WO2008012539A1

WO2008012539A1 - Packaging article

Info

Publication number: WO2008012539A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/002838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Henry Joseph Fraser; Peter Antony Farrar; John Hein
Original assignee: Dubois Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-25
Filing date: 2007-07-25
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Also published as: BRPI0715093A2; RU2009106454A; GB0614702D0; CN101573271A; EP2054313A1; JP2009544543A; KR20090086510A; US20100089864A1; AU2007279002A1; MX2009000940A

Abstract

A container comprising a container body (1) including an opening (4), a cap (5) to close the opening (4) and a collar (6), the collar (6) being arranged to fit between the container body (1) and the cap (5) so as to secure the cap (5) to the container body (1), the collar (6) being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that circumferential parts (7B) thereof are radially movable between inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded configurations, the collar (6) and cap (5) being provided with mutually engageable parts (7, 5D, 5E, 5F) permitting rotation of the cap (5) relative to the collar (6), said rotation causing and/or permitting movement of the collar (6) between the contracted and expanded configurations.

Description

Packaging Article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to containers, and particularly relates to containers for supplying beverages to consumers. The invention has particular utility for the storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling drinks, but is also suitable for use with other types of drinks or other materials. The invention also relates to container bodies, a cap and the combination of a cap and collar for providing such containers.

Background Art

Containers that have a separate ring or collar carrying a screw thread for securing a cap to the container, are known from United States Patent Nos. 3,603,472 and 4,576,296, International Patent Application WO 84/01763, and European Patent Application EP 0517676, for example. The applicants have also proposed containers with cap-on-collar closures as described, for example, in WO2006/000774 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements over containers such as those disclosed in WO 2006/000774.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising a container body including an opening, a cap to close the opening and a collar, the collar being arranged to fit between the container body and the cap so as to secure the cap to the container body, the collar being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that circumferential parts thereof are radially moveable between inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded configurations, the collar and cap being provided with mutually engageable parts permitting rotation of the cap relative to the collar, said rotation causing and/or permitting movement of the collar between the contracted and expanded configurations. In a preferred embodiment, the collar comprises a ring with a break in it which permits the collar to move between expanded and contracted configurations.

In an alternative embodiment, the collar comprises a ring at least portions of which are resiliently circumferentially extendable such that the collar can move between expanded and contracted configurations.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cap and a collar for use in providing a container as described above. The collar may be pre-assembled within the cap. The cap and collar may be arranged so as to be manufactured as a single component and then separated either before or after the collar has been assembled within the cap. The cap and collar may be joined by interconnecting parts which are ruptured as the cap is rotated relative to the collar.

Further optional and preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings.

The present invention also extends to other novel combinations of features described herein and is not limited to the inventions referred to above.

An advantage of the invention is that by providing a collar on a container body, to which a cap may be secured in order to close the container, which collar preferably may be removed from the container body, the container body can be made free from exterior threads or other securement means for securing the cap thereto. Providing a beverage container that is substantially free from exterior threads or other securement means enables the provision of a truly practical beverage container from which consumers may drink directly. This is because the presence of threads adjacent to the opening is a major reason for bottles and known wide-mouth containers being impractical as truly acceptable drinking vessels for consumers.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that the term "collar" as used in this specification does not include known cap-like parts that extend across openings in containers.

Other advantages that the present invention can (at least in some embodiments) provide, include the following:

De-coupling the method of securing the cap to the container body (i.e. via the collar) from any method of sealing the container (e.g. via a seal provided between the cap and the container body). This is to be contrasted from known containers in which an inner cap-like part both provides a seal against the container body and contributes to the securing of an outer cap to the container body, for example. Such de-coupling can often provide both better sealing and better securement.

The placing of the means of securing the cap to the container body (i.e. the collar, or parts of the collar) under compression (between part of the cap and part of the container body) rather than under tension. This is to be contrasted from known containers in which an inner cap-like part contributes to the securing of an outer cap to the container body, via parts of the inner cap-like part that are placed under tension. The placing of securing parts under compression rather than under tension can often provide stronger securement.

