US20030057174A1 - Tamper proof closure for containers of liquids - Google Patents

Tamper proof closure for containers of liquids Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030057174A1
US20030057174A1 US09/926,530 US92653001A US2003057174A1 US 20030057174 A1 US20030057174 A1 US 20030057174A1 US 92653001 A US92653001 A US 92653001A US 2003057174 A1 US2003057174 A1 US 2003057174A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
closure element
weakening
neck
free edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/926,530
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English (en)
Inventor
Enrico Folchini
Steven White
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pelliconi Abruzzo SRL
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to PELLICONI ABRUZZO S.R.L. reassignment PELLICONI ABRUZZO S.R.L. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FOLCHINI, ENRICO, WHITE, STEVEN
Publication of US20030057174A1 publication Critical patent/US20030057174A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/46—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
    • B65D41/48—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tamper-proof closure element made of plastic material for containers of liquids, in particular for drinks.
  • the first one is represented by the classic screw cap (either made of a metallic material, generically aluminium, or of plastic material, generically polyolefin based, such as polyethylene or polypropylene) which, clearly, allows to re-close the container after the initial opening, and to vent outside the container (at each subsequent opening) the gases created by the drink if the container is moved, but has the drawback of a high cost in itself, in addition to requiring necessarily the presence, on the neck of the container, of threads for screwing.
  • the classic screw cap either made of a metallic material, generically aluminium, or of plastic material, generically polyolefin based, such as polyethylene or polypropylene
  • the second solution is represented by a metal cap (usually made of aluminium) whereto is associated a ring for the opening grip wound or set close to the neck of the container; this cap needs a low application force for opening the container, does not scratch the closure area of the bottle neck and, therefore, can be applied on reusable bottles.
  • a metal cap usually made of aluminium
  • the drawbacks of such a cap are its high cost of manufacture, the impossibility of closing the container again after the initial opening, and low usage safety, since the user can risk, if he/she does not perform the opening manoeuvre correctly, to injure him/herself due to the presence of extremely sharp and cutting surfaces; additionally, it requires the use of both hands.
  • the aim of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks by providing a closure element for containers of drinks that is extremely simple in its manufacturing configuration, has low cost of production, and is structured in such a way as to provide a series of technical-practical characteristics that meet the demands of the market, i.e.: use of containers-bottles also made of plastic material with the need for their reuse, i.e.
  • “refillable” allow for an easy application on the container also and, possibly, by means of the same closure plants, to apply crown cap types of closures, used to date on bottling lines; a facilitated opening operation also with the use of only one hand; the possibility to indicate unequivocally the opening of the container, the possibility of re-closing the container after the first opening with the automatic adjustment of the value of the pressure within it due to the artificial gassing of the drinks, or, possibly, to their natural fermentation.
  • a closure element made of plastic material for containers of drinks comprising a main body with circular-cylindrical shape defined by an upper surface and a lower annular coating in a single body to enclose an end portion of the container, and a lateral portion provided with a pair of weakening and/or breakage lines extending from the free edge of the annular coating for a length of a first value; this pair of lines are mutually separated, in correspondence with their final segment situated far from the free edge, by a second value and, in correspondence with the free edge, by a third value; these three values are mutually calculated at least as a function of the inner and outer diameter of the neck of the container and of the pressure present or able to be generated inside the container, in order to allow, subsequently to the initial opening separation, by means of related manual grip means, of the main body from the neck and causing a partial or total breakage of the weakening and/or breakage lines, the re-closure of the
  • FIG. 1 shows a first constructive diagram of a closure element for containers of liquids, according to the present invention, in a schematic perspective view;
  • FIG. 2 shows a container for drinks provided with a first embodiment of the closure element of the present invention, in a schematic front view;
  • FIG. 3 shows a detail in enlarged scale of the container of FIG. 2 in a schematic front view
  • FIG. 4 shows the closure element of FIGS. 2 and 3 in a partially sectioned lateral view, shown in enlarged scale relative to FIGS. 2 and 3;
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show the closure element of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 in corresponding three opening phases of the container, all in schematic lateral views with some parts sectioned;
  • FIG. 8 shows a second constructive diagram of a closure element for containers of liquids, according to the present invention, in a schematic perspective view
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 show the closure element obtained according to the diagram of FIG. 8, respectively in positions of closure and subsequent opening of the container and in schematic perspective views;
  • FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 show the closure element of FIGS. 9 and lo in a corresponding series of phases for the opening of the container by means of lifting the element, and all figures are schematic lateral views with some parts sectioned;
  • FIGS. 15, 16, 17 , 18 , 19 and 20 show the closure element of FIGS. 9 and 10 in a corresponding series of phases for the opening of the container by means of pressure on the closure element, and all figures are schematic lateral views with some parts sectioned;
  • FIG. 21 shows a third embodiment of the subject closure element in a schematic lateral view
  • FIG. 22 shows a detail referred to FIG. 21 in a schematic front view
  • FIGS. 23 and 24 show a system for applying the closure element of FIGS. 1 through 22 in a detail shown in lateral view with some parts sectioned and illustrating an application terminal encompassing the closure element
  • the subject closure element made of plastic material, is applied onto containers 1 of drinks, such as beer, tea, soft drinks in general or similar drinks, without thereby limiting the inventive scope of the subject invention.
  • the plastic material for the manufacture of this closure element can be of various types (without thereby limiting others), such as polyethylene terephtalate or polyethylene naphtalenate.
  • This closure element comprises a main body 2 , with circular-cylindrical shape (or more specifically circular-cone shape), defined by an upper surface 3 and a lower annular coating 4 in a single body to enclose an end portion of the aforesaid container 1 comprising a mouth 5 for the exit of the drink defined by the mouth 6 of the container 1 .
  • the aforesaid annular coating 4 moreover, has, along its own inner surface, an annular tooth 7 , defining an undercut for the stable coupling with a corresponding annular rib 8 presented by the neck 6 of the container 1 .
  • the closure element of this type also comprises a lateral portion provided with a pair of weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b , which interrupt the aforesaid tooth 7 , extending from the free edge 4 a of the aforesaid annular coating 4 for a length of a first value, indicated with the reference C.
  • the pair of weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b are mutually separated, in correspondence with their final segment situated far from the free edge 4 a , by a second value, indicated with the reference A, and, in correspondence with the free edge 4 a , by a third value, indicated as B.
  • the aforesaid pair of weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b are obtained on the annular coating 4 to form a substantially trapezoidal configuration.
  • the pair of lines 9 a and 9 b present the aforesaid value A greater than value B, whilst value C is greater than value B. but smaller than A: these dimensions are, as previously mentioned, a function of the diameters D and D 1 and of the height H of the neck 6 of the container 1 and/or of the pressure able to be generated by the product contained therein after the opening of the container 1 itself.
  • each weakening and/or breakage line 9 a and 9 b comprises a first rectilinear segment S 1 and a second segment S 2 inclined relative to the first, joined together without interruptions.
  • each rectilinear first segment S 1 is obtained in proximity to the free edge 4 a , and the second segment S 2 is inclined away from the corresponding second segment of the other weakening and/or breakage line to define a diverging angle shape with maximum distance away in correspondence with the segment farthest from the free edge 4 a.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly show the aforementioned manual grip means 10 , which, in this first embodiment, comprise an extension 11 of the annular coating 4 , located between the pair of weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b .
  • This extension 11 in,the illustrated case with ellipsoidal shape, develops beyond the free edge 4 a in such a way as to allow, in correspondence with its lifting with movement away from the neck 6 of the container 1 (see arrow F 6 of FIG. 6), an opening of the same container 1 with breakage of the aforementioned weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b.
  • the main body 2 is provided with a first weakening (see FIG. 4) achieved by a first undercut 12 obtained on the outer surface of the main body 2 in correspondence with the junction area between the upper surface 3 and the aforesaid annular coating 4 in such a way as to define a hinge point able to facilitate the opening operation of the container 1 , increasing the elastic flexibility of the area of the annular coating 4 .
  • FIG. 4 shows a second weakening, also achieved by a second undercut 13 obtained, however, on the inner surface of the main body 2 , in contact with the aforesaid neck 6 of the container 1 , and in correspondence with the junction area between the upper surface 3 and the annular coating 4 in such a way as to define an additional second hinge point able further to increase the elastic flexibility of the closure element during the opening phase, without thereby generating irreversible fractures on the main body 2 or on the annular coating 4 .
  • the two hinge points 12 and 13 described above can be obtained individually or as a pair.
  • the individual or simultaneous presence of the hinge undercuts 12 and 13 is a function at least of the elastic characteristics of the plastic material used to manufacture the closure elements and of the dimensions of the neck 6 of the container 1 .
  • Both these first and second undercuts 12 and 13 are preferably obtained in the area of the main body 2 lying between the pair of weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b to allow a more direct action on the area wherein the extension 11 acts.
  • the geometric configuration defined by the weakening lines 9 a and 9 b forms a classic trapezoid wherein the value A is smaller than the value B, whilst the value C is smaller both than the value A and of the value B.
