One-handed closure for pressurized headspace beverages

Abstract

A pressurised headspace beverage closure 1 that may be opened and reclosed in at least substantially a one-handed manner; comprising a drinking aperture, at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 5, at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 and a sealing system 7 suitable for multiple re-use, and whereby when the headspace pressure 10 is at least substantially above or below atmospheric pressure the headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 may employ the use of the headspace pressure 10 itself to ensure that the closure cannot freely be opened by a user, whereby the headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 may freely enable the headspace pressure 10 to be vented such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate preferably independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure 10, and whereby once the headspace pressure 10 has at least substantially equalised with atmospheric pressure the headspace pressure interlock system 5 may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required.

Claims

1. A pressurized headspace closure for a beverage container that may be opened and reclosed by a user in at least substantially a one-handed manner, comprising (a) a closure body containing a drinking aperture, (b) at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism connected with said closure body and operable using the headspace pressure to prevent the closure from being opened by a user where a headspace pressure is at least substantially above or below atmospheric pressure, (c) at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalization valve assembly including an aperture defined in said closure body and a valve plug rotatably connected with said body and operable to vent the headspace pressure via said aperture to substantially equalize the headspace pressure with the atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate independent of the user, thereby to allow safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure; and (d) a sealing system connected with said closure body and suitable for multiple re-use, whereby after the headspace pressure has at least substantially equalized with the atmospheric pressure, the headspace pressure lock system is sufficiently released to enable the one-handed closure to be freely opened and reclosed as required by the user, thereby enabling the user to freely open and access a beverage through said drinking aperture.

2. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said drinking aperture is substantially wide.

3. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said drinking aperture is substantially narrow.

4. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism and said at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalization valve assembly are optimized for above atmospheric headspace pressures.

5. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism and said at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalization valve assembly are optimized for below atmospheric headspace pressures.

6. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism when in a locked condition prevents the closure from being opened into a drink position but allows the closure to be opened into a controlled vent position.

7. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism includes components of at least two closure sub-assemblies that move with respect to each other during opening and closing of the closure.

8. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalization valve assembly includes components of at least two closure sub-assemblies that move with respect to each other during opening and closing of the closure.

9. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, and further comprising a headspace over-pressure relief valve mechanism operable when the headspace pressure rises above a pre-set maximum level.

10. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, and further comprising tamper-evidence.

11. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, and further comprising hygiene protection.

12. The headspace pressure closure according to claim 1, wherein removal of the closure from the thread finish of the beverage container is constrained.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional cross section of an above atmospheric pressure one-handed closure with substantially wide drinking aperture and flip-top plug in a “sealed closed” position according a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of the above atmospheric pressure one-handed closure with substantially wide drinking aperture and flip-top plug of FIG. 1 with the flip-top plug in a “controlled vent” position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of the above atmospheric pressure one-handed closure with substantially wide drinking aperture and flip-top plug of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the flip-top plug in a fully open “drink” position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of a below atmospheric pressure one-handed closure with substantially wide drinking aperture and flip-top plug in a “sealed closed” position according a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of the below atmospheric pressure one-handed closure with substantially wide drinking aperture and flip-top plug of FIG. 4 with the flip-top plug in a “controlled vent” position;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of the below atmospheric pressure one-handed closure with substantially wide drinking aperture and flip-top plug of FIGS. 4 and 5 with the flip-top plug in a fully open “drink” position;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of a one-handed closure with substantially narrow drinking aperture and lever-action means of opening in a “sealed closed” position according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of the one-handed closure with substantially narrow drinking aperture and lever-action means of opening of FIG. 7 in a fully open “drink” position;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of a one-handed closure with substantially narrow drinking aperture and rotatable means of opening in a “sealed closed” position incorporating a gear and pinion arrangement according to the same third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of a one-handed closure with substantially narrow drinking aperture and rotatable means of opening in a “sealed closed” position incorporating a cam sliding arrangement according to the same third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows a three-dimensional cross section view of a one-handed closure with substantially narrow drinking aperture and rotatable means of opening in a “sealed closed” position incorporating a spout arrangement according to the same third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) It will be appreciated that terminology such as “upwards”, “downwards”, “above” and “below” etc. as used in this specification refer to the orientations shown in the drawings and orientations obvious to those versed in the art. The terms are used to indicate relative orientations, but should not be considered to be otherwise limiting.

