WO2021247728A1 - Préforme de récipient dotée d'une partie de finition inviolable - Google Patents

Préforme de récipient dotée d'une partie de finition inviolable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021247728A1
WO2021247728A1 PCT/US2021/035483 US2021035483W WO2021247728A1 WO 2021247728 A1 WO2021247728 A1 WO 2021247728A1 US 2021035483 W US2021035483 W US 2021035483W WO 2021247728 A1 WO2021247728 A1 WO 2021247728A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sealing surface
closure
container
diameter
extends
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2021/035483
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jay Clarke Hanan
Ahmed Tasnub Takaddus
Original Assignee
Niagara Bottling, Llc
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
Priority claimed from US16/894,726 external-priority patent/US11597556B2/en
Application filed by Niagara Bottling, Llc filed Critical Niagara Bottling, Llc
Priority to GB2300032.6A priority Critical patent/GB2611665A/en
Priority to CA3181287A priority patent/CA3181287A1/fr
Priority to AU2021284299A priority patent/AU2021284299A1/en
Priority to MX2022015412A priority patent/MX2022015412A/es
Publication of WO2021247728A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021247728A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B11/00—Making preforms
    • B29B11/14—Making preforms characterised by structure or composition
    • 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
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
    • B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
    • B65D1/023—Neck construction
    • B65D1/0246—Closure retaining means, e.g. beads, screw-threads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
    • B29B11/00—Making preforms
    • B29B11/06—Making preforms by moulding the material
    • B29B11/08—Injection moulding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/071—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/0715—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration the preform having one end closed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/073—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter
    • B29C2949/0731—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter at neck portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/073—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter
    • B29C2949/0732—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration having variable diameter at flange portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/0769—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the lip, i.e. very top of preform neck
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/077—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the neck
    • B29C2949/0771—Wide-mouth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/077—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the neck
    • B29C2949/0772—Closure retaining means
    • B29C2949/0773—Threads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/077—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the neck
    • B29C2949/0777—Tamper-evident band retaining ring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2949/00—Indexing scheme relating to blow-moulding
    • B29C2949/07—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration
    • B29C2949/076—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape
    • B29C2949/0768—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform
    • B29C2949/0778—Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration characterised by the shape characterised by the shape of specific parts of preform characterised by the flange
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B29K2067/003—PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7158—Bottles

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of plastic bottles and preforms. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a tamper evidence container preform that includes a stepped interior surface and is configured for being blow-molded to form a container to store liquid contents.
  • PET containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades.
  • the most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • Containers made of PET are transparent, thin walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the force exerted on the walls of the container by their contents.
  • Advantages of PET containers include fighter weight and decreased breakage as compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and transportation into account PET resins are also reasonably priced and easy to process.
  • PET containers are generally made by a process that includes the blow-molding of plastic preforms which have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.
  • a PET container for storing liquid contents typically includes a base that extends up to a grip portion suitable for affixing a label, as well as providing a location for grasping the container.
  • the grip portion generally transitions into a shoulder, which connects to a bell.
  • the bell has a diameter that generally decreases as the bell extends upward from the shoulder to a neck and a finish portion.
  • the finish portion is adapted to receive a closure, such as a bottle cap, to seal the contents within the interior of the plastic container.
  • the closure includes a tamper evidence band that is disposed around the perimeter of the finish portion.
  • the tamper evidence band generally remains positioned on the finish portion when an end-user loosens the closure to access the contents within the container. As such, the tamper evidence band and the finish portion cooperate to indicate to the end-user whether or not the closure has been previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
  • plastic containers include lighter weight and decreased breakage as compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and transportation into account. As such, there is a continuous interest in creating the lightest possible plastic container so as to maximize cost savings in both transportation and manufacturing by making and using containers that contain less plastic.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein provide articles, including preforms and containers, that utilize less plastic in their construction while maintaining the ease of processing and excellent structural properties associated with current commercial designs.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary container suitable for storing liquid contents
  • Figure 2 a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a preform suitable for being blow-molded to form a container in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preform of Fig. 2, taken a long midline of the preform;
  • Figure 4 illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of a sidewall portion of a finish portion comprising the preform illustrated in Fig. 2;
  • Figure 5 illustrates a close-up plan view of a thread start disposed on the container preform of Fig. 2, showing that a thread start that is oriented towards a top of a finish portion comprising the container preform.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein provide a tamper evidence container preforms and containers that include stepped interior surfaces and utilize less plastic in their construction while maintaining an ease of processing and excellent structural properties associated with current commercial designs.
