Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/02—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
• • 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
  • B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
  • B65D41/0428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the top rim or the top edges or the external surface of a container neck
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
  • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
• • 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
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
  • B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
  • B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
  • B65D47/0809—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage and elastically biased towards both the open and the closed positions
• • 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
  • B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
  • B65D2215/02—Child-proof means requiring the combination of simultaneous actions
• • 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
  • B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
  • B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
• • 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
  • B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
  • B65D2251/1066—Actuating means
• • 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
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
  • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure

Definitions

• the invention relates to a sealing means for closures, especially sealing means for closures for packages for liquids such as beverages.
• the invention relates to a sealing means for containers for carbonated liquids such as soft drinks but is well adapted to seal other containers such as glass or PET containers with contents at above or below atmospheric pressure or having gaseous components or requiring a hermetic seal.
• the invention further relates to a closure and a process for making and applying of a sealing means, respectively a closure.
• Seals of closures are generally manufactured from several types of plastic, such as Polyethylene (from now on PE) or Polypropylene (from now on PP) or EVA-based materials such as DarexTM liner material.
• the latter is mainly used for the manufacture of liner closures; the material is less hard and less durable than PE.
• Softer material such as Low density PE (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or compounds based on polyolefine raw materials are often used as sealing material.
• More rigid materials such as Polypropylene are often used as a shell material of closures.
• EP0076778 of Albert Obrist AG was filed in 1982 and is directed to a closure cap made of plasties material which has a circular outer sealing lip having a thickness which continuously decreases versus its free end.
• the outer sealing lip is arranged in the region of the joint between an outer vertical skirt and a disc like top portion and points obliquely inwards. At its smallest diameter, the sealing lip has a rounded sealing portion. Below the sealing portion the sealing lip is widened outwards in the manner of a funnel to receive a container opening.
• a further disadvantage consists in that due to the inclined arrangement this seal is relatively rigid and therefore not very good in adjusting in lateral direction.
• US4489845 was filed in 1984 and assigned to Albert Obrist AG. US4489845 is directed to a screw-cap for closing a container opening.
• the cap has a sealing lip which is affixed to the cap top.
• the inner side-wall of the outer sealing lip has a diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the container outer wall.
• a clamping device which can be designed as an inner seal, creates a contraction of the cap top when the screw-cap is screwed onto the container due to deformation of the outer shell of the closure, by which means the sealing lip shall be pressed against the container mouth. In this manner the sealing lip is only pressed radially against the container mouth during the course of the screwing-on process.
• EPOl 14127 filed in 1984, of Continental Whitecap and EPOl 76205, filed in 1985, of Sun Cost Plastic both disclose a seal having two sealing flaps arranged in general V-shape, When the closure is drawn down onto a container, the flaps will deform in accordance with the cross section of the sealing surface area of the container including down inside of the mouth of the container and down along-side the exterior surface of the neck finish to provide effective sealing contact with the container sealing area.
• the sealing flaps are in engaged position laterally supported and pressed against the neck of the closure.
• EP0529383 filed in 1992 by Jacob Berg GmbH, is directed to a plastic screw cap for containers, in particular pressurised beverage containers.
• the closure comprises an annular sealing strip which is integrally moulded with the shell of the closure. Adjacent to the sealing strip a bead is arranged pressing the sealing strip against an upper outer edge of the neck of a container.
• One disadvantage consists in the reduced lateral adjustability.
• EP0770559 filed in 1996 by Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici, is directed to a plastic screw cap with a liner made by compression moulding.
• the closure comprises an annular lip that is designed to support a liner and protrudes from the disk-like portion concentrically with respect to the cylindrical outer wall.
• the annular lip is acting as a shoulder for a sealing liner, so that the liner, when the cap has been applied to the container, engages to the rim of the mouth of the container.
• US4489844 was filed in 1982 and assigned to Charles A. Breskin Assoc. Inc. is directed to a reusable cap for closing carbonated beverage containers or the like.
