WO2022266747A1

WO2022266747A1 - Insert for a closure device for a container and method of manufacture thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2022266747A1
Application number: PCT/CA2022/050879
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Halter; Arnold Heinz MAI; Joachim Johannes Niewels
Original assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
Priority date: 2021-06-25
Filing date: 2022-06-02
Publication date: 2022-12-29

Abstract

An insert for a closure device for a container is provided, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom. The insert includes an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer, the outer layer including: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel. The insert also includes an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert. A method of manufacturing an insert at a closure device is also contemplated.

Description

INSERT FOR A CLOSURE DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER AND METHOD OF

MANUFACTURE THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a closure device for a container and inserts therefor. BACKGROUND

Containers such as bottles are used in various applications for storing different types of products. In some cases, depending on the contents intended to be stored in a container, it can be desirable to control a gas content of the container such as, for example, to minimize exposure of the contents to a certain gas. To address this, it has been known to embed a reactive member within a closure device to control the gas content of the container. However, a thickness of a layer of material of the reactive member, and/or a covering, can be difficult to control which may negatively affect permeability of gas emitted or received in the reactive member. The permeability is a function of the material and its thickness. For example, when the covering layer is too thick the permeability may be limited which can retard the diffusion of gas into the headspace of the container. Likewise when the covering layer is too thin the gas permeability may be too high which can lead to an early depletion of a gas generating property of the reactive member. Moreover, molding the reactive member with the closure device can complicate the process of molding the closure device and thereby reduce the efficiency of the molding process.

SUMMARY

There is therefore a desire for a closure device which can alleviate at least some of these drawbacks. Accordingly, in certain aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an insert for a closure device for a container.

From one aspect, there is provided an insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer, the outer layer comprising: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel; and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert.

In certain embodiments, the pre-determined gas control property is a gas generating property causing the second material to generate gas to flow out of the insert through the outer layer.

In certain embodiments, the second material is configured to generate hydrogen for discharge thereof through the outer layer and into the container for reaction of the hydrogen with a content of the container.

In certain embodiments, the pre-determined gas control property is a gas absorbing property causing the second material to absorb gas through the outer layer.

In certain embodiments, the second material is configured to absorb oxygen through the outer layer.

In certain embodiments, the pre-determined gas control property is a gas blocking property causing the second material to block gas flow through the inner layer. In certain embodiments, the second material includes at least one of: sodium metal, lithium metal, potassium metal, calcium metal, sodium hydride, lithium hydride, potassium hydride, calcium hydride, magnesium hydride, sodium borohydride, and lithium borohydride.

In certain embodiments, the first material includes at least one of: high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene- vinyl acetate (EVA), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), nylon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and olefinic block copolymers (OBC).

In certain embodiments, the at least one welding ridge is annular. In certain embodiments, the outer layer defines a circular outer edge; and the at least one welding ridge borders the circular outer edge.

In certain embodiments, the at least one welding ridge is configured for solid state welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, the at least one welding ridge is configured for friction welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, the outer layer further comprises at least one handling feature on the bottom surface of the outer layer for handling the insert during manufacturing of the insert and/or welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, the at least one handling feature is configured to locate the insert relative to a tooling for welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, each of the at least one handling feature is a protrusion depending from the bottom surface of the outer layer.

In certain embodiments, the at least one handling feature includes a plurality of handling features, the handling features being distributed circumferentially evenly about a central axis of the insert.

In certain embodiments, the handling feature are radially aligned with one another and occupy a majority of a circumferential span of the insert about the central axis of the insert.

In certain embodiments, the handling features are angled teeth oriented in a given direction about the central axis.

In certain embodiments, the insert comprises a central part and a peripheral part disposed radially outwardly of the central part; and the handling features are disposed along the peripheral part.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer and the outer layer are molded together via a multi layer coinjection molding process.

In certain embodiments, a position of the inner layer is biased toward one of the top surface and the bottom surface such that a first thickness of the outer layer measured between the top surface and the inner layer is different from a second thickness of the outer layer measured between the bottom surface and the inner layer.

In certain embodiments, the insert comprises a central part and a peripheral part disposed radially outwardly of the central part; the inner and outer layers extend along the central part; and the central part is concave.

In certain embodiments, the central part defines a point of the insert that is configured to be furthest from the top panel of the closure device.

In certain embodiments, the point of the insert is furthest from the at least one welding ridge in a thickness direction of the insert.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer does not extend along the peripheral part.

In certain embodiments, the outer layer comprises a shoulder portion protruding radially inwardly from the central part.

In certain embodiments, the central part is generally conical.

In certain embodiments, the central part is generally cupulate.

In certain embodiments, the central part comprises a bottom wall portion and a peripheral wall portion extending from the bottom wall portion, the peripheral wall portion surrounding a recess defined between the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion; and the inner layer extends along the bottom wall portion and the peripheral wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer is omitted from a portion of the central part, the inner layer being disposed radially outwardly from the portion of the central part.

In certain embodiments, the outer layer further comprises an outer ring that is at least partially radially aligned with the at least one welding ridge, the outer ring being configured for transmitting a load to the at least one welding ridge during welding thereof to the closure device.

In certain embodiments, a closure device for a container, comprises: a top panel having an inner surface; a skirt depending from the top panel; and the insert the outer layer being autogenously welded to the inner surface of the top panel.

In certain aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing an insert at a closure device for a container.

From one aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing an insert at a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the method comprising: molding an insert such that the insert comprises an outer layer and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer and into the inner layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert; and autogenously welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, the outer layer comprises at least one welding ridge protruding from a top surface of the outer layer; and autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises causing the at least one welding ridge to dissolve and thereby join the outer layer to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises solid state welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises friction welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, friction welding the insert to the top panel comprises rotating one of the closure device and the insert relative to an other one of the closure device and the insert.

In certain embodiments, molding the insert comprises forming at least one handling feature on a bottom surface of the outer layer; and the method further comprises positioning the insert on a tooling such that the at least one handling feature of the outer layer engages at least one matching handling feature of the tooling.

In certain embodiments, autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises rotating one of the closure device and the tooling; and the at least one handling feature of the outer layer secures the insert in place relative to the tooling such that the insert does not rotate relative to the tooling in response to rotation of the one of the closure device and the tooling.

In certain embodiments, a position of the inner layer between a top surface and a bottom surface of the outer layer is controlled during molding to affect a permeability of the outer layer between the bottom surface and the inner layer.

In certain embodiments, during molding, the position of the inner layer is biased toward one of the top surface and the bottom surface such that a first thickness of the outer layer measured between the top surface and the inner layer is different from a second thickness of the outer layer measured between the bottom surface and the inner layer.

In certain embodiments, autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises forming a weld between the insert and the top panel along a section of the insert that is radially offset from the inner layer.

In certain embodiments, autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises ultrasonically welding the insert to the top panel.

From another aspect, there is provided an insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material, the outer layer comprising: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel; and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material being configured to provide a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert.

From another aspect, there is provided an insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer, the outer layer being configured to be affixed to the top panel; an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert; a concave central part defining a recess on a top side of the insert configured to face the top panel of the closure device, the outer layer and the inner layer extending along the concave central part; a peripheral part disposed radially outwardly of the concave central part, the outer layer forming the peripheral part.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer is omitted from the peripheral part.

In certain embodiments, the outer layer comprises least one handling feature on a bottom surface of the outer layer for handling the insert during manufacturing of the insert/or affixing the insert to the top panel, the at least one handling feature being disposed along the peripheral part of the insert.

In certain embodiments, the concave central part defines a point of the insert that is configured to be furthest from the top panel of the closure device.

In certain embodiments, the concave central part defines a point of the insert that is furthest, in a thickness direction of the insert, from a top surface of the peripheral part configured to face the top panel of the closure device.