(14) Referring to FIG. 1, a closure for above atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 1 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “sealed closed” position including a main closure body 2 which includes the thread finish and means of pressure sealing when engaged onto a bottle thread finish (bottle thread finish not depicted), a flip-top lid 3 and a drinking aperture plug subassembly 4 that may be opened and reclosed over a substantially wide drinking aperture, at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 (as depicted, incorporated into the flip-top lid 3 and drinking aperture plug subassembly 4), at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 (as depicted, incorporated into the flip-top lid 3 and drinking aperture plug subassembly 4, and depicted in a “sealed closed” position), and a sealing system suitable for multiple re-use 7.

(15) The drinking aperture plug subassembly 4 may comprise one or more alternate materials either assembled as separate parts and/or over-moulded into an integral structure. As depicted, the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4 is an integral structure comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer part 8, typically polypropylene, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 9, typically TPE or the like.

(16) While the headspace pressure is at least substantially above atmospheric pressure the headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 may at least substantially employ the use of the headspace pressure 10 itself to at least substantially ensure that the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4 cannot freely be opened into a “drink” position by a user. As depicted, this is achieved by means of the above atmospheric pressure headspace pressure 10 applying pressure upwards onto the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4 such that the combination of the least one thermoplastic polymer part 8 and/or the at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 9 flex in such a way as to lockingly engage the at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 into a “locked” or “interlocked” mode.

(17) While in this “sealed closed” position, the one-handed closure arrangement 1 is constrained from freely being opened into a “drink” position by a user.

(18) The one-handed closure arrangement 1 may include mean of tamper-evidence (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 1 may include means of hygiene protection 11 (as depicted, in the form of a removable cover). The one-handed closure arrangement 1 may include means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish (not depicted).

(19) Referring to FIG. 2, the closure for above atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 1 of FIG. 1 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “controlled vent” position.

(20) Once any means of hygiene protection 11 of FIG. 1 has been removed, the flip-top lid 3 of FIG. 1 is freely able to be moved by a user rotatably upwards into a controlled vent position 12, whilst at the same time the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4 remains seatingly and sealingly engaged down onto the main closure body 2, and the at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 and the sealing system suitable for multiple re-use 7 both remain engaged.

(21) The flip-top lid 3 of FIG. 1 is able to be rotatably moved into a controlled vent position 12 by means of a rotatable hinge 13 between the flip-top lid 3 of FIG. 1 and the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4. There may be rotation limiting means to restrict the degree of rotatable movement (not depicted).

(22) Once the flip-top lid 3 of FIG. 1 has been rotatably moved into a controlled vent position 12, the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 of FIG. 1 is caused to transition from a “sealed closed” to a “controlled vent” position by means of the relative movement of the at least one pressure equalisation valve plug 14 (as depicted, as part of the flip-top lid 3) and the at least one pressure equalisation valve aperture 15 (as depicted, as part of the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4). The at least one pressure equalisation valve plug 14 may be a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene and the at least one pressure equalisation valve aperture 15 may be a thermoplastic elastomer such as TPE or the like.

(23) The one-handed closure arrangement 1 may incorporate a headspace over-pressure relief valve mechanism in case headspace pressure rises above a pre-set maximum level. As depicted, the at least one pressure equalisation valve aperture 15 formed of thermoplastic elastomer may flex outwards at a pre-determined maximum headspace pressure and thereby free itself of the sealingly plugged constraints of the at least one pressure equalisation valve plug 14, and thereby form an over-pressure relief valve.

(24) The relative movement of the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 of FIG. 1 with respect to each other may create a small vent aperture and may enable the headspace pressure to be vented downwards towards atmospheric pressure such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate dependent on the vent aperture size so formed and independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure and minimal generation of effervescence.