• the closure consists of an internally threaded shell having a fitment therein which sealingly engages the neck of the beverage container at the free edge thereof.
• the shell and the fitment are constructed of different plastic materials and are injection moulded in different portions of the same moulding cavity. First, the fitment is formed and then, without moving the fitment from the position in which it was formed, the shell is formed, to produce a unitary structure in which substantial portions of the fitment are imbedded in the shell.
• US5447674 filed in 1993 by Frank Schellenbach is directed to a method and a mould core for the production of two-component injection moulded plastic closure.
• a mould core for use in a two-component injection moulding method is presented for two-component injection moulding of plastic closures for containers.
• the mould core consists of first and second sub- core. After injecting the first substance, one sub-core or tool element is displaced by a predetermined amount relative to the first moulding.
• displacement of the core can only take place when the material of the first stage has sufficiently congealed which results in a significant delay.
• a further disadvantage consists in that the geometry of the closure and the seal is significantly restricted due to the mould function.
• a still further disadvantage is that the seal may not comprise a radial protrusion which would result in an undercut the mould because displacement of the mould core would not be possible anymore.
• W00301 1699 filed in 2002 by Bericap is directed to a closure cap comprising an internal sealing skirt which is substantially truncated and converges from the sealing skirt base towards the free end of the sealing skirt.
• the inside of the sealing skirt is designed to cooperate with the outside of the neck.
• the internal diameter of the sealing skirt towards its free end portion is designed smaller than the external diameter of the neck.
• the closure can comprise an annular v-notch designed to improve attachment of a liner to the rim of the neck or contact between the liner and the rim.
• a problem of closures known from prior art is that the seal of these closures often fails at high internal pressure and content leaks due to doming or lift-off of the top portion of the cap. Especially with caps which seal primarily on the inner peripheral surface or on the annular top surface of the neck of the container this problem may occur.
• a further problem often occurring with closures known from prior art is leakage of the seal due to high internal pressure in the container and additional top load applied to the top of the closure, e.g. due to stacking of several containers. The reason for this can be found in deformation of the closure and therewith related displacement of the seal.
• a further problem of the closures known from prior art is that the seal fails due to crooked application of the closure onto a neck of a container.
• the closure having a sealing device is suitable to be engaged with containers comprising a standardized neck of a container.
• the standardized neck comprises an outer peripheral surface with an external thread.
• the outer peripheral surface blends by an edge surface into an annular top surface which forms the upper end of the container when it is standing upright.
• an outer free surface extends over a length of approximately 1 mm to 3 mm of the neck which is not covered by the thread and suitable for sealing purposes.
• the neck of the container comprises a cylindrical, inner peripheral surface adjacent to the annular top surface.
• the closure comprises in general a base with a disc like top portion and a therewith adjacent outer skirt with retaining means, such as an internal thread, suitable to be engaged with corresponding retaining means such as an external thread of the standardized neck of a container as described above.
• retaining means such as an internal thread
• the closure may have a hinged lid which is interconnected to the base of the closure and suitable to sealingly close an orifice.
• the plastics material of the closure is high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene or a combination thereof.
• the plastics material preferably has a very low porosity to the gas.
• the herein described sealing means comprises in a first embodiment an essentially P-shaped cross-section.
• the sealing means comprises a cylindrical skirt extending in general perpendicular from the disk like top portion of the closure into the closure inside radially distanced to the outer skirt of the closure by a gap having a defined width and depth.
• the inner skirt which in general has with respect to its cross section the form of a free standing lateral ad- justable downward leg, is at its base preferably interconnected directly to the top portion of the closure. In the area of its opposite lower free end the inner skirt turns into at least one toroidal sealing ring which protrudes above the side surface of the cylindrical skirt.
