WO2022261748A1 - Élément de fermeture - Google Patents

Élément de fermeture Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022261748A1
WO2022261748A1 PCT/CA2022/050861 CA2022050861W WO2022261748A1 WO 2022261748 A1 WO2022261748 A1 WO 2022261748A1 CA 2022050861 W CA2022050861 W CA 2022050861W WO 2022261748 A1 WO2022261748 A1 WO 2022261748A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shell
closure
lid
key
tab
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2022/050861
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gunter BLESIUS
Original Assignee
Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
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 Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. filed Critical Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
Publication of WO2022261748A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022261748A1/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
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/46—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
    • B65D41/48—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
    • B65D41/485—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics with integral internal sealing means

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a closure and in particular to a closure for engaging the neck of a container. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to such closures which are made from molded plastics material for sealingly closing beverage containers, such as glass or plastic bottles and the like.
  • Plastic beverage bottles and closures are well known. There is an established need to improve the security of such bottle and closure designs, in order to ensure that its contents are fresh and untainted at the time of consumption. However, there is also an established need to drive down manufacturing costs and reduce waste, and so design parameters are normally established with a view to balancing these competing factors.
  • Plastic beverage closures normally include four main functional elements: a tubular body, securing feature(s), sealing feature(s) and tamper evidence feature(s).
  • the body typically includes a top wall, usually circular, with an annular side wall depending from the top wall.
  • the side wall is typically in the form of a cylindrical skirt extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the top wall.
  • the securing feature usually includes either a screw thread, or a snap on feature, both of which are known in the art.
  • the securing feature is normally formed integrally with the side wall on the inner surface thereof and adjacent to the container opening, for example the neck of a bottle.
  • sealing features are known in the art which can be applied in isolation or in various combinations.
  • tamper evidence features have been developed which can also be applied in isolation or in various combinations.
  • closures which can be sealingly fitted onto the neck of a container with liquid contents and have a pivotable lid that can be held in an open position.
  • closures include a shell for securing the closure to a container neck and a lid pivotally connected to the shell by a hinge.
  • closures also include means for locking the lid in an open position relative to the shell.
  • the lid is normally connected to the shell by frangible bridges, which break upon first opening of the closure to provide tamper evidence in the event that the opening is unauthorised.
  • WO 2019/113681 A1 discloses a closure of the aforementioned type, which includes a ratchet member projecting from the shell between a pair of elongate hinge elements on a first side of the closure.
  • the lid engages the ratchet member when it is in an open position, thereby to lock the lid in place.
  • the shell includes a plurality of cams that engage a tamper-evidence bead projecting from the container neck to retain the shell thereon.
  • the lid includes a top panel with a depending side wall joined to the shell by frangible bridges.
  • the lid includes an opening side, opposite the hinge, at which the height of the side wall increases, with a corresponding decrease in the height of the shell.
  • This region of increased height of the side wall provides a latch for releasably securing the lid in a closed position.
  • An engaging tab projects inwardly from the side wall at the base of the latch, and engages the tamper-evidence bead to retain the lid in the closed position.
  • the lid also includes a gripping tongue projecting outwardly from the side wall above the engaging tab, which is reinforced by a series of ribs beneath it to provide additional rigidity.
  • the gripping tongue is configured to be gripped by a user for urging the lid upwardly to open the closure.
  • the lid is frangibly connected to the shell by a series of bridges that join the lower edge of the side wall of the lid to the upper edge of the shell. These bridges are distributed evenly about the front and sides of the closure and are configured to break, in use, when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell from a closed position toward an open position. When the lid is pivoted back to the closed position, the container is closed once again, and sealed to prevent its contents leaking. However, the broken bridges provide evidence that the closure has been opened, and are therefore provide evidence of tampering in the usual way.
  • the present invention is directed, in particular but not exclusively, to a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container.
  • the present invention is also directed to a mold stack, a mold and a molding system for molding such a closure.
  • Aspects of the invention provide a closure having a shell, e.g. for securing the closure to a container neck.
  • the closure may comprise a lid, which may be pivotally connected to the shell, for example by a hinge.
  • the closure my comprise a key, which may extend from one of the lid and the shell. The key may extend into a key way, which may be in the other of the lid and the shell.