Preferably, the container body of the invention includes one or more retaining parts by which the collar is retained on the container body until removal of the cap causes the collar to be removed or removable from the container body. Advantageously, the retaining part may be a rim or lip of the container body, preferably a radially-outwardly projecting lip. Preferably, the collar is retained on the container body by being trapped beneath the lip or other retaining part of the container body. Preferably, the collar comprises a plurality of radially movable features arranged spaced-apart from each other along the circumferential extent thereof, and the cap and the collar include cooperating securement means by which the cap may be secured to the collar.

Preferably, the radially movable features of the collar are indirectly connected to each other by means of a ring portion of the collar to which the said features are directly connected. The radially movable features of the collar preferably include radially-inwardly projecting shoulders which preferably engage with the lip or other retaining part of the container body to retain the collar thereon.

The cap is releasably securable to the container body via the collar, preferably by means of a threaded engagement with the collar. Consequently, the (or each) securement means of the collar and/or the cap preferably is a thread. The threaded engagement may comprise a screw-threaded engagement. Preferably, however, the threaded engagement is a bayonet-style engagement. The term "thread" as used herein includes (at least in the broadest aspects of the invention) continuous and discontinuous threads, (e.g. continuous and discontinuous screw threads), and bayonet-style threads, for example. Threads used in relation to the invention may, for example, comprise a plurality of segments (each thread segment comprising a said securement means), in which case the thread may be discontinuous (e.g. a discontinuous screw- thread or a bayonet-thread), or it may be substantially continuous because the effect is that of a substantially continuous screw-thread pattern.

The use of thread features comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart components reduces the torque required to release the cap. This is of particular importance with a wide mouth container otherwise the torque required to unscrew the closure may be difficult for a user to apply by hand. The opening of the container body is preferably a wide-mouth opening. By a "wide-mouth opening" is meant (at least in its broadest sense) an opening of a size suitable for a person to drink from the container in the same manner as from a drinks glass or similar drinking vessel. That is, in its broadest sense, the wide-mouth opening of the container (for embodiments of the invention having a wide-mouth opening) generally renders the container suitable as a drinking vessel from which a beverage supplied in the container may be conveniently drunk (in contrast to conventional narrow-necked bottles and ring-pull cans which generally are not regarded as comfortable drinking vessels). In practice, this requirement means that the diameter of the wide-mouth opening of the container will normally need to be at least 40mm, preferably at least 45mm, and more preferably at least 50mm. Additionally, an excessively wide opening is generally difficult for the consumer to drink from, and thus the wide-mouth opening preferably has a diameter no greater than 150mm, more preferably no greater than 100mm, and especially no greater than 80mm. A particularly preferred diameter range for the wide-mouth opening is 50 to 80mm, and examples of particular preferred diameters include 53mm and 63mm.

Alternatively, the opening of the container body may be a narrow- mouth opening, e.g. a bottle-type opening. Such an opening may have a diameter of less than 40mm, for example. Conventional standard bottle mouth sizes include diameters of 28mm and 38mm, and the opening of the container body of some embodiments of the present invention may have such a diameter.

The container body preferably has no thread or thread segments on its exterior. Consequently, the container body preferably is comfortable for a consumer to drink directly from the container body.

A wide variety of thread forms for securing the cap to the container body via the collar, is possible. As indicated at the beginning of this specification, at least some embodiments of the invention are intended for the storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling drinks, for example beers, ciders, sparkling wines (including champagne), other fizzy alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic fizzy and sparkling beverages, including sparkling water and carbonated soft drinks. For such beverages, it is preferred for the engagement between the cap and the collar to include provision for gas venting upon partial removal of the cap from the container body, to prevent so-called "missiling" of the cap whereby the cap is violently ejected from the container body as the container is opened, by the gas pressure of the contents of the container.

Advantageously, therefore, the collar and the cap may include means, preferably engageable elements, to block or restrict removal of the cap from the collar beyond an intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released) when the cap is under an axial pressure in a direction emerging from the container body.

Preferably the cap, the collar and the container body are constructed and arranged to provide a vent for venting gas from the container body at least when the cap is in an intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released).