(25) Referring to FIG. 3, the closure for above atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 1 of Figures One and Two is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a fully open “drink” position.

(26) Once the headspace pressure has at least significantly equalised with atmospheric pressure, the at least one headspace pressure interlock system 5 of Figures One and Two may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required by a user, thereby enabling a user to freely open the closure into a “drink” position and drink the beverage through the substantially wide drinking aperture 16. The opening into a “drink” position may be by means of a living hinge arrangement 17, either integral to or a separate part of the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4. The living hinge arrangement 17 may include means of hinge bias to ensure the “drink” position remains as open as possible.

(27) In the “drink” position as depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view, the at least one headspace pressure interlock system 5 of Figures One and Two can be seen to comprise at least one or more undercut recesses 18 as part of the main closure body 2 that lockingly engage with at least one or more locking features 19 as part of the drinking aperture plug subassembly 4. Means of rotation limiting 20 to restrict the degree of rotatable movement of the flip-top lid 3 of FIG. 1 can also be seen in this view.

(28) Upon reclosing, any residual pressure in the beverage may lead to a re-build-up in pressure in the headspace such that the headspace pressure lock arrangement 5 of Figures One and Two may once again at least substantially engage and lock-closed the one-handed closure.

(29) A closure for above atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner has thereby been formed that will allow a user to “chug” their beverage while drinking.

(30) Referring to FIG. 4, a closure for below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 21 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “sealed closed” position including a main closure body arrangement 22 which includes the thread finish and means of pressure sealing when engaged onto a bottle thread finish (bottle thread finish not depicted), a flip-top lid 23 and a drinking aperture plug 24 that may be opened and reclosed over a substantially wide drinking aperture, at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 25 (as depicted, comprising the main closure body arrangement 22 and drinking aperture plug 24), at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 26 (as depicted, comprising the flip-top lid 23 and main closure body arrangement 22, and depicted in a “sealed closed” position), and a sealing system suitable for multiple re-use (as depicted, being the same headspace pressure lock mechanism 25).

(31) The main closure body arrangement 22 may comprise one or more alternate materials either assembled as separate parts and/or over-moulded into an integral structure. As depicted, the main closure body arrangement 22 is an integral structure comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer part 27, typically polypropylene, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 28, typically a TPE or the like.

(32) While the headspace pressure 29 is at least substantially below atmospheric pressure the headspace pressure lock mechanism 25 may at least substantially employ the use of the headspace pressure itself to at least substantially ensure that the drinking aperture plug 24 cannot freely be opened into a “drink” position by a user. As depicted, this is achieved by means of the below atmospheric pressure headspace pressure 29 applying pressure downwards onto the drinking aperture plug 24 such that the drinking aperture plug 24 is sealingly engaged down onto the least one thermoplastic elastomer part 28 by means of the resulting vacuum thereby formed in the headspace in such a way as to lockingly and sealingly engage closed the one-handed closure arrangement 21.

(33) While in this “sealed closed” position, the one-handed closure arrangement 21 is constrained from freely being opened into a “drink” position by a user.

(34) The one-handed closure arrangement 21 may include mean of tamper-evidence 30. The one-handed closure arrangement 21 may include means of hygiene protection (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 21 may include means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish (not depicted).

(35) Referring to FIG. 5, the closure for below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 21 of FIG. 4 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “controlled vent” position.

(36) Once any means of hygiene protection has been removed, and the tearing off of any one or more tamper evidence features 30 of FIG. 4, the flip-top lid 23 of FIG. 4 is freely able to be moved by a user rotatably upwards into a controlled vent position 31, whilst at the same time the drinking aperture plug 24 remains seatingly and sealingly engaged down onto the main closure body arrangement 22, and the at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism incorporating the sealing system suitable for multiple re-use 25 remains engaged.

(37) The flip-top lid 23 of FIG. 4 is able to be rotatably moved into a controlled vent position 31 by means of a rotatable hinge 32 between the flip-top lid 23 of FIG. 4 and the drinking aperture plug 24. There may be rotation limiting means to restrict the degree of rotatable movement (not depicted).