  • the closure may be configured such that the key way engages and deforms, in use, the key, for example when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward and/or away from a closed position.
  • a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container comprising a shell for securing the closure to a container neck, a lid pivotally connected to the shell by a hinge and a key extending from one of the lid and the shell into a key way in the other of the lid and the shell, wherein the closure is configured such that the keyway engages and deforms, in use, the key when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward and/or away from a closed position.
  • the inventor determined that the inclusion of such a key, which interferes with a key way when the lid is pivoted toward and/or away from the closed position, provides more conspicuous evidence of tampering.
  • the key way may be described at least in part by an overhang.
  • the overhang may be configured to engage, in use, the key, for example when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward and/or away from a closed position.
  • a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container comprising a shell for securing the closure to a container neck, a lid pivotally connected to the shell by a hinge and a key extending from one of the lid and the shell into a key way in the other of the lid and the shell, wherein key way is described in part by an overhang configured to engage, in use, the key when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward and/or away from a closed position.
  • the lid may comprise a side wall.
  • the key may depend from the lid, for example from the side wall of the lid.
  • the overhang may be located between part of the key and the lid, e.g. the side wall of the lid.
  • the key may comprise a projection or tab.
  • the key way may comprise a void, slot or a cut out of the shell.
  • the key may be connected, e.g. frangibly connected to the shell, for example by a bridge.
  • the bridge or frangible connection may be configured to deform and/or stretch, in use, the key, e.g. when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell, for example toward an open position, e.g. for the first time.
  • the bridge or frangible connection may be configured to break, in use, when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell, for example toward an open position, e.g. for the first time.
  • the bridge or frangible connection may be configured to deform and/or stretch, in use, the key before breaking, e.g. when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell, for example toward an open position, e.g. for the first time.
  • the frangible connection or bridge may connect a lower portion or surface of the key to the shell, e.g. a facing portion of the shell.
  • the or a further frangible connection or bridge may connect an upper portion or surface of the key to the shell, e.g. a facing portion of the shell such as the overhang.
  • a lower portion of the key is connected to a facing portion of the shell by a first frangible connection or bridge and an upper the top of the key is connected to a facing portion of the shell by a second frangible connection or bridge.
  • the or a further key may project from the shell.
  • the or a further key way may comprise a void, slot or a cut out of the lid, for example the side wall of the lid.
  • the overhang may be located between part of the key and the shell.
  • the key or further key may be connected, e.g. frangibly connected to the lid or the side wall thereof, for example by a bridge.
  • the bridge or frangible connection may be configured to break, in use, when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell, for example toward an open position, e.g. for the first time.
  • the frangible connection or bridge may connect an upper portion of the key to the lid or the side wall of the lid, e.g. a facing portion thereof.
  • the frangible connection or bridge may connect a lower portion of the key to the lid or the side wall of the lid, e.g. a facing portion thereof such as the overhang.
  • the closure may comprise an axis, e.g. a rotational axis.
  • the closure may comprise an axial direction, e.g. along or parallel to the axis of the closure.
  • the closure may comprise a radial direction, e.g. perpendicular or orthogonal to the axis of the closure.
  • the closure may comprise a circumferential direction, e.g. about the axis of the closure.
  • the or each key may have an axial dimension, which may be along the axis or axial direction of the closure.
  • the or each key may comprise a lateral or circumferential dimension, which may be along the circumferential direction.
  • At least part of the key may extend laterally, circumferentially, or tangentially or at an angle relative to an axis of the closure.
  • the key may comprise a lateral, circumferential, or tangential portion. This may cause the key to engage the overhang, e.g. when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward and/or away from the closed position.
  • the key may comprise an L-shape.
  • the key or L-shaped key may comprise a root portion, which may be connected to the lid or side wall or shell.
  • the key or L-shaped key may comprise an extension, which may extend at an angle relative to the root portion. The angle may, but need not be, between 60° and 120°, for example between 75° and 105°, such as approximately 90°.
  • the key may comprise a dogleg or a dogleg shape.
  • the key may comprise a T-Shape.
  • the key may comprise a hook shape.
  • the key may be straight and/or may taper.
  • the key may comprise a necked portion or may be connected to the lid or side wall or shell by a necked portion.
