US2297842A

US2297842A - Container and seal therefor

Info

Publication number: US2297842A
Application number: US357339A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jesse E Roach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-09-19
Filing date: 1940-09-19
Publication date: 1942-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1959-10-06

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet l INV ENTQR.

J. E. ROACH CONTAINER AND SEAL THEREFOR Filed Sept. 19, 1940 Oct. 6, 1942.

- J. E. ROACH v CONTAINER AND SEAL THEREFOR Uct. 6, 1942.

Filed Sept. 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .FEZ-G6. 40454639 46 44 47 M5555 T )9o/10H. A INVENTOR A TxoRA/Eys.

` Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER AND SEAL THEREFOR Jesse E. Roach, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application September 19, 1940, Serial No. 357,339'

2 claims. (ci. 22o-5.1)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in containers and more particularly it pertains to that type of container employed as a commercial package for foods and other substances.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a container of the aforementioned type which is constructed from paper, light cardboard, or similar materials which container will possess characteristics which render this type of container capable 'of use for purposes for which they have been heretofore not practical. l

A feature of the invention resides in a novel construction of container body by which greater rigidity and hence greater strength in the side walls of the container body is obtained thany is possible of attainment in containers of this type with which I am familiar.

Another feature of the novel construction of container body above mentioned, resides in the ease and facility with which the several parts may be assembled to form the container body.

Still a further feature of the invention residesin a novel construction of bottom closing wall for the container body.

A still further feature of the invention resides in a novel closure,- cap for the container and its use in connection with a sealing medium whereby an air-tight joint between the container and its closing cap may be obtained.

A still further feature of the invention resides in a novel means for retaining the closure cap in closure sealing position upon the container and which will permit of subsequent use of the closure cap as a container cover, after the container has been opened by rupturing of the seal. g Other features of the invention will appear as Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating one step in the method of manufacture of the container body.

A container constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a body portion I0, a closing cap I I and a bottom closing cap I2.

The body portion I0 of the container is formed with tapering side walls, the upper end of the container having a larger diameter than lip lower or bottom end.

The body portion III of the container is formed of two elements I3 and Il which are adhesively attached one to the other. The elements I3 and Il are in the form of blanks formed from paper,

light cardboard or similar material and their specific constructions, together with the manner in which they are formed, will be hereinafter more specifically described.

One of the blanks from which the main body portion I0 of the container is formed is illustrated in Figure 5 and while it isv not absolutely essential to the successful practicing of the invention, it is desirable that said blanks of which there are two be of the identica orm with the single exception that one of @th ks is slightly shorter in length than is the other.

Each blank comprises a main body portion I5 .having curved parallel side edges I6 and I1,

the side edge I6 being shorter than the side edge I'l to produce the tapering Walls of the container I0 when Vthe blanks are rolled into cylindrical form. Y

The end edges of the blanks are of irregular form. In the present illustrationof the inventhe nature of theinvention is better understood and reference will now be had to the following specification and claims and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a Vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken Vsubstantially on the line ,2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the closure cap of the container and the manner in which it is retained in position upon the container, l

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the'line 4 4 of Figure2,

Figure 5 is a, plan View of one of the blanks employed in the manufacture of the container body,

Figure 6 is a perspective View partly in section illustrating the band employed for retain"- ing the closure cap in container closing and sealing position, and; Y f

tion, the end edges are sinuous in form throughout the major portion' of their length and preferably terminate at each end in a straight line portion I8. The sinuous portion of the end"edges are formed with alternately disposed connected curved portionsv I 9 which form projections 20 and recesses 2| which are so arranged that when the blanks are rolled into cylindrical form, the projections of one end will be received in intertting relation within the recesses of the other end to form continuous inner and outer sur-- faces with a sinuous seam forming the connection -between the ends of each blank.

In forming the container body, the blanks are disposed one within the other, the shorter of the two blanks being disposed within the longer blank preferably with its sinuous seam, which connects its end edges, out of registration with the sinuous seam connecting the end edges of the outer blanks.

As heretofore stated the two blanks are adhesively secured together which construction provides a body portion of substantially integral or unitary structure and this result is obtained in the following manner.

One of the blanks is coated upon that face which contacts the other blank with a suitable inner face of the outer blank I4 or the outer face of the inner blank I3 may be coated. After the coating has been applied the outer blank I4 is rolled into cylindrical form with the projections and recesses of its end edges in intertting relation as best illustrated in Figure 1, and in said cylindrical form, the blank is placed within a heating element 30 as illustrated in Figure 7.