(38) Once the flip-top lid 23 of FIG. 4 has been rotatably moved into a controlled vent position 31, the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 26 of FIG. 4 is caused to transition from a “sealed closed” to a “controlled vent” position by means of the relative movement of the at least one pressure equalisation valve plug 33 (as depicted, as part of the flip-top lid 31) and the at least one pressure equalisation valve aperture 34 (as depicted, as part of the main closure body arrangement 22). The at least one pressure equalisation valve plug 33 may be a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene and the at least one pressure equalisation valve aperture 34 may be a thermoplastic elastomer such as TPE or the like.

(39) The relative movement of the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 26 of FIG. 4 with respect to each other may create a small vent aperture and may enable the headspace pressure to be vented upwards towards atmospheric pressure such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate dependent on the vent aperture size so formed and independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure.

(40) Referring to FIG. 6, the closure for below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 21 of Figures Four and Five is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a fully open “drink” position.

(41) Once the headspace pressure has at least significantly equalised with atmospheric pressure the at least one headspace pressure interlock system 25 of Figures Four and Five may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required by a user, thereby enabling a user to freely open the closure into a “drink” position and drink the beverage through the substantially wide drinking aperture 35. The opening into a “drink” position may be by means of a living hinge arrangement 36, either integral to or a separate part of the drinking aperture plug 24. The living hinge arrangement 36 may include means of hinge bias to ensure the “drink” position remains as open as possible.

(42) In the “drink” position as depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view, the at least one headspace pressure interlock system 25 of FIG. 4 can be seen to comprise substantially flat surfaces 37 on the thermoplastic polymer drinking aperture plug 24 and raised surfaces 38 on the least one thermoplastic elastomer part 28, that when engaged together and a vacuum forms in the headspace, the two thereby sealingly engage. Means of rotation limiting 39 to restrict the degree of rotatable movement of the flip-top lid 31 can also be seen in this view.

(43) A closure for below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially wide drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner has thereby been formed that will allow a user to “chug” their beverage while drinking.

(44) Referring to FIG. 7, a closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 40 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “sealed closed” position including a main closure body arrangement 41 which includes the thread finish and means of pressure sealing when engaged onto a bottle thread finish (bottle thread finish not depicted), a lever-action means of opening and reclosing 42, a drinking aperture sealing plug 43 that may rotatingly open and reclose a substantially narrow drinking aperture 44, at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45, at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 46, and a sealing system suitable for multiple re-use (not depicted).

(45) The assembly may comprise one or more alternate materials either assembled as separate parts and/or over-moulded into an integral structure. As depicted, the main closure body arrangement 41 is an integral structure comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer part 47, typically polypropylene, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 48, typically a TPE or the like.

(46) While the headspace is pressurised, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 may at least substantially employ the use of the headspace pressure 49 itself to at least substantially ensure that the drinking aperture sealing plug 43 cannot freely be rotated into a “drink” position by a user. As depicted, this is achieved by means of the headspace pressure 49 applying pressure onto the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 such that the combination of the least one thermoplastic polymer part 47 and/or the at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 48 flex in such a way as to lockingly or jammingly restrict the drinking aperture sealing plug 43 from being freely rotated into a “drink” position.

(47) It will be apparent to those versed in the art that by means of changes in the geometry, shape, form or design of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 may readily be optimized to function as a locking or jamming means for either above atmospheric headspace pressure and/or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages.

(48) While in this “sealed closed” position, the one-handed closure arrangement 40 is constrained from freely being opened into a “drink” position by a user.

(49) The one-handed closure arrangement 40 may include mean of tamper-evidence 50. The one-handed closure arrangement 40 may include means of hygiene protection (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 40 may include means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish (not depicted).

(50) Once any means of hygiene protection has been removed, the lever-action means of opening and reclosing 42 may freely and rotatably be moved by a user sufficiently to in-turn rotate the drinking aperture sealing plug 43 from a “sealed closed” into a “controlled vent” position (not depicted), however during this rotation into the “controlled vent” position the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 remains engaged, and thereby a user cannot freely further rotate the one-handed closure arrangement 40 into a “drink” position due to the locking or jamming means of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 remaining engaged.

(51) Once the lever-action means of opening and reclosing 42 and thereby the drinking aperture sealing plug 43 have freely and rotatably been moved into a controlled vent position, the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 46 is caused to transition from a “sealed closed” to a “controlled vent” position by means of the relative movement of the rotation action. The at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 46 may comprise thermoplastic polymer features 51 such as the likes of polypropylene as part of the drinking aperture sealing plug 43, and thermoplastic elastomer features 52 such as the likes of TPE as part of the main closure body arrangement 41.

(52) The relative movement of the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 46 sub-parts with respect to each other may create a small vent aperture and may enable the headspace pressure to be vented towards atmospheric pressure such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate dependent on the vent aperture size so formed and independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure, and for above atmospheric pressure applications, minimal generation of effervescence.

(53) Referring to FIG. 8, the closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 40 of FIG. 7 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a fully open “drink” position.

(54) Once the headspace pressure has at least substantially equalised with atmospheric pressure the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 of FIG. 7 may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required by a user, thereby enabling a user to freely open the closure into a “drink” position and drink the beverage through the substantially narrow drinking aperture 53. The opening into a “drink” position may be by means of the headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 of FIG. 7 releasing its jamming or locking such that the drinking aperture sealing plug 43 of FIG. 7 is on longer constrained from being rotated into the “drink” position 54.

(55) For above atmospheric pressure applications, upon reclosing, any residual pressure in the beverage may lead to a re-build-up in pressure in the headspace such that the headspace pressure lock arrangement 45 of FIG. 7 may once again at least substantially engage and lock-closed the one-handed closure.

(56) Additional means of sealing 55 may ensure that the closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 40 is suitable for multiple reuse.

(57) A closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner has thereby been formed.

(58) Referring to FIG. 9, a closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 56 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “sealed closed” position including a main closure body arrangement 57 which includes the thread finish and means of pressure sealing when engaged onto a bottle thread finish (bottle thread finish not depicted), a rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a rack and pinion driving mechanism arrangement 58, a drinking aperture sealing plug 59 that may rotatingly open and reclose a substantially narrow drinking aperture 60, at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61, at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 62, and a sealing system suitable for multiple re-use 63.

(59) The assembly may comprise one or more alternate materials either assembled as separate parts and/or over-moulded into an integral structure. As depicted, the main closure body arrangement 57 is an integral structure comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer part 64, typically polypropylene, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 65, typically a TPE.

(60) While the headspace is pressurised, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 may at least substantially employ the use of the headspace pressure 66 itself to at least substantially ensure that the drinking aperture sealing plug 59 cannot freely be rotated into a “drink” position by a user. As depicted, this is achieved by means of the headspace pressure 66 applying pressure onto the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 such that the combination of the least one thermoplastic polymer part 64 and/or the at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 65 flex in such a way as to lockingly or jammingly restrict the drinking aperture sealing plug 59 from freely being rotated into a “drink” position.

(61) It will be apparent to those versed in the art that by means of changes in the geometry, shape, form or design of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 may readily be optimized to function as a locking or jamming means for either above atmospheric headspace pressure and/or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages.

(62) While in this “sealed closed” position, the one-handed closure arrangement 56 is constrained from freely being opened into a “drink” position by a user.

(63) The one-handed closure arrangement 56 may include mean of tamper-evidence (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 56 may include means of hygiene protection (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 56 may include means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish (not depicted).

(64) Once any means of hygiene protection has been removed, the rotatable means of opening and reclosing comprising a rack and pinion driving mechanism arrangement 58 may freely and rotatably be moved by a user sufficiently to in-turn rotate the drinking aperture sealing plug 59 from a “sealed closed” into a “controlled vent” position (not depicted), however during this rotation into the “controlled vent” position the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 remains engaged, and thereby a user cannot freely further rotate the one-handed closure arrangement 56 into a “drink” positon due to the locking or jamming means of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 remaining engaged.

(65) The mechanical drive means of the substantially narrow drinking aperture 60 may be by means of a rotatable rack and pinion driving mechanism arrangement 58 (as depicted, with rack teeth 67 being an integral part of the rotatable rack and pinion driving mechanism arrangement 58 and pinion teeth 68 being an integral part of the drinking aperture sealing plug 59). By means of the gearing engagement of the rack and pinion teeth, when a user rotates the rack and pinion driving mechanism arrangement 58 they in-turn directly effect rotation of the drinking aperture sealing plug 59.

(66) Once the rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a rack and pinion driving mechanism arrangement 58 and thereby the drinking aperture sealing plug 59 have freely and rotatably been moved into a controlled vent position, the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 62 is caused to transition from a “sealed closed” to a “controlled vent” position by means of the relative movement of the rotation action. The at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 62 may comprise thermoplastic polymer features 69 such as the likes of polypropylene as part of the drinking aperture sealing plug 59, and thermoplastic elastomer features 70 such as the likes of TPE as part of the main closure body arrangement 57.

(67) The relative movement of the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 62 sub-parts with respect to each other may create a small vent aperture and may enable the headspace pressure to be vented towards atmospheric pressure such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate dependent on the vent aperture size so formed and independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure, and for above atmospheric pressure applications, minimal generation of effervescence.

(68) Once the headspace pressure has at least significantly equalised with atmospheric pressure the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required by a user, thereby enabling a user to freely open the closure into a “drink” position (not depicted) and drink the beverage through the substantially narrow drinking aperture 60. The opening into a “drink” position may be by means of the headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 releasing its jamming or locking such that the drinking aperture sealing plug 59 is on longer constrained from being rotated into the “drink” position.

(69) For above atmospheric pressure applications, upon reclosing, any residual pressure in the beverage may lead to a re-build-up in pressure in the headspace such that the headspace pressure lock arrangement 61 may once again at least substantially engage and lock-closed the one-handed closure.

(70) Additional means of sealing 63 may ensure that the closure for above or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 56 is suitable for multiple reuse.

(71) A closure for above or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner has thereby been formed.

(72) Referring to FIG. 10, a closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 71 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “sealed closed” position including a main closure body arrangement 72 which includes the thread finish and means of pressure sealing when engaged onto a bottle thread finish (bottle thread finish not depicted), a rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a cam slider mechanism arrangement 73, a drinking aperture sealing plug 74 that may slidingly open and reclose a substantially narrow drinking aperture 75, at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76, at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 77, and a sealing system suitable for multiple re-use 78.

(73) The assembly may comprise one or more alternate materials either assembled as separate parts and/or over-moulded into an integral structure. As depicted, the main closure body arrangement 72 is an integral structure comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer part 79, typically polypropylene, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 80, typically a TPE or the like.

(74) While the headspace is pressurised, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 may at least substantially employ the use of the headspace pressure 81 itself to at least substantially ensure that the drinking aperture sealing plug 74 cannot freely be slidingly engaged into a “drink” position by a user. As depicted, this is achieved by means of the headspace pressure 81 applying pressure onto the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 such that the combination of the least one thermoplastic polymer part 79 and/or the at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 80 flex in such a way as to lockingly or jammingly restrict the drinking aperture sealing plug 74 from being slidingly engaged into a “drink” position.

(75) It will be apparent to those versed in the art that by means of changes in the geometry, shape, form or design of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 may readily be optimized to function as a locking or jamming means for either above atmospheric headspace pressure and/or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages.

(76) While in this “sealed closed” position, the one-handed closure arrangement 71 is constrained from freely being opened into a “drink” position by a user.

(77) The one-handed closure arrangement 71 may include mean of tamper-evidence (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 71 may include means of hygiene protection (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 71 may include means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish (not depicted).

