US3746199A

US3746199A - Closure cap and sealed package

Info

Publication number: US3746199A
Application number: US00152632A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Hart; D Acton
Original assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
Current assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
Priority date: 1971-06-14
Filing date: 1971-06-14
Publication date: 1973-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-17
Also published as: FR2141868A1; DE2226906B2; BR7203818D0; FR2141868B1; GB1384018A; AU462532B2; CA971911A; IT958348B; BE784782A; DE2226906A1; AU4342072A; ZA724091B; LU65505A1; NL7208039A; JPS549555B1; DE2226906C3

Abstract

A two-piece closure cap is disclosed of the type used for sealing glass and other containers. The closure cap has an inner plastic ring which is snapped onto the mouth of the container and which has means on its outer surface for threadedly engaging an outer metal cover. In the initial sealing operation, the outer metal cover is first turned onto the plastic ring so that the cover and ring as a unit may be pressed directly downwardly onto the container with a bead on the inner plastic ring snapping into locking engagement with a cooperating groove in the container finish. A tamper-proof embodiment of the plastic ring has an outer tear-off band which at least partially covers the skirt of the metal cover thereby preventing its removal from a sealed container without the plastic band being first torn off.

Description

United States Patent 1 i [111 3,746,199

Hart et al. July 17, 1973 CLOSURE CAP AND SEALED PACKAGE Primar ExaminerSamuel R. Rothber [75] Inventors: Alexander W. Hart; Daniel D. Acton, Ass'stant Emmmer stephen Garbe both of Lancaster Att0rneyN0rman Holland [73] Assignee: Anchor Hocking Corporation, I

Lancaster, Ohio [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 A twopieee closure cap is disclosed of the type used [2]} Appl No.: 152,632 for sealing glass and other containers. The closure cap has an inner plastic ring which is snapped onto the mouth of the container and which has means on its Cl 215/40, 215/44, 215/46 A outer surface for threadedly engaging an outer metal l 365d 53/00 cover. In the initial sealing operation, the outer metal l l Field of Search 215/40 46 A cover is first turned onto the plastic ring so that the cover and ring as a unit may be pressed directly downl l References Cited wardly onto the container with a head on the inner UNITED STATES PATENTS plastic ring snapping into locking engagement with a 3,603,472 9 1971 Lecinski et al. 2|5 40 wopcrating gmovc in the comaiflcr finish- A p 3,338,446 8/1967 Faulstieh 2,278,462 4/1942 Montelione.v 3,448,88] 6/]969 Zipper 2,265,015 12/194] Watson 2] 5/44 215/46 A proof embodiment of the plastic ring has an outer tear 215/44 off hand which at least partially covers the skirt of the 21 metal cover thereby preventing its removal from a sealed container without the plastic band being first torn off.

6 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 3 Shuts-Shut 1 INVENTORS flaw/am 4/ Haw- By flaw/5c 0 Acre WW 5) Ali/w Patented July 17, 1973 3,746,199

3 Shah-Shoo I:

INVENTORS WMWMKJ ,4 T OQAE'Y CLOSURE CAP AND SEALED PACKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure cap of the type used for sealing glass or other containers and more particularly to a two-piece closure adapted for press-on application and twist-off removal.

Consumers of many packaged food and other products have indicated a preference for packages sealed with twist-off closures of the type which may be easily removed without implements and which may thereafter be reapplied any number of times for resealing the package. At the same time, packers prefer closure caps which may be applied in the initial package sealing by a simple press-on sealing action without requiring the closure cap to be twisted onto the container. In many operations and particularly in certain lower volume operations, such a press-on sealing action is more rapid and may be more economical.

While a variety of closure caps of this press-on twistoff type have been produced, there is still a need for one which combines press-on twist-off capability with easy removal and reapplication in a cap which resists insect infestation and which may be used on lightweight glass finishes.

