FLUID CONTAINER CLOSURE SYSTEM

Abstract

A fluid container closure system includes a fluid outlet, a neck finish adjacent to the fluid outlet, wherein the neck finish includes a retaining rim, protruding in a radial outward direction and encircling the neck finish. A screw cap includes a base with a top deck and a skirt and a tamper evident band with a base having a lateral inner surface. The screw cap includes a predetermined breaking structure along which the skirt and the tamper evident band are interconnected. The tamper evident band includes a lip extending along the inner lateral surface of the tamper evident band base and inwardly therefrom, wherein the lip includes a hinge section and a retaining surface configured so when the screw cap is initially applied to the fluid container, the lip is folded upward about the hinge section such that the retaining surface in an applied position of the screw cap is positioned underneath the retaining rim.

Claims

1. A fluid container closure system (1), comprising: a. a fluid container (20), comprising i. a fluid outlet (21), ii. a neck finish (22) adjacent to the fluid outlet (21), the neck finish (22) including a retaining rim (23) arranged a distance apart from the fluid outlet (21), and b. a screw cap (300) for sealing the fluid outlet, comprising: i. a base (301) including a top deck (302), an inner lateral surface (310) and a downward extending skirt (303), ii. a tamper evident band (320) comprising a base with a lateral inner surface (321), iii. a predetermined breaking structure (309) along which the skirt (303) and the base of the tamper evident band (320) are interconnected, wherein the tamper evident band (320) further comprises c. a lip (322) extending at least in part circumferentially along the inner lateral surface (321) and projecting inwardly therefrom, wherein the lip (322) comprises a hinge section (324) and a retaining surface (325), and wherein the lip (322) is configured in such a way that, when the screw cap (300) is initially applied to the fluid container (20), the lip (322) is folded upward about the hinge section (324) such that the retaining surface (325) in an applied position of the screw cap (300) is positioned underneath the retaining rim (23).

2. The fluid container closure system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base of the tamper evident band (320) comprises an upper rim (330) configured to abut the screw cap base (301) while the screw cap initially seals the fluid container and a lower rim (331) directed away from the screw cap base (301), wherein the lip (322) projects inwardly from the inner lateral surface (321) of the tamper evident band's base in its upper half section.

3. The fluid container closure system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the lip (322) projects inwardly from the inner lateral surface (321) of the tamper evident band's base from a position nearer to the upper rim (330) than to the lower rim.

4. The fluid container closure system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lip (322) comprises a base section (322a) and an end section (322b), wherein the base section (322a) is interconnected to the inner lateral surface (321) of the tamper evident band (320) base and includes the hinge section (324), and wherein the end section (322b) is directed toward the base (301) of the screw cap (300) and at least one part of the end section (322b) is thinner than a part of the base section (322a) of the lip (322).

5. The fluid container according to claim 4, wherein the at least one thinner part of the end section (322b) of the lip (322), in an applied position of the screw cap (300), is at least partially is arranged between the retaining rim (23) and the inner lateral surface of the skirt (303).

6. The fluid container according to claim 5, wherein the at least one thinner part of the end section (322b) of the lip (322) comprises at least one projection (323) extending upward from the retaining surface (325) of the lip (322), wherein the at least one projection (323) is in the applied position of the screw cap (300) arranged between the retaining rim (23) and the inner lateral surface (310) of the skirt (303).

7. The fluid container closure system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one thinner part of the end section (322b) of the lip (322) comprises a plurality of projections (323) extending upward from the retaining surface (325) in the manner of merlons of a crenellation.

8. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein the inner lateral surface (310) of the skirt (303) comprises at least one inwardly directed protrusion (311) arranged laterally opposite the retaining rim (23).

9. The fluid container according to claim 8, wherein at least one thinner part of the end section (322b) of the lip (322) is laterally supported by the at least one inwardly directed protrusion (311).

10. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of inwardly directed protrusions (311) are arranged along the inner lateral surface (310) of the skirt (303), each protrusion (311) being arranged laterally opposite the retaining rim (23) and a plurality of thinner parts of the end section (322b) of the lip (322) are positioned therebetween.

11. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base (301) of the screw cap (300) comprises an inner wall (304) extending downward from the underside of the screw cap base's top deck (302), further wherein a thread (305) is provided on the inner lateral surface of the inner wall (304).

12. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the inner wall (304) and the inner lateral surface (310) of the skirt (303) are spaced apart by a gap (332).

13. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the inner wall (304) and the inner lateral surface (321) of the tamper evident band base are interconnected by a shoulder (333).

14. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge section (324) of the lip (322) is arranged radially outside of the inner wall (304).

15. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lip (322) comprises cutouts (326).

16. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 15, wherein the cutouts (326) are arranged in or adjacent the hinge section (324) of the lip.

17. The fluid receptacle closure system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lip (322) is formed integrally with the tamper evident band (320).

18. A screw cap (300) according to the fluid container closure system (1) according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view onto a screw cap as initially applied to a fluid container;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a close-up of the boxed-in area according to FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a section view of the screw cap according to FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 4 is section view of the fluid container closure system wherein the screw cap is in an applied state;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a close-up of the boxed-in area according to FIG. 4;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view onto a fluid container closure system in a first state where the base of the screw cap has been separated from the tamper evident band;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view onto a fluid container closure system in a second state where the base of the screw cap has been separated from the tamper evident band;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view onto a fluid container closure system in a third state where the base of the screw cap has been separated from the tamper evident band;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a further variation of a screw cap in a perspective view from above and partially cut;

[0037] FIG. 10 is the screw cap according to FIG. 9 in a perspective view from below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a screw cap 300 in its applied position on the neck finish of a fluid container (not shown) before the sealed fluid container has been opened the first time by a user. The screw cap 300 preferably consists of a synthetic material such as plastic, in particular HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene) or a combination of these materials, and is preferably injection molded. The screw cap 300 comprises a base 301 which includes a top deck 302 and a skirt 303 extending downward therefrom. The base 301 of the screw cap 300 further comprises a threaded inner surface, in particular an inner wall 304 comprising a thread 305 matching that of the fluid containers neck finish. The preferably cylindrical inner wall 304 extends downwards from the underside of the screw caps top deck 302 some distance before terminating at a free end preferably above the level of tamper evident band 320. The top deck 302 also includes an overhang 306 extending laterally beyond the skirt 303, the edge region of the overhang 306 being curved downward toward the fluid container. The outer surface of the skirt 303 comprises a grip structure 307 to facilitate gripping of the screw cap by the user, the grip structure in particular being configured to direct the users fingers downward toward the predetermined breaking structure 309. To that end, the grip structure 307 preferably comprises a series of struts 308 leading from the edge region of the overhang 306 to the lower end of the base 301 adjacent the predetermined breaking structure 309. The struts 308 extend downward and are sloped inward. They are shaped as downward facing tabs or teeth, for example. As the user grips the screw cap 300, due to the inward slope of the struts 308, the users fingers will grip the screw cap 300 most naturally and firmly at or near the predetermined breaking structure 309.

[0040] The base 301 of the screw cap 300 further comprises a lateral inner surface 310, preferably the inner surface of the skirt 303. The lateral inner surface 310 may be a cylindrical wall extending downward from the underside of the screw caps top deck 302 with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner wall 304, thereby providing a lateral space between the lateral inner surface and the inner wall.

[0041] From the lateral inner surface 310, at least one inwardly directed protrusion 311 extends, in particular a series of inwardly directed protrusions 311, preferably spaced at regular intervals along the inner lateral surface of the screw cap base, in particular the inner lateral surface 310 of the skirt. The protrusions 311 are arranged opposite the lip 322 of the tamper evident band 320, in particular laterally opposite the upwardly directed projections 323 of the lip 322, as described in further detail below. Further, the inwardly directed protrusions 311 are preferably provided adjacent and just above the predetermined breaking structure 309. The protrusions 311 preferably each have a width corresponding approximately to the width of the upwardly directed projections 323 of the tamper evident band 320, described in further detail below, opposite which they lie. For example, the protrusions 311 are dome-shaped with a circular or elliptical contour and footprint on the inner lateral surface 310 of the screw cap base 301, in particular the inner lateral surface of the skirt 303. The shape and arrangement of each of the protrusions 323 relative to other elements of the fluid container closure system or screw cap, when a plurality of such protrusions 323 are provided, applies also to the shape and arrangement of one single protrusion, in case only one such protrusion is provided.

[0042] The predetermined breaking structure 309 comprises a structurally weakened section of the screw cap 300, in particular a particularly thin or perforated section of the screw cap or a line of cutouts between the base 300 and the tamper evident band 320. The cutouts may be provided by a knife in a scoring process in which the skirt of the screw cap base is locally scored.

