ZA200810492B - Closure member - Google Patents

Description

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TITLE OF INVENTION :

Closure member

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a closure member.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a closure member in the form. of a cap for bottles. oo

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

“Normally dairy and juice products are packaged in plastic containers or bottles made from either PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) or HDPE (High Density

Polyethylene). The majority of these containers have a nominal neck diameter size of 38mm. PET containers used for these products and having 38mm diameter necks are mostly manufactured to a recognized international thread standard, referred to as “38mm PET 3 Start”, but also sometimes referred to as the 3 start “Berricap” thread. Figure 1 of the drawings shows dimensions associated with this internationally recognized standard. However, there is no recognized standard for thread and neck dimensions on HDPE containers used for these products and there is thus a variance in these thread and neck dimensions on HDPE containers.

In Europe there is an apparent trend towards adopting the standard PET 3 start dimensions for HDPE container necks. This standard applies to all relevant dimensions except for the internal orifice diameter which is impractical to replicate. Due to the way that HDPE containers are produced, the orifice diameter on HDPE containers is invariably smaller than that of a standard PET container having the same nominal dimensions.

Because of the above problems, the current practice is to have two unique closures, one for 38mm PET containers and another for 38mm HDPE containers.

As many container filling companies fill their products into both PET and HDPE containers, they are therefore required to hold stock of both types of closures.

This is has a disadvantage in that production time is lost during the delay when

DG Ref: 673814 changing from one closure type to the other. Furthermore, additional costs are incurred due to tooling requirements and spare parts, in order to accommodate the unscrambling, conveying and application of the different closure types.

Possible methods of alleviating these problems include the modification of the

PET neck to incorporate the HDPE neck orifice size. This is not an attractive . option as it adds weight to the PET product and would be a move away from an international standard. Alternatively, a common closure can be used that relies on a liner to provide the seal. This too is not attractive, due to the additional : costs associated with the manufacture of this type of closure. . 10 It is an object of the invention to suggest a closure member, which will assist in overcoming these problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a closure member for closing a container orifice includes a lid; an annular skirt depending from the lid and being provided with attachment means for attaching the lid to a container neck; an annular first plug element extending from the lid and being concentric with the skirt, the first plug element being adapted to abut against a first type of container neck; and an annular second plug element extending from the lid and being concentric with the skirt, the second plug element being adapted to abut against a second type of container neck.

The first plug element may be adapted to be in sliding and sealing contact with the first type of container neck.

The first plug element may be is adapted to abut against an outer diameter of the first type of container neck.

The first plug element may be adapted to abut against an inner diameter of the first type of container neck.

The first plug element may be adapted to abut against a top outer surface of the first type of container neck.

DrG Ref: 673814

2 NN,

A #2008 /10492

The second plug element may be adapted to be in sliding and sealing contact with the second type of container neck. : The second plug element may be adapted to abut against an outer diameter of the second type of container neck.

The second plug element may be adapted to abut against an inner. diameter of ’ the second type of container neck.

The first and second plug elements may have a height being less than a height ) of the skirt, thereby being housed within the confines of the skirt. : The first type of container may be a PET container, such as a PET bottle. :

The second type of container may be an HDPE container, such as an HDPE bottle.

The invention extends to a container having a container orifice that is closed by a closure member as described herein.

The invention also extends to the use of a closure member as described herein - for closing a container orifice.

Also according to the invention, a method of utilizing a single closure member to selectively close a container orifice in either of two different types of containers, : includes the steps of attaching a closure member to a container so as to cover its container orifice, the closure member having a first plug element and a second plug element; of having the first plug element abut against a neck of a first type of container when the closure member is attached to the first type of container; and of having the second plug element abut against a neck of a second type of container when the closure member is attached to the second type of container.

The method may include the step of abutting the first and second plug elements with the container neck in a sliding and sealing contact.

The method may include the step of abutting the first plug element against the outer diameter of the first type of container neck.

DrG Ref: 673814

: :

The method may include the step of abutting the first plug element against the inner diameter of the first type of container neck. : The method may include the step of abutting the second plug element against the outer diameter of the second type of container neck. 5 The method may include the step of abutting the second plug element against ’ the inner diameter of the second type of container neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the : ) accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in:

Figure 1: A partial side view of a conventional PET bottle neck showing terminology and standardised dimensions;

Figure 2: A sectional side view of a closure member according to the invention; :

Figure 3: A sectional side view of the closure member of Figure 2, showing an attachment configuration for PET containers on its left side and an attachment configuration for HDPE containers on its right side;

Figure 4: A sectional side view of the closure member of Figure 2, showing a further attachment configuration for PET containers; and

Figure 5: A sectional side view of the closure member of Figure 2, showing a further attachment configuration for HDPE containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to Figures 2 to 5, a closure member in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown. The closure member 10 includes a generally round lid 12 having an annular depending skirt 14. The skirt 14 is provided with an internal thread 16 being adapted to engage with a complimentary thread provided on a container or bottle neck.