In certain embodiments, the central part is generally conical.

In certain embodiments, the central part is generally cupulate.

In certain embodiments, the outer layer comprises: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel.

In certain embodiments, the concave central part occupies a majority of a radial span of the insert.

From another aspect, there is provided an insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: a top wall portion configured to be affixed to the top panel, the top wall portion having a bottom surface configured to face away from the top panel when the insert is affixed to the closure device; a side wall portion depending from the top wall portion such that, when the insert is affixed to the closure device, the side wall portion extends away from the top panel, the side wall portion and the top wall portion forming together a concave shape defining a recess on a bottom side of the insert; an outer layer made of a first material and extending along the top wall portion and the side wall portion, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer; and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer and extending along at least the side wall portion, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer extends along the side wall portion and the top wall portion. In certain embodiments, the inner layer is omitted from a part of the top wall portion, the inner layer being disposed radially outwardly from the part of the top wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the side wall portion extends downward from an outer peripheral end of the top wall portion. In certain embodiments, the side wall portion extends generally perpendicular to the top wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the top wall portion comprises: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel. In certain embodiments, the concave shape formed by the top wall portion and the side wall portion is generally cupulate.

In certain embodiments, at least part of the side wall portion is generally conical, the inner layer extending along the at least part of the side wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the side wall portion comprises a conical part adjacent the top wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the conical part is a first part; and the side wall portion further comprises a second part extending downward from the first part, the second part extending at an angle relative to the first part.

In certain embodiments, the second part of the side wall portion comprises a shoulder portion protruding from an inner surface of the side wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer extends along the first part and the second part of the side wall portion.

In certain embodiments, the inner layer is omitted from an entirety of the top wall portion.

These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments will now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific non limiting embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The non-limiting embodiments will be more fully appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, taken from a bottom side, of a closure device for a container in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1, showing the container in dashed lines;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, taken from a top side, of an insert of the closure device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view, taken from a bottom side, of the insert of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of Figure 3 taken along line 5-5 in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the closure device of Figure 1 taken along section A in Figure

2;

Figure 7A is a side elevation view of the insert and a conveyor during transport of the insert on the conveyor;

Figure 7B is a side elevation view of the insert on the conveyor as the insert falls off the conveyor when incorrectly oriented thereon;

Figures 8A to 8C are cross-sectional views of the closure device of Figure 1 in different operational steps during an autogenous welding process of the insert to a cap body of the closure device;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another closure device of a different size provided with the same size insert;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 11 A is a detailed view of part of Figure 11, showing a ridge receiving portion of the closure device; Figure 1 IB is a detailed view of the ridge receiving portion of Figure 11A with a welding ridge of the insert received therein;

Figure 12 is a perspective view, taken from a top side, of the insert of the closure device of Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 13 is a perspective view, taken from a bottom side, of the insert of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of Figure 12 taken along line 15-15 in Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a perspective view, taken from a top side, of the insert of the closure device of Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 17 is a perspective view, taken from a bottom side, of the insert of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of Figure 16 taken along line 19-19 in Figure 16;

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device including the insert of Figure 16;

Figure 21A is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 16 and the conveyor during transport of the insert of the conveyor;

Figure 21B is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 16 on the conveyor when the insert is incorrectly positioned on the conveyor;

Figure 22 is a perspective view, taken from a top side, of the insert of the closure device of Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 23 is a perspective view, taken from a bottom side, of the insert of Figure 22; Figure 24 is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 22;

Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of Figure 22 taken along line 25-25 in Figure22; Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device including the insert of Figure 22;

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of Figure 22 according to another embodiment;

Figure 28A is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 22 and the conveyor during transport of the insert of the conveyor;

Figure 28B is a side elevation view of the insert of Figure 22 on the conveyor when the insert is incorrectly positioned on the conveyor;

Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the insert according to another alternative embodiment of the present technology; Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device with the insert of Figure 29 affixed thereto;

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of the insert according to another alternative embodiment; and

Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of the insert according to another alternative embodiment.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT! SI

Reference will now be made in detail to various non-limiting embodiment(s) of a closure device for a container. It should be understood that other non-limiting embodiment(s), modifications and equivalents will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the non-limiting embodiment(s) disclosed herein and that these variants should be considered to be within scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that certain structural and operational details of the non-limiting embodiment(s) discussed hereafter may be modified or omitted (i.e. non-essential) altogether. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail.

According to non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, there is provided a closure device 10 for a container 12 (illustrated in dashed lines in Figure 2). The container 12 with which the closure device 10 is useable is not limited in its use, configuration or material. In the embodiments illustrated herein, the container 12 is a bohle, such as a drink bohle made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). For example, the container 12 can be a blow-molded bohle for containing still water beverage or another flat beverage. Alternatively, the container 12 can be for a carbonated beverage. In yet further embodiments, the container 12 can be for a hot fill type of beverage (such as a drinkable yogurt, a fruit juice, or the like). However, the closure device 10 can be used with other types of containers. In this embodiment, the container 12 is used for containing a beverage requiring aseptic processing of the container 12 and the closure device 10, including for example teas, juices, wines and beers.

As will be described in detail below, the closure device 10 according to the present technology is provided with an insert 100 configured for controlling gas within the container 12 when the closure device 10 is disposed on the container 12 to seal its contents. As such, the insert 100 may be used in various applications in which the contents of the container 12 can benefit from control of gases in a headspace of the container 12. The insert 100 will be described in detail further below.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the closure device 10 comprises a cap body 14 frangibly attached to a tamper evidence band (TE band) 16. The cap body 14 and the TE band 16 are sized and shaped to be received around a neck 24 of the container 12, the neck 24 defining an open end 26 of the container 12, and the cap body 14 being arranged to close and to fluidly seal the open end 26 when in a closed configuration (illustrated in Figure 2). The TE band 16 and the cap body 14 are arranged to be at least partially separated from one another. As is known in the art, the separation of the TE band 16 and the cap body 14, allows for a “tamper indication” - i.e. an indication that the container 12 has been opened.

The container 12 also includes an annular flange 28 (also referred to as a “tamper-evident bead” or “TE bead”) extending around an outer surface 30 of the neck 24 and spaced from the open end 26 of the container 12. The TE band 16 of the closure device 10 is arranged to engage with the tamper evident bead 28 of the container 12, to retain the TE band 16 on the container 12, in use. The TE bead 28 retains the TE band 16 after the closure device 10 is removed from the container 12.

The container 12 also has a support ledge 34 extending around the outer surface 30 of the neck 24, and spaced from the tamper evident bead 28. The support ledge 34 is spaced further from the open end 26 of the container 12 than the tamper evident bead 28. The support ledge 34 protrudes from the outer surface 30 of the neck 24 of the container 12, by a greater distance than the tamper evident bead 28. A diameter of the TE band 16 of the closure device 10 is less than a diameter of the neck 24 at the support ledge 34, which serves to retain the closure device 10 above the support ledge 34 at the neck 24 of the container 12. In other words, a movement of the TE band 16 away from the open end 26 of the container 12 is delimited by the support ledge 34, in use.

The cap body 14 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a top panel 18 and a skirt 20 depending from the top panel 18. The top panel 18 defines a closed first end 42 of the cap body 14 while the skirt 20 defines an open second end 44 of the cap body 14. The cap body 14 is configured to be received over the open end 26 of the container 12. In this respect, at least the first end 42 of the cap body 14 has a diameter wider than a diameter of the container 12 at the open end 26, to allow retention of the cap body 14 on the neck 24.