Preferably, the act of removal of the cap from the container body causes the collar to be removed from the container body causes the collar to be removed from the container body together with the cap. That is, the collar may be removed from the container body together with the cap.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cap and/or the collar may include tamper-evident means (e.g. a tamper-evident band). Preferably the tamper-evident means is ruptured or removed from the cap or the collar (respectively) by the act of removal of the cap from the container body. Advantageously, the tamper-evident means and/or the collar may include means to prevent the cap from accidentally unscrewing from the collar under the influence of pressurization within the container (e.g. due to a pressurized beverage held in the container).

Embodiments of the invention preferably include sealing means to seal the container. Such sealing means may comprise part of the cap and/or the container body and/or the collar and/or a separate component, for example. Preferred sealing means include sealing flanges and/or other sealing members, for example gaskets and the like. Another possible sealing member is a membrane seal, for example comprising a metal foil seal (e.g. formed from aluminium foil), which may optionally be provided with one or more polymer layers on one or both major surfaces thereof. The foil seal may provide an excellent gas barrier, for example. Advantageously, the use of a metal foil seal may enable the formation of a seal by induction heating, e.g. by bonding one or more polymer layers to the container body and/or to the cap. The foil seal or other membrane seal may be provided on the cap and/or the container body and/or the collar and/or separately.

The container and its components may be made from any suitable material, including metal and/or glass and/or polymer material. Polymer materials are generally preferred for the cap and the collar, especially polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene. The container body preferably is formed from glass or polymer material, especially a polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The closure may also be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polymeric components preferably are formed by moulding, especially injection moulding and/or blow moulding.

The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention showing a cap secured to a container body; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1 showing a cap, collar and container body;

Figure 3 shows sectional views of the cap and collar of Figure 1 and a side view of part of the container body;

Figure 4 shows a perspective, sectioned view of the cap and collar, with the collar fitted within the cap (prior to fitting to a container body) and a perspective view of part of the container body;

Figure 5 shows a perspective, sectioned view of the cap and collar when secured to the container body;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view similar to that of Figure 5 but with only the cap shown sectioned, the collar being shown in an open position;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view similar to that of Figure 6 with the collar shown in a deflected position;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a collar as used in the first embodiment, shown in the open position;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the collar as used in the first embodiment, shown in the deflected position;

Figure 10 is a side view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention showing a cap secured to a container body;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of the container of figure 10 showing a cap, collar and container body;

Figure 12 shows sectional views of the cap and collar of Figure 10 and a side view of part of the container body; Figure 13 shows a perspective, sectioned view of the cap and collar, with the collar fitted within the cap (prior to fitting to a container body) and a perspective view of part of the container body;

Figure 14 shows a perspective, sectioned view of the cap and collar when secured to the container body, the collar being shown in an open position;

Figure 15 shows a perspective view similar to that of Figure 14 with the collar shown in a closed position:

Figure 16 is a plan view of a collar as used in the second embodiment, shown in the open position;

Figure 17 is a plan view of the collar as used in the second embodiment, shown in the closed position;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a collar that can be used in a third embodiment of the invention:

Figure 19 is a perspective view of another form of container body that may be used in the above embodiments; and

Figure 20 is a side view of the container shown in Figure 19.

The Figures illustrate a wide mouth container and closure which is particularly suited to holding and transporting a sparkling beverage and, once opened, the container provides a vessel from which a user can comfortably drink. The closure may also be re-applied to the container should the user only consume part of the beverage and wish to re-seal the container for later use. Figures 1-9 show a first embodiment of a container according to the invention. The container body 1 illustrated in Figures 1-9 comprises a wall 2 with a rim 3 around its upper end defining a wide mouth opening 4 through which the container body 1 can be filled and through which a beverage can be dispensed or consumed. The rim 3 comprises a lip which projects radially outwards from the container wall 2.

The closure comprises a cap 5 having an upper circular portion 5A for closing the opening 4 of the container body 1 and a skirt portion 5B depending from the perimeter of the circular portion 5A. The closure also comprises a collar 6 in the form of a ring with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially movable portions 7 provided therein.

