METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURE

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a tamper-evident closure, comprising the steps of: forming a body having a base and a lid; and inserting a dispensing member and a tamper-evident member into the body.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident closure comprising a body having a base and a lid connected by a hinge, a dispensing member, and a tamper-evident member, in which the tamper-evident member comprises two parts frangibly connected together, one of the parts engaging in the lid and one of the parts engaging in the base so that upon first opening the parts are pulled apart, in which: the dispensing member is formed separately from the body; the dispensing member includes a flange which projects radially outwards; the base has a base sidewall and an interior of the base sidewall comprises a retention bead; and the flange engages over the retention bead to retain the dispensing member in the base.

2. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1, in which the dispensing member includes a bore seal which depends from the flange for sealing against a radially inner surface of an associated container.

3. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1, in which the interior of the base sidewall comprises a shoulder, and in which the flange abuts against the shoulder when engaged over the retention bead to retain the dispensing member in the base.

4. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1, in which the interior of the base sidewall comprises an internal screw thread formation for engaging a corresponding external screw thread formation on a container neck.

5. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1, in which a frangible line formed towards a free end of the base sidewall of the base and defines a tamper-evident band.

6. A tamper-evident closure comprising: a body having a base and a lid connected by a hinge; a dispensing member; and a tamper-evident member, in which the tamper-evident member comprises two parts frangibly connected, one of the parts engaging in the lid and one of the parts engaging in the base so that upon first opening the parts are pulled apart.

7. The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which one of the parts includes a projection which projects inwards and one of the parts includes a projection which projects outwards.

8. The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 7, in which the inwardly projecting projection engages the lid and the outwardly projecting projection engages the base.

9. The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which the tamper-evident member is formed separately from the body.

10. The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which the dispensing member is formed separately from the body.

11. The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which the tamper-evident member comprises two rings.

12. The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6 and comprising: the body having the base and the lid connected by an integral hinge; the tamper-evident member which is a separate element to the body, the tamper-evident member comprising an upper projection which projects radially inwards and a lower flange which projects radially outwards, the upper projection engaging the lid and the lower flange engaging the base; and a dispensing spout.

13. The tamper-evident closure of claim 12, wherein the tamper-evident member comprises two rings frangibly connected together.

14. The tamper-evident closure of claim 13, wherein one of the two rings engages in the lid and one of the two rings engages in the base.

15. The tamper-evident closure of claim 14, in which the ring engaging in the lid is retained by the lid upon opening of the lid.

16. The tamper-evident closure of claim 15, in which the ring retained in the lid is clearly visible in the lid.

17. The tamper-evident closure of claim 14, in which a void is provided and the ring engaging in the base moves into the void upon opening of the lid.

18. The tamper-evident closure of claim 12, wherein the upper projection and the lower flange extend completely around a circumference of the spout.

19. The tamper-evident member of claim 18, in which the tamper-evident member fits between the base and the lid and radially outward of the spout.

20. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1 in combination with a container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a tamper-evident closure suitable for manufacture using the method of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a section of the closure of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a dispensing spout forming part of the closure of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a section of the spout of FIG. 3.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a section of a tamper-evident member forming part of the closure of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in an opened position.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative closure suitable for the present disclosure and shown in a fully assembled, closed position.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a front view of the closure of FIG. 7.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a section of the closure of FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 7 to 9 shown in an open position.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 10 after it has been re-closed.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a section of the closure of FIG. 11.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tamper-evident member forming part of the closure of FIGS. 7 to 12 and shown in an unbroken condition.

[0037] FIG. 14 is a section of a closure body in an as-moulded condition.

[0038] FIG. 15 shows the closure body of FIG. 14 following a pre-closing step.

[0039] FIG. 16 shows the closure body of FIG. 15 in a fully closed position.

[0040] FIG. 17 shows a tamper-evident member offered up to the body of FIG. 16.

[0041] FIG. 18 shows the member of FIG. 17 inserted into the body.

[0042] FIG. 19 shows a dispensing spout offered up to the body/member of FIG. 18.