The cap body 14 is configured to be actuated to selectively open and close the container 12. In this embodiment, the cap body 14 is actuated via a threaded interface between with the neck 24 of the container 12. Notably, the cap body 14 is retained in a closed configuration on the container 12 by means of the threaded interface with the neck 24. More specifically, an inner surface 50 of the skirt 20 has threads 52 defined therein which are arranged to cooperate with threads 54 (Figure 2) on the outer surface 30 of the neck 24 of the container 12. In alternative embodiments (not shown), one or both of the cap body 14 and the neck 24 does not include the threads 54 and is sized and shaped to snap-fit onto the neck 24 to close the open end 26 of the container 12.

As best shown in Figure 2, the cap body 14 also has an annular plug seal 38 depending from the top panel 18 and configured to be inserted into the open end 26 of the container 12 to form a seal with the neck 24. Notably, the annular plug seal 38 is concentric relative to the relative to the skirt 20 and disposed radially inwardly therefrom. As such, a diameter of the annular plug seal 38 is smaller than a diameter of the skirt 20. The annular plug seal 38 is spaced from the skirt 20 by a distance suitable to accommodate the thickness of the neck 24 of the container 12 at the open end 26.

As shown in Figure 1, an outer surface 60 of the cap body 14 is textured to facilitate gripping of the cap body 14. More specifically, the texturing comprises a plurality of ribs 62 (also known as “knurls”) extending in a direction between the first and second ends 42, 44 of the cap body 14. It should be noted that the sizing and the pattern of the plurality of ribs 62 is not limited to those depicted herein. It is also noted that in alternative embodiments, the plurality of ribs 62 can be omitted altogether.

With continued reference to Figure 1, the skirt 20 of the cap body 14 is frangibly connected to the TE band 16 by a plurality of links 64 which are frangible. The links 64 are arranged to be severed when the cap body 14 and the TE band 16 are rotatably moved relative to one another. A tensile strength of the links 64 are lower than a tensile strength of the TE band 16, which means that the links 64 will be severed before tensile damage to the TE band 16. In use, in the closed configuration, the cap body 14 is retained over the open end 26 of the container 12, adjacent the TE band 16, and connected thereto by one or more of the links 64 when they are intact.

In some embodiments, the closure device 10 may remain attached to the container 12 when the cap body 14 is removed therefrom (e.g., via a retention mechanism such as a leash).

The insert 100 will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5. As can be seen, in this embodiment, the insert 100 is generally disc-shaped and has a top side 102 and a bottom side 104 opposite the top side 102. The insert 100 has a circular outer edge 106 defining a diameter D of the insert 100, shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the diameter D of the insert 100 is sized to fit within the annular plug seal 38 of the closure device 10. In particular, as shown in Figure 2, the diameter D of the insert 100 is slightly smaller than a diameter of the annular plug seal 38 to accommodate the insert 100 within a recess defined by the annular plug seal 38 and the top panel 18.

As shown in Figure 5, the insert 100 has a multi-layer molded construction. More specifically, the insert 100 has an outer layer 110 and an inner layer 112 encapsulated by the outer layer 110 such that the outer layer 110 completely surrounds the inner layer 112 from all sides thereof. As such, the outer layer 110 defines the exterior surfaces of the insert 100. Notably, the outer layer 110 has a top surface 114 and a bottom surface 116 opposite the top surface 114. The top surface 114 is disposed on the top side 102 of the insert 100 while the bottom surface 116 is disposed on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100. The outer layer 110 also defines the circular outer edge 106 of the insert 100. The top surface 114 defines a central recess 115 for accommodating a dimple 75 (Figure 2) of the top panel 18 of the closure device 10. As shown for an alternative embodiment of the insert 100 in Figure 15, in some embodiments, a central protrusion 125 may be provided on the bottom side 104, aligned with the central recess 115, such that a thickness of the insert 100 between the top surface 114 and the bottom surface 116 is constant. As will be described in more detail below, the outer layer 110 defines certain features to facilitate handling thereof.

In this embodiment, the inner layer 112 is generally disc-shaped and is positioned generally centrally between the top and bottom surfaces 114, 116 of the outer layer 110. For instance, in this embodiment, a middle plane MP bisecting a distance between the top surface 114 and the bottom surface 116 extends through the inner layer 112. As will be described in greater detail below, the inner layer 112 may be shaped differently in other embodiments.

The outer layer 110 and the inner layer 112 are made of different materials. Notably, the outer layer 110 and the inner layer 112 are made of a material Ml and material M2 respectively having different properties. In this embodiment, the material Ml is a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas flow through the outer layer 110. For instance, according to various embodiments, the material Ml could include one or more of: high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), nylon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and olefmic block copolymers (OBC).

The inner layer 112 is made of a material M2 having a pre-determined gas control property to control gas flow through the insert 100. In this embodiment, the pre-determined gas control property of the material M2 is a gas generating property causing the material M2 to generate gas to flow out of the insert 100 through the outer layer 110. Notably, in use, gas generated by the inner layer 112 is discharged through the outer layer 110 and into the headspace of the container 12. In this example of implementation, the material M2 is configured to generate hydrogen that is diffused through the outer layer 110 for reaction of the hydrogen with a content of the container 12, and specifically with oxygen trapped in the headspace of the container 12 so as to produce water. This may be useful for example for packaging beverages requiring aseptic processing of the container 12.

In some embodiments, the pre-determined gas control property of the material M2 is a gas absorbing property causing the material M2 to absorb gas through the outer layer 110. For instance, in such embodiments, the material M2 could be an oxygen scavenging material configured to absorb oxygen through the outer layer 110. This may be useful for example to avoid the oxidization of the contents of the container 12. For instance, this may be useful for example in cases the contents of the container 12 is drinkable and a taste thereof would be altered by oxygen trapped in the headspace of the container 12.

In yet other embodiments, the pre-determined gas control property of the material M2 is a gas blocking property causing the material M2 to block gas flow through the inner layer 112

One or more of these potential pre-determined gas control properties of the material M2 can be implemented by one or more of: sodium metal, lithium metal, potassium metal, calcium metal, sodium hydride, lithium hydride, potassium hydride, calcium hydride, magnesium hydride, sodium borohydride, and lithium borohydride.

In this embodiment, the insert 100 is molded via a multi-layer coinjection molding process. Notably, the insert 100 is molded by coinjecting the inner layer 112 within the outer layer 110. This may allow a greater control of the thicknesses of the outer and inner layers 110, 112, thereby allowing a greater control of the gas permeability of the outer layer 110 and ensuring it is thick enough for welding thereof to the closure device 10. A complete description of this type of coinjection molding process can be found in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2021/051189, fried September 11, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The position of the inner layer 112 between the top and bottom surfaces 114, 116 may be controlled using the coinjection molding process. That is, the inner layer 112 may be arranged centrally between opposite walls of the outer layer 110 of generally equivalent thickness. Alternatively, the position of the inner layer 112 may be offset to one side of the multilayer structure of the insert, i.e., closer or further away to one of the top or bottom surfaces 114, 116. The position of the inner layer 112 within the overall multilayer structure may be controlled during molding, for example, by controlling the relative flow rates of inner and outer flows of molding material Ml that encapsulate a flow of the second molding material M2. A technical effect of controlling the position of the inner layer 112 within the overall structure, particularly with reference to the bottom surface 116 that faces, in use, a headspace of the container 12, is a control of a thickness of the bottom part of the outer layer 110 (defining the bottom surface 116) that covers the inner layer 112 and thus the permeability thereof. As such, a permeability of the outer layer 110 can be easily adjusted by controlling the molding parameters to select a biasing of the inner layer 112 within the overall multilayer structure.

In order to affix the insert 100 to the closure device 10, the insert 100 is autogenously welded to the closure device 10. It is to be understood that the expression “autogenously welded” as used herein refers to welding by an autogenous welding process which includes welding processes in which a filler material or adhesive is not used to weld components to one another. For instance, this includes solid state welding processes, such as friction welding and ultrasonic welding, in which coalescence between components results from applying pressure alone or pressure in combination with heat between components. In order to facilitate the autogenous welding of the insert 100 to the closure device 10, the outer layer 110 has a welding ridge 120 that protrudes from the top surface 114 thereof for autogenously welding the insert 100 to the top panel 18.