  • FIG 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary container 100 typically used for storing liquid contents, such as water, juice, and contents under pressure.
  • the container 100 comprises a base 104 that extends up to a grip portion 108.
  • the base 104 may be of the petaloid variety, although other configurations of the base may be incorporated into the container 100, without limitation.
  • the grip portion 108 comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs 112 (i.e., sidewall ribs). As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the plurality of grip portion ribs 112 generally vary in depth, and swirl or angulate around the grip portion 108.
  • a label portion 116 is connected to the grip portion 108 and comprises one or more label panel ribs (not shown). The label panel portion 116 transitions into a shoulder 124, which connects to a bell 128.
  • the bell 128 comprises a plurality of design features 132. In other embodiments, however, the bell 128 may include various other design features, or may be smooth and generally unornamented.
  • the bell 128 connects to a neck 136, which connects to a finish portion 140.
  • the bell 128 comprises a diameter that generally decreases as the bell 128 extends upward from the shoulder 124 to the neck 136 and the finish portion 140.
  • the finish portion 140 is adapted to receive a closure, such as by way of nonlimiting example, a container cap or closure 144, so as to seal contents within the container 100.
  • the finish portion 140 generally defines an opening that leads to an interior of the container 100 for containing a beverage, or other contents, such as any of a variety of carbonated soft drinks.
  • the finish portion 140 may be of a Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) variety or may be configured to receive closures suitable for sealing noncarbonated contents within the interior of the container 100. Further, in some embodiments, the finish portion 140 may be configured to retain hot-filled contents with the container or may be configured to retain a gas, such as nitrogen gas (N2) within the interior of the container, without limitation.
  • a gas such as nitrogen gas (N2)
  • a tamper evidence closure 144 such as a bottle cap, may be threadably engaged with the finish portion 140.
  • the closure 144 generally includes interior threads that are configured to engage with threads disposed on the finish portion 140, as described herein.
  • a plug seal of the closure 144 extends into the opening of the container 100 and enters into a pressed relationship with the finish portion 140 whereby contents may be sealed in the interior of the container 100.
  • the closure 144 includes a tamper evidence band 148 to provide an indication of whether or not the closure 144 has been loosened after being installed by a manufacturer.
  • the tamper evidence band 148 may be attached to the closure 144 by a multiplicity of thin connections.
  • the tamper evidence band 148 may include a cam that is configured to fixedly engage with a tamper evidence ledge disposed on the finish portion 140 during loosening of the closure 144.
  • the cam engages the tamper evidence ledge, breaking the thin connections between tamper evidence band 148 and the closure 144.
  • the tamper evidence band 148 remains positioned on the tamper evidence ledge after the closure 144 is removed from the container 100. As such, the tamper evidence band 148 cooperates with the tamper evidence ledge to indicate to the end-user whether or not the closure 144 has been previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
  • Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a preform 160 suitable for being blow- molded to form a plastic bottle, such as the container 100, according to the present disclosure.
  • the preform 160 preferably is made of material approved for contact with food and beverages such as virgin PET or recycled PET and can be of any of a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
  • the preform 160 shown in Fig. 2 is of the type which will form a 12-16 oz. beverage bottle, but as will be understood by those skilled in the art, other preform configurations may be used depending upon the desired configuration, characteristics and use of the final article.
  • the preform 160 may be made by injection molding methods, without limitation.
  • the preform 160 includes a finish portion 164 and a body portion 168, formed monolithically (i.e., as a single, or unitary, structure).
  • the monolithic arrangement of the preform 160 when blow-molded into a bottle, provides greater dimensional stability and improved physical properties in comparison to a preform constructed of separate neck and body portions that are bonded together.
  • the finish portion 164 begins at an opening 172 to an interior of the preform 160 and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge 176.
