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
  • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
  • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
• • 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
  • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
  • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
  • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
  • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
• • 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
  • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
  • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
  • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
  • B65D2251/0093—Membrane
• • 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
  • B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
  • B65D2577/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D2577/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers
  • B65D2577/2041—Pull tabs
  • B65D2577/205—Pull tabs integral with the closure

Definitions

• This invention relates to a closure for a container, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a two-piece enclosure for a glass bottle.
• a variety of different closures are known.
• One type with which the applicant is familiar and currently produces is formed from a paper foil laminate.
• a cap is a disk form cut from laminate and then crimped around the neck of a milk bottle. It thus forms a top, circular, closure portion, with a shirt portion depending downwardly. The skirt portion is crimped against the neck of the bottle.
• a cardboard disk is mounted to the top of the closure. The top of the closure is then dished down inside the neck of the bottle, so that the cardboard disk is within the neck of the bottle.
• closure Whilst this type of closure is relatively simple and economical, it suffers from a number of disadvantages. First, it does not provide any true evidence of tampering with the container. It is conceivable that someone could remove the closure, and somehow tamper or interfere with the contents of the bottle, and then replace the closure. Further, whilst in normal use, the closure can be replaced after it has been opened, it does not provide wholly satisfactory resealing of the bottle by simply being placed on it.
• a closure for a glass milk bottle, and other containers should meet two requirements. First, it should provide clear tamper evidence, of any tampering of the bottle or its contents, which preferably should be readily externally visible. This then enables a consumer in a store to immediately ascertain whether the bottle has been tampered with or not, without the necessity for removing any external cap or cover member. Secondly, the closure should enable the bottle or other container to be satisfactorily resealed, so that where only part of the contents are used, it can be resealed and retain the remaining contents in good condition. Further, for a two-part closure, i.e.
• Another design employs a collar connected to a cap by an annular strip, which extends through slightly less than a full circle, to leave the cap secured to the collar by a short connecting strip.
• the strip is provided with tab, to enable it to be removed, thereby largely detaching the cap from the collar.
• the cap can then be hinged upwardly to open the bottle, whilst remaining attached to the collar at one edge.
• Yet another design is a simple plastic cap with a pull ring. Such arrangements again require fairly tight tolerances on the bottle neck, and this is not readily or routinely achieved with a glass milk bottle.
• any primary or inner seal for the container or bottle should be readily removable, and should be capable of simple and economic manufacture and mounting on the container. It is well known to provide a foil closure seal to the neck of a container, although this is not routinely done with glass bottles since it is difficult to obtain an adhesive that provides a good seal to glass. Many such closures are provided with some sort of tab to facilitate removal of the foil. Where an outer cap is provided, the tab is usually folded over on top of the main body of the foil, so as not to interfere with screw threads, etc. which secure the cap to the bottle neck.
• Patent No. 4,155,439 discusses in detail the production of a foil closure with a folded pull tab.
• complex machinery is required to form the closure and fit it to the container.
• a circular table or platform is provided, in which the containers are placed. The table is then rotated, to move each container through numerous different stations. At each station, a different operation is performed.
• the closure itself is stamped from a strip of foil, and then the tab has to be folded up on top of the main portion of the closure. This requires a compiex sequence or operation. To set up such machinery for a particular production run is time consuming and expensive.
• the presence of the inwardly folded tab can affect the sealing by means of induction heating.
• Induction heating relies upon the generation of currents to heat the foil.
• the presence of the tab affects the electrical properties locally, and can result in improper sealing.
• the current tends to follow the actual periphery of the tab.
• the folded tab can stick to the inside of the cap, which then requires a silicon liner or the like.
• the induction sealing technique further relies upon the fact that the foil closure is pressed against the neck of the container by the cap. For the folded tab, there may not be even pressure applied to the foil closure which again can result in an imperfect sealing.
• 0111900 similarly provide an indication that a cap has been removed or tampered with, so that a purchaser or user can check the integrity of the primary seal, without having to remove the cap.
• European published application 109,592 further relies upon a colour change to provide such an indication.
• a closure for a container comprising: an inner sealing member, which comprises a membrane having a main portion for securing to the neck of a container and a tab extending out from the main portion; an outer cap, for enclosing the inner seal on the neck of the container, and including a top wall and a depending wall for enclosing the neck of the container, with the tab extending down against an inner surface of the depending wall; and adhesive means bonding the tab to the depending wall, whereby the outer cap cannot be removed without rupturing the adhesive means.