In some embodiments, autogenously welding the insert 100 to the top panel 18 includes forming a weld, such as a welding ridge 120, between the insert 100 and the top panel 18 along a section of the insert that is radially offset from the inner layer. Autogenously welding the insert to the top panel may include ultrasonically welding the insert 100 to the top panel 18.

As best shown in Figure 3, the welding ridge 120 is annular and borders the circular outer edge 106 of the insert 100. In other words, the welding ridge 120 is disposed near the circular outer edge 106. In particular, in this embodiment, the welding ridge 120 extends, on a radially outward side thereof, upwardly from an upper end of the circular outer edge 106. In some alternative non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the welding ridge 120 can have an interrupted configuration around the circumference of the circular outer edge 106. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the outer layer 110 may have additional welding ridges that are concentric with the welding ridge 120 and disposed radially inwardly thereof. As will be explained in greater detail below, the welding ridge 120 provides material for effecting the autogenous weld of the insert 100 to the closure device 10.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the welding ridge 120 has a cross-sectional profile that is generally triangular. In particular, a topmost vertex of the triangular cross- sectional profile of the welding ridge 120 is disposed, in a radial direction of the insert 100, between the other two vertices thereof.

The welding ridge 120 may be shaped differently in other embodiments. For instance, with reference to Figures 10 to 11B, in some embodiments, the closure device 10 has a ridge receiving portion 35 and the welding ridge 120 is shaped and dimensioned to be received therein. In particular, as shown in Figures 10 and 11A, the ridge receiving portion 35 includes two annular walls 36 depending from the top panel 18 of the closure device 10 and radially spaced from one another. As such, the ridge receiving portion 35 defines a ridge recess 40 defined between the two annular walls 36 and the top panel 18. Therefore, as best shown in Figures 11A and 11B, a cross-sectional profile of the ridge recess 40 is generally trapezoidal. More specifically, the cross-sectional profile of the ridge recess 40 is defined by three surfaces, namely corresponding to the surfaces of the two annular walls facing one another and a bottom surface of the top panel 18. As shown in Figure 11B, in this alternative embodiment, the shape of the cross-sectional profile of the welding ridge 120 corresponds to the shape of the ridge recess 40. Notably, the cross-sectional profile of the welding ridge 120 is trapezoidal and includes three surfaces which are configured to be in contact with the surfaces defining the ridge recess 40. As will be appreciated, in this alternative embodiment, the welding ridge 120 has three surfaces of its cross-sectional profile in contact with the closure device 10 which can facilitate welding the insert 100 to the closure device 10 as a greater amount of friction energy can be obtained given the increased contact surfaces with the closure device 10.

With continued reference to Figures 4 and 5, the outer layer 110 also has a plurality of handling features 130 on the bottom side 104, particularly on the bottom surface 116 of the outer layer 110 for handling the insert 100 during manufacturing of the insert 100 and during welding of the insert 100 to the top panel 18. The handling features 130 are distributed circumferentially evenly about a central axis CA of the insert 100 about which the circular shape of the insert 100 is centered. In this embodiment, the handling features 130 are prismatic protrusions depending from the bottom surface 116 of the outer layer. The handling features 130 may be configured differently in other embodiments. For instance, as shown in Figures 12 to 15, in an alternative embodiment of the insert 100, the handling features 130 may be more numerous and notably occupy a majority of a circumferential span of the insert 100 about the central axis CA thereof. Notably and as an example, the handling features 130 may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another by less than 20° about the central axis CA. For example, in this alternative embodiment, thirty-six handling features 130 are provided such that the handling features 130 are circumferentially spaced apart from one another by approximately 10° about the central axis CA. Providing a greater quantity of handling features 130 may facilitate engagement between the handling features 130 and matching handling features on a tooling as will be described in greater detail below. Furthermore, having the handling features 130 distributed along a greater proportion of the circumferential span of the insert 100 may also be helpful to ensure more even material distribution which can also result in a more homogeneous weld quality when the insert 100 is welded to the top panel 18. As best shown in Figures 13 and 14, in this alternative embodiment, the handling features 130 are angled teeth oriented in a given direction about the central axis CA. That is, the angled teeth are slanted in a direction about the central axis CA. This configuration of the handling features 130 may facilitate the transmittal of torque via the handling features 130.

It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the handling features may instead be recesses defined by the outer layer 110.

With reference to Figures 7A and 7B, the handling features 130 can be helpful to handle the insert 100 during manufacturing of the closure device 10, including manufacturing of the insert 100, such as for example when transporting the insert 100 after molding thereof. For instance, during manufacturing of the closure device 10, the insert 100 (and other identical inserts produced serially therewith) is transported on a conveyor 200 in an upright position in which the top and bottom surfaces 114, 116 are generally upright. Notably, the conveyor 200 has an upright portion 202 and a ledge 204 extending from the upright portion 202. The ledge 204 is relatively short and is intended to support the circular outer edge 106 of the insert 100. As illustrated in Figure 7A, in order to transport the insert 100 on the conveyor 200, the insert 100 is placed with the handling features 130 facing away from the upright portion 202 (i.e., the top side 102 facing the upright portion 202) since, in this position, a center of gravity CG of the insert 100 is aligned with the ledge 204 such that the insert 100 remains upright during transport of the conveyor 200. Otherwise, as illustrated in Figure 7B, if the insert 100 is placed on the conveyor 200 with the handling features 130 facing the upright portion 202, the handling features 130 distance the center of gravity CG of the insert 100 further from the upright portion 202 such that the insert 100 is off balance on the ledge 204, forcing the insert 100 to fall off the conveyor 200. The handling features 130 thus help place the insert 100 in the correct orientation for transport thereof which can be useful for further handling processes in which the orientation of the insert 100 is important (e.g., to place the insert 100 in the correct orientation within the cap body 14).

The insert 100 may be shaped differently in other embodiments. Notably, in an alternative embodiment of the insert 100 illustrated in Figures 16 to 20, the insert 100 has a central part 140 that is concave and defines a recess 145 on the top side 102 of the insert 100. More specifically, according to this alternative embodiment, the insert 100 includes the concave central part 140 and a peripheral part 142 disposed radially outwardly of the central part 140. The handling features 130 are disposed along the peripheral part 142. As shown in Figure 19, the outer and inner layers 110, 112 extend along the central part 140 while, in this embodiment, the inner layer 112 does not extend along the peripheral part 142. As best shown in Figures 19 and 20, the central part 140 extends on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100 such that the central part 140 defines a point 141 of the insert 100 that is furthest from the welding ridge 120 in a thickness direction of the insert 100 (i.e., in the direction of the central axis CA of the insert 100). Similarly, when the insert 100 is affixed to the closure device 10, the point 141 of the insert 100 is furthest from the top panel 18.

The central part 140 occupies a significant portion of the radial span of the insert 100. In particular, in this embodiment, the central part 140 occupies the majority of the radial span of the insert 100. In this embodiment, the central part 140 is generally conical. In particular, the central part 140 has a truncated conical shape. The inner layer 112 is therefore also conical in this embodiment. As can be seen in Figure 19, due to the concave shape of the central part 140, a greater volume of the inner layer 112 is provided in the insert 100 which may improve the efficiency of the gas control property of the inner layer 112.