  • the finish portion 164 is further characterized by the presence of one or more threads 180 configured to provide a means to fasten a cap, such as the closure 144 of Fig. 1, to the bottle produced from the preform 160.
  • the threads 180 are configured to rotatably engage with similar threads disposed within the closure 144 to provide a way to seal contents within the bottle.
  • each of the threads 180 generally extends along a section of the circumference of the finish portion 164 and approaches the tamper evidence ledge 176.
  • each of the one or more threads 180 begins at a thread start 184 and extends along an angular section of the finish portion 164 to a thread end 188.
  • the thread start 184 is configured to guide a thread comprising the closure 144 into a space, or a valley 190, between adjacent threads 180 so as to threadably engage the closure 144 with the finish portion 164.
  • the threads 180 generally are disposed adjacently to one another, separated by valleys 190, and are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the finish portion 164.
  • the thread starts 184 of adjacent threads 180 are spaced at substantially 120-degree intervals around the perimeter of the finish portion 164. As will be appreciated, however, more or less than three threads 180 may be incorporated into the finish portion 164 without deviating beyond the scope of the present disclosure.
  • a plurality of gaps may be disposed in the threads 180 and positioned uniformly around the perimeter of the finish portion 164.
  • the gaps of adjacent threads 180 are vertically aligned so as to form channels extending longitudinally along the finish portion 164.
  • the channels advantageously operate to relieve pressure within the container 100 when the closure 144 is loosened.
  • the channels may provide a direct route for gases escaping the interior of the container 100, rather than the gases being forced to travel around the finish portion 164 between adjacent threads 180.
  • the body portion 168 includes a neck portion 192 that extends to a tapered portion 196 of the body portion 168.
  • the tapered portion 196 comprises a smooth transition from a diameter of the neck portion 192 to a relatively smaller diameter of a cylindrical portion 200 of the preform 160.
  • the cylindrical portion 200 is a generally elongate member that culminates in an end cap 204.
  • the body portion 168 may be generally cylindrical, and the end cap 204 may be conical or frustoconical and may also be hemispherical, and the very terminus of the end cap 204 may be flattened or rounded.
  • a wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 200 may be substantially uniform throughout the cylindrical portion 200 and the end cap 204.
  • a wall thickness of the tapered portion 196 generally decreases from the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 200 to a relatively thinner wall thickness of the neck portion 192.
  • the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 200 is relatively greater than the wall thickness of the neck portion 192 so as to provide a wall thickness at the desired dimensions of a finished product after the preform 160 is blow-molded into the shape and size of a bottle.
  • the wall thickness throughout most of the body portion 168 will depend upon the overall size of the preform 160 and the wall thickness and overall size of the resulting container.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preform 160 illustrated in Fig. 2, taken along a midline of the preform 160.
  • the finish portion 164 comprises a cylindrical body that begins at the opening 172 to the interior of the container 100 and extends to and includes the tamper evidence ledge 176.
  • the finish portion 164 includes a bevel 208 disposed at the beginning of the opening 172.
  • the bevel 208 is configured to enter into sliding contact with a plug seal of the closure 144 so as to prevent contents from leaking out of the container 100 formed from the preform 160.
  • the bevel 208 operates to guide the plug seal onto a sealing surface 212 disposed on an interior of the finish portion 164.
  • the bevel 208 and the sealing surface 212 comprise portions of the interior of the finish portion 164 that extend circumferentially around the opening 172.
  • the sealing surface 212 must comprise a sufficiently smooth surface capable of cooperating with the plug seal to retain contents under pressure, such as carbonated contents, within the container 100.
  • the sealing surface 212 may be highly polished so as to be substantially free of surface defects and thus conditioned to form a tight seal with the plug seal of the closure 144.
  • the sealing surface 212 is to be polished to a degree of smoothness that is commonly associated with a mirror finish.
  • the sealing surface 212 comprises a mirror polished region along the interior of the finish portion 164.
  • the bevel 208 may also be conditioned to comprise a mirror polished region at the beginning of the opening 172.
  • the sealing surface 212 extends away from the bevel 208, deeper into the opening 172 to a transition surface 216.