As shown in Figures 1-7, the mouth of the container body 1 has a particularly simple and clean form compared to containers such as those described in WO-2006/000774. The lip 3 has a smooth, curved outer surface 3A and a substantially flat, horizontal underside 3B. The exterior wall of the container body 1 is also generally smooth and free of features apart from one or more small depressions or recesses 2A at positions spaced from the lip 3 (see Figures 2 and 4). Typically, the recesses 2A may be 2-5mm wide (in the direction of the circumference of the container) and 2-5mm high (in a direction parallel to the axis of the container) and less than l-2mm deep (in a radial direction). Preferably, a single recess 2A or a small number of recesses 2A are provided at spaced apart locations around the circumference of the container, e.g. two at 180 degree spacing, three at 120 degree spacing or four at 90 degree spacing. The recesses 2A are spaced from the lip 3 by a distance corresponding to, but slightly less, than the length of the skirt portion 5B of the cap 5 (in a direction parallel to the axis of the cap). Typically, for this type of container, the recesses 2A may be 4-7mm beneath the underside of lip 3. The container body 1 thus has a mouth which is comfortable to drink from in the manner of a conventional glass or drinking vessel. However, the recesses 2A are so small that they have little effect on the comfort of drinking from the container and may be in other embodiments be positioned immediately beneath the lip 3.

Figures 1-7 illustrate the shape of the cap 5 used to close the container body 1. The upper surface of the circular portion 5A of the cap may be smooth and, in use, branding information may be provided thereon (either directly on the cap or by means of a label affixed thereto). The exterior surface of the skirt portion 5B is provided with ribs 5C, or other formations, to provide more grip for a user's hand. These may be formed by grooves in the skirt portion 5B and/or by ribs projecting therefrom.

As shown in Figure 3, the inner surface of the cap 5 is provided with a number of features. First, it has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart deep recesses or pockets 5D and, second, a series of circumferentially extending shallower recesses 5E with ramps 5F between each pair of recesses 5D and 5E. It also has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart recesses or cut-outs 5H, towards the distal end of the skirt portion 5B to lighten the cap 5. It will be appreciated that ramps 5F and shallower recesses 5E project radially inwards relative to the deep recesses 5D and, in that sense, project from the inner surface of the cap. These features, in effect, provide cam surfaces. The functions of these various features will be described further below.

Figures 2-9 illustrate the shape of the collar 6 which is used to enable the cap 5 to be secured to the container body 1. The collar 6 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially movable portions 7. Each of these portions 7 has an externally projecting surface 7A and an internal surface 7B. The portions 7 are each provided between a pair of circumferential slots 7C, 7D extending about 40-45 degrees around the collar 6 and are joined at their ends to the ring by a flexible connection 7E, 7F, e.g. a living hinge. The portions 7 are arranged so as to be radially movable between an open (radially outward) position as shown in Figures 2-6 and Figure 8 and an inwardly deflected (radially inward) position as show in Figures 7 and 9 by flexure about said flexible connections 7E, 7F. The portions 7 are preferably resiliently biased towards the radially outward position so that they naturally revert to this position unless a radially inward force is applied to hold them in the radially inward position. In an alternative arrangement, they may be arranged to snap between the radially outward and the radially inward position when subjected to radially outward and radially inward forces respectively.

As shown most clearly in Figure 8, when the portions 7 are in the radially outward position they project radially outward from the outer surface of the collar ring whereas the inner surface of the collar ring is substantially smooth and substantially circular. In contrast, in the radially inward position (shown most clearly in Figure 9), the portions project radially inwardly from the inner surface of the collar ring (they also project outwardly from the collar ring but to a smaller extent than when in the radially outward position). When in the radially outward position, the portions 7 lie at a diameter similar to or slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the container lip 3 so the collar can be fitted over the lip. However, in the radially inward position, the inner parts of the portions 7 lie at a smaller diameter than the maximum diameter of the lip 3 such that the collar 6 is trapped beneath the lip 3 of the container.

