WO2001070586A1 - Molded closure with flex areas and method - Google Patents
Molded closure with flex areas and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001070586A1 WO2001070586A1 PCT/US2000/025338 US0025338W WO0170586A1 WO 2001070586 A1 WO2001070586 A1 WO 2001070586A1 US 0025338 W US0025338 W US 0025338W WO 0170586 A1 WO0170586 A1 WO 0170586A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- skirt
- flex
- thread
- areas
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
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- 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
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/0081—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor of objects with parts connected by a thin section, e.g. hinge, tear line
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/40—Removing or ejecting moulded articles
- B29C45/44—Removing or ejecting moulded articles for undercut articles
- B29C45/4407—Removing or ejecting moulded articles for undercut articles by flexible movement of undercut portions of the articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/56—Stoppers or lids for bottles, jars, or the like, e.g. closures
- B29L2031/565—Stoppers or lids for bottles, jars, or the like, e.g. closures for containers
Definitions
- This invention is directed to a low cost molded closure or cap, and to methods and apparatus for producing the same.
- the invention is also directed to a molded closure or cap that is designed to be strip-ejected from the core of a mold.
- Closure and cap components for containers may be manufactured by various processes, e.g., by thermoforming, or by compression (by itself or by (or with) overmolding) or injection molding (by itself or with overmolding). Many such components are made by injection molding processes which involve the injection of molten polymeric material under high pressure into a mold cavity having the shape of the closure or cap (hereafter, collectively referred to as "cap") that is to be formed.
- the injection molding apparatus includes a cavity that is formed between male tooling, often referred to as the core, that has one or more grooves extending radially inwardly into its surface to form one or more threads on the interior surface of the cap, and female tooling that forms the exterior surface of the cap. While the formed cap is on the core, it is allowed to cool. After the female tooling is pulled away from the cap, the cap is removed from the core. There have been basically three methods for removing the formed cap from mold tooling. Two methods are preferred since they remove the cap with relatively the least damage to its threads.
- an axially moving stripper e. g., a stripper ring
- Another object of this invention is to provide a low cost cap.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a low cost cap that is produced with less material.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a cap that can be manufactured of, for example, from about 30% to about 40% less material than would a conventional cap of the same size.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a cap that is designed to be axially removed or stripped from a core, e. g., a non-collapsed core, having a thread or other forming groove therein, without significant smearing or distortion of the thread.
- a cap that has thin flex areas that allow a threaded skirt of the cap to flex, distort or expand radially outwardly to avoid significant smearing or distortion of the thread when the cap is axially removed from male tooling of a cap-forming mold.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide improved methods and apparatus for forming a cap.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide improved methods and apparatus for forming an aforementioned desired cap.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide methods and apparatus that allow an aforementioned desired cap to be manufactured in less time.
- This invention is directed to a plastic cap, comprising a top portion, an annular skirt that depends from the top portion and has an interior surface, means for securing the cap to the neck of a container, and substantially weak areas provided in the cap to allow the skirt to expand circumferentially radially outward when the interior surface of the skirt is subjected to a radially outwardly directed force, for example, when the cap is being strip ejected from mold tooling.
- the invention is also directed to a cap comprised of thermoplastic material and having an interior surface and an exterior surface, comprising a top portion, an annular skirt that depends from the top portion, the skirt having an interior surface that has a radially inwardly extending thread, and a plurality of flex areas that are less thick than the average thickness of the cap, and that increase the ability of the skirt to expand radially outward such that the cap can be strip-ejected from a mold core having an exterior surface with a thread-forming groove therein, with reduced smearing or distortion of the thread of the skirt by the groove of the core than if the cap did not have the weak areas.
- the flex areas are the thinnest areas of the cap, or they are substantially less thick than the minimum thickness of the rest of the cap excluding the thread.
- the flex areas preferably are from about 1.2 to about 4 or more times thinner than the thickness of the cap excluding the thread.
- the flex areas can be flex panels and can be located in the inner and/or outer surface of the top portion of the cap, in the skirt, and/or in or through the joint between the top portion and skirt.
- the skirt can include a lower rim, and the flex areas can comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced panels, each continuous from the top portion of the cap or from the top of the skirt or side wall to the lower rim of the cap.