Moreover, with reference to Figures 21 A and 21B, the concave central part 140 can also be helpful to handle the insert 100 during manufacturing of the closure device 10, including manufacturing of the insert 100, such as for example when transporting the insert 100 after molding thereof. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 21A, in order to transport the insert 100 on the conveyor 200, the insert 100 is placed with the bottom side 104 thereof and thus the central part 140 facing away from the upright portion 202 (i.e., the top side 102 facing the upright portion 202) since, in this position, the center of gravity CG of the insert 100 is aligned with the ledge 204 such that the insert 100 remains upright during transport of the conveyor 200. Otherwise, as illustrated in Figure 21B, if the insert 100 is placed on the conveyor 200 with the bottom side 104 and the central part 140 facing the upright portion 202, the central part 140 distances the center of gravity CG of the insert 100 further from the upright portion 202 such that the insert 100 is off balance on the ledge 204, forcing the insert 100 to fall off the conveyor 200. The concave central part 140 thus helps place the insert 100 in the correct orientation for transport thereof which can be useful for further handling processes in which the orientation of the insert 100 is important (e.g., to place the insert 100 in the correct orientation within the cap body 14).

Furthermore, in this alternative embodiment, the outer layer 110 of the insert 100 also includes an outer ring 146, disposed on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100. The outer ring is at least partially radially aligned with the welding ridge 120 such that the welding ridge 120 is disposed above the outer ring 146. In this embodiment, the outer ring 146 defines the outer edge 106 of the insert 100. The outer ring 146 is annular in shape and surrounds the handling features 130. The outer ring 146 provides a short path for applying a load on the welding ridge 120 when welding the insert 100 to the top panel 18 namely as the outer ring 146 is positioned below the welding ridge 120. In addition, during molding of the insert 100, as the outer ring 146 is being formed, the outer ring 146 shrinks on a core part of a mold which helps ensure that the insert 100 remains on the core part of the mold when opening the mold after forming the insert 100. This may ensure correct positioning of the insert 100 which can be useful for further handling processes in which the orientation and position of the insert 100 is important. It should be understood that the outer ring 146 may also be provided for the other embodiments of the insert 100 described herein.

The concave central part 140 may have a different shape in other embodiments. For instance, as shown in Figures 22 to 27, in another alternative embodiment, the concave central part 140 is generally cupulate. In particular, the concave central part 140 has a bottom wall portion 148 and a peripheral wall portion 150 extending upward from the bottom wall portion 148. Notably, in this alternative embodiment, the recess 145 is defined by the bottom wall portion 148 and the peripheral wall portion 150, with the peripheral wall portion 150 surrounding the recess 145. As shown in Figure 25, the inner layer 112 extends along both the bottom wall portion 148 and the peripheral wall portion 150. The inner layer 112 is therefore also generally cupulate.

As will be appreciated, this shape of the central part 140 also allows a greater quantity of the inner layer 112 to be provided in the insert 100 which may improve the efficiency of the gas control property of the inner layer 112. Moreover, with reference to Figure 24, the diameter D of the insert 100 may be made smaller given that a significant height H of the insert 100 allows additional material M2 of the inner layer 112 to be contained by the insert 100. For instance, a ratio of the height H of the insert 100, measured from the bottom side of the bottom wall portion 148 to the topmost point of the insert 100 on the top side 102 thereof (in this embodiment, the welding ridge 120), over the diameter D of the insert 100 measured across diametrically opposed points of the peripheral edge 106 may be between 0.1 and 0.3 inclusively, or between 0.2 and 0.3 inclusively. In this embodiment, the ratio of the height H over the diameter D is approximately 0.2 (±0.5).

As shown in Figure 27, in some cases, the inner layer 112 can be omitted from part of the bottom wall portion 148 of the concave central part 140. More specifically, the inner layer 112 is omitted from a section 155 of the bottom wall portion 148 that is disposed centrally along the bottom wall portion 148. As can be seen, the inner layer 112 is thus disposed radially outwardly from the section 155. The omission of the inner layer 112 along the section 155 may also help ensure that the inner layer 112 has a consistent thickness, notably since, in this embodiment, the outer and inner layers 110, 112 are formed together in a multi-layer coinjection molding process, as mentioned above. In particular, during molding of the insert 100, stopping the injection of the material M2 of the inner layer 112 before stopping the inj ection of the material Ml of the outer layer 110 in order to pack the material Ml along the section 155 can help maintain the consistent thickness of the inner layer 112 which may in turn help ensure that the gas control property of the inner layer 112 has a consistent efficiency along a span thereof. Furthermore, by forming the section 155 along which the inner layer 112 is omitted, a biasing of the inner layer 112 toward the top surface 114 of the insert 100 can be ensured which may be beneficial to the permeability of the bottom part of the outer layer 110. As such, the thickness of the bottom part of the outer layer 110, measured between the bottom surface 116 and the inner layer 112, may be greater than the thickness of the top part of the outer layer measured between the top surface 114 and the inner layer 112.

As can be appreciated from Figures 28A and 28B, the cupulate concave central part 140 can also be helpful to handle the insert 100 during manufacturing of the closure device 10, including manufacturing of the insert 100. Notably, the cupulate concave central part 140 helps orient the insert 100 on the conveyor 200 as discussed above with regard to the insert 100 in the embodiment of Figures 16 to 21B.

As shown in Figure 25, in this alternative embodiment, the outer layer 110 also has a shoulder portion 160 protruding radially inwardly from the central part 140. The shoulder portion 160 defines a reduced diameter of the recess 145 at an upper end of the central part 140. In this embodiment, the shoulder portion 160 is annular and has a rounded cross- sectional profile. Other shapes of the shoulder portion 160 are also contemplated. The shoulder portion 160 may also facilitate handling of the insert 100 during manufacturing thereof. Notably, during molding, the shoulder portion 160 shrinks on a core part of a mold which helps ensure that the insert 100 remains on the core part of the mold when opening the mold after forming the insert 100. This may ensure correct positioning of the insert 100 which can be useful for further handling processes in which the orientation and position of the insert 100 is important. It should be understood that the shoulder portion 160 may also be provided for the other embodiments of the insert 100 described herein such as the embodiment illustrated in Figures 16 to 21B.

With reference now to Figures 29 and 30, in some alternative embodiments, the insert 100 is configured such that the inner layer 112 is offset from the welding ridge 120, and thereby the welding ridge 120 does not overlap the inner layer 112. Notably, a line extending parallel to the central axis CA of the insert 100 and traversing any point along the width of the cross-sectional profile of the welding ridge 120 does not traverse the inner layer 112. Thus, given that the insert 100 has a generally circular periphery in this alternative embodiment, the welding ridge 120 is radially offset from the inner layer 112 (i.e., along a radial direction of the insert 100). More specifically, the inner layer 112 has a radial inner edge 122 and a radial outer edge 124 defining the width of the inner layer 112 therebetween, and the welding ridge 120 is disposed radially inwardly of the radial inner edge 122. In particular, the radial inner edge 122 of the inner layer 112 circumscribes a center portion 126 of the insert 100 made of the material Ml of the outer layer 110. As can be seen, the center portion 126 is centered about the central axis CA and includes the welding ridge 120. Thus, the center portion 126 is formed exclusively by the outer layer 110. Furthermore, in this alternative embodiment, the center portion 126 of the insert 100 is elevated relative to the circular outer edge 106 of the insert 100 such that the center portion 126 is axially offset therefrom. As will be appreciated, given that the welding ridge 120 is positionally constrained within the center portion 126, the size of the welding ridge 120 is relatively small in this alternative embodiment. For instance, in this embodiment, a ratio of the insert diameter D over a ridge diameter RD of the welding ridge 120 is between 2 and 4 inclusively. More specifically, in this embodiment, the ratio of the insert diameter D over the ridge diameter RD is between 2.5 and 3.5 inclusively. Moreover, a ridge height RH of the welding ridge 120, measured from the top surface 114 of the outer layer 112 to a top end 127 of the welding ridge 120, is relatively small. For instance, a ratio of the ridge diameter RD over the ridge height RH is less than 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the ratio of the ridge diameter RD over the ridge height RH is approximately 8 (±0.5). In some embodiments, the ratio of the ridge RD over the ridge height RH may also be 10 or greater.

