WO2007121428A2 - Fermeture inviolable - Google Patents

Fermeture inviolable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007121428A2
WO2007121428A2 PCT/US2007/066763 US2007066763W WO2007121428A2 WO 2007121428 A2 WO2007121428 A2 WO 2007121428A2 US 2007066763 W US2007066763 W US 2007066763W WO 2007121428 A2 WO2007121428 A2 WO 2007121428A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
closure
tab
bottle
cap
longitudinal axis
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/066763
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007121428A3 (fr
Inventor
Richard H. Seager
Alex S. Szekely
Original Assignee
Plastek Industries, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Plastek Industries, Inc. filed Critical Plastek Industries, Inc.
Publication of WO2007121428A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007121428A2/fr
Publication of WO2007121428A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007121428A3/fr

Links

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
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
    • B65D47/30—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with plug valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by turning a cylindrical or conical plug without axial passageways
    • B65D47/305—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge with plug valves, i.e. valves that open and close a passageway by turning a cylindrical or conical plug without axial passageways provided with a spout, e.g. "escargot"-type valve

Definitions

  • the invention relates to closures. More particularly, the invention relates to tamper-evident screw and snap cap closures for bottles and the like.
  • a typical screw cap closure is molded of a plastic material (e.g., polypropylene, low density polypropylene (LDPE) , or high density polyethylene (HDPE) ) .
  • the closure body typically comprises an internally threaded sidewall portion.
  • a bottom of the sidewall forms a tamper-evident ring.
  • a web may close the closure.
  • any of a number of forms of open valve seat may be formed to which a separate valve element (e.g., a poppet) is movably mounted to open and close the closure.
  • the closure may be installed to a threaded neck of the bottle by screwing/threading. The screwing may flex/stretch the ring over the bottle external threads. Upon unscrewing of the closure, however, the tensile strength of the connection may be insufficient to draw the ring back over the bottle threads, thereby rupturing the connection and leaving the ring on the bottle. Even upon reinstallation of the remaining portion of the closure, the severed connection provides clear evidence that the closure has previously been opened.
  • One aspect of the invention involves a closure that opens by a user actuated rotation of a closure element relative to a closure body about a longitudinal axis.
  • the element e.g., a cap (a sealing cap or alternatively just an overcap) or valve element
  • the element has a tamper evidencing tab extending upward from a lower wall of the element.
  • the tab is initially captured in a recess in an upwardly projecting wall of the body.
  • the tab may be severed to permit an opening rotation of the element.
  • FIG. 1 is a view of a bottle closure in an initial closed condition .
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a first central vertical sectional view of the closure of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 through the tamper evidencing tab and showing a bottle body in broken line.
  • FIG. 4 is a second central vertical/longitudinal sectional view of the closure of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the closure of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a partially opened view of the closure of FIG. 1 with the tab removed.
  • FIG. 7 is a central vertical/longitudinal sectional view of the opened closure of FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 8 is a view of a second bottle closure in an initial closed condition.
  • FIG. 1 shows a container (bottle) 20 as an assembly of a bottle body 22 and a closure assembly 24.
  • the bottle body 22 (FIG. 3) includes a sidewall 28 extending upward from a bottom or base 30.
  • the exemplary sidewall 28 extends to a shoulder 32.
  • a neck 34 extends above the shoulder to a rim 36 defining a mouth opening.
  • the neck 34 includes an externally threaded portion 38 below the rim 36.
  • the bottle interior may contain a liquid beverage.
  • the exemplary body 22 and closure 24 have a common central vertical/longitudinal axis 500 (FIG. 1) .
  • the exemplary closure 24 is the assembly of a first (main) piece 40 and a second piece 42.
  • the exemplary first piece 40 forms a closure body and the exemplary second piece 42 forms a cap and/or a valve element which may be articulated relative to the closure body 40 to open the bottle.
  • An exemplary articulation is a relative rotation about the axis 500.
  • the element 42 may, in an open condition, allow communication/dispensing through or bypassing itself without being removed.
  • the element 42 may be removed to allow desired communication/dispensing.
  • An alternative cap embodiment is an overcap which covers a separate valve element (e.g., to protect against dust and debris.
  • a tamper evident feature may be applied to the element 42 serving one or more of the valve element/cap/overcap roles.
  • An exemplary bottle body 22 is of any conventional or yet-developed type and may be unitarily molded from a plastic (e.g., HDPE).
  • the exemplary closure body 40 may similarly be unitarily molded (e.g., of HDPE or MDPE).
  • the element 42 may similarly be molded (e.g., of polypropylene).
  • a separate overcap (not shown - e.g., functioning as a dust cover), if any, may also be similarly molded, advantageously of transparent material.
  • the exemplary closure body 40 includes a sidewall 44 extending upward from a lower rim 48 to a shoulder 50.