- the flex areas or flex panels can be narrow and elongated in the skirt and can extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap. The widths of the flex panels can taper inwardly as they extend toward the top portion of the cap.
- the thread of the cap preferably is formed of segments that are circumferentially staggered from one another. Preferably, no thread segment overlies or underlies another thread segment.
- the thread segments can have full portions and lead-in and lead-out portions, wherein no full portion of a segment axially overlaps an overlying or underlying full portion of a thread segment.
- the flex areas can be spaced equally from each other about the cap, and they can be substantially less thick than the average thickness of the cap.
- the flex panels can be located between the thread segments, and they can be thinner than the average vertical cross sectional thickness of the skirt, or thinner than the average vertical cross sectional thickness of the skirt measured in the non-threaded portions of the skirt.
- the skirt can have portions of a first thickness, and flex areas of a second thickness that are thinner than said first portions, for allowing the skirt to stretch mainly in the flex areas and thereby increase the ability of the skirt to expand radially outward more when the skirt is subjected to an internal radially outwardly directed force than if the same force were applied to said skirt without the flex areas.
- the invention is also directed to a method of molding a strip ejectable plastic cap, which comprises molding a cap in a tool set having a mold cavity formed by female tooling for forming the exterior surface of the cap and by a core for forming the interior surface of the cap, such that the cap will have an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top wall, and a depending annular skirt having a thread and that is in communication with the top wall, providing radially outwardly extending members on the outer surface of the core to form radially inwardly extending weakened areas in the interior surface of the cap, the members extending radially outwardly sufficiently such that the weakened areas are thinner than the average thickness of the cap, to allow the skirt to expand radially outward and thereby allow the cap to be strip-ejected from the mold tooling with reduced smearing of the thread.
- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the cap of the invention.
- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cap shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the cap of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through a segment of thread and a portion of the skirt of the cap of Fig. 5.
- Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2 of Sheet 2 of the drawings.
- Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 2 of Sheet 2 of the drawings.
- Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 2 of Sheet 2 of the drawings.
- Fig. 8 is a top side perspective view of the cap of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 9A is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the cap of the invention.
- Fig. 9B is a top view of the cap of Fig. 9A.
- Fig. 9C is an elevational view of the cap of Fig. 9A.
- Fig. 9D is a sectional view taken along line 9D-9D of Fig. 9B.
- Fig. 9E is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the cap of the invention.
- Fig. 9F is a top view of the cap of Fig. 9E.
- Fig. 9G is an elevational view of the cap of Fig. 9E.
- Fig. 9H is a vertical sectional view taken along line 9H-9H of Fig. 9F.
- Figs. 91 through 9L are views similar to those shown in Figs. 9A through 9D, of a fourth embodiment of the cap of the invention.
- Figs. 9M through 90 are views similar to those shown in Figs. 9A through 9C, showing a fifth embodiment of the cap of the invention.
- Figs. 9P through 9S are views similar to those of Figs. 9A through 9D, showing a sixth embodiment of the cap of the invention.
- Fig. 10 is a front elevation, with portions in vertical section through a portion of a closed tool set of an injection molding apparatus having an empty mold cavity for forming a cap of the invention.
- Fig. 11 is a vertical section of the injection molding apparatus of Fig.
- the skirt of the cap has spaced axial thin portions that allow the cap to distort, flex or expand radially outwardly as the cap is stripped axially, rather than unscrewed, from the core of a mold cavity.
- the thread preferably is segmented, i.e., discontinuous.
- the segments of the thread, other than the initial lead-in and terminal lead-out portions, are circumferentially staggered from one another. None of the segments of the thread (other than the aforementioned lead-in and lead-out portions) axially directly underlie another segment of the thread. This allows minimal smearing or distortion of the thread.
- cap is a low cost cap. It uses significantly less material, often from about 30% to about 40% less material, to form the cap as compared to a conventional cap of similar size. Because of the reduced material employed, molding, cooling and stripping time are reduced.
- Fig. 1 shows a preferred cap 10 of the invention.
- Cap 10 has a top wall, top panel or top portion 11 , an outer axial wall or skirt 12 with a top brim or ridge 13 and thin, preferably substantially aligned circumferentially spaced flex areas, here, generally designated 14.