  • the necked portion may be for allowing the tab to deform thereabout when it engages the overhang of the shell.
  • the necked portion may have a reduced cross-sectional area, e.g. relative to at least part of the rest of the key.
  • the necked portion may have a reduced width or thickness, e.g. relative to at least part of the rest of the key.
  • the key may be one of a pair of keys.
  • the keys may be spaced from one another.
  • the keys may be rotationally offset from one another.
  • the rotational offset may be between 15° and 90°, for example between 30° and 75°, such as between 45° and 60°.
  • the keys may diverge from one another.
  • the key(s) may be on the opposite side of the closure to the hinge.
  • the closure may comprise one or more, e.g. a plurality of, axial bridges.
  • the axial bridge(s) may connect the lid to the shell.
  • the axial bridges may join facing portions of the lid and shell.
  • At least one or some of the axial bridge(s) may be at the front of the closure.
  • At least one or some of the axial bridge(s) may be at the side(s) and/or rear of the closure.
  • the axial bridge(s) may be spaced equally about the circumference of the closure.
  • At least one or some of the axial bridge(s) may be configured to break, in use, when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward the open position, e.g. from a closed position.
  • the lid or closure may comprise a top wall.
  • the side wall may depend from the top wall.
  • the closure or lid or top wall may comprise a flange or overhang, hereinafter flange.
  • the flange may comprise a radial flange.
  • the flange may extend radially, e.g. from the top wall.
  • the side wall may comprise a void.
  • the hinge may be within or located within the void.
  • the side wall or void may comprise a relief, e.g. such that the lid clears, in use, a rim of the container neck as the lid is pivoted from a closed position to an open position.
  • the side wall or void may comprise a relief on at least one side of the hinge.
  • the side wall or void may comprise a relief on each side of the hinge.
  • the side wall may taper or diverge away from the hinge, for example such that the relief is tapered.
  • the or each relief may taper or comprise a tapering relief.
  • the or each relief may taper away from the hinge, e.g. from the top wall or adjacent the top wall and/or toward the shell.
  • the relief may be larger at or adjacent a lower edge of the side wall, e.g. than at or adjacent the top wall.
  • the side wall may comprise opposed tapered portions or edges. Each tapered portion or edge may at least partially describe the or a respective relief.
  • the or each relief may be substantially triangular.
  • the tapered portions or edges may be straight or curved, e.g. concave or convex.
  • the shell may comprise a portion, e.g. a projecting portion.
  • the shell may comprise a portion that projects into the void.
  • the portion may project between the side wall and the hinge.
  • the portion of the shell that projects into the void may comprise one or more projections or tabs.
  • the shell may comprise a projection or tab on each side of the hinge.
  • the or each projection or tab may extend from an upper edge of the shell and/or into the or a respective relief, e.g. to inhibit tampering of the closure.
  • the or each projection or tab may fill the void created by the relief.
  • the shape of the or each projection or tab may correspond substantially to that of the or the respective relief.
  • the or each projection or tab may be triangular, or substantially triangular. In some examples, the or each projection or tab may have a curved edge and/or may be quarter-circular.
  • the shell may comprise one or more projections, which may project inwardly and/or from an inner surface of the shell.
  • the projections may comprise cams.
  • Each projection may comprise an engaging surface, which may face the top wall and/or may extend substantially radially.
  • Each projection may comprise a lead-in, e.g. on an opposite side to the engaging surface.
  • the lead-in may comprise an angled or tapered surface.
  • the projections may be for engaging, or may be configured to engage, a tamper-evidence bead of a container neck.
  • the closure may comprise a grip tab, which may projecting outwardly and/or radially, e.g. from an outer surface of the side wall.
  • the closure may comprise an engaging tab, which may project inwardly from an inner surface of the lid or side wall.
  • the engaging tab may comprise a ridge or lip, which may extend about the inner circumference of the side wall.
  • the engaging tab preferably extends about only a portion of the circumference of the side wall, e.g. opposite the hinge.
  • the engaging tab may be configured to engage the tamper-evidence bead of the container neck.
  • the engaging tab is for engaging, or may be configured to engage, a lip of the container, which may be located above the tamper-evidence bead and/or between the tamper-evidence bead and an opening or mouth of the container neck.