  • the transition surface 216 comprises a region within the interior of the finish portion 164 wherein the interior diameter of the opening 172 generally narrows from the diameter of the sealing surface 212 to a smaller diameter of a handing surface 220.
  • the transition surface 216 comprises a reverse curve surface that includes a concave portion 224 that extends from the sealing surface 212 and joins with a convex portion 228 that extends to the handing surface 220.
  • the handling surface 220 includes a diameter of the opening 172 that is configured to receive various forms of equipment used to configure the preform 160 into the container 100.
  • the transition surface 216 is to be capable of cooperating with the plug seal of the closure 144 to form a tight seal between the closure 144 and the container 100.
  • the concave portion 224 may be configured to forcibly receive an end of the plug seal so as to form a tight seal therebetween.
  • the convex portion 228 may be configured to forcibly receive the end of the plug seal.
  • the transition surface 216 may include a smooth surface that is polished similarly to the sealing surface 212. It is envisioned that the transition surface 216 may be mirror polished, as described hereinabove with respect to the sealing surface 212.
  • the plug seal of the closure 144 may be configured to extend into the opening 172 such that the plug seal cooperates with the handling surface 220 to seal the container 100.
  • the plug seal may include a sidewall shape that mates with the concave and convex portions 224, 228.
  • the handling surface 220 may be mirror polished similarly to the sealing surface 212 and the transition surface 216. It is contemplated that mirror polished surface may be achieved by way of any of various suitable polishing techniques, such as mechanical machining and buffing, chemical treatments, plasma treatments, and the like, without limitation.
  • a secondary transition surface 244 may be disposed between the handling surface 220 and an interior surface 248 of the body portion 168.
  • the secondary transition surface 244 comprises a region within the interior of the finish portion 164 wherein the interior diameter of the opening 172 narrows from the diameter of the handling surface 220 to a smaller diameter of the interior surface 248.
  • the secondary transition surface 244 comprises a reverse curve surface that includes a concave portion 252 that extends from the handling surface 220 to a convex portion 256 that extends to the interior surface 248.
  • the secondary transition surface 244 may be configured to cooperate with the plug seal of the closure 144 to form a tight seal between the closure 144 and the container 100 suitable for storing pressurized contents, such as carbonated beverages, within the container 100.
  • the concave portion 252 may be configured to tightly receive an end of the plug seal to form a tight seal therebetween.
  • the convex portion 256 may be configured to forcibly receive and compress the end of the plug seal.
  • the secondary transition surface 244 may include a smooth surface that is polished similarly to the sealing surface 212. It is envisioned that the secondary transition surface 244 may be mirror polished, as described hereinabove with respect to the sealing surface 212.
  • the plug seal of the closure 144 may be configured to extend into the opening 172 such that the plug seal extends beyond the secondary transition surface 244 and thus cooperates with the portion of the interior surface 248 near the convex portion 256.
  • the interior surface 248 may have a diameter that tightly compresses the end of the plug seal to seal the pressurized contents within the container 100.
  • the plug seal may include a sidewall profile that mates with the concave and convex portions 252, 256.
  • the interior surface 248 preferably is mirror polished similarly to the mirror polish of the sealing surface 212. As disclosed hereinabove, the mirror polished surface may be achieved by way of any of various suitable polishing techniques, such as mechanical machining and buffing, chemical treatments, plasma treatments, and the like, without limitation.
  • the surfaces 212, 220, 248 generally comprise a stepped interior of the finish portion 164.
  • the stepped interior comprises a graduated narrowing of the opening 172 that extends from the bevel 208, through the finish portion 164, to the tamper evidence ledge 176. It is contemplated that the stepped interior comprises multiple sidewall portions of the finish portion 164 that may be configured to advantageously minimize the quantity of resin comprising the finish portion 164, as compared to finish portions comprising a substantially uniform diameter.
  • the stepped interior may be configured to compressibly receive a plug seal of the closure 144 that comprises graduated seals configured to tightly engage with the graduated narrowing of the opening 172.
  • the stepped interior can include one or more sealing surfaces that are each configured to tightly engage with one of the graduated seals of the plug seal to contribute to forming a tight seal between the closure 144 and the container 100.
