 A CLOSURE AND A BOTTLE NECK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure that is formed from a polymeric material and is intended for use as a sealing system for a bottle that includes a light weight and relatively non-rigid neck finish.
The present invention also relates to an assembly of a closure and a bottle neck, where the bottle neck is made from a light weight and deformable material.
The present invention also relates to a bottle that includes the above bottle neck and the above closure applied to the bottle neck.
In the dairy industry in Australia and around the 2 0 world, one common form of packaging for dairy products is the extrusion blow moulded high density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle. This bottle is particularly preferred in common 2, 3 and 4 litre serving sizes, as the bottle can be readily and economically formed with an integral handle 2 5 to enhance handling of a large format package.
The incorporation of an integral handle in HDPE bottles contrasts such bottles with bottles made from the most common alternate material, polyethylene terephthalate 3 0 (PET), where integral handles cannot be formed at low manufacturing cost. This effectively confines PET packaging to the less than 2 litre market, where handles are not usually required.
A further advantage of the use of HDPE for the manufacture of dairy packaging is an ability to create a very light weight and hence low cost package, in N;\Melbourne\Ca3es\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis^^L£>&U|t.E^U|j^BpT£LE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc IPEA/AIJ Received 9 September 2008 comparison to the quantity of product being packed. This is a highly desirable attribute in the dairy industry, where the core product, white whole milk, is a staple and price driven commodity with little potential for value 5 added manufacture.
A consequence of the extreme light weight of dairy packaging is a light weight bottle neck. A typical HDPE blow moulded bottle in the dairy industry has a neck 10 diameter of 38mm for rapid filling, but a wall thickness of less than 1mm, commonly less than 0.5mm, and at the extreme less than 0.3mm. For technical reasons associated with extrusion blow moulding, a heavy neck on a light weight bottle is not commercially feasible.
HDPE bottles are commonly closed with a light weight closure. In the current art the seal between the closure and the bottle is not via a screw thread itself, but instead via a "bore seal". A bore seal is a 2 0 cylindrical skirt (i.e. a ring or a lip) about 2mm long on the inside of a screw closure, which seals against the inside of the top of the screw thread in the neck of the bottle.
Typically, the light weight closure often also comprises a top panel providing an upper surface and a peripheral skirt comprising inwardly projecting threads designed to engage corresponding outwardly projecting threads on a bottle neck. The threads may be of any 3 0 suitable design, pitch and depth, including traditional single spiral screw-on, multi-spiral screw-on, or multi-spiral snap-on/screw-off (SOSO) designs.
Many designs of bore seals are known in the art. 35 It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the outer diameter of the cylindrical skirt of a bore seal is greater than the inner diameter of the bottle neck (bore N;\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209 .PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE Sip}, BOTTLE NECK PCT PINAL with tracked changeB.doc 9/09/0S Amended Sheet IPFA/Ali Received 9 September 2008 diameter) to provide an interference fit.
The term "interference fit" is used to describe the relationship of diameters. In any given situation, the 5 degree of interference fit is determined by the experience of the designer and by actual practical tests.
Often the light weight closure further comprises a tamper evident means. Examples of tamper evident means 10 are in the form of a band which locks onto a corresponding outwardly projecting bead or system on the neck of the bottle, and which is connected by frangible connectors (or bridges) to the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of the closure. The frangible bridges may be formed directly 15 during closure moulding or be formed in a post moulding slitting operation.
A light weight bottle neck, typically but not exclusively formed from HDPE, comprises a wall section and 20 a top edge or rim. The light weight bottle neck may further comprise a flange extending inwardly from the rim to increase strength. This flange may be nearly horizontal, but more typically is at an angle increasing in height as the flange progresses in toward the bore to 2 5 enable trimming.
A major consequence of the extremely light weight neck is that it deforms easily and makes a poor contribution to the seal between the neck and its screw 3 0 top closure. The thread form is too light to allow for force to be vertically applied on the bore seal region.
Perhaps more importantly, the wall section is too thin to apply significant inwardly acting tensile forces on a bore seal. In particular, if the cylindrical skirt of the bore 35 seal on the closure applies excessive outward force on the neck of the bottle in an attempt to achieve a tight seal, the neck of the bottle may not be strong enough to resist N:\Melbourne\CaseB\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 these outward forces and so moves outwards. As the inside of the neck of the bottle moves outwards, the seal is lost and the fluid contained in the bottles starts leaking.
This leaking can happen immediately or the neck may creep over time and lead to leaking at a later stage.