• the tab extends around the depending wall and includes a second, end portion extending upwardly against the depending side wall, with the adhesive bonding that second, end portion to the cap.
• the adhesive means bonds the tab to an exterior layer of the outer surface of the cap wall, which has a first colour.
• the adhesive means is strong enough to cause at least a portion of this exterior layer to be detached from an underlying interior layer having a second colour, contrasting with the first colour. This then provides a clear colour indication of detachment of the tab, since detachment of the tab detaches a portion of that exterior layer to reveal at least a portion of the underlying interior layer of different colour.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cap in accordance with the present invention mounted on a neck of a bottle;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 1, showing detachment of the tab from the cap;
• Figure 3 is a perspective, exploded view, showing removal of the cap from the inner seal and neck of the container;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 3, showing detachment of the inner seal from the bottle neck;
• Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the cap, inner seal and neck combination shown in Figure
• Figure 6 is a sectional view, similar to Figure
• FIGs 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views similar to Figure 1 of alternative embodiments of the invention.
• the neck of the bottle is generally indicated by the reference 1.
• Bonded to this neck 1 is a metal foil inner seal 2.
• the foil inner seal 2 has a layer of hot melt adhesive, or any other sort of adhesive 4, on its underside. This layer of adhesive 4 bonds the foil 2 to the neck 1.
• the inner seal 2 includes a tab 6.
• the cap 8 is formed from a thick paperboard in two pieces. Thus it is formed from a circular portion 10 that forms a depending wall enclosing the neck 1, and a top circular part 12 forming a top wall. The cap 8 is a snug or tight fit on the neck 1.
• the tab 6 has a first portion 7 extending down between neck 1 and cap 8. The tab 6 then extends down below the bottom of the depending wall 10 and is then folded back upwards to form an upwardly extending exposed tab portion 14.
• the foil inner seal 2 with the tab 6 is cut from a foil sheet pre-coated with the adhesive 4, so that this adhesive layer also extends along the underside of the tab
• the uppermost part 16 of the upwardly extending tab portion 14 may be folded back as indicated, to form a gripping portion. Alternatively, this folded back portion may be omitted. This folded uppermost part 16 could be bonded together simply by the adhesive 4 on its facing inner surfaces.
• the depending wall 10 at least of the cap 8 has an exterior paper layer 18, that is bonded to an interior layer 20, as shown in Figure 2.
• the exterior paper layer 18 is provided with a first colour, which is contrasting to the second colour of the interior layer 20, to provide a clear indication of rupture or detachment of the tab 6 from the tab 8, as detailed below.
• the main body could form the inner layer, with the outer layer being a separate layer or finish applied to the cap.
• Adhesive portion 22 is provided bonding a lowermost part 17 of the tab portion 14 to the exterior paper layer 18, as shown in Figure 5.
• This adhesive 22 is an approximately rectangular patch of adhesive and has a bond strength greater than that between the interior and exterior layers 18 and 22. Further, since the tab 6 is a metal foil, the adhesive portion 22 will preferentially cause the layers 18, 22 to detach, when the tab 6 is pulled away from the depending wall 10.
• the cap 8 In use, the cap 8 is provided with the inner seal 2 already located in position against its top wall 12.
• the tab 6 is provided folded around the depending wall 10 and bonded by the adhesive at 22 to form a complete closure 3.
• a bottler or other installer of the closures 3 fills individual bottles or containers, fits the cap assembly or closure 3 to the neck 1 of the bottle or other container, and then causes the adhesive 4 to bond the foil inner seal to the neck 1.
• a hot melt adhesive 4 and a metal foil inner seal 2 are provided, then this is achieved by induction heating, in known manner.
• the cap assembly 3 is then installed as shown in Figure 5.
• the cap 8 cannot be detached, without rupturing the connection between the cap 8 and the tab 6. Accordingly, it should not be possible for any unscrupulous person to in any way tamper with the cap assembly 3 or the contents of the bottle or other container.
• the cap 8 can then be removed, as shown in Figure 3.
• the whole tab 6 can then be grasped and lifted to remove the complete inner seal, as indicated in Figure 4.
• Figure 4 also indicates, at 24, that part of the adhesive layer 4 may remain on the lip 26 of the neck 1, the lip 26 being the actual surface to which the adhesive bonds. Whether or not such an adhesive layer 24 remains will depend upon the characteristics of the adhesive layer 4 and its relative bond strengths to the inner seal 2 and the lip 26.