The collar 6 also has inwardly directed projections 9 for engaging in the recesses 2A in the external surface of the container body. Preferably, the number of projections 9 corresponds to the number of recesses 2A but this need not be the case. In a preferred arrangement, each projection 9 comprises a radial arm 9 extending inwardly from the collar 6, eg as shown in Figures 4-5 and 8-9. These may have a triangular form when viewed from above, eg as shown in Figures 8-9, with a perpendicular face on one side to engage a side surface of a recess 2A to inhibit rotation of the collar relative to the container and an inclined face on the other side to lead the arm 9 out of the recess 2A when the collar is rotated in the loosening direction.

End faces 7G of the portions 7 provide the collar 6 with a series of stops which limit the extent by which the collar 6 can be rotated relative to the cap 5 in the loosening direction by engaging end faces 5H at the ends of the deep recesses 5D (see Figure 3) on the cap 5 . Smaller end faces 7H of the portions 7 provide stops which prevent over-tightening of the cap on the collar by engaging end faces 51 at the ends of shallow recesses 5E.

The lower surfaces of portion 7 on the collar 6 are arranged to engage the lower surfaces of ramps 5E of the cap 5 in a manner such that upon rotation of the cap 5 in the tightening direction relative to the collar 6, the cap 5 is moved axially relative to the collar 6 so the cap 5 can be brought into sealing contact with the lip 3 (either directly or via a sealing member), the engaging surfaces being shaped or inclined so as to provide axial movement, e.g. of 0.75 - 2.0mm, upon rotational movement, e.g. of 20-40 degrees, therebetween .

To assemble the container body and closure, the collar 6 is preferably first fitted into the cap 5 as shown in Figure 4. Once fitted therein, the collar 6 is recessed within the cap 5 and does not project beyond the end of the skirt portion 5B (unlike the arrangements described in WO 2006/000774). This improves the appearance of the closure and the user need not handle the collar 6 when operating the closure. A sealing member (if used) may be assembled in the cap 5 either before or after assembly of the collar 6 with the cap 5.

The collar 6 is initially assembled with the cap 5 with the radially movable portions 7 located in the recesses 5D. The collar 6 can be easily mounted within the cap 5 in this position by axially inserting the collar 6 into the cap 5 with the portions 7 aligned with the recesses 5D. The upper surfaces of the portions 7 are chamfered to assist the portions 7 to flex radially inwards until they snap into place in the recesses 5D. Location of the radially outer parts of moveable portions 7 within the recesses 5D in the cap serves to retain the collar 6 within the cap 5.

In this initial position, the portions 7 lie in their radially outward positions so the cap 5 with collar 6 assembled therein can be installed axially onto container 1 over the lip 3. The cap 5 and collar 6 are then rotated on the container body in the tightening direction until the projections 9 on the collar engage in the respective recesses 2A in the container as shown in Figure 5. Engagement of the projection 9 in the recesses 2A effectively prevents further rotation of the collar 6 relative to the container body 1 (the projection 9 and recesses 2A each being provided with substantially flat vertical sides which engage each other to prevent such rotation). Figure 6 shows the collar 6 in its open position in the container prior to the cap 5 being tightened.

If the cap 5 is then rotated in the tightening direction (clockwise when viewed from above), the cap 5 rotates relative to the collar 6 and the container body 1. Rotation of the cap 5 relative to the collar 6 moves the portions 7 up the ramps 5F from recesses 5D to recesses 5E so urging the portions 7 to a radially inward position in which they are engaged with the underside 3B of the lip 3. The portions 7 of the collar 6 then slide over the inclined lower surfaces of the recesses 5E so that the cap 5 is axially tightened down onto the lip 3 of the container body so as to seal the opening 4 of container body. By this means, the collar 6, and hence the cap 5, is securely held on the container body 1. This position is illustrated in Figure 7.