  • An outer wall/boss 52 projects upwardly near the periphery of the shoulder.
  • the exemplary shoulder continues inward to an inner boss 53 (FIG.
  • a lower portion 56 of the sidewall 44 forms a tamper evident ring having radially inward projections/protrusions 58 captured below an annular rib 60 of the bottle below the externally threaded portion 38. Scoring 62 may frangibly separate the ring 56 from a remainder of the sidewall which bears an internal thread 64 for engaging the bottle external thread.
  • the means for evidencing tampering by attempted removal of the body 40 may involve a tear-off/pull-off feature (e.g., a finger-gripable tab to tear off the ring) .
  • a tear-off ring may be particularly relevant to a snap-on (rather than screw-on) closure body. Once the ring is torn off, retention of the remainder of the closure may be compromised.
  • the exemplary inner boss 53 extends upward to a rim 70 which surrounds an outlet 71 (outlet port) from the closure body 40.
  • a cup-like plug portion 72 of the element 42 seals the body outlet 71 (FIG. 5) such as by being concentrically received within a portion immediately below the rim 70.
  • the plug 72 depends from an upper wall/web 73 which extends outward to join an outer wall 74 at a shoulder 75.
  • the upper wall/web 73 may include vents 76.
  • An intermediate wall 77 depends from the upper wall 73 and may have an interior/ID surface bearing feature 78 (e.g., a rib) for engaging a complementary corresponding feature 79 (e.g., a channel) in a proximal region of the outer surface of the boss 53.
  • a rotation of the element 42 from the closed condition may have the effect of raising the element 42 to disengage the features 78 and 79 and disengage the plug 72 from the opening/port 71.
  • the exemplary lower rim 80 of the intermediate wall 77 has a longitudinal profile defining a pair of opposite convex extremes and concave troughs. These are complementary to contouring of the upper surface 82 of the shoulder 50 to provide a camming action to drive the longitudinal disengagement noted above.
  • FIG. 7 shows residual interference between the rib 78 and the shoulder of the boss 53 which may cause the element 42 to snap vertically to a fully disengaged/open condition.
  • the rotation may cause freeing of the element 42 from its position above the body 40 to allow direct dispensing from the outlet 71. If used as a pure valve element, the rotation may expose apertures in the element 42 through which dispensing may further occur.
  • FIG. 7 further shows a mold gate having a central portion 86 and radiating branches 87 within a mouth area of the boss 53.
  • these features may provide additional strength at the opening/port 71 and may mate with a corresponding feature 88 of the plug 52 (e.g., a recess in a base of the plug) to further maintain a seal when the element 42 is in the closed condition.
  • Additional tamper evidencing means are provided for evidencing opening and/or attempted opening of the closure (e.g., opening of a valve element or removal of a cap) rather than removal and/or attempted removal of the closure body from the bottle.
  • Exemplary means comprise a severable tab 90 (FIG. 1) of the element 42.
  • the element 42 is rotated (clockwise or counterclockwise in an example) about the axis 500.
  • the tab 90 resists this rotation and opening.
  • the exemplary tab 90 has a lower portion 92 accommodated within a recess 94 of the body outer wall 52. At an inboard surface of the lower portion 92, the exemplary tab 90 is connected by a frangible connection 96 to a lower portion of the outer surface of the intermediate wall 77.
  • the exemplary tab 90 extends upward to an upper/distal end 98.
  • An upper portion 100 of the exemplary tab 90 is aligned with a recess 102 in the outer wall 74.
  • the outer wall 74 merges with the intermediate wall 77.
  • an attempted rotation will cause a side of the tab 90 to bear against a side of the tab-receiving recess 94.
  • the frangible connection 96 of the tab 90 to the main portion of the element 42 must be severed.
  • One tab removal method involves directly engaging the tab.
  • the user's finger may be accommodated between the recess 102 and the tab 90 (e.g., so that the finger may overlap the distal end 98 engaging a portion of the tab inboard/ID (inner diameter) surface of the tab 90.
  • the recess 100 includes integrally molded indicia 140 (FIG. 5) to indicate that the closure has been opened.
  • Exemplary indicia include a word such as "opened” or an appropriate pictogram or other graphic.
  • the outboard/outer diameter (OD) surface of the tab 90 may bear indicia 142.
  • This indicia may, for example, include a word such as "sealed” or an appropriate graphic.
  • Exemplary manufacturing involves molding of the body 40 and element 42 as separate pieces followed by assembly by relative translation along the axis 500 to achieve snap-in engagement to the closed condition.
  • the body 40 and element 42 are co-molded as a single piece connected by a strap/leash 160. When the element 42 is an overcap or a cap (with or without separate overcap) this prevents loss of the element 42 to facilitate reclosing of the closure and/or avoid litter and assist in recycling.
  • an exemplary variation involves forming the element 42 as an overcap.
  • the element 42 may be otherwise similar but lack the plug portion.
  • a separate pull-push valve element e.g., lacking a tamper indicator
  • the removal of the overcap and its tamper evident feature may provide sufficient indication of tampering.
  • One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, when implemented as a reengineering of an existing closure and/or for use with an existing bottle body, details of the existing closure or bottle body may influence or dictate details of the particular implementation. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