DrG Ref: 673814

The closure member 10 further has annular outer and inner plug elements 18,20 extending from the lid 12 within the confines of the skirt 14 so that the outer and inner plug elements 18,20 and the skirt 14 are concentric with each other.

As shown in Figure 3, the outer plug element 18 has an internal diameter ] suitable for abutting against and be in sliding and sealing contact with the outer diameter of a PET bottle neck, i.e. being the minor thread diameter, indicated by reference numeral 22 in Figure 3. Thus as shown on the left side of Figure 3, - the outer plug element 18 assists in sealing a PET bottle orifice. . 10 Conversely, the inner plug element 20 has an external diameter suitable for abutting against and be in sliding and sealing contact with the inner diameter of an HDPE bottle neck, i.e. being the orifice diameter, indicated by reference numeral 24 in Figure 3. Thus as shown on the right side of Figure 3, the inner plug element 20 assists in sealing an HDPE bottle orifice.

As shown in Figure 4, the outer plug element 18 can also be used to abut against and be in sliding and sealing contact with the inner diameter of a PET bottle neck, i.e. being the orifice diameter, indicated by reference numeral 26.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 5, the inner plug element 20 can alternatively be used to abut against and be in sliding and sealing contact with the outer diameter of a PET bottle neck, i.e. being the minor thread diameter, indicated by reference numeral 28.

The outer and inner plug elements 18,20 do not add any significant material weight or cost to the manufacture of the closure member 10.

Although conventional PET closures often have both an inner and outer plugs, these plugs are not adapted to abut against the bottle neck of an HDPE bottle and thus do not assist in sealing such HDPE bottles.

The closure member 10 provides a cost-effective single cap solution that accommodates the international 3 start PET thread standard specification as well as accommodating variances that are typically associated with HDPE necks. . : DrG Ref: 673814

This provides potential costs savings for the industry due to a reduction in manufacturing costs, i.e. required fewer types of caps to be manufactured, and also less stock holding being required. Production efficiencies at fillers are also improved, as the delay in change-over times is obviated. Furthermore, less .. 5 capital investment is required on the equipment and spare parts which are required to handle two different types of closures.

DrG Ref: 673814

Claims (23)

NE Sa ° CLAIMS

1. A closure member for closing a container orifice including a lid; an annular : skirt depending from the lid and being provided with attachment means for attaching the lid to a container neck; an annular first plug element extending from the lid and being concentric with the skirt, the first plug } element being adapted to abut against a first type of container neck; and an annular second plug element extending from the lid and being concentric with the skirt, the second plug element being adapted to abut : against a second type of container neck.

. 2. A closure member as claimed in claim 1, in which the first plug element is adapted to be in sliding and sealing contact with the first type of container neck.

3. A closure member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first plug element is adapted to abut against an outer diameter of the first type of container neck.

4. A closure member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first plug element is adapted to abut against an inner diameter of the first type of container neck. :

5. A closure member as claimed claim 1, in which the first plug element is adapted to abut against a top outer surface of the first type of container neck.

6. A closure member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second plug element is adapted to be in sliding and sealing contact with the second type of container neck.

7. A closure member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second plug element is adapted to abut against an outer diameter of the second type of container neck.DrG Ref: 673814

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8. A closure member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the second plug element is adapted to abut against an inner diameter of the second type of container neck.

9. A closure member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second plug elements have a height being less than a height ) of the skirt, thereby being housed within the confines of the skirt.

10. A closure member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which } the first type of container is a PET container, such as a PET bottle.

11. A closure member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second type of container is an HDPE container, such as an HDPE bottle.

12. A closure member substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

13. A container having a container orifice that is closed by a closure member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

14. Use of a closure member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 for closing a container orifice.

15. A method of utilizing a single closure member to selectively close a container orifice in either of two different types of containers, the method including the steps of attaching a closure member to a container so as to cover its container orifice, the closure member having a first plug element and a second plug element; of having the first plug element abut against a neck of a first type of container when the closure member is attached to the first type of container; and of having the second plug element abut against a neck of a second type of container when the closure member is attached to the second type of container.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, which includes the step of abutting the first and second plug elements with the container neck in a sliding and sealing contact. DrG Ref: 673814

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, which includes the step of abutting the first plug element against the outer diameter of the first type of container neck.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, which includes the step of abutting the first plug element against the inner diameter of the first type of . container neck.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, which includes the step of abutting the second plug element against the outer diameter of the second type of container neck.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, which includes the step of abutting the second plug element against the inner diameter of the second type of container neck.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, in which the first type of container is a PET container, such as a PET bottle.

22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20, in which the second type of container is an HDPE container, such as an HDPE bottle.

23. A method substantially as hereinbefore described. Date: 11 December 2008 ~ 7 John Spicer DR GERNTHOLY¥Z INC Patent Attorneys of Applicant(s) P O Box 8; Cape Town 8000; South Africa Union Road; Milnerton 7441; South Africa Tel: (021) 551 2650 Fax: (021) 551 2960 DrG Ref.: 673814 t:\files\14\673814\673814 spec.docx DrG Ref: 673814