To remove the closure, the cap 5 is rotated in the loosening direction (anti-clockwise when viewed from above) relative to the collar 6 and the container body 1. During this unscrewing movement, the portions 7 slide back along the lower surface of recesses 5E so that the cap 5 is no longer urged downwards into tight engagement with the lip 3 and the portions 7 move back down the ramps 5F into the deep recesses 5D so they are able to revert to their radially outward position. Once they reach a radial position in which the portions 7 are no longer engaged beneath the lip 3, the cap 5 and collar 6 are free to be lifted axially away from the container body 1. The cap 3 is free to lift slightly, eg due to elevated pressure within the container, in order to vent the container as the portions slide within the recesses 5E. This is preferably arranged to occur before the portions 7 are fully disengaged from the lip 3 to reduce the risk of the cap 5 missiling away from the container body 1. Alternatively, other venting means (not shown) may be provided to reduce this risk. Venting the internal pressure also helps reduce the torque required to unscrew the cap 5.

The upper surfaces of the recesses 2A are preferably perpendicular to the wall of the container so the projections 9 cannot disengage therefrom easily in the vertical direction to provide additional protection against the cap blowing off the container. A side surface of the projection 9 and/or of the recesses 2A is, however, inclined or chamfered to assist movement of the projections 9 out of the recesses 2A as the collar is rotated in the loosening direction .

If desired, the closure can be re-fitted to the container body 1 by axially pressing it onto the lip 3, rotating to engage the projections 9 with the location recesses 2A then rotating the cap 5 to seal it onto the lip 3.

Figures 10-17 show a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention comprising a container body 11 and a closure therefore comprising a cap 15 and collar 16.

The container body 11 is similar to that of the first embodiment although, as shown in Figure 10, it has a continuously tapered form such that the mouth of the container body 11 is the broadest part of the container body 11 (rather than a bulge in the wall of the container body spaced from the mouth as shown in Figure 1). The container body 11 again has a lip 13 around its mouth which projects radially outwards from the container body.

The cap 15 is also similar to that of the first embodiment and has deep recesses 15D, shallow recesses 15E, ramps 15F and end faces 15G and 151 in the inner surface of the skirt portion 15B similar to those of the first embodiment.

The collar 16 of the second embodiment is, however, different from that of the first embodiment. The collar 16 comprises a ring 16A with a break 16B in it. The collar naturally assumes an open position (as shown in Figures 14 and 16) in which there is only a small degree of overlap between the ends 16C, 16D of the ring 16A but can be flexed to a closed position (as shown in Figures 15 and 17) in which the ends 16C, 16D of the ring 16A overlaps to a greater extent. It will be appreciated that in the closed position (Figure 17) the collar 16 has a smaller diameter than in the open position (Figure 16).

The collar 16 has a plurality of spaced apart radially moveable portions 17 provided thereon. These correspond to the portions 7 of the first embodiment as best illustrated by comparing Figure 16 with Figure 8. These portions 17 interact with the features on the inner surface of the skirt 15B of the cap 15 in a similar manner to that described above for the corresponding features of the first embodiment. The essential difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment, the portions 17 move radially inwards and outwards as a result of the ring 16A moving between closed and open positions as described above rather than flexing of individual parts of the collar as in the first embodiment. Also, in the closed position, the entire ring 16A engages under the lip 13 to secure the closure to the container body rather than just localised portions thereof which have been flexed inwards as in the first embodiment. Figure 15 shows the collar 16 in the closed position engaged beneath the lip 13 to secure the closure on the container body 11. When the closure is to be released, the cap 15 is rotated relative to the collar 16 in the unscrewing direction (as in the first embodiment) whereupon the collar 16 expands to its open position (by virtue of its own resilience) so that the upper edge of the collar 16 disengages from the underside of the lip 13. Figure 16 shows the collar 16 in this open position. The closure can then be lifted away from the container body 11.

It will be appreciated that as the ends 16C, 16D of the collar 16 overlap, the circumferential spacing of the portions 17, particularly those closest to the break 16B, will reduce. The portions 17 are thus positioned on the ring 16A so that when the collar 16 is in its contracted state, they . are substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the collar 16 (as shown in Fig 17). This means that, when the collar is in the expanded state, the portions 17, especially those nearest the break 16B, will not be equally spaced around the ring 16A (as shown in Fig 16). The circumferential lengths of the recesses 15D, 15E in the cap 15 are thus also preferably varied to accommodate this, eg by gradually increasing the lengths of the deep recesses 15D around the cap whilst ensuring the shallow recesses 15E are of sufficient length to securely engage the portions 17 of the collar in the contracted configuration.