The top end 127 of the welding ridge 120 includes a ridge apex angle. In some embodiments, the ridge apex angle may be between 60° and 90°. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figure 29, the ridge apex angle is approximately 80°.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the ridge height RH and the thickness of the material Ml may be between 1 and 2. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figure 29, the ratio between the ridge height RH and the thickness of the material Ml is approximately 1.5.

The offset position of the welding ridge 120 relative to the inner layer 112 may be helpful to avoid causing a defect in the insert 100 during welding to the closure device 10 which might otherwise affect the performance of the insert 100. In particular, in embodiments in which the insert 100 is ultrasonically welded to the closure device 10, a sonotrode (a tool that creates ultrasonic vibrations) applied on the bottom surface 116 of the insert 100 directly below the welding ridge 120 in order to weld the insert 100 to the closure device 10 could potentially damage the outer layer 110 and thereby expose any underlying material. However, as the welding ridge 120 is radially offset from the inner layer 112, the sonotrode is not applied at a point at which the inner layer 112 is present, therefore eliminating the risk of exposing the inner layer 112. With continued reference to Figures 29 and 30, in this alternative embodiment, the insert 100 has a concave shape to define a recess 132 on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100. More specifically, in this alternative embodiment, the insert 100 has a top wall portion 134 which, in use, is affixed to the top panel 18 of the cap body 14, and a side wall portion 136 depending from the top wall portion 134 such that, when the insert 100 is affixed to the closure device 10, the side wall portion 136 extends away from the top panel 18. The top wall portion 134 includes the center portion 126 described above and has a top surface (corresponding to part of the top surface 114 of the outer layer 110) and a bottom surface 138 which faces away from the top panel 18 when the insert 100 is affixed to the closure device 10. The welding ridge 120 protrudes from the top surface 114 along the top wall portion 134.

The side wall portion 136 extends downward from an outer peripheral end 138 of the top wall portion 134. In particular, the side wall portion 136 extends downwardly and radially outwardly from the outer peripheral end 138 of the top wall portion 134. As can be seen, in this alternative embodiment, the side wall portion 136 has a conical part 152 and a straight part 154 extending downward from the conical part 152. The conical part 152 is generally conical in shape and is adjacent the top wall portion 134. Notably, the conical part 152 extends downward from the outer peripheral end 138 of the top wall portion 134. The inner layer 112 extends along the conical part 152 and the straight part 154. The straight part 154 extends at an angle relative to the conical part 152. In particular, in this embodiment, the straight part 154 forms an obtuse angle with the conical part 152. Furthermore, the side wall portion 136 includes a shoulder portion 161 protruding radially inwardly from an inner surface 156 of the side wall portion 136.

Together, the side wall portion 136 and the top wall portion 134 form a concave shape that defines the recess 132 on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100. In this embodiment, the concave shape formed by the side wall portion 136 and the top wall portion 134 is generally cupulate. As can be seen, the outer layer 110 extends along both the top wall portion 134 and the side wall portion 136. However, given that the inner layer 112 is offset from the welding ridge 120 in this embodiment, the inner layer 112 extends solely along the side wall portion 136 (i.e., the inner layer 112 is omitted from the entirety of the top wall portion 134). As will be described in more detail below, in other embodiments, the inner layer 112 may also extend along the top wall portion 134.

As can be seen, the concave shape formed by the top wall portion 134 and the side wall portion 136, particularly with the recess 132 being defined on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100, can allow a greater efficiency of the insert 100. In particular, as best shown in Figure 30, this shape allows the insert 100 to be exposed to gas within the container 12 from both the bottom side 104 and part of the top side 102 of the insert 100. As such, gas can reach the inner layer 112 (by first traversing the outer layer 110) through both sides 102, 104 of the insert 100. For instance, gas can reach the inner layer 112 in the side wall portion 136 by traversing the outer layer 110 from the inner surface 156 of the side wall portion 136 and also by traversing the outer layer 110 from an outer surface 158 of the side wall portion 138. Therefore, the inner layer 112 is activated through both sides thereof, and therefore the gas control property of the inner layer 112 is more efficiently used. In addition, this configuration of the insert 100 results in a reduction of unused space compared to certain embodiments in which the concave shape of the insert 100 defines a recess on the top side 102 (see Figures 16 to 27). Notably, in this alternative embodiment, gas can enter the recess 132 of the insert 100 on the bottom side 104, whereas in the embodiments of Figures 16 to 27 the space between the concave shape and the top panel 18 is left unused.

In some embodiments, the increased efficiency of the insert 100 brought on by exposure to gas within the container on both sides 102, 104 of the insert 100 may also decrease the lifespan of the gas control property of the inner layer 112. The thickness or amount of the inner layer 112 in the insert may be increased to compensate for the decreased lifespan. In some embodiments, the thickness of the inner layer 112 is greater than the thickness of the outer layer 110.

With reference now to Figures 31 and 32, the insert 100 may also be configured differently while still defining the recess 132 on the bottom side 104 of the insert 100. For instance, in the embodiments of Figures 31 and 32, the insert 100 includes the top wall portion 134 and the side wall portion 136 forming the concave shape of the insert 100, and the inner layer 112 extends within both the top wall portion 134 and the side wall portion 136. Moreover, as can be seen, in both embodiments, the side wall portion 136 extends generally perpendicular to the top wall portion 134. The inner layer 112 is omitted from a part of the top wall portion 134, with the inner layer 112 being disposed radially outwardly therefrom. Although, in the embodiments of Figures 31 and 32, the welding ridge 120 is radially aligned with a part of the inner layer 112, the concave shape of the insert 100 defining the recess 132 on the bottom side 104 provides the aforementioned greater efficiency of the insert 100 due to the inner layer 112 being capable of exposure to gas from an inner side and an outer side of the side wall portion 136. The inserts 100 depicted in Figures 31 and 32 are configured to be ultrasonically welded to the top panel 18 of the closure device 10 and as such omit the handling features 130.

An embodiment of the process for autogenously welding some of the inserts 100 described above to the closure device 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 8 A to 8C. More specifically, in this embodiment, the insert 100 is friction welded to the top panel 18 of the closure device 10. Notably, friction welding is a fast process and is therefore advantageous for serial manufacturing, while also producing robust welds thereby ensuring that the insert 100 is properly attached to the closure device 10. Other autogenous welding processes (e.g., ultrasonic welding) are contemplated in other embodiments. In particular, autogenous welding processes do not implement additives (e.g., glue) which may contaminate a content of the container 12 in use.

First, as shown in Figure 8A, the insert 100 is placed on a tooling 300. Notably, the tooling 300 is a static insert holder for holding the insert 100 while welding the insert 100 to the top panel 18. The insert holder 300 has a plurality of handling features 302 along a top surface thereof which match the handling features 130 of the insert 100. In particular, the handling features 302 of the insert holder 300 engage the handling features 130 of the insert 100 to fix the insert 100 relative to the insert holder 300 during welding. More specifically, in this embodiment, the matching handling features 302 of the insert holder 300 are recesses which are shaped and dimensioned to receive respective ones of the handling features 130 of the insert 100. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the handling features 130 of the insert 100 may instead be recesses while the handling features 302 are protrusions. As such, the handling features 130 of the insert 100 are also used for handling the insert 100 during welding thereof to the top panel 18.