' After this has been done, the inner blank I3 is similarly rolled into cylindrical form and inserted within the blank I4 in the heating elemeni-l 30 after which a plunger such as 3| is inserted into the heating element and into engagement with the inner face of the inner blank I3 under suil'icient pressure to force the two blanks into contacting engagement with each other throughout the surfaces of their meeting faces. The heat provided by the heating element reacts upon the thermoplastic coating heretofore described, effecting an adhesion between the blanks I3 and I4 throughout the area of their contacting faces and forming them into a substantially integral and unitary structure.

As heretofore stated, the sinuous seams which are designated 32 in the drawings are arranged in offset relation to each other and it will be apparent that a container body constructed as described will be possessed of considerable resistance to said pressure since by forming the seams 32 in an irregular manner and staggering them with relation to each other, the container body will be possessed with no direct weak point as would result were the blanks connected at their ends by straight seams.

The thermoplastic sealing composition employed lto effect adhesion of the two blanks may be applied by spraying or in any other desired manner andit has been found in actual practice that if the sealing medium be applied to the paper or material from which the blank is cut and the blank cut with dies, the rdie cutting action will cause the thermoplastic composition to be drawn over the end edges of the blank in suiiicient quantity to effect adhesion of the end edges of the blank under the influence of the heat applied in the body forming operation.

The closure cap I I and the bottom closing cap I2 are of substantially the same form as far as constructionis concerned. Each is provided adjacent its peripheral edge with an outwardly struck continuous bead 33 and an inwardly struck annular bead 33" which construction not only provides a reinforcement for the caps but'l also provides two inner

annular channels

34 and 34 for the reception of a suitable sealing medium 354 by which the caps may be secured to the container. The caps are drawn from circular blanks of material by any well known process and are so formed that the excess material taken; from the circle during the drawing operation is pressed `and folded on the outer face of the ange 3B in Y thermoplastic composition, for example either the y The bottom closing cap is entirely coated with vinyl resin coating which not only serves to render the same moisture-proof, but under the in Iluence of heat, developes adhesive qualities which serve. to secure the bottom closing cap permanently to the bottom end of the container.

the form of a plurality of ribs 31, leaving theI inner face 38 of the flange 36 substantially smooth. The purpose of these features will be hereinafter more clearly set forth. I

The closure cap I I is moisture proofed by coating its entire outer surface including the outer surface of the flange 36 with a moisture proof coating having thermoplastic characteristics of which vinyl resin is one good example, while its entire inner surface is coated with a `suitable'f moisturel proofing acetate compound which isnot possessed of thermoplastic characteristics.

The sealing medium heretofore mentioned is preferably in the form of virgin latex in that form commonly used in the sealing of containers and no particular claim is made to its use as a sealing medium in connection with the present invention.

After the body portion has been formed in the manner heretofore described, it is completely covered with a suitable coating to render the same moisture proof. may be applied in any desired manner such as spraying, dipping or the like and completely covers all exposed surfaces of the body portion` After the body portion has been moisture proofed, its smaller end is inserted into the bottom closing cap I2 to which the virgin latex seal 35 has been previously applied and placed within a suitablemold or the like not shown. Application of slight pressure together with the application of heat, secures the two parts together by the vinyl resin compound with which the cap is coated, and virgin latex sealing medium forming a liquid-tight joint between the edge of the container body and the bottom closing cap I2.

The bottom wall cap having been placed upon the container, it may be now lled and the closure cap applied which is accomplished in the following manner.

The closure cap II to which the latex sealing medium has been applied is placed in position upon the upper end of the container while in the mold heretofore mentioned, and slight pressure together with a proper amount of heat to effect a seal between the top edge of the container and the latex sealing medium is applied.

It-will be remembered that the interior surface of the closure cap II Vvis coated with an acetate compound which has no thermoplastic qualities and consequently, the depending flange of the closure cap will not adhere to the container body where it contacts the outer surface thereof.

This feature is important sincevit permits of use of the closure cap as a cover for the container after its sealing means has been broken, a feature not common in sealed containers formed of paper or similar material.

Means is provided to retain the closure cap in its sealed condition upon the end of the container and yet permit of its removal therefrom without damage thereto and this means will now be described.

The cover retaining means comprises a continuous band 40 whichy is formed from paper or `similar material. The retaining band 40 has two diametersv4| and 42 separated by a shoulder 43, the diameter 4I being of smaller dimension than the'diameter 42 as best illustrated in Figure 6.

The continuous band being formed, the two diameters 4Iv and 42 and thev shoulder 43 may l be formed by steam pressing the band in a suitable mold. l

The band 40 is formed with a tear section 44 'which terminates in a free tab 45 by which the 'I'he moisture proofing coating base of the tab I which is formed by cutting entirely through the band 40 upon the lines 4B.