Bore seals are commonly used as the preferred seal system. However, leakage of product as it is transported through trade channels, and more importantly in transport and storage by customers, remains an issue with up to 80% of some products leaking to differing degrees. In practical terms this can lead to milk leaking in distribution systems and retail outlets, or in cars and bags when being brought home (where the smell can be difficult to dissipate), and in refrigerators at home if the bottles are laid flat during storage in the refrigerators.
In a modification to the above-mentioned bottle neck to improve seal effectiveness, the use of a bore seal has been combined with a modified neck including an inwardly and upwardly angled strengthening flange at the top of the neck to resist the outward flexing of the neck of the bottle. This modification increases sealing forces. However, the seal surface, being a trimmed edge, is imperfect, and leakage is not eliminated altogether.
In some markets, the use of induction seal foil inserts in closures has been adopted to largely eliminate leakage. This is an effective solution, but not particularly cost effective, with the foil seal adding in excess of 25% to the cost of a closure assembly. Nonetheless, in some markets this has become the default sealing system due to customer demand.
A low cost closure, and associated neck design, offering improved sealing performance is a desirable Nj\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND.BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AIJ Received at IPONZ 7 December 2011 product.
Any reference to the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission 5 that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sealing system, to offer a low cost alternative 10 to current practice, or at least to provide a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses the known 15 inadequacy of sealing in light weight systems by an improved design incorporating additional features at negligible additional cost.
The present invention is based on a realisation 20 that the light weight and therefore easily deformable bottle neck construction of the above-described known bottle necks can be utilised advantageously in the design of a closure and a closure and a bottle neck assembly.
More particularly, the present invention addresses the limitation in the seal quality by: (a) the creation of a multi-point seal in a closure/neck assembly, (b) providing a closure to support a neck of a bottle to better resist deformation, and (c) preferably utilizing a top load applied to an angled, inwardly projecting flange on the top of the bottle neck to flatten the flange, and effectively widen the flange in the horizontal vector to increase seal pressure as the closure bottoms. 40 In a preferred form the present invention provides a light weight closure and bottle neck 30199207 7/12/11 Received 9 September 2008 assembly. The assembly includes a closure that has a bore seal defined by inner and outer flexible members, such as two concentric skirts, with the outer skirt formed with a lead-in surface. The assembly further 5 includes a bottle neck that includes a flange that is angled inwardly and upwardly at an angle of "theta" to the horizontal, as viewed when the bottle is in an upright position on a horizontal surface. The bottle neck and the closure are formed so that the flange can 10 (a) deflect downwardly in response to an applied top load from the closure as the closure is being applied to the bottle neck and (b) be compressed when the closure is located on the bottle neck and can become wedged with an interference fit in the bore seal, and (c) the lead-15 in surface and the flexibility of the outer member make it possible to accommodate variations in neck diameter.
In more general terms, according to the present invention there is provided a light weight closure that 20 includes: (a) a top panel; (b) a first member in the form of a peripheral skirt 25 depending therefrom, the skirt including an inwardly projecting thread adapted to cooperate with an outwardly projecting thread on a bottle neck and thereby engage the closure on the bottle neck; (c) a second member in the form of an inner concentric skirt depending from the top panel and positioned inwardly of the peripheral skirt and designed to provide a primary bore seal and having an exterior diameter of "Si"; and (d) a third member positioned between the peripheral N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-6l999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT PINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 skirt and the inner skirt to contact an outside of a rim of the bottle neck and thereby provide a secondary bore seal and resistance to outward flexing of the neck of the bottle.
Preferably the closure further includes a tamper evident member.
Optionally, the third member is in the form of an 10 intermediate skirt that extends from the top panel and is concentric with the first and second members and is positioned between the peripheral skirt and the inner skirt to provide contact with an outside of the rim of the bottle neck after the bottle neck engages the primary bore 15 seal and thereby provides the secondary bore seal and resistance to outward flexing of the neck of the bottle, and having an internal diameter of MS2".
Optionally, rather than an intermediate skirt, 2 0 the third member may be in the form of a pressure block positioned inwardly of the peripheral skirt to provide contact with an outside of the rim of the bottle neck after the bore seal has engaged the bottle neck and thereby provide the secondary seal and resistance to 2 5 outward flexing of the neck of the bottle.
Optionally, the closure may further include a seal structure on a contact surface of the top panel between the second skirt and the third skirt to provide 3 0 enhanced top seal. The seal structure may be of any form known in the art.