  • the lid or side wall may comprise a latch, e.g. a deformable latch.
  • the side wall may comprise a hinge line that may delineate a portion of the side wall, for example an arc portion or latch portion.
  • the side wall portion delineated by the hinge line may provide the deformable latch.
  • the side wall portion delineated by the hinge line may include the grip tab and/or the engaging tab.
  • the hinge line may be configured such that the side wall deforms, in use, therealong, e.g. when the opening force is applied to the grip tab.
  • the hinge line may comprise or describe a living hinge or living hinge portion, which may comprise a reduced radial thickness relative to the rest of the side wall.
  • the hinge line, or the living hinge or living hinge portion may extend between the grip tab and/or engaging tab and the top wall.
  • the hinge line may extend from a lower edge of the side wall, for example on either side of the grip tab and/or of the engaging tab.
  • the hinge line may be described or defined by a recess or groove, hereinafter groove.
  • the flange may be contiguous with the top wall.
  • the lid may be configured such that the opening force may be applied, in use, to the grip tab by urging, pinching or clamping the flange and grip tab toward one another.
  • the shell or the side wall may comprise an annulus.
  • Each of the shell and the side wall comprises an annulus.
  • the or each annulus may have a substantially constant axial depth.
  • the side wall may be substantially cylindrical.
  • the side wall may comprise an edge, e.g. a free edge, which may be connected to an adjacent edge of the shell, e.g. by the axial bridges.
  • the shell may be substantially cylindrical.
  • the shell may comprise one or more projections, which may extend toward the lid and/or be configured to limit the deformation of the axial bridges.
  • the lid may comprise one or more projections, which may extend toward the shell and/or be configured to limit the deformation of the axial bridges.
  • the closure may be injection molded or compression molded or formed by any other suitable process.
  • the closure may, but need not, be formed of a plastics material, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene or any other suitable material.
  • the closure may be for, e.g. adapted for use with, a bottle or container to be filled with a still beverage or other liquid.
  • the closure may comprise a locking means or mechanism, e.g. for locking the lid in an open position relative to the shell.
  • the locking means or mechanism may be configured for locking or operable to lock the lid in one of two or more open positions, for example a fully open position and one or more (e.g. two or more) intermediate open positions.
  • the closure may comprise a rachet mechanism, as disclosed in WO 2019/113681 Al, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the lid or closure may comprise a top wall.
  • the side wall may depend from the top wall.
  • the closure or lid or top wall may comprise a flange or overhang, hereinafter flange.
  • the flange may comprise a radial flange.
  • the flange may extend radially, e.g. from the top wall.
  • the closure or top wall may comprise a tongue, which may be adjacent the hinge.
  • the hinge may comprise a pair of hinge elements, which may be elongate. The hinge elements may be spaced apart from each other.
  • the closure or shell may comprise a ratchet member, which may be disposed between the hinge elements.
  • the hinge elements may be formed integrally with the shell and/or with the top wall.
  • Each hinge element may have a lower portion and an upper portion.
  • the wall thickness of the lower portion may be substantially the same as the wall thickness of the shell.
  • the wall thickness of the upper portion may be less than the wall thickness of the lower portion.
  • Each hinge element may have an intermediate portion, which may join the lower and upper portions together.
  • the intermediate portion may comprise a step or slope, for example which provides a transition between the wall thicknesses of the upper and lower portions.
  • the step or slope may be on an external surface of the hinge element.
  • the ratchet member may be formed integrally with the shell.
  • the ratchet member may have an outer contour, which may comprise one or more recesses, e.g. upper and lower recesses.
  • the recesses may be configured or operable to guide and/or engage an end portion of the tongue, e.g. during opening of the lid.
  • the or each recess may be configured or operable to retain the tongue in an intermediate position, e.g. a respective intermediate position.
  • the ratchet member e.g. an upper end thereof, may be configured or operable to retain the tongue in a fully open position.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a package comprising a container and a closure as described above.
  • the container may comprise a tamper evidence bead, e.g. for engaging the projections or cams of or on the shell.