(78) Once any means of hygiene protection has been removed, the cam slider mechanism arrangement 73 may freely and rotatably be moved by a user sufficiently to in-turn slide the drinking aperture sealing plug 74 from a “sealed closed” into a “controlled vent” position (not depicted), however during this sliding movement into the “controlled vent” position the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 remains engaged, and thereby a user cannot freely further rotate/slide the one-handed closure arrangement 71 into a “drink” position due to the locking or jamming means of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 remaining engaged.

(79) The mechanical drive means of the substantially narrow drinking aperture 75 may be by means of a rotatable cam slider mechanism arrangement 73 (as depicted, with at least one cam 82 being an integral part of the rotatable cam slider mechanism arrangement 73 and at least one cam follower 83 being an integral part of the drinking aperture sealing plug 74). By means of the cam slider engagement of the at least one cam 82 and the at least one cam follower 83, when a user rotates the cam slider mechanism arrangement 73 they in-turn directly effect a sliding movement in the drinking aperture sealing plug 74.

(80) Once the rotatable/slidable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a cam sliding mechanism arrangement 73 and thereby the drinking aperture sealing plug 74 have freely, rotatably and slidably been moved into a controlled vent position, the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 77 is caused to transition from a “sealed closed” to a “controlled vent” position by means of the relative movement of the rotation/sliding action. The at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 77 may comprise thermoplastic polymer features 84 such as the likes of polypropylene as part of the cam sliding mechanism arrangement 73, and thermoplastic elastomer features 85 such as the likes of TPE as part of the main closure body arrangement 72.

(81) The relative movement of the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 77 sub-parts with respect to each other may create a small vent aperture and may enable the headspace pressure to be vented towards atmospheric pressure such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate dependent on the vent aperture size so formed and independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure, and for above atmospheric pressure applications, minimal generation of effervescence.

(82) Once the headspace pressure has at least significantly equalised with atmospheric pressure the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required by a user, thereby enabling a user to freely open the closure into a “drink” position (not depicted) and drink the beverage through the substantially narrow drinking aperture 75. The opening into a “drink” position may be by means of the headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 releasing its jamming or locking such that the drinking aperture sealing plug 74 is on longer constrained from being slidingly engaged into the “drink” position.

(83) For above atmospheric pressure applications, upon reclosing, any residual pressure in the beverage may lead to a re-build-up in pressure in the headspace such that the headspace pressure lock arrangement 76 may once again at least substantially engage and lock-closed the one-handed closure.

(84) Additional means of sealing 78 may ensure that the closure for above or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 71 is suitable for multiple reuse.

(85) A closure for above or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner has thereby been formed.

(86) Referring to FIG. 11, a closure for pressurised headspace beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 86 is depicted in three-dimensional cross-section view in a “sealed closed” position including a main closure body arrangement 87 which includes the thread finish and means of pressure sealing when engaged onto a bottle thread finish (bottle thread finish not depicted), a rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a spout-locking arrangement 88, a drinking spout 89 that may open and reclose a substantially narrow drinking aperture 90, at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91, at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 92, and a sealing system suitable for multiple re-use (not depicted).

(87) The assembly may comprise one or more alternate materials either assembled as separate parts and/or over-moulded into an integral structure. As depicted, the main closure body arrangement 87 is an integral structure comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer part 93, typically polypropylene, and at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 94, typically a TPE or the like.

(88) While the headspace is pressurised, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 may at least substantially employ the use of the headspace pressure 95 itself to at least substantially ensure that the drinking spout 89 cannot readily be pullingly opened or mechanically driven open into a “drink” position by a user. As depicted, this is achieved by means of the headspace pressure 95 applying pressure onto the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 such that the combination of the least one thermoplastic polymer part 93 and/or the at least one thermoplastic elastomer part 94 flex in such a way as to lockingly or jammingly restrict the rotation of the rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a spout-locking arrangement 88. As depicted, this may be achieved by means of at least one cam follower feature 96 on the drinking spout 89 and at least one cam feature 97 on the rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a spout-locking arrangement 88 which together constrain the drinking spout 89 from being pullingly opened or mechanically driven open into a “drink” position by means of the cam arrangement so formed.