- the flex areas are thinner than the less-flex thicker areas of the skirt.
- the wall thickness of the skirt of a conventional cap of the same size for a 1 " diameter tube is about 0.035" thick from the outer surface to the non- threaded portion of the inner surface of the skirt
- the thickness of cap 10 is about 0.025" thick, measured in the same area through the skirt.
- the thickness of the thin flex area for cap 10 is about 0.009".
- the width of each flex area is about 0.050". It is to be understood that these thicknesses are preferred for a cap 10 having the dimensions disclosed herein for a one inch diameter tube having a neck whose diameter is 0.5 inch. Thus, if desired, one skilled in the art can adapt these dimensions and thicknesses to suit the packaging application.
- the flex areas can have ribs axially circumferentially or angularly therein, thereon or thereacross.
- one or more of the flex areas themselves can have weakened areas relative to the flex area or areas, for example, holes or gaps, with or without webs, areas of reduced thickness, or portions with pores or filled with particulate material to further weaken portions of the flex area(s) or panel(s).
- flex areas there can be any suitable number of flex areas. Preferably, there are two or more. The more there are, the thicker they can be. However, generally, the more there are, the less thread circumferential length there will be.
- the flex areas are spaced uniformly or equally from each other about the circumference of the cap. This allows the cap to be circumferentially axially balanced and provides uniform torque relative to rotation of the cap about the threads of, for example, the neck of a container.
- Each of the flex areas need not be of the same thickness.
- each flex area need not be of the same design or configuration, so long as the purpose of the invention is met.
- each, any or all of the flex areas can be of any suitable size, shape, design or configuration.
- they can be rectangular, trapezoidal, conical, frustoconical, circular, oblong, spiral, helical, or any combination of the same.
- the flex areas encompass, lead or follow one or more of the thread segments.
- the flex areas are rectangular, though they preferably may also be slightly frustoconical or tapered (to be wider at their lower ends).
- the flex areas are axially arranged.
- the flex areas can be of any suitable height or length.
- the flex areas are of uniform height and extend the full height or length of the skirt of the cap.
- one or more of the flex areas of the skirt can extend into a portion of or diametrically across the top wall of the cap.
- the one or more flex areas can be at any suitable location(s) of the cap.
- the one or more flex areas of the cap can be located only in the top wall of the cap or only at the joint of the top wall and skirt of the cap. If the flex areas are located in the top wall of the cap, preferably they extend to the joint of the top wall and more preferably into the skirt of the cap.
- the top wall 11 ' can have flex areas 14' that preferably are arranged in a starburst pattern in top wall 11", and that extend to the upper brim or ridge 13' of skirt 12'.
- the entire area of the top wall can be of reduced thickness and can be considered a flex area within the scope of the invention to allow the skirt to flex radially outward to facilitate stripping of the side wall of the cap without distortion or smearing of the cap.
- Fig. 2 is a top view of the cap of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 2 shows that cap 10 has a top wall 11.
- Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the cap of Fig. 1.
- Skirt 12 has an outer surface 16 and an inner surface 18.
- Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a segment 20 of a thread 22.
- the thread preferably but need not be a buttress thread.
- the thread preferably is sufficiently long enough to support itself during the strip ejection process. Its thickness preferably is about 0.015".
- Fig. 5 shows a segment 20 of thread 22.
- Figs. 6 and 7 show staggered thread segments 20 that straddle flex areas 14. These Figures also show lead-out portion 24 of a segment 20 overlying lead-in portion 26 of a lower segment 20. Since the lead-in and lead-out portions are tapered radially outward (progressively thinner) toward the inner surface of the skirt, they do not pose an interference or stripping problem.
- Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views of cap 10.
- Fig. 9 shows that flex areas 14 are located between thread segments 20, and that the flex areas preferably extend to the bottom edge or rim 17 of the skirt.
- Figs. 9A through 9D show a second embodiment of the cap of the invention, generally designated 10' having flex panels 14' extending from outer surface 16' of skirt 12' radially into the wall of skirt 12' of cap 10'. Flex panels 14' extend from the top edge or rim 13' to the bottom edge 17' of the skirt. The flex panels are substantially parallel to the axis of cap 10' and are spaced equally about the circumference of the cap.
- Figs. 9E through 9H show a third embodiment of the cap of the invention, generally designated 10".