Preferably the closure is formed from a polymeric material.
Preferably closure is formed from a polyethylene polymer.
N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 More preferably the closure is formed from a high density polyethylene ("HDPE").
According to the present invention there is also provided a bottle neck that is suitable for use, by way of example, with the above-described closure that includes: (a) a vertical wall, forming a root of a thread, with 10 a nominal external diameter "E", the wall having a top rim; (b) a thread form projecting outwardly from the vertical wall, with a nominal diameter "T"; (c) a bore, with a nominal diameter of MB"; and (d) a flange that, when the bottle is viewed standing on a horizontal surface, extends from the top rim 20 inwards and upwards to an inner edge that defines the bore.
Preferably the flange is angled inwardly and upwardly from the top rim at an angle of "theta" to the 25 horizontal.
Preferably the flange has a width "W" which is greater than a radial gap between the inner skirt and the third member, (such as the intermediate skirt) of the 3 0 closure, i.e. the difference between diameters E and B.
Typically, the angle theta is in a range of 3-45° to a horizontal plane, as viewed when the bottle is standing upright on a horizontal surface.
Preferably the angle theta is in the range of 5- °.
N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT PINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 More preferably the angle theta is in the range of 5-20°.
Preferably the bottle neck and the closure are formed, for example as a consequence of the wall thickness and/or the materials selection and/or the construction of the bottle neck and the closure, so that the flange can (a) deflect downwardly in response to an applied top load 10 from the closure as the closure is being applied to the bottle neck and (b) be compressed when the closure is located on the bottle neck and can become wedged with an interference fit in the bore seal, i.e. between the inner skirt and the third member (such as the intermediate 15 skirt) of the closure.
Preferably the bottle neck is formed from a readily deformable polymeric material. 2 0 Preferably bottle neck is formed from a polyethylene polymer.
More preferably the bottle neck is formed from a HDPE.
Preferably the bottle neck has a wall thickness of less than 1mm.
More preferably the bottle neck has a wall 3 0 thickness of less than 0.5mm.
Typically, the bottle neck has a wall thickness of less than 0.3mm.
Preferably the width W of the flange and the initial angle theta of the flange are selected having regard to the properties of the material from which the Nt\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209 .PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/os Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 bottle neck is made so that the flange is not permanently deformed when the flange is wedged with the interference fit in the bore seal and has sufficient hoop strength to revert to the inwardly and upwardly extending profile when 5 the closure is removed from the bottle neck.
In operation, during application of the closure onto the bottle neck, three seals are formed between the closure and the bottle neck.
A first primary bore seal is formed by contact of an outward surface of the inner skirt of the closure and an inner surface of the bore of the bottle neck, with a contact force being controlled by the difference between 15 diameters B and SI.
Support for the first seal is provided and a second secondary bore seal is formed by contact between the third member (such as the intermediate skirt) and the 20 outside rim of the bottle neck, with a contact force being controlled by the difference between diameters E and S2.
A third tertiary bore seal is formed by contact between an upper surface of the bottle neck, more 25 particularly an upper surface of the inwardly and upwardly angled flange of the bottle neck, and the under surface of the top panel of the closure at final application of the closure on the bottle neck. 3 0 The inwardly and upwardly angled flange of the bottle neck extends initially at angle theta, typically in the range of 5-45°. The angle decreases as the closure is applied to the bottle neck. This decrease in the angle effectively increases the horizontal component of the 35 width W of the flange, and effectively increases the contact force at both horizontal seal contacts while creating the vertical seal contact. In effect, the N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-6l999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/os Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received at IPONZ 7 December 2011 — 11 — deformable flange is compressed into the gap between the inner skirt and the third member (such as the intermediate skirt) and forms the third seal as an interference fit.
According to the present invention there is also provided a closure and a bottle neck assembly that includes the above-described bottle neck and the above-described closure positioned on the bottle neck.
According to the present invention there is provided a bottle that includes the above-described bottle neck and the above-described closure positioned on the bottle neck.