[0043] The tamper evident band 320 is generally shaped as a sleeve or collar and comprises a base with an inner lateral surface 321 from which a lip 322 extends inward. As the screw cap 300 in this drawing is shown in its state of first application to the fluid container, the lip 322 is shown folded upwards along a hinge section 324 and is approximately U-shaped as described earlier in this document. Prior to first application of the screw cap 300 to the fluid container, however, the lip 322 may extend in a plane away from the inner lateral surface 321, the plane preferably being at a downwardly directed or obtuse angle relative to the inner lateral surface 321. The plane of the lip 322 prior to first application of the screw cap may alternatively extend inwardly from the inner lateral surface 321 perpendicularly or at an acute or upwardly directed angle. Preferably, the tamper evident band is configured to have a lip with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fluid containers retaining rim.

[0044] The lip 322 comprises a base section 322a which meets and extends away from the inner lateral surface 321 of the base of the tamper evident band 320 and an end section 322b directed away from said inner lateral surface. The end section 322b of the lip 322 comprises parts which are thinner than the base section 322a, preferably comprising at least one, preferably a series of projections 323 which are thinner than and extend away from the base section 322a of the lip. Upon first application of the screw cap 300 to the fluid container, these projections 323 are upwardly directed. The transition surface of the lip 322 between its end section 322b and its base section 322a comprises a retaining surface 325 configured to abut the underside of a retaining rim 23 (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 7) on the fluid containers neck finish 22 (see FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) when the tamper evident band 320 experiences an upwardly directed force or tug caused by unscrewing the screw cap 300, in particular the base 301 of the screw cap. The lip 322 comprising the arrangement of base section 322a and end section 322b with projections 323 extending upward therefrom is shaped in the manner of a crenellation, wherein the merlons of the crenellation correspond to the upwardly directed projections 323. The projections 323 are generally shaped as tabs or teeth, in particular as rectangular tabs. The base section 322a of the lip 322 comprises a series of holes, in particular cutouts 326, for example to improve elasticity of the lip 322 and/or to initiate gradual decompression of gas, as gas release means, when the fluid container is opened. These cutouts may be part of the hinge section 324 of the lips base section 322a.

[0045] Although the lip 322 is shown here to comprise a base section 322a extending circumferentially along the inner lateral surface 321 of the tamper evident band, the lip 322 may instead be shorter and extend only partially along the inner lateral surface 321. Further, the lip 322 may comprise a series of subsidiary lips, each shaped in the manner of a lip already described with a base section 322a and an end section 322b, which are spaced at regular intervals along the inner lateral surface 321.

[0046] Following first application of the screw cap 300 to the fluid container 20, when initially opening the screw cap 300, as its skirt 303 is gripped by the users fingers and the base 301 of the screw cap 300 removed, in particular twisted off, the tamper evident band 320 is kept in position, in particular is prevented from lateral and vertical displacement, leading to a tensile force across the predetermined breaking structure 309 overcoming the structural integrity of the predetermined breaking structure.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of the boxed in part shown in FIG. 1. Protrusions 311 extend laterally away from the inner lateral surface 310 of the base 301 of the screw cap 300, in particular from the inner lateral surface of the skirt 303, and lie opposite the upwardly directed projections 323 of the lip 322 in its end section 322b. The lip 322 extends away inwardly from the base of the tamper evident band 320 at a height L2 which is less than the height of the tamper evident bands base L1, in particular at its upper rim 330, hence preferably L1>L2. L2 is preferably in the top half section, in particular top third section of the tamper evident bands base and/or nearer its upper rim 330 than its lower rim 331. The retaining surface 325 with a surface normal directed toward the underside of the retaining rim 23 of the fluid containers neck finish 22 is shown as an intermediate surface between the end section 322b and base section 322a of the lip 322.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a section view of the screw cap 300 shown in FIG. 1. The protrusions 311 extending laterally away from the inner lateral surface 310 of the base 301 of the screw cap 300, in particular its skirt, is shown to have an elliptical dome-shape.

[0049] FIG. 3 also shows the tamper evident bands base to comprise an upper rim 330 and a lower rim 331, the upper rim 330 being configured to abut the lower rim of the skirt of the screw cap base 301. The lower rim 331 is directed away from the screw cap base 301 and may, when the screw cap has been unscrewed at least partially, fall to rest on the outer surface of the fluid container at a position below the retaining rim 23 (see FIGS. 5 to 8) of the fluid containers neck finish. The lip 322 projecting inwardly from the inner lateral surface 321 of the tamper evident bands base does so from a position at distance from the lower rim 331 of the tamper evident bands base. In particular, the position of the lower rim 331 of the tamper evident bands base is preferably lower than the lowest extent of the lip 322. In the present example, the lip projects inwardly from the inner lateral surface 321 from a position nearer to the upper rim 330 of the tamper evident bands base than to the lower rim 331. The lip 322 may project inwardly from the inner lateral surface 321 in the upper half or upper third section of the tamper evident bands base (see FIG. 2).