The collar 16 is also provided with an inwardly extending, resilient, radial arm 19 for engaging in a recess 12A in the exterior surface of the container body 11 to inhibit rotation of the collar 16 relative to the container body 11. When the arm 19 is engaged in the recess 12A and the collar 16 is in the closed position, the arm 19 is compressed against the inner surface of the ring 16A as illustrated in Figure 17 but still engages side faces of the recess 12A to prevent rotation of the collar 16 on the container body. Preferably the arm 19 remains in this compressed position upon expansion of the collar 16 so it does not inhibit removal of the collar from the container. The end of the arm is also preferably shaped so as to help it ride out of the recess 12A as the collar is lifted off the container. As shown, in this embodiment, the recess 12A may be provided immediately beneath the lip 13 of the container body.

Figure 18 illustrates a collar 26 that can be used in a further embodiment. In this case, the collar 26 is resiliently expandable between an inner position in which it or portions thereof engage under a lip of a container and an outer, expanded position in which it disengages from the lip so it can be lifted off the container. In the example shown, the collar 26 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart portions 26A each of which carries thread portions 27 on an outwardly facing surface for engaging features on the inner surface of a cap and projections 28 on an inwardly facing surface for engaging under the lip of the container. The portions 26A of the collar are joined by resilient connections 26B which can be resiliently extended such that the circumference, and hence the diameter, of the collar 26 can expand and contract. It will be appreciated that as the circumference of the collar 26 increases and decreases, parts thereof are moved radially outward and inward as in the previous embodiments.

Figure 18 shows the resilient connections 26B as being narrower than the portions 26A but they may also be of similar dimensions so that collar is in the form of a ring with substantially parallel upper and lower edges (as in the first and second embodiments). Preferably the upper and lower edges are substantially smooth. The resilience of connections 26B is indicated schematically by serpentine lines in Figure 18.

The resilient connections 26B can take a variety of forms. In one possible form they comprise one or more zig-zag connections, which can expand and contract in the manner of a concertina.

Figures 19 and 20 show a further form of container body 32 that may be used in place of those described in the above embodiments. The stop feature which co-operates with radial arms (or other inward projection) on the collar to inhibit rotation of the collar relative to the container body 32 is, in this case, provided by a projections 34 provided immediately beneath the lip 33 of the container body 32 (instead of recesses in a wall of the container body). Two such projections 34 would typically be provided spaced 180 degrees apart around the lip of the container (only one projection being visible in the drawings).

Each projection has a face 34A at one end thereof which extends substantially radially outward from the wall of the container body to engage a radial arm of the collar as the latter is rotated in the tightening direction in order to limit rotation of the collar in this direction as the closure is being tightened onto the container body. The other end 34B preferably has a tapered or inclined form such that, when the closure and hence the collar is rotated in the loosening direction, the arm 19 on the collar is able to ride up the projection 34 so the arm 19 is moved radially outwards in order to assist in detachment of the collar from the container body 32. However, in some cases, this tapered or inclined form may not be necessary to assist in removing the collar from the container body.

Other forms of stop feature may be provided on the container and, in particular, as part of the container lip as illustrated, for example, in WO2006/000774 referred to above.

Each of the above embodiments employs components which lie in the circumferential direction of the collar to provide features which can be moved radially inwards and outwards. This is in contrast to arrangements having flaps or features extending axially from a ring to provide this function.

The illustrated embodiments each have eight circumferentially spaced apart features on the collar but it will be appreciated that a smaller or greater number of such features can be used. The number of such features used may depend on the circumference of the container mouth. Preferably, there are at least four such features to ensure secure engagement of the closure on the container body as well as a good seal therebetween, and preferably fewer than twelve such features are used otherwise they may become too small and/or difficult to fabricate.

