US1909406A

US1909406A - Sealed package

Info

Publication number: US1909406A
Application number: US414017A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman N Holland
Original assignee: Anchor Cap and Closure Corp
Current assignee: Anchor Cap and Closure Corp
Priority date: 1929-12-14
Filing date: 1929-12-14
Publication date: 1933-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 1950-05-16

Description

N. N. HOLLAND SEALEDv PACKAGE Filed Dec. 14, 192'9 Il Il. l. lll' Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFI-'lcs NORIAN N. HOLLAND, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ABSIGNOB T0 ANCHOR CAP 0mm CORPORATION, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW You SEALED PACKAGE Application illed December 14, 1929. Serial No. 414,017.

The present invention relates to the sealing art and more particularly to a sealed package and method of sealing.

Heretofore, in forming ermetically sealed packages, closure caps have been sealed on tumblers and similar glass containers by reforming the skirt of the cap to press the asket against the side wall of the container. uch caps, while making an excellent hermetic seal, have several disadvantages. The reformation of the skirt requires complicated machinery and slows up production in acking plants because of low sealing spee In addition, the reformation of the bead between the side wall of the container reduces the projecting portions of the cap and makes it difficult to remove it because it is diiicult to make a bottle opener readily engage the ca Then too, the skirt of the cap has to stretched substantially to clear the rim of the container during removal. Since the caps are usually removed by a bottle opener which raises one side about the other side as a pivot, considerable stretching is necessary where the seal is made a substantial distance below the rim of the container. Such caps are usually distorted in removal to such an `extent that they cannot be used for reseal purposes. Other caps are adapted to form substantially an edge seal by downward pressure on the cap. The seal with such caps is substantially at the junction of the skirt and cover portion of the ca and adjacent the rim of the container. T is is the portion of the container which is most likely to have manufacturing defects; hence, a relatively large number of defective seals result. In addition, the seal being at the junction of the Vskirt and cover portion, the cover portion reinforces the skirt and decreases its expansiveness. lSince all 'glass containers vary from a true standard'both in size and out-of-roundness, these caps cannot accommodate the desirable range of variation. Certain other [caps are formed from celluloid or material such as aluminum and rely upon the vacuum within the container to hold the caps in place. Such caps are usually torn o and cannot be used for reseal purposes and, due to the thinness of the materials, the seals are likely to be impaired during shipment and handling.

The present invention overcomes or minlmizes these diiculties by providin a closure cap with a gasket located in t e skirt of the cap a substantial distance below the cover portion thereof. The gasket may be relatively small and inexpensive. 'The container is provided with a tapered or bevelled surface adjoining the rim thereof merging into a sealing surface which may, for example, be cylindrical. In this way, all the advantages of the side seal are attained so that defects at the rim of the container do not impair the seal. The sealing equi ment is simple since the caps may be sealed y downward pressure. T e portion of the cap engaging the gasket is a substantial distance from the cover portion of the cap and, hence,

a maximum range of size and out-of-roundness in the container may be accommodated. The tapered part of the container not only facilitates the sealing operation but it also facilitates the removal of the cap by minimizing the stretching necessar to make the skirt of the cap clear the rim o the container in removal. i

An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive sealed package wherein the closure cap can be easily applied to the commercial run of glass containers to form an effective seal'which can be readily removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package from which the closure cap may be removed without material deformation and thereafter used for reseal purposes.

Another object of the invention is to min-l illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a sealed package, partly in section, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the relative positions of the cap and container just prior to the sealing operation Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the cap in Fig. 1 applied to a container having a pry-off shoulder to facilitate removal of the cap;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the application of the cap to a slightly different container;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a sealed package in accordance with the cap and container shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view i1- lustrating another form of scaled package.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a sealed package comprising a container 1 and a closure cap 2. The container is here shown in the form of a tumbler although the invention is equally applicable to jars and Various other types of receptacles. The upper end of the container is provided with a rim 4 and a sealing zone 5, shown herein as cylindrical. rlhe portion of the container intermediate the rim and sealing zone is bevelled, as shown at 6, so that there is a continuous inclined or conical surface leading from the rim of the container to the sealing zone 5. The surface 6 decreases in size as it approaches the rim of the container and increases in size as it approaches and merges into the sealing zone.

r1`he closure cap 2 may comprise a cover portion 7 and a depending skirt 8. A bead or recess 9 is formed, preferably at the bottom of the skirt, to accommodate a gasket 10. The lower edge of the cap is turned inwardly, as shown at 11, to form the bottom of the bead and to support the gasket 10 in the bead. The upper part of the skirt of the cap is preferably liared outwardly substantially to conform to the bevelled surface 6 adjacent the rim of the container. i

1n sealing the containers, the caps 2 ma be laid upon the containers, as shown in Fig. 2, while they are passing along the conveyor. Thereafter, an anvil 3, shaped to fit over and conform to the cover portion of the oep, env

gages the cap and presses it on the container. As pressure is applied to the cover portion of the cap, the gas et slides over the inclined surface 6 on the container, being compressed during its movement, and finally rests upon the sealing surface 5 of the container, as shown in Fig. 1. In this state, the gasket is pressed very tightly against the side wall of the container over substantially its entire width and the skirt or bead of the cap 9, under the stresses created in the gasket, is stretched slightly and acts as a very strong resilient band to press the gasket tightly against the container.