  • the container may comprise a lip, which may surround a mouth of the container, e.g. for engaging the engaging tab of the closure or lid or latch portion
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a mold stack comprising a plurality of mold inserts which, when in a molding configuration, together describe a molding cavity for molding a closure, e.g. as described above.
  • the mold stack or mold inserts may comprise one or more, e.g. a pair of, slides.
  • the slides may be separable, e.g. along a split line.
  • a slide for a mold stack may comprise one or more molding surfaces describing at least a portion of a lid of a closure.
  • the slide may comprise one or more molding surfaces describing at least a portion of a shell of the closure.
  • the slide may comprise one or more molding surfaces describing at least a portion of a hinge of the closure, which may pivotally connect the lid to the shell.
  • the slide or molding surfaces may describe a projection describing at least a portion of a key, which may extend from one of the lid and the shell.
  • the slide or molding surfaces may describe a key way in the other of the lid and the shell into which the key extends.
  • the key way may be described in part by an overhang, which may be configured to engage, in use, the key when the lid is pivoted relative to the shell toward and/or away from a closed position.
  • the key may be one of two or more, e.g. a pair of keys.
  • the pair of keys may be rotationally offset from one another.
  • the mold stack may comprise any one or more features that correspond to those described above in relation to the closure.
  • the slide(s) may describe an outer surface of at least part of the lid.
  • the slide(s) may describe an outer surface of at least part of the top wall, for example a lower and/or radial outer part thereof.
  • the slide(s) may describe an outer surface of at least part of the side wall.
  • the slide(s) may describe an outer surface of at least part of the shell.
  • the mold stack may comprise a core or core assembly, which may describe one or more inner surfaces of the closure, e.g. inner surfaces of the top wall and/or of the side wall and/or of the shell.
  • the core or core assembly may comprise an inner core and/or an outer core, e.g. between which an annular sealing element may be described.
  • the mold stack may comprise a cavity or cavity assembly, which may describe one or more outer surfaces of the closure, e.g. outer surfaces of the top wall and/or of the side wall and/or of the shell.
  • the cavity assembly may comprise a gate pad and/or a gate insert, which may together describe at least part of the top wall, e.g. a top and/or radial outer part thereof.
  • the slides may describe one or more outer surfaces of the closure, e.g. outer surfaces of the top wall and/or of the side wall and/or of the shell.
  • the mold may comprise at least one molding cavity for molding a closure, e.g. as described above.
  • the mold may comprise at least one mold stack, e.g. as described above.
  • the molding system may comprise at least one molding cavity for molding a closure, e.g. as described above.
  • the molding system may comprise at least one mold stack, e.g. as described above.
  • the molding system may comprise a mold as described above.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising and/or describing and/or defining a three-dimensional design, e.g. of the closure, inner or outer core, gate pad, gate insert, one of the slides, mold stack, mold or molding system described above or an embodiment thereof.
  • the three-dimensional design may be for use with a simulation means or an additive or subtractive manufacturing means, system or device.
  • the computer program element may be for causing, or operable or configured to cause, an additive or subtractive manufacturing means, system or device to manufacture the closure, inner or outer core, gate pad, gate insert or slide described above or an embodiment thereof.
  • the computer program element may comprise computer readable program code means for causing an additive or subtractive manufacturing means, system or device to execute a procedure to manufacture the closure, inner or outer core, gate pad, gate insert or slide described above or an embodiment thereof.
  • a yet further aspect of the invention provides the computer program element embodied on a computer readable medium.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a closure according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the closure of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of the closure of FIGs. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 depicts a section view of the closure of FIGs. 1 to 3 through the centre of the grip tab and ratchet member, with the closure mounted to the neck of a container;
  • FIG. 5 depicts a section view similar to that of FIG. 4 illustrating the deformation of the latch immediately before the engaging tab disengages the lip at the mouth of the container
  • FIG. 6 depicts a section view similar to that of FIGs. 4 and 5 illustrating the lid after it is disengaged from the neck of the container, after the axial bridges have broken and as the radial bridges begin to break;
  • FIG. 7 is a partial section view of a mold stack for molding the closure of FIGs. 1 to 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a molding system including a mold incorporating multiple mold stacks as illustrated in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 depicts a front view of a closure according to another embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 10 depicts a front view of a closure according to yet another embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 11 depicts an enlarged area of area E in FIG. 10.