According to a further aspect of the present 15 invention there is provided an assembly of a bottle that includes a bottle neck that has a bore that defines an opening for the bottle and a closure positioned on the bottle neck and closing the opening, the bottle neck having an outwardly projecting thread and including a top 20 flange that, when the bottle is viewed standing on a horizontal surface without the closure positioned on the bottle neck, extends inwardly and upwardly to an inner edge that defines the bottle opening, and the closure including (a) a top panel, (b) a first member in the form 25 of a peripheral skirt depending therefrom, the skirt includes an inwardly projecting thread that cooperates with the outwardly projecting thread on the bottle neck and thereby engages the closure on the bottle neck, (c) a second member in the form of an inner concentric skirt 30 depending from the top panel and positioned inwardly of the peripheral skirt and providing a primary bore seal, and (d) a third member positioned between the peripheral skirt and the inner skirt and contacting an outside of a rim of the bottle neck and having a lead-in surface, that 35 has a diameter that decreases towards the top panel and has flexibility and provides a secondary bore seal, and Continued on page 11a 3Q1992Q7 7/12/11 Received at IPONZ 7 December 2011 - 11a - wherein the bottle neck and the closure are formed so that the top flange of the bottle neck deflects downwardly in response to an applied top load from the closure as the closure is being applied to the bottle neck and is 5 compressed when the closure is located on the bottle neck and becomes wedged with an interference fit between the second member and the third member of the closure, and the lead-in surface and the flexibility of the third member makes it possible to accommodate variations in bottle neck diameter and maintain a consistent seal.
The present invention is further described by way of example with reference to the attached drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows the general appearance of one embodiment of an assembly of a closure and a bottle neck of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a top view of the closure; Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the closure and the bottle neck assembly; Figure 4 shows a cut-away view of the closure and the bottle neck assembly for clarity; Figures 5(a)-5(c) show detailed sectional views of the closure and the bottle neck assembly, in unapplied, partially applied, and fully applied conditions; and Figure 6 shows optional and alternate embodiments of the closure of the present invention.
Continued on page 12 30199207 7/12/11 Received 9 September 2008 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a closure of the 5 present invention applied to a bottle neck 7 of a blow moulded HDPE bottle.
The closure and the bottle neck 7 shown in Figure 1 forms one embodiment of a closure and bottle neck 10 assembly in accordance with the present invention.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the closure includes a top panel 1, a first member in the form of a peripheral cylindrical skirt 2 extending from the top panel 1, and a 15 tamper evident member in the form of a tamper evident band 3 connected to a lower edge of the skirt 2 via connecting bridges 4.
The tamper evident band 3 includes a plurality of 2 0 inwardly and upwardly extending petals 5 to engage a tamper bead 6 on the bottle neck 7. A knurled surface 8 is typical for such closures and may be of any convenient design. 2 5 Figure 2 shows the closure of Figure 1 in top view.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 2 and shows the embodiment of the closure 3 0 and bottle neck assembly in a fully closed position with the closure applied to the bottle neck 7, with a seal being formed between the closure and the bottle neck 7.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the closure also 3 5 includes a second member in the form of an inner cylindrical skirt 9 extending from the top panel 1 that provides a primary bore seal at a contact point 10 N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209 .PCT\Specis\^^LOSlgE^I^|BOT^LE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 (Figures 5(b) and 5(c)). Depending on the circumstances, the inner skirt 9 may be rigid or deformable. Generally, the inner skirt 9 will be relatively rigid.
With further reference to Figure 3, the closure also includes a third member in the form of an intermediate skirt 11 extending from the top panel 1 that provides a second seal point 12 (Figure 5(c)) that forms a secondary bore seal and increases the contact force at the 10 bore seal point 10. The intermediate skirt 11 has a small degree of flexibility to ensure that the overall seal that is formed when the closure is applied to the bottle neck 7 is not too tight and to allow the intermediate skirt to flex outwardly to accommodate variations in diameter of 15 the bottle neck 7. In addition, the inner surface 40 of the intermediate skirt 11 is formed as a lead-in surface, i.e. with the diameter decreasing from the terminal end to the top panel 1, to further accommodate variations in diameter.
The bottle neck 7 includes a thread form 14 and a tamper bead 6.
The bottle neck 7 further includes an inwardly 25 and upwardly angled top flange 17 that, as is described further hereinafter, cooperates with the inner skirt 9 and the intermediate skirt 11 of the closure to provide (a) the two above-mentioned seal points 10, 12 (which apply horizontally acting forces as viewed in the drawings) and 3 0 (b) a further contact seal at point 16 (which applies a vertically acting force as viewed in the drawings) that forms a tertiary bore seal. The width W of the flange 17 is selected to be greater than the radial gap between the inner skirt 9 and the intermediate skirt 11. In any given 35 situation, the difference between these dimensions will be a function of the deformability of the flange 17 and can be determined having regard to factors such as (but not N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet I PEA/A II Received 9 September 2008 limited to) the properties of the materials from which the bottle neck 7 and the closure are made and the wall thickness of the bottle neck 7.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the closure and the bottle neck assembly in section.