  • the graduated seals of the plug seal generally include diameters that are suitable for engaging with the graduated narrowing of the opening 172 so as to seal pressurized contents, such as carbonated beverages, within the container 100.
  • the one or more sealing surfaces comprise mirror-polished surfaces that are joined together by transition surfaces.
  • transition surfaces 216, 244 are contemplated to comprise mirror- polished surfaces that cooperate with the one or more seals of the plug seal so as to contribute to forming the tight seal between the closure 144 and the container 100. It is contemplated that such a seal may also be formed by configuring an interference fit between the plug seal and the finish portion 164 such that the interference accommodates a range of environments in which the seal must perform. Those environments can include a range of internal pressures, a range of temperatures that can impact either or both pressure and dimensions of the closure 144 and container 100, or a range of tolerances arising due to injection molding and assembling the closure 144 and container 100.
  • the sealing surface 212 is configured to compressibly receive a first seal comprising the plug seal
  • the handing surface 220 is configured to compressibly receive a second seal of the plug seal
  • the interior surface 248 may be configured to compressibly receive a third seal comprising the plug seal.
  • the sealing surface 212 includes a first diameter configured to tightly compress the first seal of the plug seal
  • the handling surface 220 includes a second diameter configured to tightly compress the second seal
  • the interior surface 248 includes a third diameter configured to tightly compress the third seal of the plug seal.
  • the third diameter is equal to or less than the second diameter
  • the second diameter is equal to or less than the first diameter.
  • transition surface 216 comprises a change in diameter of the opening 172 that transitions from the first diameter of the sealing surface 212 to the second diameter of the handling surface 220.
  • the secondary transition surface 244 comprises a change diameter of the opening 172 that transitions from second diameter of the handling surface 220 to the third diameter of the interior surface 248.
  • the transition surfaces 216, 244 comprise mirror-polished surfaces that may be formed by way of any of various suitable polishing techniques.
  • the tamper evidence ledge 176 comprises a rounded upper portion 232 and a substantially flat lower portion 236.
  • the upper portion 232 may be substantially flat, in lieu of being rounded as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the rounded upper portion 232 facilitates passing the tamper evidence band 148 of the closure 144 over the tamper evidence ledge 176 during assembly of the closure 144 onto the container 100.
  • the tamper evidence band 148 may include one or more rounded portions configured to facilitate passing over the tamper evidence ledge 176 during assembly of the closure 144 onto the container 100.
  • the flat lower portion 236 may be configured to retain the tamper evidence band 148 positioned below the tamper evidence ledge 176 during loosening of the closure 144.
  • the tamper evidence band 148 easily passes over the tamper evidence ledge 176 due to the rounded upper portion 232.
  • the flat lower portion 236 retains the tamper evidence band 148 below the tamper evidence ledge 176, causing the tamper evidence band 148 to break loose from the closure 144.
  • the flat lower portion 236 of the tamper evidence ledge 176 and the tamper evidence band 148 of the closure 144 cooperate to indicate to the end- user that the closure 144 has not been previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
  • the tamper evidence ledge 176 is not limited to being coupled with tamper evidence bands, as described above, but rather the tamper evidence ledge 176 may be configured to operate with any of various devices for indicating whether or not the container has been previously opened.
  • a flat upper portion facilitates incorporating a tamper evidence band that remains coupled with the tamper evidence ledge 176, thereby preventing the tamper evidence band from falling down the neck portion 192 onto the top of the bell 128 of the container 100.
  • a handling valley 240 Disposed between the tamper evidence ledge 176 and the threads 180 is a handling valley 240 that extends circumferentially around the finish portion 164.
  • the handling valley 240 comprises a portion of the finish portion 164 that has a wall thickness and a diameter that are substantially similar to the wall thickness and diameter of the neck portion 192, below the tamper evidence ledge 176.
  • the handling valley 240 and the neck portion 192 advantageously enable gripping fingers to engage with and support the container 100 when conveying the container 100 along a manufacturing assembly line.
  • a first pair of gripping fingers can extend into the handling valley 240 to support the container 100 at a first station of a manufacturing line.