- Cap 10" is similar to cap 10' except that cap 10" has a plurality of flex panels that extend downwardly into and are arranged in a starburst or radial pattern in top wall 11 ".
- Flex panels 14' are shown interrupted by a central portion 15' that is of the normal thickness of top panel 11 ".
- flex panels 14' could, in these Figures they do not enter rim 13' of side wall or skirt 12', nor do they join flex panels 14'.
- Flex panels 14' can extend into one another by eliminating central portion 15.
- Figs. 91 through 9L show a fourth embodiment of the cap of the invention, generally designated 10'".
- Cap 10' does not have a top rim such that top panel 11 '" directly joins skirt 12'".
- flex panels 14'" in top wall 11 '" and skirt 12'” adjoin each other and form one continuous flex panel.
- This flex panel arrangement enables the opposed portions of cap 10'" on either side of the flex panels to be moved away from each other in a hinging fashion from the area adjacent top panel 11 '", to facilitate strip ejection of the cap from a core of mold tooling.
- Figs. 9M through 90 show a fifth embodiment of the cap of the invention, here generally designated 100.
- This embodiment shows that flex panels 14' can be advantageously employed with continuous flex panel 14'", the former allowing the skirt to expand circumferentially radially outwardly, and the latter enabling the skirt to hinge adjacent top panel 11 '", and thereby cooperatively allowing or facilitating strip ejection of cap 100 from the core of mold tooling.
- Figs. 9P through 9S show a sixth embodiment of the cap of the invention, generally designated 100'.
- Cap 100' has flex panels 114 extending from an outer peripheral portion of top panel 111 through joint 117 and downwardly into the outer surface of the upper portion of skirt 112. This configuration of flex panels arranged circumferentially about the joint of the top wall and skirt creates pivot points which allow the skirt to move outwardly to facilitate strip ejection.
- Flex panels 114 can be of any suitable length in the top wall and skirt. For example, they may be configured as merely a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches (not shown) formed in the joint 117 between the top panel 111 and skirt 112.
- Figs. 9P through 9S show a sixth embodiment of the cap of the invention, generally designated 100'.
- Cap 100' has flex panels 114 extending from an outer peripheral portion of top panel 111 through joint 117 and downwardly into the outer surface of the upper portion of skirt 112.
- FIGS. 9A through 9S show that the flex panels can be of any suitable size, configuration and location that meets the objective of the invention, that of reducing the hoop strength of the side wall or skirt to facilitate strip ejection of the cap.
- a main concept of the invention is that the cap of the invention can easily be stripped axially from the male tool or core on which it is molded.
- the male mandrel 38 has staggered grooves 40 therein and in which the staggered thread segments are formed.
- Mandrel 38 also has radially outwardly extending axial ribs 42 protruding from its outer surface. Ribs 42 form flex areas 14 in cap 10.
- Fig. 10 shows the tool set closed, prior to injection of plastic into the mold cavity.
- the cap can be easily stripped from the mandrel because of its overall reduced wall thickness and particularly because of the very thin flex areas.
- the thread preferably has an extended axial length to allow it to be functional for providing sufficient torque for threadedly securing the cap to the neck of a container, even if there is some smearing of a thread segment.
- the factors that may apply and may need to be considered and balanced include the wall or skirt strength, e.g., column strength, required for the particular application, the materials employed, the overall diameter of the cap, the number of flex areas, their dimensions (height, thickness and width), and the size, thickness, and profile or shape of the cap and thread.
- the height and taper of threaded skirt or side wall of the cap is also a factor, since it affects the amount of expansion of the skirt and the ease of stripping.
- Other interrelated factors include whether the cap has a continuous or segmented thread, and the level of stripping force, thread distortion, and torque retention desired for the application being considered.
- the weakened areas, flex areas or panels preferably are the thinnest areas of the cap. They are substantially less thick than the minimum thickness of the cap, excluding the thread. They preferably are substantially thinner, preferably 1.2 to about 4 or more times thinner than the thickness of the cap excluding the thread.
- the thickness of the thin flex areas, here panels, of the skirt preferably and usually are the thinnest portions of the skirt.
- the flex areas or panels preferably and usually are thinner than the average vertical cross sectional thickness of the skirt.