• the foil inner seal 2 can be discarded, and the cap 8 can be refitted, to effect reclosure of the bottle or container for a short period.
• the bottle can be reclosed until the contents have been entirely used.
• cap 8 and neck 1 it may be possible to detach the cap by hinging action, without actually detaching the tab 6 from the cap 8.
• two tabs 6, 9 can be provided.
• the tab 9 is essentially a mirror image of the tab 6, provided diametrically opposite to the tab 6. Then, in order to remove the cap 8, it will be necessary to detach at least one of the tabs 6, 9 thereby giving a clear, external visual indication that the cap has been detached and possibly the container tampered with.
• the depending wall or circular portion 10 of the cap 8 is formed by helically winding two or more papers of various thicknesses.
• the other two plys would be approximately 15 point board, with the outer layer forming the interior layer 20. It would then be covered by an outer ply of thinner material, forming the exterior paper layer 18.
• the top wall 12 is formed from 20 point paper board.
• the inner seal 2 is formed from an aluminum foil having a thickness of 50 microns (2 thousandths of an inch) .
• Adhesive layer 4 is preferably a hot melt adhesive, specially adapted for bonding to a glass surface, such as a surlyn-based adhesive.
• a unitary plastic, moulded cap could be provided instead of the two-part cap 8.
• the tab it is possible for the tab to only extend down between the bottle neck and the depending side wall of the cap to be sufficiently transparent or translucent for the tab to be visible through it.
• the tab would then be bonded to an inner surface of the depending side wall of the cap. This configuration would be visible through the cap side wall, so again there would be externally visible evidence of any tampering with the closure, i.e. separation of the tab from the cap side wall would be visible through the cap side wall.
• the upwardly extending tab portion 14 is additionally secured by a security strip 30.
• This strip 30 is generally rectangular and includes lines 32 providing lines of weakness between ends of the security strip 30 and a central portion thereof.
• the lines 32 could be perforations or lines cut partially through the strip 30.
• the ends of the security strip 30 are bonded by patches of adhesive (not shown) to the cap 8.
• the security strip 30 has a surface colour which is different from the colour of the main body of the strip 30, to provide a clear visual indication of any such rupturing.
• the central part of the strip 30 could either be secured to the tab portion 14 by a patch of adhesive, or it could be free.
• Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment having a security strip generally designated by the reference 34.
• the security strip 34 does not have any lines 32, and is bonded by adhesive both to the upwardly extending tab portion 14, and at either end to the wall of the cap 8. Again, the adhesive portions are not shown as such.
• the tab portion 14 is pulled away from cap 8, the security portion 34 is detached with it. Consequently, the ends of the security portion 34 separate from the cap 8.
• FIG 9 shows yet another embodiment of security strip, here denoted by reference 36.
• This security strip 36 is a continuous strip or ring around the periphery of the cap 8. It need not be attached to all points but it is attached at a sufficient number of points, by adhesive patches, that it cannot be removed to enable the upwardly extending tab portion 14 to be detached.
• strip 36 could be attached at, for example, four equally spaced portions around the periphery of the cap 8, with or without being attached to the upwardly extending tab portion 14.
• Figure 9 also shows an extended tab portion 14, indicated at 14a. It is preferable for the tab to present a portion above any security strip that is suitably sized for gripping between the thumb and forefinger.
• the strip 36 should be a contrasting colour to the wall of the cap 8, to provide a clear visual indication of any such tampering.
• the adhesive portion 22 could be omitted or included as desired. It is preferred for security strip to be secured by adhesive to the upwardly extending tab portion 14, to prevent the portion 14 from being slid from underneath the security strip. This might enable someone to tamper with the container or contents, reclose it and slide the tab portion 14 back under the security strip.
• a variety of materials could be used for the security strip 30, 34 and 36. They could be formed from paper or like materials of alternatively formed from a plastic film. In the latter case, the film could be at least partially transparent.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=25674311

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 1991
  • 1991-09-20 EP EP91916004A patent/EP0550480B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1991-09-20 AT AT91916004T patent/ATE116930T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1991-09-20 DE DE69106719T patent/DE69106719T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1991-09-20 WO PCT/CA1991/000340 patent/WO1992005085A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1991-09-20 AU AU84920/91A patent/AU648821B2/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (6)

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