Une fermeture (24) s'ouvre par actionnement en rotation par l'utilisateur d'un élément de fermeture (42) par rapport à un corps de fermeture (40) autour d'un axe longitudinal (500). L'élément (42) (par ex., un couvercle (un couvercle étanche ou, selon une autre variante, un simple couvercle coiffant) ou un clapet) comprend une languette d'inviolabilité (90) s'étendant vers le haut à partir d'une paroi inférieure (77) de l'élément (42). La languette est initialement capturée dans un évidement (94) formé dans une paroi faisant saillie vers le haut (52) du corps. La rupture de la languette permet une rotation d'ouverture de l'élément (42).
PCT/US2007/066763 2006-04-17 2007-04-17 Fermeture inviolable WO2007121428A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74494706P 2006-04-17 2006-04-17
US60/744,947 2006-04-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007121428A2 true WO2007121428A2 (fr) 2007-10-25
WO2007121428A3 WO2007121428A3 (fr) 2007-12-13

Family

ID=38610433

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/066766 WO2007121430A2 (fr) 2006-04-17 2007-04-17 Clapet de fermeture inviolable
PCT/US2007/066763 WO2007121428A2 (fr) 2006-04-17 2007-04-17 Fermeture inviolable
PCT/US2007/066761 WO2007121426A2 (fr) 2006-04-17 2007-04-17 Robinet a temoin d'effraction

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/066766 WO2007121430A2 (fr) 2006-04-17 2007-04-17 Clapet de fermeture inviolable

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/066761 WO2007121426A2 (fr) 2006-04-17 2007-04-17 Robinet a temoin d'effraction

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (3) WO2007121430A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2009225943A1 (en) * 2008-03-17 2009-09-24 Innovative Design Co Pty Ltd Foldable spout integrally formed with closure.
USD950945S1 (en) 2019-07-31 2022-05-10 Yeti Coolers, Llc Backpack
USD1005673S1 (en) 2019-11-20 2023-11-28 Yeti Coolers, Llc Backpack
USD959134S1 (en) 2020-02-28 2022-08-02 Yeti Coolers, Llc Backpack
USD958522S1 (en) 2020-02-28 2022-07-26 Yeti Coolers, Llc Backpack
USD961913S1 (en) 2020-02-28 2022-08-30 Yeti Coolers, Llc Backpack

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3902621A (en) * 1974-08-05 1975-09-02 Walter E Hidding Tamperproof closure with grippable handle
US4548329A (en) * 1984-08-16 1985-10-22 Curry John J Child resistant/tamper resistant cap
US20060057257A1 (en) * 2003-10-27 2006-03-16 Ma Mike X Twist-open closure having inclined frangible membrane

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4081108A (en) * 1976-03-11 1978-03-28 Polytop Corporation Tamper evident one-piece dispensing closures
CA2092369C (fr) * 1993-03-24 1999-06-01 Christian Guillot Fermeture indicatrice d'effraction pour receptacles
US5392968A (en) * 1993-06-14 1995-02-28 Dark; Richard C. G. Dispensing closure and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3902621A (en) * 1974-08-05 1975-09-02 Walter E Hidding Tamperproof closure with grippable handle
US4548329A (en) * 1984-08-16 1985-10-22 Curry John J Child resistant/tamper resistant cap
US20060057257A1 (en) * 2003-10-27 2006-03-16 Ma Mike X Twist-open closure having inclined frangible membrane

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007121426A3 (fr) 2007-12-13
WO2007121430A3 (fr) 2007-12-13
WO2007121428A3 (fr) 2007-12-13
WO2007121430A2 (fr) 2007-10-25
WO2007121426A2 (fr) 2007-10-25

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