  • the closure 1 for sealingly closing a container neck 11.
  • the closure 1 includes a shell 2 for securing the closure to the container neck 11, a lid 3 with a top wall 4 and a side wall 5, a pair of spaced hinge elements 6 pivotally connecting the top wall 4 of the lid 3 to the shell 2 and a ratchet member 7 projecting from the shell 2 between the hinge elements 6 and toward the top wall 4 of the lid 3.
  • the closure 1 also includes a deformable latch portion 8 and a pair of rotationally spaced keys 9 depending from the lid 3 each received within a corresponding key way 90 in the shell 2 at the front of the closure 1.
  • the closure 1 is formed of a plastics material, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene or any other suitable material.
  • the closure 1 is injection molded in this embodiment, but it will be appreciated that other methods of manufacture are also envisaged, such as compression molding.
  • the container neck 11 forms part of a bottle in this embodiment, which is configured to be filled with a still beverage or other liquid.
  • the shell 2 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with a series of cams 20 projecting from its internal surface.
  • Each cam 20 includes an upper, engaging surface, which faces the top wall 4 and extends substantially radially for engaging a tamper-evidence bead 12 of the container neck 11.
  • Each cam 20 also includes a tapered lead-in, on an opposite side to the engaging surface, for engaging the tamper-evidence bead 12 to gradually deform the shell 2 as the closure 1 is urged onto the container neck 11 in the usual way.
  • the shell 2 also includes an upper edge 23 with a pair of spaced cutouts 24 describing the key way 90 within which the keys 9 are received and three spaced projections 25 between the cutouts 24, which are on the opposite side of the shell 2 to the hinge elements 6.
  • the top wall 4 of the lid 3 is circular in plan and the side wall 5 depends from the top wall 4 adjacent, but spaced inwardly from, its periphery.
  • the lid 3 includes a radial flange 40 about the periphery of the top wall 4.
  • the radial flange 40 includes a pair of interruptions 41 where the hinge elements 6 join the top wall 4, which also creates a tongue 42 between the interruptions 41.
  • the side wall 5 includes a void V to accommodate the hinge elements 6 and ratchet member 7.
  • the top wall 4 also includes a plug seal 43, which is formed integrally therewith and is configured to sealingly fit into the opening of the container neck 11.
  • the hinge elements 6 are similar to those disclosed in WO 2019/113681 Al, and are formed integrally with the shell 2 and the top wall 4 of the lid 3. Each hinge element 6 has a lower portion 60 projecting from the shell 2 and an upper portion 61 depending from the top wall 4.
  • the lower portion 60 has a wall thickness equivalent to that of the shell 2, while the wall thickness of the upper portion 61 is substantially less.
  • the hinge portions 60, 61 are joined together by an external step 62, which provides the transition in wall thickness therebetween.
  • the ratchet member 7 is also similar to those disclosed in WO 2019/113681 Al, and is formed integrally with the shell 2.
  • the ratchet member 7 has an outer contour with upper and lower recesses 70, 71.
  • the ratchet member 7 and its recesses 70, 71 guide and engage an end portion of the tongue 42 during opening of the lid 3, to retain it in intermediate and/or fully open positions, as explained in more detail in WO 2019/113681 Al.
  • the side wall 5 also includes a deformable latch portion 8 on the opposite side to the hinge elements 6.
  • the deformable latch portion 8 is delineated by hinge line 50 formed by a groove in the outer surface of the side wall 5.
  • the hinge line 50 follows an arcuate path from a lower edge 51 of the side wall 5 to an upper portion thereof, along and adjacent the radial flange 40, and back down to the lower edge 51, delineating an arc portion of the side wall that provides the deformable latch 8.
  • the deformable latch portion 8 includes a grip tab 80 projecting radially from its outer surface 81 and an engaging tab 82 projecting from its inner surface 83.
  • the engaging tab 82 is located axially between the grip tab 80 and the top wall 4, on the inside of the lid 3 to engage a lip 13 surrounding the mouth of the container neck 11.
  • the void V in the side wall 5 is in the form of a truncated triangle described between opposed tapered portions 53 of the side wall 5.