- flex areas 14 preferably and in fact are thinner than the average thickness of the skirt measured in non-threaded portions of the skirt.
- Flex areas 14 also preferably are thinner than the otherwise thinnest portions of the skirt, i. e., those portions measured from the depths of the grooves of the serrated surface of the cap to the inner, non-threaded surface of the skirt.
- the flex areas are generally less thick, preferably substantially less thick than the minimum thickness of the general side wall.
- flex areas 14 are weaker than the serrated portions of the cap.
- Flex areas 14 desirably are as thin as possible to meet the objectives of the invention, but not so thin that they tend to split or break during stripping or the application of torque.
- a flex area 14 need not be of uniform thickness. And, each flex area 14 need not be the same thickness as the other flex areas.
- flex areas 14 preferably are narrower than the width or arcuate extent of the shortest of the segments of the threads.
- the wider the flex area or panel the greater the flexibility of the skirt, it is considered to be within the scope of the invention to provide many narrow axial flex panels that would not unduly limit the number of thread segments or unduly weaken the side wall of the skirt.
- the thicker panels between the flex areas are more free to expand, flex or pivot independently or in combination outwardly and avoid smearing or distortion of single or multiple threads.
- the skirt should be able to expand, or pivot, as from the weakest point near the top wall of the cap, a distance that is at least about one-half the radial thickness of the thread on the inner surface of the cap.
- the skirt is capable of expanding a distance that is most of, the entire or greater than the entire radial thickness of the thread, threads or thread segments.
- the flex areas preferably extend from the inside surface of the cap radially outward toward the outer surface of the cap. However, it is within the purview of this invention that the one or more or all of the flex areas can extend from the outside surface radially inward toward the inside surface of the cap. A combination of these types of flex areas may also be employed.
- closure or cap herein includes any cover for an opening of an article or container. It is contemplated that a closure or cap includes a closure with a base and a flip top cap, secured to the cap by living or other hinges or straps. Closures or caps of the invention are not limited by the means by which the cap is secured or held onto the article or container. Thus, the closures or caps of the invention can have any suitable means for securing the closures or caps to the neck of a container or to a base of a cap that in turn in secured to a container.
- the skirt or side wall of the cap may not be threaded and may include a radially inwardly extending member, e. g., a bead for engaging or friction snapping onto or holding a cooperative portion of a neck or other portion of an article or container.
- a radially inwardly extending member e. g., a bead for engaging or friction snapping onto or holding a cooperative portion of a neck or other portion of an article or container.
- the cap of the invention preferably is threaded on the interior surface of the skirt. Any suitable type of threading can be employed.
- the thread profile can be rounded, V- or angularly-shaped, buttress, or modified buttressshaped or a combination of these or other shapes.
- a buttressed, more preferably a modified buttressed thread is employed.
- the thread engagement surfaces of the buttress thread preferably are tapered at an angle of about 15 to about 25 degrees relative to the inside surface of the skirt of the cap. This thread is desirable because it provides higher torque resistance than say a V-shaped or rounded thread. Although the latter are easier to strip from a core, they provide less torque resistance and may not provide sufficient seals.
- the modified buttress thread can be employed to advantage yet it can be easily stripped from a core with minimum distortion or smearing when employed on a cap of the invention.
- the thread employed on the cap of the invention can be continuous, with or without changing depth or profile, preferably the thread is staggered or segmented, with or without changing depth or profile.
- the thread segments can be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed about the circumference of the skirt of the cap.
- the flex areas 14 preferably extend axially between the thread segments.
- the pitch of the thread or thread segments preferably is coarse rather than fine, and the preferred pitch for the segmented modified buttress thread of cap 10 is about 12 turns per inch. It is generally accepted to provide at least one turn of thread engagement for a uniform, balanced torque and for uniform axial pull down force.
- the thread segments preferably extend circumferentially about the skirt for a total of two full turns, but roughly half of the length of the thread has been removed.
- the one segmented thread is spread over a distance of two thread rotations (720 degrees), with a net result similar to one full turn of continuous thread.
- no portion of a full thread segment axially overlaps (overlies or underlies) another portion of another full thread segment.
- a full thread segment is meant the portion of a segment that is of full axial height and radial thickness.