It has also been found desirable that such a cap be capable of being supplied for certain products with a tamperproof feature which would signal an unauthorized removal or attempt to remove the closure cap from the sealed package. The two-piece cap in accordance with the present invention combines all of these features and is particularly useful for its ease of application and of removal and in its ability to be supplied with minor changes in a tamperproof version.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved press-on twist-off closure cap for sealing glass and other containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved insect resistant cap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a press-on twist-off cap characterized by a combined ease of application and reliability of seal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a press-on twist-off cap for use on light-weight glass finishes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved press-on twist-off tamperproof cap.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a two-piece tamperproof closure cap and the related container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealed package in accordance with the present invention utilizing the closure cap of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating successive steps in the removal of the closure cap illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section view of the preferred embodiments of the closure cap and container taken along line 6-6 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of the outer metal cover.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged vertical sectional views of the threaded portion of the outer cover taken along lines 9-9 and 10l0 on FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of the plastic ring of the closure cap of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged vertical sectional views of the closure cap of FIG. 1 showing successive steps during the removal of the tamperproofing band and the metal outer cover.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the closure cap having lugs for engaging the plastic ring.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the closure cap and container.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment showing a unitary ring and sealing fitment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The closure cap 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises two principal portions which are an inner molded plastic ring 2 which is snapped onto a container 3 and an outer metal cover 4 which is threadedly attached to the plastic ring 2. A principal function of the inner plastic ring 2 is to provide press-on sealing capabilities as the preferred ring includes an inwardly projecting bead or groove which snaps into a locking groove or bead provided in the glass finish of the container. It will be seen that the closure cap 1 may be pressed onto the container 3 during the sealing operation by preassembling the metal cover 4 and the plastic ring 2 to form a unitary closure cap including a container sealing gasket 5 provided on the bottom of the metal cover top 6.

A preferred embodiment of the inner plastic ring 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 11 through 14. The generally circular ring 2 is seen to include an inwardly extending container 3 engaging bead 7. In its preferred form, the bead 7 includes an inner slotted surface (FIG. 11) whose slots 8 interlock with complementary projections 9 (FIG. I) provided at the bottom of the bead receiving groove 10 on the container 3 finish ll. When the closure cap 1 and the ring 2 are applied to the container 3 as a unit, the ring slots 8 need not engage the container projections 9. When the closure cap 1 is twisted off by the package user, the initial turning of the ring 2 on the container will cause the container projections 9 to engage the slots 8 in the ring 2 thereby locking the ring 2 against further rotation permitting the cap 1 to be removed from the package. The outer surface of the plastic ring 2 includes molded threads 12 for engaging cooperating threads 13 on the outer metal cover 4. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. I shows a number of elongated overlapping threads 12 on ring 2 for engaging a corresponding number of threads 13 on the closure cap cover 4, however, other cover engaging means such as continuous threads or shorter lugs may be used with appropriate engaging members being provided on the metal cover 4. Whatever particular container engaging means is used on the metal cover, it is preferable to have a generally circular and rounded lower edge 14 on the cover 4 skirt 15 which will engage an upwardly directed secondary sealing flange 16 on the plastic sealing ring 2. This combination of the circular lower edge portion 14 and of the flange 16 provide a barrier for excluding dirt and insects from the insides of the cover skirt 15.

The plastic ring 2 may be provided with the cross section illustrated in FIG. 14 in a non-tamperproof version or it may be provided in the form illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 where the removable tamperproofing band 17 is provided as an integral portion of the molded ring 2. This tamperproofing band 17 extends upwardly over a substantial portion of the skirt 15 of the outer metal cover 4 preventing the user from readily gripping a sufficiently large surface of the outer metal cover skirt 15 to twist the cover 4 off. Before the metal outer cover 4 can be removed, it is necessary to remove the tamperproofing strip or band 17. This tamperproofing means includes a gripping tab 18 on a tear strip 19 which connects the band 17 to the flange 16 by means of a series of bridges 20 (FIG. 11) which are ruptured when the tear strip 19 is removed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The container 3 finish 11 may be relatively thin as it does not require threads and need only include the shallow ring retention groove 7. The closure cap is thus suitable for sealing relatively lightweight glass containers and for sealing them with press-on twist-off caps.