[0043] FIG. 20 shows the spout of FIG. 18 inserted into the body/member to form a fully assembled closure.

[0044] FIG. 21 shows the fully assembled closure of FIG. 20 ready for further processing or use.

[0045] FIG. 22A is a section of a closure body formed according to an alternative embodiment and shown with a tamper-evident member being presented.

[0046] FIG. 22B is a front view of the closure body and member of FIG. 22A.

[0047] FIG. 23A is a section of the closure of FIG. 22A shown with a tamper-evident member inserted and with a spout being presented.

[0048] FIG. 23B is a front view of the closure of FIG. 23A.

[0049] FIG. 24A is a section of the closure of FIG. 23A shown following insertion of the spout.

[0050] FIG. 24B is a front view of the closure of FIG. 24A.

[0051] FIGS. 25A to 25F show front perspective, rear perspective, rear, side, front and top views of the fully assembled closure in a closed position.

[0052] FIGS. 25G to 25I show front perspective, side and top views of the closure in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 show a closure 10 being an embodiment of which the method of the present disclosure is suitable.

[0054] The closure 10 comprises a body having a base 20 and a lid 25. The lid has a top surface 25a and a projection 25c on one side to aid gripping and opening of the lid 25.

[0055] Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, within the closure 10 is a spout or dispensing member 40 which is a separate member fitted inside the base 20 and lid 25.

[0056] The base 20 and lid 25 are pivoted together by a hinge 26.

[0057] The lid 25 has an outer skirt 25b and an annular inner skirt 25d which depend from the top surface 25a and presses against part of the spout 40 so as to provide a seal. Further, the lid 25 includes an annular projection 25f depending from the underside of top surface 25a and which takes the form of a bore seal to seal against the inner surface of the spout 40 to prevent leakage of the contents of the container when the lid is in the closed position.

[0058] The spout 40 includes a flange 41 which projects radially outward from the side of the spout 40 at approximately the same axial level, when assembled with the base and/or lid, as the parting plane between the underside of the lid 25 and the upper surface of the base 20. Furthermore, the skirt 25d of the lid 25 has a projection 25e. This projection 25e projects radially outwards at the lower end of the skirt 25d. A gap 27 is left between the lower end of the side skirt 25b in a region approximately opposite the hinge 26 and the upper surface of the base 20. A void or pocket 31 is provided between the spout 40 and the base 20.

[0059] The spout 40 also includes a bore seal 44 which depends from the flange 41 and seals against the radially inner surface of an associated container (see FIG. 2).

[0060] Referring also to FIG. 5, a tamper-evident member 30 which takes the form of a separate element having an upper ring 30a and a lower ring 30b connected together by frangible connections 32 is assembled with the closure 10. Upon assembly, the tamper-evident member 30 fits between the base and the lid and radially outward of the spout 40. The tamper-evident member 30 includes an upper projection 34 which projects radially inwards and a lower flange 33 which projects radially outwards.

[0061] When the tamper-evident member 30 is assembled with the closure 10 the upper projection 34 engages with the projection 25e provided on the radially inner surface of the side skirt 25b of the lid 25. Further, the lower projection 33 engages under a terminal sidewall portion 21. In this manner, the lid cannot be opened without breaking the frangible connections 32. The components are all shaped to allow initial installation; for example the upper ring 30a has an angled surface 30c so that the ring 30a can pass over the projection 25e during assembly. The upper projection 34 includes an undercut, on the side opposite to the side having the angled surface, which engage with the projection 25e to prevent the projections from passing over one another following installation.

[0062] Furthermore, the closure 10 includes a tamper-evident band 23 at the lower end of the base 20 which operates in a similar manner to well-known tamper-evident drop members.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 13 there is shown a further embodiment of a closure 110 which is suitable for fabrication using a method according to the present disclosure.

[0064] The closure 110 is connectable to a container neck.

[0065] The closure 110 comprises a body 111, a spout insert 120 and a tamper-evident member insert 101.