• the toroidal sealing ring interacts in closed position radially from the outside with the outer free surface of the neck of the container via a designated contact surface, whereby this contact surface is arranged preferably as far down onto the free surface of the neck of the bottle as possible to reduce influence of known problems, e.g. doming, bottle finish damage at the upper outside rim, lifting of closure, which might occur.
• the cylindrical skirt acts as a base for the toroidal sealing ring and has a length which avoids negative interaction of the toroidal sealing ring with the thread of the neck of the container.
• the at least one toroidal sealing ring is preferably shaped such that it seals primarily due to annular tension. Therefore the sealing means is preferably freestanding even in radially deformed position when applied onto the neck of a container.
• the gap between the inner and the outer skirt is designed such that no contact occurs between the sealing means and the outer skirt at any time.
• the toroidal sealing ring comprises a protrusion which is arranged in engaged position towards the neck of the container and defines a contact zone.
• the in general perpendicularly freestanding sealing means according to the present invention mainly seals due to annular tension forces occurring in the toroidal sealing ring when applied onto the neck of a container.
• the sealing means is designed such that it is capable to adjust/ compensate a certain amount of lateral and/or radial offset or distortion of the neck of the container.
• the cylindrical skirt which acts as the base, provides a certain flexibility in lateral/radial direction.
• the proportion ratio vertical length to radial thickness of the base of the sealing means is at least 1 :1 preferably 4:1.
• further aspect ratios are relevant such as the radial thickness and shape of the base of the sealing means and the radial thickness of the annular sealing ring and the aspect ratio of the vertical length to the radial thickness of the annular sealing ring and the gap between the inner and the outer skirt.
• the seal has an in general R-shaped cross-section whereby the P- shaped cross-section blends at the inside into an inner top surface of the closure.
• Said blend is shaped such that it forms a second sealing region with the edge surface of the neck of the container which causes, when the edge surface presses onto the blend, the annular sealing ring to be pulled, due to controlled deformation of the base, inwardly onto the outer free surface of the neck of the container.
• the blend interconnects the base and the top surface smoothly by a concave shape having a radius or by a ramp like shape or by a convex shape protruding locally outwardly.
• the aspect ratio between the radial thickness of the annular sealing ring and the base is in the range of 2:1 and 3:1 (depending on the field of application other aspect ratios may be appropriate).
• the aspect ratio between the vertical free length of the annular sealing ring and its radial thickness is preferably in the range of 1 :1 and 4:1 .
• the shape of the cross section of the annular sealing ring and the eccentricity of the contact surface with respect to the base of the sealing means is of further relevance for the field of application because these parameters influence the distribution of annular tension forces.
• the shape and the alignment of the base of the sealing means is relevant for the performance and the physical behavior of the sealing means.
• the base of the sealing means is inclined (conically) at an angle with respect to the top of the closure, the pop on of the closure onto the orifice (opening) of the container becomes more difficult and failures due to mismatch are more likely.
• One reason for this is that the distribution of forces and the initial widening of the seal become more difficult.
• a preferred embodiment of the sealing means and the closure are made by an injection moulding process, respectively two-component injection moulding process, in a multi- component mould whereby a sealing liner is made in that a first plastic material is injected in liquid form into a first cavity onto a core of a mould cavity where the first material forming the liner congeals. Afterwards the liner is displaced with the first core into a second cavity position wherein a second material for an outer shell of the closure is injected into the second cavity. The material of the sealing liner and the material of the outer shell are thereby integrally joined to each other.
• the area in the cavity of the sealing-liner which is not in contact with the first core is preferably shaped such that the sealing-liner can be taken out of the first cavity without retaining forces. Therefore hindering undercuts mainly extending perpendicularly with respect to the displacing direction or the core are avoided.
• the described injection moulding process a firm bonding is obtained between the liner and the shell material.
• the herein disclosed invention results in more reliable seal. Problems which typically occur when demoulding of closures made by compression moulding, where the shell of the closure is made first and the sealing liner second, do not occur with the herein described invention.