The collar is preferably a snap-fit within the cap so it can be mounted therein prior to the cap being fitted to the container body and so it is retained within the cap when this is removed from the container body. Preferably, once mounted within the cap, no part of the collar projects out of the cap further than the skirt of the cap. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the closure.

As indicated above, each of the embodiments described requires the container body to have only one (or a small number) of recesses or projections in the outer surface or in (or beneath) the lip thereof for engaging with part of the collar to inhibit rotation of the collar relative to the container body. The outer surface of the container body and the lip thereof can otherwise have a smooth, unencumbered form. This, again, improves the aesthetics of the product and makes the container body more comfortable to drink from.

It will be appreciated that the outer surface of the collar and inner surface of the skirt of the cap can be provided with a variety of mutually engageable features for providing the functions described above.

In the illustrated embodiments, the resilience of the collar, or parts thereof, is relied upon to move the collar back to its open or expanded form (or vice versa). However, the cap and collar may be arranged so that as the cap is rotated in the tightening direction relative to the collar, it drives the collar to its contracted form and when the cap is rotated in the loosening direction relative to the collar it also drives the collar to its open or expanded form.

The shape of the container wall 12, the lip 13 and the recess 12A are preferably such that the container body can be manufactured by an injection moulding process. This gives rise to greater flexibility in the design and shape of the container body and hence greater flexibility in the way it can be manufactured. However, the containers described herein may also be manufactured by the two-stage process of injection moulding and blow moulding if desired.

A further advantage of the containers described herein is that they can be shaped so as to be nestable with other similar container bodies. This provides a significant space saving when empty containers are stored or transported.

The illustrated container has, as mentioned above, a number of advantages over the containers described in WO2006/00774. In particular, its simpler form makes it easier to manufacture and requires less material so reducing the cost of manufacture.

Claims

1. A container comprising a container body including an opening, a cap to close the opening and a collar, the collar being arranged to fit between the container body and the cap so as to secure the cap to the container body, the collar being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that circumferential parts thereof are radially movable between inner and outer positions in the contracted and expanded configurations, the collar and cap being provided with mutually engageable parts permitting rotation of the cap relative to the collar, said rotation causing and/or permitting movement of the collar between the contracted and expanded configurations.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 in which the collar comprises a ring, the diameter of which is reduced or enlarged to move between said contracted or expanded configurations.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which the circumference of the ring can be reduced or enlarged so as to reduce or enlarge its diameter.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the container body has an externally projecting lip around the opening thereof.

5. A container as claimed in claim 5 in which the collar or at least parts thereof engage an underside of the lip in the contracted configuration.

6. A container as claimed in claim 2 and 5 in which an upper edge of the ring engages the underside of the lip.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6 in which substantially the entire ring engages under the lip.

8. A container as claimed in any of claims 1-7 in which the collar comprises a ring with a break in it which permits the collar to move between expanded and contracted configurations.

9. A container as claimed in any of claims 1-7 in which the collar comprises a ring at least portions of which are resiliently circumferentially extendable such that the collar can move between expanded and contracted configurations.

10. A container as claimed in any of claims 1-5 in which the collar has a plurality of circumferentaially extending radially movable parts which engage under the lip in the contracted configuration.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10 in which four to twelve of said parts are circumferentially spaced around the ring.

12. A container as claimed in any preceding claims in which, in use, after being moved to the contracted configuration, the resilience of the collar, or parts thereof, moves the collar back to the expanded configuration.

13. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the collar has one or more inwardly directed projections for engaging one or more stop features on the container body so as to inhibit rotation on the collar relative to the container body at least in the tightening direction.

14. A container as claimed in claim 13 in which said stop feature comprises one or more shallow recesses in an external wall of the container body.

15. A container as claimed in claim 13 in which said stop feature comprises one or more projections immediately beneath a lip of the container body.

16. A cap and a collar for use in providing a container as claimed in any preceding claim.

17. A cap and collar as claimed in claim 16 arranged so as to be manufactured as a single component and then separated either before or after the collar has been assembled within the cap.

18. A cap and collar as claimed in claim 17 which are joined by interconnecting parts that are arranged to be ruptured, after the collar has been assembled within the cap, as the cap is rotated relative to the collar.