  • a second pair of gripping fingers can extend around the neck portion 192, below the tamper evidence ledge 176, while the first pair of gripping fingers are removed from the handling valley 240.
  • a third pair of gripping fingers can engage with the handling valley 240 while the second pair of gripping fingers are removed from the neck portion 192.
  • the container 100 can be transported along the manufacturing line by altematingly engaging gripping fingers with the handling valley 240 and the neck portion 192.
  • the flat lower portion 236 comprises a surface area that is substantial enough for air-conveying the container 100 along the manufacturing line, although many modem manufacturing lines no longer require surfaces for air-conveyance.
  • the handling valley 240 provides a separation between the tamper evidence ledge 176 and the threads 180 suitable for receiving the pair of gripping fingers, as described above.
  • the separation must be large enough to allow the gripping fingers to easily pass between the tamper evidence ledge 176 and the threads 180.
  • any of various separations, greater than the width of the gripping fingers may be disposed between the tamper evidence ledge 176 and the threads 180, without limitation and without deviating beyond the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the closure 144 is installed onto the finish portion 164, by way of suitable equipment, to seal the contents in the interior of the container 100.
  • the threads 180 disposed around the finish portion 164 are engaged with similar threads comprising the closure 144 and then the closure 144 is rotated in a clockwise direction to advance the closure 144 toward the tamper evidence ledge 176.
  • the closure 144 preferably is tightened until the tamper evidence band 148 is pushed over the tamper evidence ledge 176 and a plug seal comprising the closure 144 extends into the opening 172 of the finish portion 164, thereby sealing the liquid contents within the container 100.
  • a multiplicity of containers 100 are filled with liquid contents and sealed by closures 144 as the containers 100 are conveyed along the assembly-line.
  • Each closure 144 must be optimally threaded and tightened onto the finish portion 164 of the container 100. If the closure 144 is under-tightened, the container 100 may be left unsealed and the liquid contents may leak out of the container 100. Alternatively, if the closure 144 is over- tightened, the closure 144 and the finish portion 164 may be damaged, again allowing the liquid contents to leak out of the containers 100.
  • closures 144 must be optimally threaded and tightened onto finish portions 164 of the containers 100 by way of suitable installation equipment.
  • the embodiment of the preform 160 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes thread starts 184 that are configured to guide the threads of the closure 144 into the valleys 190 between the threads 180 of the finish portion 164.
  • each of the threads 180 generally includes a rounded crest 260 joined with the sidewall of the finish portion 164 by way of concave flanks 264.
  • the flanks 264 include a relatively uniform width along a majority of the length of the threads 180.
  • the width of the flank 264 nearest the opening 172 may be narrower that the width of the flank 264 facing away from the opening 172.
  • the thread start 184 may be oriented, or biased, toward the opening 172 of the preform 160, such that a start pitch 268 disposed between the thread start 184 and the nearest neighboring thread 180 generally is greater than a thread pitch 272 disposed between adjacent threads 180. Further, a gap 276 may separate the thread start 184 from the rest of the thread 180, thereby separating the start pitch 268 of the thread start 184 from the thread pitch 272 of the thread 180.
  • the start pitch 268 is configured to advantageously guide a thread of the closure 144 into the valley 190 with a reduced potential of damaging or cross-threading the threads 180.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Une partie de finition d'une préforme de récipient pour former un récipient en plastique comprend une ouverture vers l'intérieur de la préforme de récipient et une partie interne étagée se rétrécissant à partir de l'ouverture. Un ou plusieurs filets sont disposés sur un extérieur de la partie de finition pour venir en prise de manière rotative avec une fermeture.