In Fig. 3, a cap is shown applied to a jar having a pry-od shoulder 12. The sealing operation may be the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 but the removal is preferably effected by inserting a coin between the lower edge of the cap and the shoulder 12 of the container to pry of the cap. Without the shoulder, the cap can be conveniently removed by a bottle opener, the lower jaw of which engages the bead 9 and the pivoting end of which rests upon the cover portion of the cap. 'l`hc tapered portion 6 not only facilitates the application of the cap to a container but it greatly facilitates the removal thereof. When a hooked bottle opener is applied to a cap, the upward pressure applied to one side of the cap tends to rotate the cap about its opposite side as a pivot. This can be done with the present type of container because the gasket will readily clear the rim of the container due to the difference inize between the sealing Zone 5 and the upper periphery of the container. 1f the tumbler 1 extended straight up to the rim, as is customary at the present time, the skirt of the cap would have to be expanded substantially and distorted in order to stretch it sufficiently to clear the rim of the container. rihis could only be accomplished by careful manipulation of a cap opener and the application of considerable force to the closure which generally resulted in so much distortion that further use of the closure for reseal purposes was not feasible. By reason of the tapered surface 6 immediately adjacent the sealing Zone, the cap may be removed by the insertion of a coin between the lower part of the cap and the shoulder 12 on the container, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

While the sealing operation can be performed by a flat disc applying downward pressure to the cover portion of the cap, preferably, a sealing anvil 3 is used, which is shaped substantially to conform to the upper portion of the cap with a portion engaging the upper side of the bead 9. In this way, the cap is held rigidly in position and forced upon the container Without creating undue stresses in the metal of the cap.

In Figs. 4 and 5, the reduced portion of the rim of the container adjacent its upper end is provided with two

inclined portions

14 and 15 moa-aes leading from the rim' 4 tothe'sealng surface 5. The surface Mis only slightly inclined so that the gasket can slip over 'this portion and be centered by engagement 'with the incline which issubstantiall greater than that of the surface 14. 'In t is way, when a' cap is placed u on the container, it= immediatelyseats itsel roperly, which facilitates its ap licatio'ntot econtain'er.

`lIn ig. 6 la slightly different construction is shownfw erein the surface lli'is substantially perpendicular. It serves the same purpose as ythe'surface -14 in Fig. 5. The cap in this gu're is' also'sli'ghtly different from the cap in the rema'ix'iingl figures in that the lower edge of the cap is' 'rolled inwardly, as shown at ld, to forni" a shelf forl support of the gasket andthe lower side of the bead and to conceal the raw edge of the skirt. In addition, the edge provides a stren hening portion which prevents distortion o the cap when a hookedopener is applied with undue cree.' '1

it will" be seen tha'gt'the-present invention provides 'a sealed package, the portions of which 3o-'operate tol produce a very eifective seal which'ca'n'he readily removed and the closure `cap'nsed for reseal purposes. The advantages of such a construction have long heen recognized 'in the sealing'art and many shorts have been madel to combine these in a single construction." `Due to the obstacles which had to be overcome, these e'orts have only been partially successful. The seal is made on the container over the entire width of the gasket and, hence, is very effective. By utilizing the entire width of the gasket, it may be reduced in size and may be increased in thickness. The increased thickness of the gasket gives greater flexibility and accommodates a wider range of variations in the glass containers. In addition, the bead, being at the bottom of the skirt of the cap, is not substantially reinforced by the cover portion and, hence, acts as a strong spring pressing the gasket about the side wall of the container. By reason of the tapered portion adacent the bevelled container, the cap may readily removed without substantial stretching or distortion and magy be used as a reseal closure for covering an sealing the contents of the container during the consumption thereof. The invention is applicable to tumblers which may be used for drinking purposes. The flare 6 at the upper end of the tumbler tends to enhance its appearance and usefulness rather than detract from it. The construction is simple and inexpensive and fully capable of withstanding the rough usage to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacricing its advanta es, itis to be understood that all matter erein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a'. limiting sense.

Having thus described my inventioml claim: v

1. A sealed package comprising the comf bination of a closure cap, a asket in the skirt of the cap located a su stantial .distance below the coverportion thereof, and a container having a sealing zone for engagement with said gasket, and a tapered portion leading to said sealing zone and terminatin substantially at the upper part of said as et.