- the segmented thread 22 of cap 10 preferably no portion of a segment 20 of the thread 22, other than a tapered lead-in or lead-out portion thereof, axially overlaps an overlying or underlying full thread segment.
- the full thread thickness is about 0.015 inch measured from the interior surface of the skirt.
- the full thread height of a segment is about 0.042 inch.
- the skirt of the cap 10 of the invention generally can be at an angle of about 0 to about 4 or 5 degrees, preferably about 3 degrees, and most preferably about 2.5 degrees. The greater the angle, the easier it is to strip the cap from a core, but the less torque resistance of the thread relative to the mating thread of the container. Too steep a taper reduces torque and cap retention and seal.
- any suitable cap can be provided with weakened areas, for example, flex areas, in accordance with the invention.
- the cap can have a skirt, side wall or annular ring or shell with a vertical, conical or tapered threaded interior surface.
- the exterior shape of the cap can be of any suitable shape, e.g., round, oval or square.
- the cap can be a flip-top, dispensing or other single or multiple component article. Its wall thickness can be uniform or non-uniform. For example, it can be ribbed or serrated, or patterned.
- the cap can include or be employed in combination with child resistant or tamper evident features.
- the weakened areas, for example, the flex areas can be or be part of such a feature or features.
- the cap can be formed of any suitable material(s) utilizable for forming caps.
- suitable material(s) include propylene and ethylene polymers and copolymers, including high, medium, low, very low and ultra low density polyethenes, polypropylenes, ethylene-propylene copolymers, filled or unfilled, and polyesters for example, polyethylene terephthalates.
- the cap is comprised of one or more thermoplastic materials.
- the caps can be single or multiple layer, barrier or non-barrier.
- the material(s) of the cap can include polymers made from single site catalysis systems, for example, metallocene catalysts. Suitable such materials for forming caps are disclosed in U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/144/713, filed on September 1 , 1998, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the apparatus of the invention can be any suitable apparatus for molding a cap.
- the apparatus includes a female tool and a core operable therein to form a mold cavity for forming a cap.
- Either the female tool or the core or both can be formed with or modified to form the flex areas on the interior, exterior or both surfaces of the cap.
- the core has an outer surface with a plurality of groove segments formed radially into the surface for forming on the core, a cap having a skirt or annular wall with an interior surface that has a radially inwardly extending segmented thread. The segments of the thread are formed in the groove segments.
- the groove segments of the core preferably include a first or leading groove segment having a gradually deepening, tapered or ramped lead-in portion, and a trailing terminal groove segment having a gradually shallowing, tapered or ramped lead-out portion.
- no full portion of a groove segment axially overlies or underlies another full portion of another groove segment.
- the full portion of a thread segment is that portion of a thread segment that is not a lead-in or lead-out portion of the thread segment.
- the core of the apparatus of the invention can be a strip core, a collapsing core, an unscrewing core or a combination of the same.
- the outer surface of the core need not be, but preferably is tapered with a slightly decreasing diameter toward the end of the core that forms the upper portion of the cap, to facilitate removal of the cap from the core.
- the outer surface of the core of the invention generally can be tapered at an angle of about 0 to about 4 or 5 degrees, preferably about 3 degrees, and most preferably about 2.5 degrees.
- the female tool is provided with radially outwardly extending ribs or nubs, etc. as appropriate for forming the desired type, shape, etc. of flex panels in the exterior surface of the cap.
- the flex panels extend axially along the skirt in locations circumferentially between thread segments.
- Strip ejection of a threaded closure reduces the molding cycle as compared to unscrewing. Thin wall "flex" areas allow the cap to distort during strip ejection. A modified buttress thread is preferred because it provides higher torque integrity as compared to "round” thread. The discontinuous thread is molded on a tapered wall and is staggered to insure the next pitch of thread will not smear the thread wall during strip ejection.
- the discontinuous thread is staggered, but will still provide a balanced torque and uniform axial pull down force when applied to a continuous, mating thread of a container.
- the cap is designed to be strip ejected.
- Typical strip mold closures employ continuous round threads on a taper.
- the closure of the invention is designed with a modified buttress thread to provide better torque retention when applied to the container.
- the modified buttress thread is segmented on a preferably tapered wall in a pattern that does not allow one thread to be directly above another. This pattern will allow strip ejection with minimal smearing/distortion of the thread.
- the closure wall will flex outwardly during ejection due to preferably symmetrical thin segments in the wall preferably parallel to the axis of the cap. These segments are designed to flex during ejection (hot polypropylene), but recover while cooling.
- the continuous cap wall will provide sufficient hoop strength to maintain the required thread engagement, torque and seal integrity when applied to a container.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (9)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BR0017167-0A BR0017167A (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Plastic lid, lid formed by thermoplastic material having an inner surface and an outer surface, and method of molding a deformable plastic ejectable lid |
AU2000275831A AU2000275831B2 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method |
EP00965043A EP1263657A4 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method |
KR1020027012003A KR20020089396A (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method |
CA002401029A CA2401029A1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method |
AU7583100A AU7583100A (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method |
JP2001568803A JP2003528010A (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Removable closure |
MXPA02008932A MXPA02008932A (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method. |
ARP010104323A AR031871A1 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-09-13 | PLASTIC COVER AND MOLDING METHOD OF A PLASTIC COVER EXPULSABLE BY DISMOLDED |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US18986900P | 2000-03-16 | 2000-03-16 | |
US60/189,869 | 2000-03-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001070586A1 true WO2001070586A1 (en) | 2001-09-27 |
Family
ID=22699101
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2000/025338 WO2001070586A1 (en) | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | Molded closure with flex areas and method |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1263657A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003528010A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20020089396A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1270940C (en) |
AU (2) | AU7583100A (en) |
BR (1) | BR0017167A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2401029A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA02008932A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2002127730A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001070586A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200206837B (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008005841A3 (en) * | 2006-06-30 | 2008-03-20 | Johnson Diversey Inc | Closure for a pressurizable container comprising a pump and a vent |
EP1989116A2 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2008-11-12 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Scallop cap closures |
EP2054312A2 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2009-05-06 | Closure Systems International, Inc. | Lightened, molded plastic closure exhibiting enhanced strength |
ITMO20110022A1 (en) * | 2011-02-09 | 2012-08-10 | Sacmi | CAP FOR CLOSING A CONTAINER |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2007176553A (en) * | 2005-12-28 | 2007-07-12 | Alcoa Closure Systems Japan Ltd | Synthetic resin cap, container, closure, and beverage-containing closure |
JP5694387B2 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2015-04-01 | クロージヤー・システムズ・インターナシヨナル・インコーポレーテツドClosure Systems International, Inc. | Method for forming composite lid |
JP7055554B2 (en) * | 2017-12-28 | 2022-04-18 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Discharge tool and discharge container |
WO2023229011A1 (en) * | 2022-05-26 | 2023-11-30 | 伸晃化学株式会社 | Cap |
Citations (7)
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US3618170A (en) * | 1969-07-14 | 1971-11-09 | Edward W Owens | Apparatus for molding plastic closures |
US3955696A (en) * | 1973-10-26 | 1976-05-11 | Robert Finke Kunststoff-Spritzguss-Werk | Bottle and safety closure |
US4550841A (en) * | 1982-11-15 | 1985-11-05 | Jeffrey Sandhaus | Closure having integral formed sealing means |
US4657221A (en) * | 1986-04-22 | 1987-04-14 | Aluminum Company Of America | Male core for forming vent slots in a thermoplastic closure |
US4721220A (en) * | 1986-08-29 | 1988-01-26 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Threaded container and closure |
US4806301A (en) * | 1984-08-15 | 1989-02-21 | American Safety Closure Corp. | Process of removing a plastic cap from a mold |
US5836467A (en) * | 1997-05-22 | 1998-11-17 | Rexam Plastics Inc. | Double-shell closure having an arcuate groove |
Family Cites Families (12)
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US3878961A (en) * | 1973-12-28 | 1975-04-22 | Illinois Tool Works | Child resistant closures |
GB8414455D0 (en) * | 1984-06-06 | 1984-07-11 | Metal Box Plc | Containers |
DE8428279U1 (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1984-11-08 | Mauser-Werke GmbH, 5040 Brühl | protective cap |
US4742929A (en) * | 1986-03-10 | 1988-05-10 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Threaded container closure |
DE3708472A1 (en) * | 1987-03-16 | 1988-10-06 | Zeller Plastik Koehn Graebner | PLASTIC SCREW PART |
WO1992022932A1 (en) * | 1991-06-08 | 1992-12-23 | Busak + Luyken Gmbh & Co | Sealing valve for apertures in containers |
US5197620A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1993-03-30 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Venting closure |
US5307945A (en) * | 1992-06-26 | 1994-05-03 | Hidding Walter E | Closure |
GB9316834D0 (en) * | 1993-08-13 | 1993-09-29 | Beeson & Sons Ltd | Container closure assembly |
TW279835B (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1996-07-01 | Precision Valve Corp | Tamper-evident closure with captive band |
US5960972A (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1999-10-05 | Constancio Larguia, Sr. | Container cap with interlocked safety closure |
JPH1170950A (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 1999-03-16 | Kao Corp | Container |
-
2000
- 2000-09-15 EP EP00965043A patent/EP1263657A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-09-15 JP JP2001568803A patent/JP2003528010A/en active Pending
- 2000-09-15 CN CNB008193371A patent/CN1270940C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-09-15 BR BR0017167-0A patent/BR0017167A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-09-15 WO PCT/US2000/025338 patent/WO2001070586A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-09-15 CA CA002401029A patent/CA2401029A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-09-15 KR KR1020027012003A patent/KR20020089396A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-09-15 AU AU7583100A patent/AU7583100A/en active Pending
- 2000-09-15 AU AU2000275831A patent/AU2000275831B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-09-15 MX MXPA02008932A patent/MXPA02008932A/en unknown
- 2000-09-15 RU RU2002127730/12A patent/RU2002127730A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2002
- 2002-08-27 ZA ZA200206837A patent/ZA200206837B/en unknown
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3618170A (en) * | 1969-07-14 | 1971-11-09 | Edward W Owens | Apparatus for molding plastic closures |
US3955696A (en) * | 1973-10-26 | 1976-05-11 | Robert Finke Kunststoff-Spritzguss-Werk | Bottle and safety closure |
US4550841A (en) * | 1982-11-15 | 1985-11-05 | Jeffrey Sandhaus | Closure having integral formed sealing means |
US4806301A (en) * | 1984-08-15 | 1989-02-21 | American Safety Closure Corp. | Process of removing a plastic cap from a mold |
US4657221A (en) * | 1986-04-22 | 1987-04-14 | Aluminum Company Of America | Male core for forming vent slots in a thermoplastic closure |
US4721220A (en) * | 1986-08-29 | 1988-01-26 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Threaded container and closure |
US5836467A (en) * | 1997-05-22 | 1998-11-17 | Rexam Plastics Inc. | Double-shell closure having an arcuate groove |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP1263657A4 * |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1989116A2 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2008-11-12 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Scallop cap closures |
EP1989116A4 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2010-12-29 | Portola Packaging Inc | Scallop cap closures |
WO2008005841A3 (en) * | 2006-06-30 | 2008-03-20 | Johnson Diversey Inc | Closure for a pressurizable container comprising a pump and a vent |
US8104647B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2012-01-31 | Diversey, Inc. | Closure for a pressurizable container |
EP2054312A2 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2009-05-06 | Closure Systems International, Inc. | Lightened, molded plastic closure exhibiting enhanced strength |
EP2054312A4 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2012-05-30 | Closure Systems Int Inc | Lightened, molded plastic closure exhibiting enhanced strength |
ITMO20110022A1 (en) * | 2011-02-09 | 2012-08-10 | Sacmi | CAP FOR CLOSING A CONTAINER |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1450970A (en) | 2003-10-22 |
RU2002127730A (en) | 2004-03-20 |
EP1263657A4 (en) | 2004-11-17 |
EP1263657A1 (en) | 2002-12-11 |
CA2401029A1 (en) | 2001-09-27 |
JP2003528010A (en) | 2003-09-24 |
MXPA02008932A (en) | 2003-04-25 |
AU7583100A (en) | 2001-10-03 |
BR0017167A (en) | 2003-04-29 |
CN1270940C (en) | 2006-08-23 |
ZA200206837B (en) | 2003-02-27 |
KR20020089396A (en) | 2002-11-29 |
AU2000275831B2 (en) | 2005-12-15 |
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