Figures 5(a)-(c) show the critical seal area in region C of Figure 3 in greater detail and illustrate 10 conceptually how the embodiment of the seal of the present invention operates.
In Figure 5(a), the inner skirt 9 is about to contact the inner edge 19 of the flange 17 on the bottle 15 neck 7. The flange 17 is arranged at an angle theta, typically in a range of 5-45° and preferably 10°, to the horizontal, as shown in the Figure. The intermediate skirt 11 is desirably shorter than the inner skirt 9 as shown, but this is not necessary to the operation of the 2 0 invention. The bottle neck wall section 18 - which is thin-walled (typically less than 0.5mm) - is visible in the Figure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the contact force between the inner edge of the flange 17 and the outer face of the inner skirt 9 will be 25 low due to the flexibility of HDPE (and other commonly used plastics materials).
In Figure 5(b), contact between the flange 17 and the inner skirt 9 has occurred at the seal point 10, but 3 0 the intermediate skirt 11 is yet to seal the outside of the bottle neck 7. The flange 17 remains substantially at the original angle theta to the horizontal at this stage.
Figure 5(c) illustrates the core of the concept 35 of the present invention as it is applied to the embodiment of the closure and bottle neck assembly of the present invention shown in the drawing. As the inner edge N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/19/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received 9 September 2008 19 of the flange 17 contacts the underside of the top panel 1, a vertical seal contact is made between the flange 17 and the top panel 1. Progressively, as the closure continues to be applied to the bottle neck 7, the 5 flange 17 deflects downwardly in response to the top load and the angle of the flange 17 to the horizontal reduces from theta towards zero. Consequently, the effective horizontal width across the flange 17 increases from Wcosine (theta) to W as the flange 17 approaches the 10 horizontal. This results in the flange 17 being tightly wedged between the inner skirt 9 and the intermediate skirt 11 and therefore forming an interference fit and thus obtaining increased contact force from a light weight neck.
The lead-in surface 40 of the intermediate skirt 11 is an important feature, together with the flexibility of the skirt, in accommodating thickness variations in the bottle neck 11. Such thickness variations are a 2 0 manufacturing reality and can have a significant impact on consistent seal performance of closures. If the diameter of the bottle neck 7 is over-size, the intermediate skirt 11 can flex outwardly as the closure is located onto the bottle neck 7, thereby maintaining the seal pressure. If 25 the diameter is under-size, the bottle neck 7 can penetrate further into the seal space, due to the decreasing diameter of the intermediate skirt 11, to achieve a desired seal pressure. 3 0 It is evident from the above that the present invention takes advantage of the light weight and therefore deformable bottle neck construction of the above-described known bottle necks - which is a negative characteristic of known closures and closure and bottle 35 neck assemblies. Specifically, the present invention uses the flexibility of the bottle neck as a positive feature and, together with the construction and flexibility of the Nj\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\61000-61999\P61209.PCT\Specis\A CLOSURE AND BOTTLE NECK PCT FINAL with tracked changes.doc 9/09/08 Amended Sheet IPEA/AU Received at IPONZ 7 December 2011 - 16 - intermediate skirt 11, makes it possible to form an effective seal.
Figure 6 illustrates further embodiments of the 5 closure of the present invention.
With reference to Figure 6, a first alternate embodiment of the external contact structure (the third member) is the use of a pressure block 20 as a substitute 10 for the intermediate skirt 11. This structure successfully provides seal contact, but at a higher cost than the discrete skirt structure.
With reference to Figure 6, an optional seal 15 structure 21 in the form of two concentric protruding rings is shown on the top seal contact surface of the cap.
Many modifications may be made to the embodiments of this invention described above without departing from 20 the spirit and scope of the invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be 25 construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including but not limited to". 30199207 7/12/11 Received at IPONZ 9 January 2012
Claims (10)
1. An assembly of a bottle that includes a bottle neck that has a bore that defines an opening for the bottle and 5 a closure positioned on the bottle neck and closing the opening, the bottle neck having an outwardly projecting thread and including a top flange that, when the bottle is viewed standing on a horizontal surface without the closure positioned on the bottle neck, extends inwardly 10 and upwardly to an inner edge that defines the bottle opening, and the closure including (a) a top panel, (b) a first member in the form of a peripheral skirt depending therefrom, the skirt includes an inwardly projecting thread that cooperates with the outwardly projecting 15 thread on the bottle neck and thereby engages the closure on the bottle neck,
2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the top flange of the bottle neck has a width which is greater 302004513 9/01/12 Received at IPONZ 9 January 2012 - 18 - than a radial gap between the inner skirt and the third member of the closure.
3. The assembly defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein 5 the top flange of the bottle neck extends inwardly and upwardly at an angle in a range of 3-45° to a horizontal plane, as viewed when the bottle is standing upright on a horizontal surface and the closure is not positioned on the bottle neck. 10
4. The assembly defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bottle neck is formed from a readily deformable polymeric material. 15
5. The assembly defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bottle neck is formed from a polyethylene polymer.
6. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 20 wherein the bottle neck is formed from a high density polyethylene.
7. The assembly defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bottle neck has a wall thickness of 25 less than 1mm.
8. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the bottle neck has a wall thickness of less than 0.5mm. 30
9. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the bottle neck has a wall thickness of less than 0.3mm.
10. An assembly of a bottle that includes a bottle neck substantially as herein described with reference to 35 Figures 1 to 5 or Figure 6. 302004513 9/01/12
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006903280A AU2006903280A0 (en) | 2006-06-19 | A closure and a bottle neck | |
| PCT/AU2007/000857 WO2007147206A1 (en) | 2006-06-19 | 2007-06-19 | A closure and a bottle neck |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NZ574166A true NZ574166A (en) | 2012-02-24 |
Family
ID=38832996
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ574166A NZ574166A (en) | 2006-06-19 | 2007-06-19 | A bottle closure that includes an top flange on the bottle neck that is deflected downwardly when load is applied by closing the treaded closure |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2007262659A1 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ574166A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2007147206A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102009013231B4 (en) * | 2009-01-17 | 2011-12-08 | Hugo Frosch | hot-water bottle |
| CN203780992U (en) * | 2013-10-28 | 2014-08-20 | 赫斯基注射器成型系统有限公司 | Bottle cap for container |
| USD824257S1 (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2018-07-31 | Novembal Usa Inc. | Cap |
| USD838171S1 (en) | 2018-01-04 | 2019-01-15 | Novembal Usa Inc. | Cap |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3901404A (en) * | 1972-05-18 | 1975-08-26 | Dairy Cap Corp | Bottle cap |
| GB1552713A (en) * | 1976-03-11 | 1979-09-19 | Crown Cork Japan | Cap and sealing method |
| US4098419A (en) * | 1977-02-18 | 1978-07-04 | Maxcap Inc. | Blow molded plastic bottle and antitamper cap |
| US4143785A (en) * | 1978-03-16 | 1979-03-13 | Sun Coast Plastic Closures, Inc. | Plastic vacuum sealing cap |
| US4177906A (en) * | 1978-05-31 | 1979-12-11 | Maxcap Inc. | Blow molded plastic bottle and plastic cap |
| US4322012A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1982-03-30 | Dairy Cap Corporation | Threaded plastic bottle cap |
| US4498597A (en) * | 1984-01-20 | 1985-02-12 | Bashour Joseph E | Container and closure |
| US4531649A (en) * | 1984-04-23 | 1985-07-30 | Anchor Hocking Corporation | Molded plastic cap with sealing liner |
| US4560077A (en) * | 1984-09-25 | 1985-12-24 | Sun Coast Plastics, Inc. | Plastic closure cap |
| JP3284388B2 (en) * | 1994-02-23 | 2002-05-20 | 日本クラウンコルク株式会社 | Container lid provided with a synthetic resin shell and a synthetic resin liner |
| US6477823B1 (en) * | 1998-07-30 | 2002-11-12 | Kerr Group, Inc. | Closure and container system for hot filled containers |
| GB2369114B (en) * | 2000-11-21 | 2004-05-05 | Beeson & Sons Ltd | Plug seals for user-friendly cap assemblies |
| CA2449430A1 (en) * | 2001-06-06 | 2002-12-12 | White Cap, Inc. | Closure for thin-walled containers having a multi-lead threaded neck |
-
2007
- 2007-06-19 NZ NZ574166A patent/NZ574166A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2007-06-19 WO PCT/AU2007/000857 patent/WO2007147206A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-06-19 AU AU2007262659A patent/AU2007262659A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2007147206A1 (en) | 2007-12-27 |
| AU2007262659A1 (en) | 2007-12-27 |
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