Continuing with Figure 8A, the closure device 10 is inserted into a rotary chuck 320. Notably, the chuck 320 defines a recess 322 shaped and dimensioned to retain the closure device 10 such that the closure device 10 is fixed relative to the chuck 320 during operation thereof. Next, in Figure 8B, the chuck 320 is moved downward to place the insert 100 within the closure device 10. As illustrated by the arrow, as the top surface 114 of the insert 100 approximates the top panel 18 of the closure device 10, the chuck 320 begins rotating relative to the insert holder 300. As such, the closure device 10 rotates about the central axis CA of the insert 100. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the chuck 320 may remain fixed in place while the insert holder 300 rotates.

Next, in Figure 8C, as illustrated by the arrows, in addition to rotation of the chuck 320, a downward load is applied on the chuck 320 to force the top panel 18 against the insert 100. As the chuck 320 rotates the closure device 10, the welding ridge 120 of the insert 100 is in contact with the top panel 18 and, due to the relative motion between the welding ridge 120 and the top panel 18, is dissolved to join the outer layer 110 of the insert 100 to the top panel 18. In embodiments in which the closure device 10 has the ridge receiving portion 35, as mentioned above, dissolving the welding ridge 120 is further facilitated by the additional contact surfaces between the closure device 10 and the welding ridge 120. The insert 100 is thus welded to the top panel 18 along a peripheral end portion of the outer layer 110, on the top side 102 of the insert 100. Notably, with reference to Figure 6, a resulting peripheral weld W between the top panel 18 and the insert 100 is formed by the now dissolved material of the welding ridge 120. As can be seen, in this embodiment, a gap 45 is defined between a central portion of the top surface 114 of the insert 100 and the top panel 18, namely as the weld W spaces the top surface 114 from the top panel 18. The peripheral weld W provides a good seal such that liquids may not enter the gap 45. This may be useful for example to keep peroxide from flowing between the insert 100 and the top panel 18 in an aseptic bottling process which uses peroxide to clean the closure device 10 and the container 12 prior to bottling the contents of the container 12. Notably, draining a liquid such as peroxide from the space between the insert 100 and the top panel 18 would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

As will be appreciated, some of the inserts 100 described above, namely those illustrated in Figures 29 to 32, do not include the handling features 130 and are not expressly designed for being friction welded to the closure device 10. Rather, the inserts 100 of Figures 29 to 32 are configured for being ultrasonically welded to the closure device 10. Notably, as briefly described above, in those embodiments of the insert 100, a sonotrode is applied on the insert 100, directly below the welding ridge 120, to affix the insert 100 to the top panel 18 of the closure device 10. As shown for example in Figure 30, the resulting peripheral weld W is formed from the molten material of the welding ridge 120. Moreover, in the embodiment of Figure 30, the peripheral weld W is formed along a section of the insert 100 that is radially offset from the inner layer 112.

Molding the insert 100 separately from the closure device 10 and then welding it thereto in the maimers described above also provides greater flexibility in the use of the insert 100. In particular, the insert 100 can be used for different models of the closure device 10, for instance having different sizes. For example, with reference to Figure 9, the closure device 10 could have a greater diameter and still be provided with the same sized insert 100. As shown in Figure 9, the insert 100 may thus be spaced further from the annular plug seal 38 in such cases.

It should be expressly understood that various technical effects mentioned throughout the description above need not be enjoyed in each and every embodiment of the present technology. As such, it is anticipated that in some implementations of the present technology, only some of the above-described technical effects may be enjoyed. While in other implementations of the present technology, none of the above enumerated technical effects may be present, while other technical effects not specifically enumerated above may be enjoyed. It should be expressly understood that the above enumerated technical effects are provided for illustration purposes only, to enable those skilled in the art to better appreciate embodiments of the present technology and by no means are provided to limit the scope of the present technology or of the claims appended herein below.

It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent non-limiting embodiments. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications to the disclosed non-embodiment(s) can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. As such, the described non-limiting embodiment(s) ought to be considered to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications. Other beneficial results can be realized by applying the non-limiting embodiments in a different manner or modifying them in ways known to those familiar with the art. This includes the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various non-limiting embodiment(s) is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Although the description is made for particular arrangements and methods, the intent and concept thereof may be suitable and applicable to other arrangements and applications.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer, the outer layer comprising: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel; and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert.

2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined gas control property is a gas generating property causing the second material to generate gas to flow out of the insert through the outer layer.

3. The insert of claim 2, wherein the second material is configured to generate hydrogen for discharge thereof through the outer layer and into the container for reaction of the hydrogen with a content of the container.

4. The insert of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined gas control property is a gas absorbing property causing the second material to absorb gas through the outer layer.

5. The insert of claim 4, wherein the second material is configured to absorb oxygen through the outer layer.

6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined gas control property is a gas blocking property causing the second material to block gas flow through the inner layer.

7. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second material includes at least one of: sodium metal, lithium metal, potassium metal, calcium metal, sodium hydride, lithium hydride, potassium hydride, calcium hydride, magnesium hydride, sodium borohydride, and lithium borohydride.

8. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first material includes at least one of: high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), nylon, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and olefmic block copolymers (OBC).

9. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one welding ridge is annular.

10. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: the outer layer defines a circular outer edge; and the at least one welding ridge borders the circular outer edge.

11. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one welding ridge is configured for solid state welding the insert to the top panel.

12. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one welding ridge is configured for friction welding the insert to the top panel.

13. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the outer layer further comprises at least one handling feature on the bottom surface of the outer layer for handling the insert during manufacturing of the insert and/or welding the insert to the top panel.

14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the at least one handling feature is configured to locate the insert relative to a tooling for welding the insert to the top panel.

15. The insert of claim 13 or 14, wherein each of the at least one handling feature is a protrusion depending from the bottom surface of the outer layer.

16. The insert of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the at least one handling feature includes a plurality of handling features, the handling features being distributed circumferentially evenly about a central axis of the insert.

17. The insert of claim 16, wherein the handling features are radially aligned with one another and occupy a majority of a circumferential span of the insert about the central axis of the insert.

18. The insert of claim 17, wherein the handling features are angled teeth oriented in a given direction about the central axis.

19. The insert of claim 17 or 18, wherein: the insert comprises a central part and a peripheral part disposed radially outwardly of the central part; and the handling features are disposed along the peripheral part.

20. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are molded together via a multi-layer coinjection molding process.

21. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein a position of the inner layer is biased toward one of the top surface and the bottom surface such that a first thickness of the outer layer measured between the top surface and the inner layer is different from a second thickness of the outer layer measured between the bottom surface and the inner layer.

22. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: the insert comprises a central part and a peripheral part disposed radially outwardly of the central part; the inner and outer layers extend along the central part; and the central part is concave.

23. The insert of claim 22, wherein the central part defines a point of the insert that is configured to be furthest from the top panel of the closure device.

24. The insert of claim 23, wherein the point of the insert is furthest from the at least one welding ridge in a thickness direction of the insert.

25. The insert of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the inner layer does not extend along the peripheral part.

26. The insert of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the outer layer comprises a shoulder portion protruding radially inwardly from the central part.

27. The insert of any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the central part is generally conical.

28. The insert of any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the central part is generally cupulate.

29. The insert of claim 28, wherein: the central part comprises a bottom wall portion and a peripheral wall portion extending from the bottom wall portion, the peripheral wall portion surrounding a recess defined between the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion; and the inner layer extends along the bottom wall portion and the peripheral wall portion.

30. The insert of any one of claims 22 to 29, wherein the inner layer is omitted from a portion of the central part, the inner layer being disposed radially outwardly from the portion of the central part.

31. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the outer layer further comprises an outer ring that is at least partially radially aligned with the at least one welding ridge, the outer ring being configured for transmitting a load to the at least one welding ridge during welding thereof to the closure device.

32. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one welding ridge is radially offset from the inner layer.

33. The insert of claim 32, wherein: the inner layer has a radial inner edge and a radial outer edge; and the at least one welding ridge is disposed radially inwardly of the radial inner edge of the inner layer.