  • the aforesaid opening means 10 S also comprise an extension 14 of the annular coating 4 beyond the free edge 4 a , lying between the pair of weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b.
  • This extension 14 is provided (see also FIGS. 11 through 20), with a pair of hinge points 15 and 16 , distanced between them, and with cam means 17 , defined by the inner profile of the extension 14 , in contact and acting with the neck 6 of the container 1 .
  • This structure of the extension 14 allows, indifferently, the opening of the container 1 by lifting the extension 14 itself away from the neck 6 , or by thrusting the same extension 14 against the neck 6 of the container 1 .
  • the first hinge point 15 is defined by a first undercut 18 obtained on the outer surface of the main body 2 in correspondence with the junction area between the upper surface 3 and the annular coating 4 ; this first undercut 18 is also obtained in the area lying between the two lines 9 a and 9 b.
  • the second hinge point 16 is obtained from the partial separation of the extension 14 of the annular coating 4 in the area proximate to the free edge 4 a , in addition to the aforesaid annular tooth 7 holding the main body 2 on the neck 6 : this configuration allows to define a single manually operated lever.
  • This individual lever 14 is provided by a substantially concave inner profile 19 , defining the aforesaid cam means 17 , and able to allow, in correspondence with a pressure on the lever 14 (see arrow F 14 of FIGS. 18 and 19), a rotation of the lever itself towards the neck 6 with related thrust both on the free edge 4 a , and on the portion of the annular tooth 7 lying between the weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b , from the interior, in such a way as to allow a movement of the free edge 4 a away from the neck 6 with related opening of the container 1 (see arrow F 4 of FIGS. 19 and 20).
  • FIG. 21 shows an additional accessory embodiment for this closure element.
  • the closure element comprises means 20 for holding the main closure body 2 on the neck 6 of the container 1 .
  • These means 20 are positioned in proximity to the neck 6 and allow the main body 2 to remain secured to the container 1 even after the opening of the container 1 obtained with the aforesaid opening means 10 .
  • these holding means 20 can comprise a holding ring 21 positioned below the main closure body 2 ; the ring 21 is provided with a plurality ofjunctions 22 and 23 joining with the free edge 4 a of the main body 2 (the number is a function of the diameter of the main body and two are visible herein by way of example) and with a hinge point 24 obtained diametrically opposite the area presenting the aforesaid opening means 10 : this structuring of these means 20 allows, in correspondence with the opening phase, a breakage of the junctions 22 and 23 present and a rotation of the main body 2 about the hinge point 24 (see arrow F 24 of FIG. 21) with related holding of the main body 2 on the neck 6 of the container 1 .
  • FIG. 22 illustrates the aforesaid hinge point 24 , which can comprise at least a folding tab associated with the free edge 4 a and with the holding ring 21 . Additionally, bilateral bulges 25 can be added, also associated to the free edge 4 a and to the ring 21 and able to serve as further hinge constraints for a correct rotation of the main body 2 during the opening and re-closing operations.
  • a closure element thus obtained fully achieves the pre-set aims and can be used in the ways shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 for the first embodiment, and in FIGS. 11 through 20 for the second embodiment.
  • FIGS. 5 through 7 clearly show the opening phase of the container 1 by means of lifting the extension 11 (see arrow F 6 ) which, helped by the presence of one or both the undercuts 12 and 13 for its rotation, determines the fracture of the lines 9 a and 9 b , with the consequent move away of the tooth 7 lying between the weakening and/or breakage lines 9 a and 9 b from the annular rib 8 opening, in fact, the container 1 .
  • the lever 14 of this embodiment can be lifted (see arrow F 16 of FIGS. 12 and 13) rotating about the second hinge point 16 with consequent thrust on the free edge 4 a and distancing of the portion of the tooth 7 lying between the lines 9 a and 9 b for weakening and/or breaking the annular rib 8 ) also aided by the first hinge point 15 and by the breakage of the weakening lines 9 a and 9 b ).
  • FIGS. 23 and 24 show, the closure element described above can easily be applied to the containers 1 through extremely limited technical variations on existing capping lines (in particular, on those for crown caps).
  • Capping lines can simply be provided, purely by way of non limiting example of the solution, with a terminal 26 applicable under the capping head of the lines conveying the containers 1 .
  • This particular terminal 26 can simply be shaped in such away as to encompass the closure element on the upper part thereof involving also the portions comprising the weakening and breakage line; in this way the capping operation will be simple and will not compromise the integrity of the closure itself.
  • This closure element made of plastic material therefore achieves all pre-set aims thanks to a global structure that is extremely rational and has application and functionality characteristics that are sharply superior to the solutions presented to date by the market.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
US09/926,530 2000-03-15 2001-03-12 Tamper proof closure for containers of liquids Abandoned US20030057174A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO2000A000139 2000-03-15
IT2000BO000139A IT1320922B1 (it) 2000-03-15 2000-03-15 Elemento di chiusura antimanomissione per contenitori di liquidi.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030057174A1 true US20030057174A1 (en) 2003-03-27