2. sealed package comprisin the combination of a closure cap, a gas et in the skirt of the cap, and a contamer'having a sealinlg zone for enga ement with said gasket, t e upper edge o said container bein bevelled to provide an inclined surface lea ing to said sealing zone and terminating sub stantially at `the upper part ofI said gasket whereb the cap may be sealed to the container y downward pressure, the inclined surface expanding the gasket in the skirt of the cap to cause it to form a tight friction seal with the sealing surface, the cover part of the cap resting u n the rim of the container when the pac age is sealed.

3., A sealed package comprisn the combination of a closure cap, a gas et loosely mounted in the skirt of the cap located a. substantial distance from the cover portion thereof, and a container having a substantially cylindrical sealing zone for en agement with said gasket, the upper edge o said container being bevelled to provide an inclined surface leading to said sealing zone and terminating substantially at the upper pgrt of said gasket whereby the cap ma,

sealed to the container by downwar pressure without reformation of the skirt of the cap, the downward .movement of the cap being limited by engagement of the cover part of the cap with the rim of the container.

4. A sealed package comprising the combination of a closure cap having a cover portion and a dependin skirt, said skirt being flared outwardly an having its lower edge ending in an inturned fla-nge, a gasket in t e skirt of said cap resting upon said flange, a container having a bevelled surface adJacent the rim thereof, whereby said cap may be y forced on said, container by downwardl pressure, the bevelled surface forcing said gasket and the skirt of the cap outwardly to form a tight friction seal and terminating substantially at the upper part of the gasket, the downward movement of the cap being limited by engagement of the cover part of the cap with the rim of the container.

5. A sealed package comprising'a closure cap having a cover portion and a depending skirt, a bead in the lower portion .of said skirt, a gasket in said bead, and a container having a cylindrical sealing surface below the rim thereof, the portion of the container between said cylindrical surface and said rim being reduced in size to facilitatel application of the closure, and said gasket engaging the upper part of said cylindrical surface to facilitate removal of the ca 6. A sealed package comprising the combination of a closure ca having a cover portion and a depending/s irt, the upper part of said skirt being flared outwardly, a bead in the lower portion of said skirt, a gasket in said bead, and a container having its outer rim bevelled with a sealing surface below` said bevelled portion, said gasket contacting with and forming a seal upon the upper part of said sealing surface.

7. A sealed package comprising a container having a sealing surface substantially one quarter of an inch below the rim thereof, a closure cap having a bead in the skirt there of substantially one qua-rter of an inch below the cover portion thereof, and a gasket in said bead., the upper portion of the container above said bead being reduced in size to facilitate removal of the cap from the container 8. The method of sealing closure caps to containers, which method comprises providing a cap with a gasket in the skirt thereof, a container having a tapered surface adjacent the rim thereof, and sealing said cap to said container by pressing said cap on the container, whereby the tapered surface of the container expands the inner surface of the gasket and the skirt of the cap to form a tight friction seal between the gasket and the side wall of the container with the upper part of the gasket substantially at the lower part of the tapered surface, and limiting the downward movement of the cap by engagement of the cover part thereof with the rim of the container.

9. A" sealed package comprising, in combination, a closure cap having an annular recess in the skirt ofthe cap located a substantial distance from the cover portion thereof, the upper side of said recess being flat and substantially'horizontal to rest against and to hold a gasket, a gasket in said recess, a container having a sealing surface over which said gasket and said cap are ada ted to be telescoped for sealing the container, and a tapered portion on said container leading to said sealing surface, the lower part of said tapered portion of the container terminating at the upper side of said gasket when the cap is in sealed position.

10. A sealed package comprising the combination of a closure cap having a bead in the skirt thereof, a gasket loosely mounted in said bead, and a container having a cylindrical sealing zone for engagement with the gasket to form a hermetic side seal, the portion of the container above the sealing zone being of reduced size, whereby the cul may be sealed to the container by downwar pressure without reformation of the bead, the upper edge of the gasket bein substantially in line with the lower part o said reduced portion of the container to facilitate removal of the cap.

11. A sealed package com rising a container having a sealing sur ace below the rim thereof, a closure cap having a bead in the skirt thereof, the upper side of said bead beingwsubstantially horizontal, a gasket in said ad, the upper rtion of the container beginning substantia 1y at the upper side of sald bea being reduced in size to facilitate the removal of the cap from the container.

12. A sealed package comprising a container havin a sealing surface below the rim thereof, a c osure cap having a bead in the skirt thereof, the upper side of said bead being substantially horizontal, a gasket in said bead engaging the upper part of the sealing surface, the u r portion of the container above said sea mg surface being reduced in size so that the skirt of the cap will not have to be stretched materially when engaged hy afcap opener and raised about one side thereo New York, this 29th day of ovember, i929.

NORMAN N. HOLLAND.

Signed in the city, count and State of