• the outer shell is preferably made out of Polypropylene (PP) or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) whereby the liner is formed out of a softer material such as EVA, LDPE or a compounded material based on polyolefinic raw materials.
• the embodiment of the closure further comprises a sealing means which interacts with an outer thread-free peripheral cylindrical surface arranged between the thread and the annular top surface of the neck of the container.
• a preferred embodiment of the sealing means for sealing of a neck of a container comprises a radially deformable outer sealing means suitable to be engaged with an outer free surface of the neck, whereby the outer sealing means has an in general P-shaped cross-section with an annular base and an annular sealing ring arranged at a free end of the annular base, protruding radially inwardly above the inner surface of the base and forming in engaged position with the neck a first sealing area with the outer free surface.
• the sealing means has an outer sealing means with an in general R-shaped cross-section.
• a blend is arranged at the base and interconnects the base with a vertical top surface of the closure.
• the blend may form in engaged position of the sealing means and the neck a second sealing area between an edge surface of the neck and the outer sealing means.
• the outer sealing may be shaped such that by interaction between the edge surface and the blend the outer sealing means controllably deforms such that the annular sealing ring is pressed more firmly against the outer free surface of the neck.
• the blend can have, depending on the field of application, different shapes: e.g. a ramp-like cross-section, a convex cross-section or concave cross-section.
• the blend is designed a smooth interconnection the, it preferably has a radius R which is larger than the radius of the edge surface of the neck of the container.
• the sealing means respectively the closure may comprises a liner made out of a liner material.
• the liner may comprise an inner skirt which extends vertically along an outer downward leg.
• An annular sealing ring, made out of liner material, may be arranged a the end of the inner skirt.
• the sealing means may comprises a bore seal whereby the bore seal may be made out of liner material and may have a core made out of shell material.
• Fig. 1 shows a closure with a sealing means in a perspective view from below;
• Fig. 2 shows the closure according to Figure 1 in a perspective view from above;
• Fig. 3 shows a closure with a first embodiment of a sealing means in a side view
• Fig. 4 shows a cross cut through the closure according to Figure 3 along line AA;
• Fig. 5 shows detail B of Figure 4.
• Fig. 6 shows a closure with a second embodiment of a sealing means in a side view
• Fig. 7 shows a cross cut through the closure according to Figure 6 along line CC;
• Fig. 8 shows detail D of Figure 7
• Fig. 9 shows a closure with a third embodiment of a sealing means in a side view
• Fig. 10 shows a cross cut through the closure according to Figure 9 along line EE;
• FIG. 1 1 shows detail F of Figure 10.
• a closure 1 comprising a sealing means 2 according to the present invention in an isometric side view from below and Figure 2 the same closure 1 from a perspective side view from above.
• the closure 1 comprises an outer skirt 3 extending in general perpendicular from a disc-like top portion 4.
• the outer skirt 3 has on its outside vertically arranged knurls 5 which provide a better grip while operating the closure.
• On the inside the outer skirt 3 comprises a thread 6 consisting of thread segments 7.
• the tamper band 8 of the displayed embodiment has in general the same outer diameter as the outer skirt 3 of the closure.
• the tamper band 8 On its inside the tamper band 8 comprises undercut segments 9 protruding radially inwardly and having a in general spherical lower part 10.
• the spherical undercut segments support centering and alignment of the sealing means with respect to the neck of the container. Thereby failure due to tilt application can be significantly reduced.
• centering elements 1 1 which protrude radially above the inner surface 1 5 of the tamper band 8, are arranged which are aligned to the closure axis z and which help to centre the closure 1 with respect to a locking bead of the neck of a container. Thereby tilting of the tamper band during opening of the closure 1 is reduced.
• the tamper band 8 is interconnected to the outer skirt 3 of the closure 1 by frangible bridges 12 which are destroyed while initial opening of the closure 1.
• the tamper band 8 is distanced from the closure skirt 3 by a gap 13.
• the bridges 12 are arranged in the shown embodiment in recesses 14 which extend the length of the bridges 12 and thereby help to avoid unwanted disrupting of the bridges 12 during application of the closure 1 .
• FIG 3 is showing a further embodiment of a closure 1 in a side view.
• the closure 1 comprises a tamper band 8 with an in general smaller outside diameter than the skirt 3 of the closure 1 .
• the tamper band 8 comprises a shoulder 1 6 which suits as a contact point during ejection of the closure 1.
• the bridges 12 are similar to the closure according to Figures 1 and 2 arranged in recesses 14. The crosscut along line AA is shown in figure 4.
• Figure 4 is showing a cross cut through the closure 1 and the sealing means 2 along line AA of Figure 3 and Figure 5 is showing detail B of the sealing means 2 of Figure 3 in a magnified manner.
• a neck 25 (dashed line) of a container is schematically displayed.
• the sealing means 2 of the shown embodiment is displayed in an undeformed manner and comprises an outer side seal 20 and an in general V-shaped top seal 21 protruding from the inner surface of the disk like top portion 4 of the closure 1 in a generally perpendicular way inside the closure 1 and arranged such that it interacts in a closed position with the annular end surface 27 of the neck 25.
• the side seal 20 has an in general P-shaped cross-section and comprises a base 22 and an annular sealing ring 23 laterally protruding radially inwardly above the base 22 suitable to seal on an outer peripheral surface 17 of the neck 25 in a thread free area above thread 26.
• the side seal 20 is arranged radially distanced to the outer skirt 3.
• an annular gap 24 with in undeformed stage in general parallel side walls extends vertically between the side seal 20 and the outer skirt 3 of the closure 1 defining the outer free length L of the side seal 20.
• the thickness t of the annular gap 24 is chosen such that the annular sealing ring 23 and the base 22 may extend freely in radial direction r+ while the closure is applied onto the neck 25.
• the vertical length L of the base 22 of the side seal 20 is here chosen such that the annular sealing ring 23 is arranged as far as possible down along the free length of the outer vertical surface 17 of the neck 25 in the shown embodiment just above the start of the outside thread 26 container.
• the contact zone is on a PET-container, depending from the thread start, typically positioned about 0.5 mm to 2 mm below the annular end surface of the neck.
• the laterally flexibly adjust- able and vertically stiff base 22 of the side seal 20 guarantees that the annular sealing ring 23 may sideways adjust even while pop-on of the side seal 20 onto a neck of a container which is eccentric, especially in radial direction.
• the radial protrusion p of the annular sealing ring 23 over its base 22 is relevant for the interference with the neck 25.
• the inner diameter D of the annular sealing ring 23 is smaller than the outer diameter Da of a neck of the container. If appropriate the vertical position of the sealing means 2 with respect the neck 25 is defined by an additional stop element.
• Figure 6 is showing a further embodiment of a closure 1 in a side view
• Figure 7 is showing a cross cut through the closure according to Figure 6 along line CC
• Figure 8 is showing detail D of Figure 7 in a magnified manner.
• the general setup of the closure 1 corresponds to the closure as described according to the Figures 1 to 5.
• the explanation of similar details such as outer skirt, tamper band and thread are therefore not repeated again and reference is made to these drawings.
• the side seal 20 which has in the here shown embodiment of the sealing means 2 an in general R-shaped cross-section and is arranged radially distanced to the outer skirt 3.
• An annular gap 24 with in undeformed stage in general parallel side walls extends vertically between the side seal 20 and the outer skirt 3 of the closure 1 .
• the annular gap 24 is chosen such that the annular sealing ring 23 and the base 22 may deform at least initially free in radial direction r while the seal is applied onto a neck 25 (schematically indicated by dashed line).
• the vertical length L of the base 22 of the side seal 20 is adjusted such that the annular sealing ring 23 is arranged as far as possible down along the free length 17 of the outer vertical surface of the neck 25 in the shown embodiment just above the start of the thread 26.
• a first sealing zone 30 is developed between the sealing means 2 and the neck 25 in that the annular sealing ring 23 is pressing against the outer free surface 17 of the neck 25 due to lateral stretching.
• base 22 blends on the inside by a blend 34 having here a radius R into a vertical top surface 35 of the closure 1.
• the blend 34 is shaped such that it is forming a second sealing area/contact region 31 in that it is in closed position in tight contact with an edge surface 28 interconnecting the outer free surface 17 and the annular top surface 27 of the neck 25.
• the radius R is in general larger than the radius of the edge surface 28 such that a precise interaction zone is determined.
• the base 22 of the outside seal 20 is laterally adjustable and is locked in its final position due to the functional interconnection, when the second contact zone 31 is established.
• the annular sealing ring 23 protrudes locally above the inner side surface of the base 22.
• the protrusion 33 has in the shown embodiment an in general circular cross section which forms an appropriate first contact zone between the annular sealing ring 23 and the outer free surface 17 and still allows demoulding of the undercut.
• the annular sealing ring 23 further comprises a funnel shaped first lead in surface 29 suitable to establish a first contact between the outside seal 20 and the neck 25 and acting as a ramp for the annular sealing ring 23 such that it slides easily onto the outer free surface 17.
• the shown sealing means 2 is further equipped with a bore seal 36 which reaches in a closing position down into the orifice of the neck 25.
• the bore seal 36 has an in general conical shape extending from it's root, where it is interconnected to the disk like top portion 4 of the closure 1 , versus it's free end radially outwardly at an angle ⁇ .
• the cross section of the base 37 of the bore seal 36 is in general V-shaped at an angle ⁇ having it's apex in the region of the free end.
• the bore seal 36 further has a funnel shaped second lead in surface 38 which guarantees easy plug in of the bore seal 36 into the orifice of the neck 25.
• the bore seal Adjacent to the second lead in surface 38 the bore seal is equipped with a here toroidal contact surface 39 forming in closed position a third contact zone 32 between the sealing means 2 and the inner side surface 41 of the neck 25.
• the sealing means 2 is shown in an undeformed stage and is due to that overlapping with the geometry of the neck 25.
• the closure 1 adjusts during operation to the neck 25 due to elastic deformation of the closure material.
• the root diameter Dr of the bore seal 36 is chosen such that the bore seal 36 does not interact with the neck of the closure in the area of it's base.
• the bore seal 36 is bent inwardly in the direction r- such it adjusts to the inner diameter Di of the orifice of the neck 25.
• the in the closed position established third contact zone 32 is arranged approximately at the same vertical level (z- direction) as the first contact zone 30 of the outside seal 20.
• the vent angle of the closure can be adjusted by the active length Lb which corresponds to the distance between third contact zone 32 and root of bore seal 36. To obtain a longer vent angle the active length Lb of the bore seal 36 is increased and to reduce a lower vent angle reduced (the vent angle corresponds to the angle the closure has to be turned until venting occurs). Depending on the field of application the bore seal can be avoided.
• sealing means comprises in the area or adjacent to the intermediate top surface 35 an in general v-shaped protrusion (not shown in detail) which forms a top seal (fourth contact zone/sealing region) and interacts in the closing position with an annular top surface 27 of neck 25.
• Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a closure 1 comprising a sealing device according to the present invention in a side view made by two-component injection moulding.
• Figure 10 is showing a cross cut through the closure according to Figure 9 along line EE and
• Figure 1 1 is showing detail F of Figure 10 in a magnified manner.
• FIG. 1 The cross section and the functionality of the sealing means 2 as shown in Figure 1 1 corresponds to the sealing means shown in Figure 8 with the only difference that the sealing means 2 is made here out of two materials (shell material and liner material). With respect to the functionality it is therefore referred to Figure 8 and the explanation belonging to it.
• the sealing means 2 of the closure according to the Figures 9 to 1 1 is made out of two materials preferably by two-component injection moulding having an outer shell 45 (disk like top portion 4 and outer skirt 3) made out of a shell material and a sealing liner 46 made out of liner material which covers here all surfaces exposed to the good stored in the container to be sealed.
• the outer shell 2 of the closure 1 is preferably made out of Polypropylene (PP) or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) whereby the sealing liner 46 is preferably formed out of a softer liner material such as DarexTM.
• the outer shell 45 and the sealing liner 46 are, as shown here, firmly bonded to each other along their boundary surfaces 49, 50 such that a save application and positioning of the sealing means 2 becomes possible.
• the base 22 of the sealing means 20 comprises an outer downward leg 47 made out of shell material which supports an inner skirt 48 made out of liner material.
• the downward leg 47 supports and stabilizes the inner skirt 48 and the toroidal sealing ring 23 made partially out of liner material and arranged at the end of the base 22 in lateral and vertical direction.
• the liner 46 is formed such that it extends in xy-direction along the inner top surface 35 of the closure 1 and down along the outer downward leg 47 (-z- direction).
• the inner skirt 48 blends by blend 34 into the vertical top surface 35. Both the inner skirt 48 and the inner base 22 are shown in an undeformed manner but will be extended radially outwardly during application onto a neck of a closure.
• the vertical boundary surface 49 between the outer downward leg 47 of the sealing liner 46 and the inner skirt 48 of the shown embodiment is in general straight and slightly tapered such that the liner 46 can easily be taken out of the mould after moulding in the first stage.
• the boundary surface can have a different shape such as indicated by line s such that the lower end of the outer seal 20 is made completely out of shell material and supported only in it's lower end by the outer downward leg 47.
• the sealing means may comprise in the area or adjacent to the intermediate top surface 35 an in general v-shaped protrusion (not shown in detail) which forms a top seal (fourth contact zone) and interacts in the closing position with an annular top surface 27 of neck 25 (see Figure 8).
• the sealing means 2 further comprises in the shown embodiment a bore seal 36 which has, in difference to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8, an in general olive shaped cross section.
• the bore seal 36 is integrated into liner disc 46.
• the bore seal 36 may comprise a section made out of shell material to obtain increased lateral support. Alternatively or in addition the bore seal may be supported by lateral ribs (not shown in detail).

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Sealing Battery Cases Or Jackets (AREA)
• Glass Compositions (AREA)
• Secondary Cells (AREA)
• Making Paper Articles (AREA)
• Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)

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• 2005
  • 2005-08-02 DK DK05857768T patent/DK1789336T3/da active
  • 2005-08-02 ES ES05857768T patent/ES2313457T3/es active Active
  • 2005-08-02 DE DE602005009213T patent/DE602005009213D1/de active Active
  • 2005-08-02 AU AU2005331483A patent/AU2005331483B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2005-08-02 KR KR1020077007476A patent/KR101233851B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-08-02 JP JP2007528817A patent/JP4949250B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-08-02 EP EP05857768A patent/EP1789336B1/en active Active
  • 2005-08-02 WO PCT/EP2005/053777 patent/WO2006117024A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-08-02 MX MX2007002498A patent/MX2007002498A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-08-02 BR BRPI0514822-7A patent/BRPI0514822B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-08-02 PT PT05857768T patent/PT1789336E/pt unknown
  • 2005-08-02 CA CA2580467A patent/CA2580467C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-08-02 AT AT05857768T patent/ATE405498T1/de active
  • 2005-08-02 PL PL05857768T patent/PL1789336T3/pl unknown
  • 2005-08-02 EA EA200700511A patent/EA009267B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-08-02 EP EP08162481A patent/EP1985549A1/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2007
  • 2007-07-12 HK HK07107500A patent/HK1099893A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

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