Family

ID=11438316

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/926,530 Abandoned US20030057174A1 (en) 2000-03-15 2001-03-12 Tamper proof closure for containers of liquids

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20030057174A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1263659A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001237671A1 (fr)
IT (1) IT1320922B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001068467A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070007230A1 (en) * 2003-08-30 2007-01-11 Sang-Hoon Kim Bottle cap and a bottle with the same
US20100282706A1 (en) * 2009-05-05 2010-11-11 Gilliam James R Lift lever crown cap system and method
US20220009678A1 (en) * 2020-07-08 2022-01-13 Japeloco Pty Ltd. Closures and vessels with closures

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITBO20010459A1 (it) * 2001-07-18 2003-01-18 Pelliconi Abruzzo Srl Elemento di chiusura antimanomissione per contenitori di liquidi
US6981601B2 (en) 2002-03-21 2006-01-03 Alcoa Closure Systems International Tamper-evident snap-on closure with sealing plug and liner
PL2262696T3 (pl) * 2008-02-28 2012-03-30 Capartis Ag Zamknięcie nasadzane
EP2592013A1 (fr) 2011-11-09 2013-05-15 Carlsberg Breweries A/S Bouteille à boisson munie d'une fermeture refermable dotée d'un axe de came

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4322010A (en) * 1979-10-18 1982-03-30 Curry John J Tamper proof lid
US4385708A (en) * 1979-10-18 1983-05-31 Curry John J Tamper proof lid
GB2086361B (en) * 1980-09-26 1984-07-18 Johnsen Jorgensen Plastics Ltd An improved container closure
SE8604926D0 (sv) * 1986-11-17 1986-11-18 Wicanders Kapsyl Ab Upprivningsbar kapsyl

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070007230A1 (en) * 2003-08-30 2007-01-11 Sang-Hoon Kim Bottle cap and a bottle with the same
US7611027B2 (en) * 2003-08-30 2009-11-03 Sang-Hoon Kim Bottle cap and a bottle with the same
US20100282706A1 (en) * 2009-05-05 2010-11-11 Gilliam James R Lift lever crown cap system and method
US20220009678A1 (en) * 2020-07-08 2022-01-13 Japeloco Pty Ltd. Closures and vessels with closures
US11591141B2 (en) * 2020-07-08 2023-02-28 Veraseal Pty Limited Closures and vessels with closures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1263659A1 (fr) 2002-12-11
AU2001237671A1 (en) 2001-09-24
WO2001068467A1 (fr) 2001-09-20
ITBO20000139A1 (it) 2001-09-15
IT1320922B1 (it) 2003-12-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PELLICONI ABRUZZO S.R.L., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FOLCHINI, ENRICO;WHITE, STEVEN;REEL/FRAME:012413/0051

Effective date: 20011105

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION