CLOSURE

Abstract

A tamper-evident closure (10) for a container mouth, comprising a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on the container, the cap is separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by a pair of arms (37, 39), the arms are non-frangibly connected to a common root (40) at one end, the other end (36) one of the arms is non-frangibly connected at a circumferentially clockwise location from the root and the other end (38) of the other arm is non-frangibly connected to a circumferentially anticlockwise location from the root, whereby the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and assume a generally V-form configuration when doing so and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring.

Claims

1-40. (canceled)

41. A tethered closure comprising a cap and a retaining ring, the cap and ring being joined by a hinge area and two flexible links, the ring is made by non-continuous slitting which leaves several breakable bridges between the ring and the cap, the hinge area and two flexible links are formed by first and second superposed horizontal slittings, the first slitting defines breakable bridges and also a wider sector creates one link that serves as a hinge area at the opening of the cap, the second slitting defines the flexible links which allow a deformation to help at the opening at the opening of the closure.

42. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the second slitting is a height of x from the first slitting and in which the x height defines the flexibility of the links.

43. A closure as claimed in claim 1, comprising vertical slits to create a flexible area which the stability of the cap one time open.

44. A closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the vertical slits define a dimension W which defines the thickness of the hinge area.

45. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap is screw threaded.

46. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining ring is a tamper-evident band.

47. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap comprises a top plate and a depending sidewall.

48. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure is a flip-top closure.

49. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure is a flip-top sportscap.

50. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a container.

51. A combination as claimed in claim 10, in which the container is a bottle

52. A combination as claimed in claim 10, in which the container has a short neck finish.

Description

[0068] The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0070] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0071] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0072] In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

[0073] Referring first to FIG. 1 to 6 there is shown a closure 10 formed in according with the present invention.

[0074] The closure 10 comprises a cup-shape cap 15 including a top plate 20 and a depending side skirt 25, and a retaining ring/band 30 at the free end/bottom of the skirt.

[0075] In general terms there is provided a threaded closure where the shell bottom end remains connected on two attached sectors located in the top end of the tamper band ring. Wherein the tamper band ring has two flexible arms attached on their intersection on the said tamper band ring. Allowing as such during the unscrewing that the closure can lift vertically along the thread helix, to allow freedom to get access to drink, while still remaining tethered with the bottle

[0076] Formed in the ring (in this embodiment) is a V-form tether 35. The tether 35 comprises two arc-form arms 37, 39 which extend in opposite directions from a central root portion 40 on the ring. At the other end 36, 38 each of the arms is non-frangibly connected to the skirt. This means that when the closure is unscrewed the arms deform to a generally V-form as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6.

[0077] Further, after the cap is removed from the container mouth the length of the arms is such that the cap can be rotated; in doing so the arms twist and one of the arms can be located under a screw thread on the container neck, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7A and as illustrated in the sequence of FIGS. 8A to 8C.

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 12 there is shown a “twin tether” version of a closure 110 formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0079] In general terms a threaded closure where a double tether is connected each side of the peripheral area of the shell bottom end. Wherein this double tether is as well connected each side on the peripheral area of tamper band ring. Allowing as such during the unscrewing that the closure can lift vertically along the thread helix, to allow freedom to get access to drink, while still remaining tethered with the bottle. Additionally by flipping the closure over the neck a parking position can be reached under the neck support ledge of the bottle neck.

[0080] The closure 110 comprises a cup-shape cap 115 including a top plate 120 and a depending side skirt 125, and a retaining ring/band 130 at the free end/bottom of the skirt.

[0081] In this embodiment a tether 150 is in the form of a first arm 155 and a second arm 160. The arms are both arcs. In the unopened/closed position the first arm 155 sits in the ring and the second arm 160 sits radially outside the first arm. The arms are joined at an elbow 165.

[0082] The first arm 155 is non-frangibly connected to the ring and the arm 160 is non-frangibly connected to the cap.

[0083] This means that when the cap is unscrewed the tether is deformed as shown best in FIGS. 10 and 12B. The arms are pulled apart at the elbow.

[0084] When the cap is removed from the container mouth the length of the tether is such that the cap can be docked under the container neck support ring/transport ring 170—see FIGS. 11 and 12C.

[0085] FIG. 13 shows a closure 210 formed according to a further aspect. The closure has a tethered tamper-evident band; a hinged tamper-evident band with two connecting arms. The band has a folded annular flap with a cut out in a hinge area and moulded bridges. This closure allows for safe venting of carbonated packages before opening. In this embodiment a bayonet mechanism with a cam formation may be used to attached the closure to the neck.

[0086] FIG. 14 shows a tethered closure 381. The closure is designed with a butterfly hinge and two flexible links.

[0087] The closure 381 comprises an annular tamper-evident ring retaining part 383, two arms 384a, 384b, two film hinges 385a, 385b and an annular cap retaining part 386, the entire assembly being moulded in a single piece from synthetic material, such as polyethylene.

[0088] Each arm 384a, 384b has the shape of an arc of a circle and is connected to the part 186 on the one hand, at the level of one of the film hinges 385a, 385b, and to the ring part 383 on the other hand. Along the upper and lower edge of the arms there are frangible bridges 387.

[0089] Each arm 384a, 384b is connected to the ring part 383 at a location which is angularly distant with respect to the film hinges 385a, 385b to which it is connected, the angle formed by this location and this film hinge being, in the example shown, of the order of 45 to 50 degrees.

[0090] The film hinges 385a, 385b consist of walls of reduced thickness, of trapezoidal/triangular shape, connected to the wall of the cap part 386 on the one hand and to respective arms 384a, 384b on the other hand.

[0091] The flexibility which allows the tilting of the closure cap in use is obtained partly by means of this hinge shape and by the arrangement in the cap part 386.

[0092] The cap part 386 also comprises a tongue 391 depending axially between the two inclined film hinges 385a, 385b. The hinges 385a, 385b are symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the tongue 391.

[0093] The closure cap 396 comprises a skirt 396a provided with helical screw thread which compliment those of the container neck.

[0094] This tongue 381 has a length such that, during tilting of the cap 396 it bears against the container 382 and exerts, via this bearing, a pulling on the arms 384a, 384b. This pulling is non-existent in the positions of engagement of the cap 396 over the opening of the container and of full release of this cap 396 beyond this opening, but is maximal, the tongue 381 then being flexed, in the intermediate position of the cap 396 between these two positions.

[0095] In practice, the closure placed on the container 382 by simple screwing (or the device may be added after capping). During the first unscrewing, the cap and this the cap part 186 progressively leaves its position which is axially close to the ring 383 until it reaches the position which is axially remote from this ring 383, in which the helical threads of the container and of the cap 396 are out of engagement. The frangible bridges 387 rupture during this movement and the arms 384a, 384b pass from their folded position to the unfolded position shown in by pivoting.

[0096] The cap 396 may be tilted by virtue of the film hinges 385a, 385b and by rolling and deformation of the tongue 381 against the neck.

[0097] The shell can be removed and replaced. The tongue, arms and hinge of the device effectively allows the cap 396 to be of the “flip-top” type.

[0098] FIG. 15 shows a tethered closure 481 comprising an annular tamper-evident ring retaining 483, two arms 484a, 484b, two film hinges 485a, 485b and an annular cap 486, the entire assembly being moulded in a single piece from synthetic material, such as polyethylene.

[0099] Each arm 484a, 484b has the shape of an arc of a circle and is connected to the part 186 on the one hand, at the level of one of the film hinges 485a, 485b, and to the ring part 483 on the other hand. Along the upper and lower edge of the arms there are frangible bridges 487.

[0100] Each arm 484a, 484b is connected to the ring part 483 at a location which is angularly distant with respect to the film hinges 485a, 485b to which it is connected, the angle formed by this location and this film hinge being, in the example shown, of the order of 45 to 50 degrees.

[0101] The film hinges 485a, 485b consist of walls of reduced thickness, of trapezoidal/triangular shape, connected to the wall of the cap part 186 on the one hand and to respective arms 484a, 484b on the other hand. Because the ring has a larger diameter than the closure the hinges are inclined.

[0102] The flexibility which allows the tilting of the closure cap in use is obtained partly by means of this hinge shape and by the arrangement in the cap 486.

[0103] The cap 486 also comprises a tongue 491 depending axially between the two inclined film hinges 485a, 485b. The hinges 485a, 485b are symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the tongue 491.

[0104] The closure cap 496 comprises a skirt 496a provided with helical screw thread which compliment those of the container neck.

[0105] This tongue 481 has a length such that, during tilting of the cap 496 it bears against the container 482 and exerts, via this bearing, a pulling on the arms 484a, 484b. This pulling is non-existent in the positions of engagement of the cap 496 over the opening of the container and of full release of this cap 496 beyond this opening, but is maximal, the tongue 481 then being flexed, in the intermediate position of the cap 496 between these two positions.

[0106] In practice, the cap 496 is placed on the container 482 by simple screwing. During the first unscrewing, the cap and this the cap 486 progressively leaves its position which is axially close to the ring 483 until it reaches the position which is axially remote from this ring 483, in which the helical threads of the container and of the cap 496 are out of engagement. The frangible bridges 487 rupture during this movement and the arms 484a, 484b pass from their folded position to the unfolded position shown in by pivoting.

[0107] The cap 496 may be tilted by virtue of the film hinges 485a, 485b and by rolling and deformation of the tongue 481 against the neck.

[0108] The shell can be removed and replaced. The tongue, arms and hinge of the device effectively allows the cap 496 to be of the “flip-top” type.

[0109] FIGS. 16 and 17—see description of the closures 510, 610 in the Figures.

[0110] In FIGS. 18 to 20 a closure 710 formed according to an alternative embodiment is provided.

[0111] There is shown a threaded closure 710 a corresponding beverage container neck 702. The bottom end of the shell 703 is connected to a strap hinge 704. The strap hinge 704 is also connected to the below-located tamper band ring 705. The tamper band ring 705 is connected to the shell bottom end with frangible bridges 706.

[0112] On first opening the frangible bridges 706 get broken and the closure will lift up on the thread helix of the container neck while still remaining attached to the tamper band ring thanks to the strap hinge. The length (L) of the “strap hinge” required is dependant on the vertical displacement needed for the closure shell to get sufficient disengagement to allow access to drink.

[0113] In FIGS. 21 and 22 a closure 810 formed according to a further embodiment is shown. There is shown a threaded closure (1) a corresponding beverage container neck (2). The closure (1) is connected on the bottom end of the shell (3) to a strap hinge (4). The strap hinge (4) is also connected to the below-located tamper band ring (5). The tamper band ring (5) is connected to the shell bottom end with frangible bridges (6).

[0114] On first opening the frangible bridges (6) get broken and the closure will lift up on the thread helix of the container neck while still remaining attached to the tamper band ring thanks to the strap hinge. The length (L) of the “strap hinge” required is dependant on the vertical displacement needed for the closure shell to get sufficient disengagement to allow access to drink.

[0115] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate two different examples of methods that could be used to manufacture the closure 810.

[0116] FIGS. 25 to 27 show a closure 910 comprising a cap 901 and a tamper-evident retaining ring 902, the cap and ring a joined by a tether 903, the tether is an arc that is connected to the ring and connected to the cap, the tether is located radially outside the cap and the ring.

[0117] The tether is connected to the ring at both of its ends.

[0118] The tether is connected to the cap at a point approximately mid-way between the tether ends.

[0119] Separation of the cap and ring is achieved by plastic and/or elastic deformation of the tether.

[0120] The tether is generally U-shape.

[0121] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention 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 invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0122] FIGS. 7A & 7B:

[0123] It's possible, for example, to reach a stable position after opening. This is achieved in this embodiment by blocking one of the attaching straps below the neck finish. To reach this position the consumer must twist the closure after opening so that it is placed parallel to the neck finish. By doing so, one of the connecting strands is positioned below the neck thread segments and blocks the closure in position.