[0050] This position of the lip 322 at a distance from the lower rim 331 and deeper in the interior of the screw cap 300 is poorly accessible from the outside by a person or tool and makes unfolding the lip 322 once the fluid container has been sealed difficult.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a section view of the screw cap 300 as first applied to the fluid container 20 showing engagement of the screw cap 300 with the neck finish 22 of the fluid container 20, in particular a thread provided on said neck finish.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a close up the boxed in area B of the fluid container closure system 1 as shown in FIG. 4 and shows the retaining surface 325 of the lip 322 underneath, in particular vertically underneath the retaining rim 23 of the fluid containers neck finish. The retaining rim 23 includes an annular band surrounding the neck finish. The annular band may be flat or comprise some thickness, as shown in this Figure. It comprises a preferably flat underside configured to engage with the retaining surface of the lips end section, preferably also configured to engage a gripping device or holder provided at a beverage production line. In vertical direction, an area of the retaining rim 23 overlaps an area of the retaining surface of the lip. The projections 323 of the end section 322b of the lip 322 are shown to be wedged in or clamped between the lateral projection 311 of the screw caps base inner lateral surface 310, in particular its skirt 303, and the retaining rim 23 of the fluid containers neck finish 22, in particular the lateral edge of the neck finish.

[0053] FIGS. 6 to 8 show various states of the fluid container closure system 1 after initial application of the screw cap 300 to a fluid container 20. In particular, FIG. 6 shows the tamper evident band 320 separated from the base 301 of the screw cap 300, the outer surface of the skirt 303 and the struts 308 of the grip structure being visible. FIG. 7 shows the same tamper evident band 320 which has dropped lower along the fluid containers neck finish 22 and FIG. 8 shows the base 301 of the screw cap 300 as reapplied to the fluid container 20 with a gap visible to the user from the outside between the dropped tamper evident band 320 and the base 301 of the screw cap 300.

[0054] FIG. 8 also shows the state of the fluid container having been opened at least once after initial sealing, wherein the tamper evident band 320 and the screw cap base 301 are separated in the vertical direction by a space. Preferably, the upwardly directed projections 323 of the tamper evident bands lip 322 are visible within this gap. In this way, the user or handler of the fluid container can readily identify that it has been opened at least once following initial sealing. Were the attempt made to rejoin, at least superficially, the tamper evident band 320 with the screw cap base 301, for example by sliding the tamper evident band 320 up and past the retaining rim 23, the latter could not be bypassed without visibly damaging or deforming the tamper evident band.

[0055] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 each show a further variation of the screw cap 300, wherein FIG. 9 is an angled perspective view from the top of the screw cap 300 and FIG. 10 is an angled perspective view from the bottom. The screw cap 300 in general corresponds to the screw cap 300 as shown and described in connection with the preceding Figures. With respect to the general description, therefore, reference is made to these drawings and their description. Differing from the variations according to FIGS. 1 to 8, however, is the inner wall 304, which in the present variation is not spaced apart by a lateral gap from the skirt 303. Instead, the inner wall 304 is not terminated at a free end as described with reference to FIG. 1 but merges into the skirt 303 via a shoulder section 333. The shoulder section 333 bridges the difference between radius R1 or diameter R1 of the inner wall 304 and the radius R2 or diameter R2 of the inner lateral surface of the skirt 303, where preferably R2>R1. R2 may correspond to the maximum radius or diameter of the inner lateral surface of the skirt 303. In general, in the shoulder section 333, the diameter R1 of the inner wall 304 increases in direction of the tamper evident band 320. This arrangement advantageously results in weight and material savings. The diameter of the tamper evident band 320, at least at its upper rim 330, corresponds at least to that of the lower end of the skirt 303 where the predetermined breaking structure is provided, preferably resulting in an essentially flush outer surface transition between the skirt 303 and the tamper evident band.

[0056] In both Figures, the lip 322 is shown with downwardly directed protrusions 323 which, when the screw cap is made to initially seal the fluid container, will be flipped upward such that they point upward toward the screw cap base 301 and are then laterally opposite the projections 311 along the inner lateral surface of the skirt 303.