[0066] The body 111 comprises a base 112 and a lid 114.

[0067] The base 112 comprises a generally cylindrical side wall 116 having at one end a tamper-evident annular band 117 connected thereto by a plurality of frangible bridges 118.

[0068] The side wall 116 terminates at its end opposite the band 117 with an annular shoulder 116c which extends radially inwards.

[0069] The turret-like lid 114 is connected to the free end of the shoulder 116c via a hinge arrangement generally indicated 132.

[0070] The interior of the base side wall 116 comprises internal screw thread formations 116a for engaging corresponding external screw thread formations on a container neck. The interior of the side wall 116 further comprises an annular retention bead 116b positioned below a second shoulder 116d in the sidewall 116.

[0071] The interior of the band 117 comprises a segmented retention bead 117a for engagement under a locking bead on a container neck so that if the closure is unscrewed the band 117 will remain on a container neck.

[0072] The lid 114 comprises a top plate 134 from which depends a curved outer sidewall 135; an inner skirt 125b depends from the underside of the top plate, radially inwards of the outer wall 135 and a spigot 136 depends from the underside of the centre of the plate 134, radially inwards of the inner skirt 125b. The free end of the lid sidewall 135 includes a window 108 (which could be, for example, a material thinning or an opening).

[0073] Opposite the hinge 132 the lid 114 includes a small peak 138 used to lift the lid and flip it open with respect to the base 112.

[0074] The spout 120 comprises a generally cylindrical lower portion 150, a generally cylindrical central portion 151 and a generally frusto conical upper portion 152.

[0075] The lower portion 150 comprises an annular external sealing bead 156. In use, the portion 150 enters the bore of the container neck such that the sealing bead 156 seals against its inner surface.

[0076] The central retention portion 151 comprises a plurality of radially outwardly extending retention spokes 160.

[0077] The upper portion 152 comprises a curved, generally frusto conical outer surface defining a spout. At the end of the spout side wall opposite the central portion 151 is a cylindrical terminal portion 170. An inclined annular orifice wall 172 extends inwards from the free end of the portion 170 and from it an annular wall 173 depends; the wall 173 defines an orifice 174.

[0078] The separate spout 120 is received into the body 111 as part of method described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 21. The spokes 160 abut against the shoulder 116d and engage under the projection 116b to retain the spout in the base. The spigot 136 enters through the wall 173 to close the orifice 174.

[0079] A tamper-evident member 101 is provided for the closure and is shown in more detail in FIG. 13.

[0080] The member 101 takes the form of a separate element having an upper ring 102 and a lower ring 103 connected together by frangible connections 104 and is assembled with the closure 110 as part of a method described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 21. Upon assembly, the tamper-evident member 101 fits between the base and the lid and radially outward of the spout 120. The tamper-evident member 101 includes an upper projection 105 on the upper ring 102 which projects radially inwardly and a lower flange 106 on the lower ring which projects radially outwardly.

[0081] When the tamper-evident member 101 is assembled with the closure 110 the upper projection 105 engages with a projection 125e provided on the radially inner surface of the inner skirt 125b of the lid. Further, the flange 106 engages with the underside of the shoulder 116c. In this manner, the lid cannot be opened without breaking the frangible connections 104. The member 101 splits into the two rings 102, 103 as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 and the lower ring 103 is no longer visible through the lid window 108, having dropped into a void 107 above the spout ledge 121.

[0082] In FIGS. 7 to 9 the closure 110 is shown in the closed position. When a user desires to drink from the spout they grasp the lid and flip it open to the position shown in FIG. 11 using the peak 138.

[0083] The user can now access the spout freely and unencumbered by the lid. With the lid in the open position the ring 103 is retained in the lid by the projection 125e and is clearly visible in the lid. The separated rings 102, 103 show that the closure has been opened at least once.

[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 21 there is described a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident dispensing closure.

[0085] In FIG. 14 a closure body 211 is shown and is generally the same as that of the closures 10, 110, comprising a base 212 and a lid 214 hinged together by an integral hinge 232. In this embodiment the body is formed with the lid 214 in an open position.