The ring 3 is preferably molded and medium density polyethylene or polypropylene may be used.

A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE OUTER METAL COVER A preferred embodiment of the outer cover 4 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10. This cover is illustrated as being formed of steel or aluminum plate although it may also be plastic. It has a generally cup-like shape with a top 6 and a depending skirt 15. The top 6 may have a recessed portion for providing the usual package stacking panel 21 and preferably includes a downwardly facing channel 22 near its outer edge for receiving a flowed-in or other sealing gasket 5.

A preferred form of the cap skirt 15 is illustrated having a step 23 in it upper portion. Four elongated ring engaging threads 13 are formed at the lower edge of the skirt 15. These elongated threads 13 are formed using expanding lugging tools to shape the threads 13 in a relatively large curled or rolled bead 24 (FIG. 9) previously formed at the lower edge of the cap skirt 15. This type of thread is seen to provide the generally circular lower cap skirt edge 14 to provide the above described secondary insect resistant sealing effect and also to provide ring 2 engaging threads 13 having relatively long bearing surfaces to provide a firm connection within the normally desired range of closure cover removal torques.

Another embodiment of a two-piece cap 30, in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 14. The cap includes the principal elements described above for the caps of FIGS. 1 through 13 in somewhat differing form.

The inner plastic ring 31 is generally similar to ring 2 and includes an inwardly projecting head 32 for engaging a circular groove 33 adjacent the rim 34 of the glass container 35 when the ring 31 or the ring and cap combination is pressed onto the container 35. An outer portion of the plastic ring 31 is provided with threads 36 for receiving inwardly turned lugs 37 formed at the lower edge of the cap skirt 38. A plastisol or other gasket 40 is provided on the bottom of the cap cover top 41. While the embodiment of the plastic ring 31 illustrated in FIG. 14 does not includes a tamperproofing outer band, one may be provided extending upwardly over a substantial portion of the closure cap skirt 38, as described above, making removal of the closure cap 30 difficult without the prior removal of the band.

An insect barrier is formed between the lower edge 39 of the cap skirt 38 and a ledge 42 on the ring 31.

A third embodiment of the two-piece closure cap is illustrated in FIG. 15. This two-piece cap includes an outer metal cover 51 and an inner plastic ring 52 generally similar to those described above but having several differing features. The two-piece closure cap 50 is shown applied to a container 53 having a groove 54 in its finish adjacent the rim 55 for receiving and interlocking with an inwardly projecting bead on the plastic ring 52. Suitable slots 57 are provided in the ring 52 for interlocking with projections 58 extending outwardly in the groove 54 in the glass finish 59. While the closure cap 1 may include a sealing gasket on the underside of its cover 60 similar to that described above at 5 and 40, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 omits such a gasket and obtains a metal seal between the comer portion of the step 61 in the cap skirt 62 and a correspondingly shaped step or ledge 63 provided at the top of the plastic ring 52. When the outer metal cover 51 is screwed onto the plastic ring 52 with the cover threads 64 engaging threads 65 on the plastic ring 52, a primary seal is formed between the stepped portion of the cover 61 and the ledge 63. A secondary seal or barrier is formed between the rounded lower edge 66 of the cap skirt 62 and the bottom ledge 67 on the plastic ring 52.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the twopiece closure cap where the inner plastic ring 72 is pro vided with an upper sealing portion 74 which engages the top, edge, and side of the container finish so that it acts as a sealing gasket for the adjacent outer metal cover 70.

It will be seen that an improved press-on twist-off closure cap has been provided for sealing glass or other containers. The improved cap permits simplified sealing operations since it may be applied during the initial package sealing operation by a simple press-on action. Thereafter, and while in use by the consumer, the cap may be removed and reapplied with a twisting motion in the manner now preferred by many consumers.