  • the tapered portions 53 of the side wall 5 provide a tapered relief R on each side of the hinge elements 6, forming a triangular gap between the shell 2, the hinge element 6 and the side wall 5 of the lid 3.
  • tapered relief R in the side wall 5 on each side of the hinge elements 6 inhibits interference between the side wall 5 and the container neck 11 during opening. It has been observed that, in the absence of the tapered reliefs R, the opposed portions of side wall 5 on each side of the hinge elements 6 can interfere with the container neck 11 as the lid 3 of the closure 1 is pivoted from the closed position to the open position. This would cause the side wall 5 to deform on opening, which increases the force necessary to open the lid 3. This interference can also cause the side wall 5 to fold toward the top wall 4 as the lid 3 is re-closed, which inhibit re-closing and/or can damage the side wall 5.
  • the tapered relief R inhibits such interference, which facilitates both opening and closing operations of the closure 1, and can also avoid damage to the side wall 5 in use.
  • the keys 9 are included at the front of the closure 1, but rotationally offset from one another by approximately 90°. Each key 9 is directly below a respective outer portion of the deformable latch portion 8. Each key 9 is in the form of an L-shaped tab and includes a first, root portion 91 depending axially from the side wall 5, and a second, lateral portion 92 projecting orthogonally from the root portion 91 to form the L-shaped tab. The keys 9 also diverge from one another. More specifically, the first, root portions 91 are parallel to one another, depending axially from the side wall 5, while the second, lateral portions 92 project from their respective root portion 91 in opposite directions, such that the front of the closure 1 is symmetrical about an axial plane.
  • Each keyway 90 has a complementary shape to the key 9.
  • the portion of the keyway 90 circumscribing the lateral portion 92 of the key 9 is described in part by an overhang 93.
  • the overhangs 93 project toward one another.
  • each overhang 93 is located between the lateral portion 92 of the key 9 and the side wall 5 of the lid 3, thereby to interfere with the key 9 when the lid 3 is moved toward and away from the closed position.
  • the lid 3 is also connected to the shell 2 by a plurality of axial bridges 52, 52a, 52b in this example, whichjoin the lower edge 51 of the sidewall 5 to the upper edge 23 of the shell 2.
  • the axial bridges 52, 52a, 52b are spaced equally about the closure 1, with the exception of the region incorporating the hinge elements 6 and the ratchet member 7.
  • the number of axial bridges 52, 52a, 52b may vary depending on specific requirements.
  • each key 9 is frangibly connected, by a respective one of a first pair of axial bridges 52a, to a facing portion of the shell 2 describing the key way 90.
  • the frangible connection between each key 9 and the shell 2, provided by the first axial bridge 52a is configured to deform and stretch the key 9, before the first axial bridge 52a breaks.
  • a second pair of axial bridges 52b join the lower edge 51 of the latch portion 8 to the shell 2 between pairs of the projections 25.
  • the projections 25 limit the deformation of the lid 3 toward shell 2 during capping, which protects the axial bridges 52a, 52b from excessive deformation and damage.
  • the deformable latch portion 8 is connected to the shell 2 by four axial bridges 52a, 52b, whilst the remaining axial bridges 52 connect the rest of the side wall 5 to the shell 2.
  • a user urges the grip tab 80 upwardly, for example by urging, pinching or clamping the radial flange 40 of the top wall 4 and the grip tab 80 toward one another.
  • This causes the deformable latch portion 8 of the side wall 5 to deform preferentially along the entire hinge line 50.
  • This deformation causes the engaging tab 82 to pivot about the living hinge 50a such that it rides up the lip 13 surrounding the mouth of the container neck 11, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.
  • the grip tab 80 is then urged upwardly relative to the hinge elements 6, such that the engaging tab 82 is urged over the lip 13 and snaps out of engagement therewith, as shown more clearly in FIG. 6.
  • the axial bridges 52b joining the centre of the deformable latch portion 8 to the shell 2 sever or break as the engaging tab 82 disengages the lip 13.
  • Further pivoting of the lid 3 relative to the shell 2 causes the first axial bridges 52a joining the keys 9 to the shell 2 cause the keys 9 to deform and stretch, as mentioned above, before the axial bridges 52a eventually break.