[0086] FIG. 15 shows a pre-closing step, in which the lid 214 is moved to a partially closed position with respect to the base 212.

[0087] In FIG. 16 the lid 214 has been fully closed on to the base 212.

[0088] In FIG. 17 a tamper-evident member 201 is presented to the closed body 211.

[0089] The member 201 takes the form of a separate annular element having an upper ring 202 and a lower ring 203 connected together by frangible connections 204.

[0090] The member 201 includes an upper projection 205 on the upper ring 202 which projects radially inwardly to form a hook; and a lower flange 206 is provided on the lower ring 203 and projects radially outwardly.

[0091] In FIG. 18 the member 201 is pushed through the open end of the base sidewall 216. The member flange 206 abuts against the underside of the shoulder 216c and the upper ring projection 205 snaps over the lid inner skirt bead 225e to connect it to the lid and to hold the lid in the closed position.

[0092] In FIG. 19 a dispensing spout 220 is presented to the closed body (with the member 201 in position).

[0093] In FIG. 20 the spout 220 is pushed into the open end of the base sidewall 216.

[0094] The spokes 260 (which in other embodiments may be a continuous flange) abut against the shoulder 216d and engage over the projection 216b to retain the spout in the base. The lid spigot 236 enters through the spout wall 273 to close the orifice 274.

[0095] The assembled closure 210 is now shown in FIG. 21. Further processing steps may now be performed, such a slitting to form a tamper-evident band at the free end of the base sidewall.

[0096] The closure 210 functions in a similar way to the closures 10, 110. Upon first opening the tamper member rings 202, 203 are torn apart because the upper ring 202 is clipped over the skirt bead 225e and the lower ring flange abuts against the shoulder 216c. The upper ring 202 is retained by the lid, and the lower ring 203 drops into the base void 207 so it can no longer be seen through the window 208.

[0097] Referring now to FIGS. 22 to 24 there is described a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident dispensing closure 310 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

[0098] In FIGS. 22A and 22B a closure body 311 is shown and is generally the same as that of the closures 10, 110, comprising a base 312 and a lid 314 hinged together by an integral hinge 332. In this embodiment the body is formed with the lid 214 in a closed position. In other embodiments the lid is formed in an at least partially open position.

[0099] A tamper-evident member 301 is presented to the closed body 311. The member 301 takes the form of a separate annular element having an upper ring 302 and a lower ring 303 connected together by frangible connections 304.

[0100] The member 301 includes an upper projection 305 on the upper ring 202 which projects radially inwardly to form a hook; and a lower flange 306 is provided on the lower ring 303 and projects radially outwardly.

[0101] In FIGS. 23A and 23B the member 301 has been pushed through the open end of the base sidewall 316. The member flange 306 abuts against the underside of the shoulder 316c and the upper ring projection 305 snaps over the lid inner skirt bead 325e to connect it to the lid and to hold the lid in the closed position.

[0102] A dispensing spout 320 is presented to the closed body (with the member 301 in position).

[0103] In FIGS. 24A and 24B the spout 320 has been pushed into the open end of the base sidewall 316.

[0104] The spokes 360 (which in other embodiments may be a continuous flange) abut against the shoulder 316d and engage over the projection 316b to retain the spout in the base. The lid spigot 336 enters through the spout wall 373 to close the orifice 374.

[0105] The assembled closure 310 is now shown in FIGS. 25A to 25F. Further processing steps may now be performed, such a slitting to form a tamper-evident band at the free end of the base sidewall.

[0106] The closure 310 functions in a similar way to the closures 10, 110, 210. Upon first opening the tamper member rings 302, 303 are torn apart because the upper ring 302 is clipped over the skirt bead 325e and the lower ring flange abuts against the shoulder 316c. The upper ring 302 is retained by the lid and the lower ring 303 drops into the base void 307 so it can no longer be seen through the window 308 (see FIGS. 25G to 25I).

[0107] Although illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.