[0124] FIG. 15:

[0125] This embodiment relates to a closure for a shorter neck finish. One feature of this embodiment is the position of the flexible area designed between the two thread start.

[0126] In the case of a standard cap that should dtay attached at the bottle after opening. The existing concept, using links between the lip cap 1 and the base/the tamper evident band 2, and a vertical hinge area, is well known.

[0127] The tilting of the hinge and the extension of these links is done when the cap passed over the neck finish during the opening. This movement could be easier by a rotation of the cap around a rigid and prominent finger on the lid cap, which serves as a support on the neck finish to star stable at the opening.

[0128] The cost of the packaging requires shorter neck, the well known initial design are not compatible with the shorter neck.

[0129] Concept Improvement:

[0130] Creation of flexible area 3, squared, trapezoidal or rectangular, which could bend at the opening, characterised by the position of this flexible area: [0131] Inclined following an angle α created by the difference between the diameter of the lip cap and the tamper-evident band diameter. This configuration gives us enough length to guarantee the bending. [0132] Positioned wisely after the thread start or between two threads starts or in an area of interruption of the thread. [0133] Positioned as high as possible inside the lid cap. [0134] Positioned higher than the position of the thread start.

[0135] FIG. 16:

[0136] Objective: Have a tethered cap to the bottle after opening it.

[0137] The TE band, which stay on the neck of the bottle, is made by a non-continuous cutting (slitting) plastic, which leaves several breakable elements (bridges) between the TE band and the cap.

[0138] Proposed solution: Creation of a “hinge area”+two flexible links by a two superposed slitting

[0139] Create a connection between the cap and the tamper-evident band at the time of slitting.

[0140] The slitting operation of the TE band is done by two superposed blades: [0141] A first blade will slit to create breakable elements (bridges) and also a wider sector create one links that serves as a hinge area at the opening of the cap [0142] A second blade will slit at a height of x to create a flexible link which can allow the a deformation to help at the opening at the opening of the closure.

[0143] The x height will define the flexibility of the links, that allow the link between the TE band and the lid.

[0144] FIG. 17:

[0145] Objective: Have a tethered cap to the bottle after opening it.

[0146] The TE band, which stay on the neck of the bottle, is made by a non-continuous cutting (slitting) plastic, which leaves several breakable elements (bridges) between the TE band and the cap.

[0147] Proposed solution: Creation of a “hinge area”+two flexible links, by a superposed & vertical slitting process

[0148] Create a connection between the cap and the tamper-evident band at the time of slitting.

[0149] The slitting operation of the TE band is done by two superimposed blades: [0150] A first blade will slit to create breakable elements (bridges) and also a wider sector create one links that serves as a hinge area at the opening of the cap [0151] A second blade will slit at a height of x to create a flexible link which can allow the a deformation to help at the opening at the opening of the closure. [0152] A vertical slitting is added to create a flexible area which the stability of the cap one time open.

[0153] The W dimension will define the thickness of the links.

[0154] The X dimension will define the thickness of the hinge area.

[0155] The Y will define the flexibility of the link that allow the link between the TE band and the lid.

[0156] The dimension Z will define the flexibility of the link at the opening of the lid, that allow the stability of the one at xxx°.

[0157] FIG. 21 & FIG. 22

[0158] A threaded closure (1) and a corresponding beverage container neck (2). Said closure (I) is connected on his shell bottom end (3) to a “strap hinge” (4). Said “strap hinge” (4) is as well connected to the below located tamper band ring (5) of the shell bottom end (3). Wherein said tamper band ring (5) is connected to the shell bottom end with frangible bridges (6).

[0159] Info's:

[0160] At first opening the frangible bridges get broken and closure will lift up along the thread helix of the container neck while still remaining attached to the tamper band ring thanks to the “strap hinge”. Length (L) of the “strap hinge” varies in dependence of vertical displacement needed for the closure shell to get sufficient disengagement to allow access to drink.