  • Yet further pivoting of the lid 3 relative to the shell 2 also causes the remaining axial bridges 52 to break, thereby providing evidence of opening in the usual way.
  • each key 9 and its frangible connection with the shell 2 adjacent its free end results in the keys 9 stretching and bending about the connection between the root portion 91 of the key 9 and the shell 2.
  • This causes both strain whitening and substantial deformation of the keys 9, adjacent the connection between the root portion 91 of the key 9 and the shell 2 in particular.
  • Continued pivoting of the lid 3 relative to the shell 2 causes the first axial bridges 52a to break and the lateral portion 92 of the key 9 to engages the overhang 93, causing further deformation.
  • closure 1 may be opened at various intermediate or fully open positions, as described in WO 2019/113681 Al.
  • the mold stack 14 includes an inner core 15a, an outer core 15b, a gate pad 16a, a gate insert 16b and a pair of slides 17a, 17b.
  • the inner core 15a and outer core 15b together form a core assembly 15 that describes the internal surfaces of the closure 1 and between which the plug seal 43 is described.
  • the gate pad 16a and gate insert 16b form a cavity assembly 16 that describes the top surface of the closure 1.
  • the slides 17a, 17b together describe the outer, circumferential surfaces of the closure 1.
  • a first slide 17a which describes the rear side of the closure 1.
  • a second slide 17b describes the front side of the closure 1, including the keys 9 and key ways 90.
  • a molding system 18 which includes an injection unit 18a, a clamp unit 18b and a mold 19 received within the clamping unit 18b in the usual way.
  • the mold 19 includes a plurality of mold stacks 14, in order to mold a corresponding plurality of closures 1 with each cycle.
  • FIG. 9 shows a closure 101 according to another example, which is similar to the closure 1 of FIGs. 1 to 6, wherein like references depict like features which are incremented by 100.
  • the closure 101 according to this example differs from that of the closure 1 of FIGs. 1 to 6 in that the lateral portion 192 of the key 109 extends at an obtuse angle relative to the root portion 191, thereby forming a dogleg.
  • FIGs. 10 and 11 there is shown a closure 201 according to another example, which is similar to the closure 1 of FIGs. 1 to 6, wherein like references depict like features which are incremented by 200.
  • the closure 201 according to this example differs from that of the closure 101 of FIG. 9 in that the root portion 291 includes a necked region 294 at its connection with the side wall 205 of the lid 203 of the closure 201.
  • the width of this, necked region 294 is less than the rest of the root portion 291 of the key 209. This encourages the key 209 to bend about the necked region 294, enhancing further the deformation and stretching caused by the first axial bridge 252a and when it engages the overhang 293 of the shell 202.

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un élément de fermeture (1) comprenant une coque (2) destiné à être fixé sur un col de contenant (11) et un couvercle (3) relié pivotant à la coque (2) par une paire d'éléments charnières (6). L'élément de fermeture (1) comprend également une paire de clavettes (9) dépendantes du couvercle (3) sur le côté de l'élément de fermeture (1) opposé aux éléments de charnière 5 (6). Chacune des clavettes (9) est accueillie à l'intérieur d'une rainure de clavette (90) dans la coque (2), laquelle est décrite en partie par un surplomb (93) configuré pour venir en prise avec la clavette (9) lorsque le couvercle (3) est pivoté par rapport à la coque (2) vers et/ou à l'opposé d'une position fermée.
PCT/CA2022/050861 2021-06-15 2022-05-27 Élément de fermeture WO2022261748A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202163210637P 2021-06-15 2021-06-15
US63/210,637 2021-06-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022261748A1 true WO2022261748A1 (fr) 2022-12-22

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2022/050861 WO2022261748A1 (fr) 2021-06-15 2022-05-27 Élément de fermeture

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Country Link
WO (1) WO2022261748A1 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150375908A1 (en) * 2013-02-08 2015-12-31 Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh Improvements in or relating to closures
WO2019113681A1 (fr) * 2017-12-15 2019-06-20 Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. Capuchon de fermeture destiné à un récipient

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150375908A1 (en) * 2013-02-08 2015-12-31 Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh Improvements in or relating to closures
WO2019113681A1 (fr) * 2017-12-15 2019-06-20 Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. Capuchon de fermeture destiné à un récipient

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