(89) It will be apparent to those versed in the art that by means of changes in the geometry, shape, form or design of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91, the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 may readily be optimized to function as a locking or jamming means for either above atmospheric headspace pressure and/or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages.

(90) While in this “sealed closed” position, the one-handed closure arrangement 86 is constrained from freely being opened into a “drink” position by a user.

(91) The one-handed closure arrangement 86 may include mean of tamper-evidence (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 86 may include means of hygiene protection (not depicted). The one-handed closure arrangement 86 may include means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish (not depicted).

(92) Once any means of hygiene protection has been removed, the rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a spout-locking arrangement 88 may freely and rotatably be moved by a user sufficiently to transition the one-handed closure arrangement 86 from a “sealed closed” into a “controlled vent” position (not depicted), however during this rotating movement into the “controlled vent” position the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 remains engaged, and thereby a user cannot freely further rotate the one-handed closure arrangement 86 into a “drink” position due to the locking or jamming means of the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 remaining engaged.

(93) Once the one-handed closure arrangement 86 has been rotatably transitioned into a controlled vent position, the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 92 is caused to transition from a “sealed closed” to a “controlled vent” position by means of the relative movement of the rotating action. The at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 92 may comprise thermoplastic polymer features 98 such as the likes of polypropylene as part of the rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a spout-locking arrangement 88, and thermoplastic elastomer features 99 such as the likes of TPE as part of the main closure body arrangement 87.

(94) The relative movement of the at least one controlled rate of release headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 92 sub-parts with respect to each other may create a small vent aperture and may enable the headspace pressure to be vented towards atmospheric pressure such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate dependent on the vent aperture size so formed and independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure, and for above atmospheric pressure applications, minimal generation of effervescence.

(95) Once the headspace pressure has at least significantly equalised with atmospheric pressure the at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 may release its headspace pressure lock sufficiently to enable the one-handed closure to be fully and freely opened and reclosed as required by a user, thereby enabling a user to freely open the closure into a “drink” position (not depicted) and drink the beverage through the substantially narrow drinking aperture 90. The opening into a “drink” position may be by means of the headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 releasing its jamming or locking such that the rotatable means of opening and reclosing incorporating a spout-locking arrangement 88 is on longer constrained from being rotated sufficiently to release is lock on the drinking spout 89. The drinking spout 89 may then be either freely pulled by a user or mechanically driven by the cam arrangement into the “drink” position.

(96) For above atmospheric pressure applications, upon reclosing, any residual pressure in the beverage may lead to a re-build-up in pressure in the headspace such that the headspace pressure lock arrangement 91 may once again at least substantially engage and lock-closed the one-handed closure.

(97) Additional means of sealing (not depicted) may ensure that the closure for above or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner 86 is suitable for multiple reuse.

(98) A closure for above or below atmospheric headspace pressure beverages with a substantially narrow drinking aperture that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner has thereby been formed.

(99) It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a one-handed closure where a user is constrained from drinking the beverage until the headspace pressure is at least substantially near atmospheric, the closure is suitable for multiple re-use and the venting of headspace pressure towards atmospheric pressure occurs in a safe and controlled manner.

(100) It will be apparent to anyone versed in the art that this invention can be readily modified and adapted based on other similar and known closure forms and further that the headspace pressure lock arrangement and headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement may be readily integrated into many other systems other than closures where the safe and controlled release of pressure is an issue.

(101) A closure that may be opened and reclosed by a user in substantially a one-handed manner may comprise at least one or more of the following: be suitably optimised for above atmospheric headspaces, be suitable optimized for below atmospheric headspaces, have a substantially wide drinking aperture, have a substantially narrow drinking aperture, have at least one headspace pressure lock arrangement between any two or more sub-assembly parts that move relative to each other during opening and closing actions, have at least one headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement between any two or more sub-assembly parts that move relative to each other during opening and closing actions, have means of tamper-evidence, have means of hygiene protection, have means to inhibit removal of the closure from the bottle thread finish, have means of over-pressure relief, any combination of the above.

(102) Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

(103) Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.