34. The insert of claim 33, wherein the radial inner edge of the inner layer circumscribes a center portion of the insert, the center portion including the at least one welding ridge.

35. The insert of claim 32 or 33, wherein a center portion of the insert is centered about a central axis of the insert and includes the at least one welding ridge, the center portion of the insert being made of the first material.

36. The insert of claim 34 or 35, wherein the insert has a circular outer edge defining an insert diameter of the insert, the circular outer edge being axially offset from the center portion.

37. The insert of any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein: the at least one welding ridge has a ridge diameter; the insert has an insert diameter defined by a circular outer edge thereof; and a ratio of the insert diameter over the ridge diameter is between 2 and 4 inclusively.

38. The insert of claim 37, wherein the ratio of the insert diameter over the ridge diameter is between 2.5 and 3.5.

39. The insert of any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein: the at least one welding ridge has a ridge diameter; the at least one welding ridge has a ridge height measured from the top surface of the outer layer; and a ratio of the ridge diameter over the ridge height is less than 10.

40. The insert of claim 39, wherein the ratio of the ridge diameter over the ridge height is approximately 8.

41. The insert of any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the at least one welding ridge has a generally triangular cross-sectional profile.

42. A closure device for a container, comprising: a top panel having an inner surface; a skirt depending from the top panel; and the insert of any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the outer layer is autogenously welded to the inner surface of the top panel.

43. A method of manufacturing an insert at a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the method comprising: molding an insert such that the insert comprises an outer layer and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer and into the inner layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert; and autogenously welding the insert to the top panel.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein: the outer layer comprises at least one welding ridge protruding from a top surface of the outer layer; and autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises causing the at least one welding ridge to dissolve and thereby join the outer layer to the top panel.

45. The method of claim 43 or 44, wherein autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises solid state welding the insert to the top panel.

46. The method of any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises friction welding the insert to the top panel.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein friction welding the insert to the top panel comprises rotating one of the closure device and the insert relative to an other one of the closure device and the insert.

48. The method of any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein: molding the insert comprises forming at least one handling feature on a bottom surface of the outer layer; and the method further comprises positioning the insert on a tooling such that the at least one handling feature of the outer layer engages at least one matching handling feature of the tooling.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein: autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises rotating one of the closure device and the tooling; and the at least one handling feature of the outer layer secures the insert in place relative to the tooling such that the insert does not rotate relative to the tooling in response to rotation of the one of the closure device and the tooling.

50. The method of claim 48 or 49, wherein each of the at least one handling feature is a protrusion depending from the bottom surface of the outer layer.

51. The method of claim 43, further comprising controlling a position of the inner layer between a top surface and a bottom surface of the outer layer during molding to affect a permeability of the outer layer between the bottom surface and the inner layer.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein, during molding, the position of the inner layer is biased toward one of the top surface and the bottom surface such that a first thickness of the outer layer measured between the top surface and the inner layer is different from a second thickness of the outer layer measured between the bottom surface and the inner layer.

53. The method of claim 43, wherein autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises forming a weld between the insert and the top panel along a section of the insert that is radially offset from the inner layer.

54. The method of claim 43 or 53, wherein autogenously welding the insert to the top panel comprises ultrasonically welding the insert to the top panel.

55. An insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material, the outer layer comprising: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel; and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material being configured to provide a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert.

56. An insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: an outer layer made of a first material, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer, the outer layer being configured to be affixed to the top panel; an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert; a concave central part defining a recess on a top side of the insert configured to face the top panel of the closure device, the outer layer and the inner layer extending along the concave central part; a peripheral part disposed radially outwardly of the concave central part, the outer layer forming the peripheral part.

57. The insert of claim 56, wherein the inner layer is omitted from the peripheral part.

58. The insert of claim 56 or 57, wherein the outer layer comprises least one handling feature on a bottom surface of the outer layer for handling the insert during manufacturing of the insert/or affixing the insert to the top panel, the at least one handling feature being disposed along the peripheral part of the insert.

59. The insert of claim 58, wherein the at least one handling feature is configured to locate the insert relative to a tooling for welding the insert to the top panel.

60. The insert of claim 58 or 59, wherein the at least one handling feature includes a plurality of handling features, the handling features being distributed circumferentially evenly about a central axis of the insert.

61. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 60, wherein the concave central part defines a point of the insert that is configured to be furthest from the top panel of the closure device.

62. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 60, wherein the concave central part defines a point of the insert that is furthest, in a thickness direction of the insert, from a top surface of the peripheral part configured to face the top panel of the closure device.

63. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 62, wherein the outer layer comprises a shoulder portion protruding radially inwardly from the central part.

64. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 63, wherein the central part is generally conical .

65. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 63, wherein the central part is generally cupulate.

66. The insert of claim 65, wherein: the central part comprises a bottom wall portion and a peripheral wall portion extending from the bottom wall portion, the peripheral wall portion surrounding a recess defined between the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion; and the inner layer extends along the bottom wall portion and the peripheral wall portion.

67. The insert of claim any one of claims 56 to 66, wherein the inner layer is omitted from a portion of the central part, the inner layer being disposed radially outwardly from the portion of the central part.

68. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 67, wherein the outer layer comprises: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel.

69. The insert of claim 68, wherein the outer layer further comprises an outer ring that is at least partially radially aligned with the at least one welding ridge, the outer ring being configured for transmitting a load to the at least one welding ridge during welding thereof to the closure device.

70. The insert of any one of claims 56 to 69, wherein the concave central part occupies a majority of a radial span of the insert.

71. An insert for a closure device for a container, the closure device having a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom, the insert comprising: a top wall portion configured to be affixed to the top panel, the top wall portion having a bottom surface configured to face away from the top panel when the insert is affixed to the closure device; a side wall portion depending from the top wall portion such that, when the insert is affixed to the closure device, the side wall portion extends away from the top panel, the side wall portion and the top wall portion forming together a concave shape defining a recess on a bottom side of the insert; an outer layer made of a first material and extending along the top wall portion and the side wall portion, the first material being a polymeric material that is gas permeable to allow gas through the outer layer; and an inner layer encapsulated by the outer layer and extending along at least the side wall portion, the inner layer made of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a pre-determined gas control property for controlling gas flow through the insert.

72. The insert of claim 71, wherein the inner layer extends along the side wall portion and the top wall portion.

73. The insert of claim 72, wherein the inner layer is omitted from a part of the top wall portion, the inner layer being disposed radially outwardly from the part of the top wall portion.

74. The insert of any one of claims 71 to 73, wherein the side wall portion extends downward from an outer peripheral end of the top wall portion.

75. The insert of any one of claims 71 to 74, wherein the side wall portion extends generally perpendicular to the top wall portion.

76. The insert of any one of claims 71 to 75, wherein the top wall portion comprises: a top surface configured to face the top panel; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and at least one welding ridge protruding from the top surface for autogenously welding the insert to the top panel.

77. The insert of any one of claims 71 to 76, wherein the concave shape formed by the top wall portion and the side wall portion is generally cupulate.

78. The insert of any one of claims 71 to 75, wherein at least part of the side wall portion is generally conical, the inner layer extending along the at least part of the side wall portion.

79. The insert of claim 78, wherein the side wall portion comprises a conical part adjacent the top wall portion.

80. The insert of claim 79, wherein: the conical part is a first part; and the side wall portion further comprises a second part extending downward from the first part, the second part extending at an angle relative to the first part.

81. The insert of claim 80, wherein the second part of the side wall portion comprises a shoulder portion protruding from an inner surface of the side wall portion.

82. The insert of claim 79 or 80, wherein the inner layer extends along the first part and the second part of the side wall portion.

83. The insert of claim 71, wherein the inner layer is omitted from an entirety of the top wall portion.