The `application of heat, as aforementioned, develops the sealing characteristics of the sealing medium 35 and the adhesive characteristics of the vinyl resin coating of the band 40.

The sealing medium 35 forms a tightly sealed joint between the upper edge of the container body and the closure cap while the vinyl resin compound with which the retaining band 40 is coated forms a tightly sealed joint between the edge or the flange and the container body.

By reason of the ribs 34 of roughened surface upon the outer face of the flange of the closure cap, the band 40 will have contact only with the ribs 31 or projections of the roughened surface.

This feature is important since it facilitates the removal of the tear section M of the band l0.

While as above stated, the band lll engages only the. ribs 31 on the outer surface of the flange of the sealing cap, this in no way impairs the sealing ofthe closure cap since a continuous seal therefor is obtained where the edge of its flange engages the shoulder 43 of the band 40. To remove the closure cap, it is only necessary to grasp the tab 45 ofthe tear section 4| and exert a slight pull thereon. Removal of the tear section opens the band permitting it to be ripped freely from the container leaving the closure cap free for removal except for the rupturing of the latex seal 35 which is easily accomplished by giving the closure cap a slight twist. This is true for the reason that there is no seal between the ange of the sealing cap and the body since it will be remembered that the acetate compound with which the inner surface of the sealing cap' vand its flange are coated, has no thermoplastic characteristics or qualities.

In the packing of certain commodities, it is necessary to provide a vacuum within the container and this is generally accomplished after the container has been packed and its closure placed thereon.

ing mediumI I5 which often results in -destroying the seal between the upper edge of the container body and the closure cap.

By reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, it will become apparent that upon reduction of pressure upon the inside of the container it cannot pull the sealing medium from within the channel 3l, since it is locked therein by the edge of the container body.

In such cases, exhaustion of the air from the interior of the container body tends to draw the closure cap into more intimate contact with the upper edge of the container body which results in the upper edge of the container body entering the annular channel in which it is actually locked between 4.the annular 33' and the iiange of the closure cap,

The band 40 is coated with the thermoplastic compound vinyl resin heretofore mentioned and' when sealed upon the container serves both to retain the closure cap upon the container and vto form a seal between the closure cap and the container.

It will be understood that in sea ling the container, the container with the band 40 placed thereon is inserted in a sealing mold and that the innerwalls'of the sealing mold will have an annular seat t Vreceive the shoulder Il of the sealing ring.

With the container in position in the sealing mold, the closure cap is placed in position upon the container if it has not been previously placed and sealed thereon as heretofore described with its depending flange within the portion of larger diameter thereof.

With the parts in the position Just described, pressure andVv heat are applied to the top of the closure cap and heat is applied to the band 40. Application of pressure forces the ange of the closure` cap and the shoulder of the band towards each other, causing the band to contract the iiange of the closure cap into holding frictional engagement with the container. After the band 40 has been forced along the container body to the position heretofore described, the closure cap is securely retained upon the container by reason of the fact that its iiange has been contracted to a dimetrical dimension' which is less than that of the larger end of the container and since the band 40 prevents spreading or expansion of the flange of the closure cap, the closure cap will be securely locked in position.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that :the present invention provides a new4 and improved construction of container and seal which renders it possible to employ relatively cheaper materials in the formation of the container.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a new and novel container in which the several recited objects and features are accomplished.

The invention has been herein disclosed in its preferred form, but it is to be understood that it is not to be limited to the specific form inlwhich it is illustrated since it may as well be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A container of the type described comprising a body portion having tapered side walls and a bottom, .a closure cap for closing the' open side of the container, a flange defining the peripheral edge of the closure cap and overlying the side walls of the body portion in spaced relation thereto when the closure cap is in closing position upon the body portion, .and a continuous band of smaller diameter than the diameter of the closure cap slidable over said body portion lengthwise thereof, for contracting the flange of the closure cap to contract the same and prevent withdrawal thereof from the container, said band bridging the joint between the closure cap and the container body.

` side of the container, a flange defining the peripheral edge of the closure cap and overlying the side walls of the body portion in spaced re-v lation thereto when the closure cap is in closing position upon the body portion. spaced ribs extending transversely of the flange of the closure cap, and a continuous band for contracting the flange lof the closure cap t0 prevent withdrawal of the closure cap from the lend of the container body, said band having two different internal diameters, one for engagement with the container body and the other for 4ngagement with the ribs only of the flange of the closure cap, and means for adhesively attaching said band to the container body and to the outer face and defining edge of the flange of the closure cap.

JESSE E. ROACH.