PCT/US2021/035483 2020-06-05 2021-06-02 Préforme de récipient dotée d'une partie de finition inviolable WO2021247728A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2300032.6A GB2611665A (en) 2020-06-05 2021-06-02 Container preform with tamper evidence finish portion
CA3181287A CA3181287A1 (fr) 2020-06-05 2021-06-02 Preforme de recipient dotee d'une partie de finition inviolable
AU2021284299A AU2021284299A1 (en) 2020-06-05 2021-06-02 Container preform with tamper evidence finish portion
MX2022015412A MX2022015412A (es) 2020-06-05 2021-06-02 Preforma de recipiente con porción de acabado con evidencia de manipulación indebida.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/894,726 US11597556B2 (en) 2018-07-30 2020-06-05 Container preform with tamper evidence finish portion
US16/894,726 2020-06-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021247728A1 true WO2021247728A1 (fr) 2021-12-09

Family

ID=74259925

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2021/035483 WO2021247728A1 (fr) 2020-06-05 2021-06-02 Préforme de récipient dotée d'une partie de finition inviolable

Country Status (5)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2021284299A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3181287A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2611665A (fr)
MX (1) MX2022015412A (fr)
WO (1) WO2021247728A1 (fr)

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050218103A1 (en) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-06 Barker Keith J Preform assembly, container assembly, and method of manufacture
US8815356B2 (en) * 2010-10-07 2014-08-26 Krones Ag Machine-readable plastic preform
US20150375887A1 (en) * 2013-01-30 2015-12-31 PLASTIPAK BAWT S.à r I. An Assembly Comprising a Wide-Mouth Plastic Preform or Container having a Reinforced Neck Finish and a Screwable Closure
US9233771B2 (en) * 2010-06-24 2016-01-12 Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co. Kg Preform for producing plastic containers in a stretch blow moulding process and method for producing the preform
US10486891B2 (en) * 2016-12-02 2019-11-26 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Plastic bottle for a pressurized dispensing system
US20200031531A1 (en) * 2016-02-02 2020-01-30 Niagara Bottling, Llc Tamper evidence container closure
US20200047395A1 (en) * 2016-10-28 2020-02-13 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Liquid blow molding method
US20200269484A1 (en) * 2019-02-26 2020-08-27 Niagara Bottling, Llc Nozzle for blow-molding stepped finish preform
US20200298461A1 (en) * 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Niagara Bottling, Llc Nozzle For Reduced Outward Force On Preform Finish
US20200298462A1 (en) * 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Niagara Bottling, Llc Pressure balancing nozzle for blow-molding container preform
US20210039823A1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Pressurized contents container preform with mirror polished sealing area
US20210039824A1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Container preform with stepped interior finish
US20210101707A1 (en) * 2019-10-03 2021-04-08 Niagara Bottling, Llc Container finish portion with polished buffer zone

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050218103A1 (en) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-06 Barker Keith J Preform assembly, container assembly, and method of manufacture
US9233771B2 (en) * 2010-06-24 2016-01-12 Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner Gmbh & Co. Kg Preform for producing plastic containers in a stretch blow moulding process and method for producing the preform
US8815356B2 (en) * 2010-10-07 2014-08-26 Krones Ag Machine-readable plastic preform
US20150375887A1 (en) * 2013-01-30 2015-12-31 PLASTIPAK BAWT S.à r I. An Assembly Comprising a Wide-Mouth Plastic Preform or Container having a Reinforced Neck Finish and a Screwable Closure
US20200031531A1 (en) * 2016-02-02 2020-01-30 Niagara Bottling, Llc Tamper evidence container closure
US20200047395A1 (en) * 2016-10-28 2020-02-13 Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. Liquid blow molding method
US10486891B2 (en) * 2016-12-02 2019-11-26 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Plastic bottle for a pressurized dispensing system
US20200269484A1 (en) * 2019-02-26 2020-08-27 Niagara Bottling, Llc Nozzle for blow-molding stepped finish preform
US20200298461A1 (en) * 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Niagara Bottling, Llc Nozzle For Reduced Outward Force On Preform Finish
US20200298462A1 (en) * 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Niagara Bottling, Llc Pressure balancing nozzle for blow-molding container preform
US20210039823A1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Pressurized contents container preform with mirror polished sealing area
US20210039824A1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Niagara Bottling, Llc Container preform with stepped interior finish
US20210101707A1 (en) * 2019-10-03 2021-04-08 Niagara Bottling, Llc Container finish portion with polished buffer zone

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2021284299A1 (en) 2023-02-09
GB2611665A (en) 2023-04-12
GB202300032D0 (en) 2023-02-15
MX2022015412A (es) 2023-01-18
CA3181287A1 (fr) 2021-12-09

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