An additional important feature of the cap is the combination of a tamperproofing means with the above described press-on twist-off feature which signals and tends to eliminate unauthorized or premature opening of the container during shipment or display in the market place.

It is therefore seen that the above described closure cap provides an improved press-on twist-off tamperfrom the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A composite closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of:

a plastic ring having a radially inwardly projecting circular bead for engaging a complementary groove in the container;

said ring having radially outwardly projecting threads for engaging a cap cover;

a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with thread engaging means on said skirt for removably engaging said threads on said ring;

container engaging means on said circular bead for engaging rotation preventing means in the container groove for preventing rotation of said ring on the container;

said plastic ring having a circular surface below said projecting threads positioned adjacent the lower edge of the cap cover skirt for forming a barrier therewith;

a sealing gasket in said cap cover positioned for sealing engagement with the container rim; and

a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardly from said circular surface of the ring and overlying a substantial portion of said cap cover skirt for barring access to that portion said band being removably attached to said ring by means of a plurality of spaced bridges, said bridges and said band being integral with said ring.

2. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said thread engaging means on said cap cover comprises an inwardly turned bead on the lower edge of said skirt having screw threads therein.

3. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said sealing gasket comprises the upper portion of said ring.

4. A sealed package comprising the combination of:

a container having a relatively narrow groove encircling its rim;

a plastic ring on the container rim having a locking bead engaged by said groove and having outwardly projecting threads;

cooperating locking means in said groove and on said ring for preventing relative rotation of said ring and said container;

a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with thread engaging means on said skirt engaging the ring threads;

said ring having a circular surface below said projecting threads positioned adjacent the lower edge of the cover skirt for forming a barrier therewith;

a sealing gasket in said cover engaging the rim of said container; and

a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardly from said circular surface of said ring and overlying a substantial portion of said cap cover skirt for barring access to that portion said band being removably attached to said ring by means of a plurality of spaced bridges, said bridges and said band being integral with said ring.

5. The package as claimed in claim 4 in which said thread engaging means on said cap cover comprises an inwardly turned bead on the lower edge of said skirt having screw threads therein.

6. The package as claimed in claim 4 in which said sealing gasket comprises the upper portion of said ring. t

Claims

1. A composite closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of: a plastic ring having a radially inwardly projecting circular bead for engaging a complementary groove in the container; said ring having radially outwardly projecting threads for engaging a cap cover; a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with thread engaging means on said skirt for removably engaging said threads on said ring; container engaging means on said circular bead for engaging rotation preventing means in the container groove for preventing rotation of said ring on the container; said plastic ring having a circular surface below said projecting threads positioned adjacent the lower edge of the cap cover skirt for forming a barrier therewith; a sealing gasket in said cap cover positioned for sealing engagement with the container rim; and a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardly from said circular surface of the ring and overlying a substantial portion of said caP cover skirt for barring access to that portion said band being removably attached to said ring by means of a plurality of spaced bridges, said bridges and said band being integral with said ring.

4. A sealed package comprising the combination of: a container having a relatively narrow groove encircling its rim; a plastic ring on the container rim having a locking bead engaged by said groove and having outwardly projecting threads; cooperating locking means in said groove and on said ring for preventing relative rotation of said ring and said container; a metal cap cover having a top and a depending skirt with thread engaging means on said skirt engaging the ring threads; said ring having a circular surface below said projecting threads positioned adjacent the lower edge of the cover skirt for forming a barrier therewith; a sealing gasket in said cover engaging the rim of said container; and a generally cylindrical plastic tamperproofing band extending upwardly from said circular surface of said ring and overlying a substantial portion of said cap cover skirt for barring access to that portion said band being removably attached to said ring by means of a plurality of spaced bridges, said bridges and said band being integral with said ring.

6. The package as claimed in claim 4 in which said sealing gasket comprises the upper portion of said ring.