Closure interlocking mechanism that prevents accidental initial opening of a container

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a container closure that prevents accidental initial opening of a container. The closure mechanism includes at least one temporary interlocking mechanism having a two part fastener that engages the moveable part of the closure with the fixed part of the closure. The temporary interlocking mechanism is invisible when the container is closed. It is positioned in a location different from the location of the orifice of the closure or from the path that the liquid follows during dispensing. This temporary interlocking mechanism includes at least one element that breaks or irreversibly deforms during the initial opening of the container. The additional force required to break or to irreversibly deform the breakable or irreversibly deformable element of the temporary interlocking mechanism during the first opening mitigates the risk of accidental opening during manufacturing, shipment or storage of the goods. Once broken or irreversibly deformed during the first opening, the interlocking mechanism does not interfere with the subsequent opening and closing cycles of the container by the consumer.

Claims

1. A closure for a liquid container comprising at least one temporary interlocking mechanism not visible during the closed state of the liquid container: a) wherein at least one temporary interlocking mechanism, has a two part fastener that engages a moveable part of the closure with a fixed part of the closure wherein the two part fastener is a hook and loop fastener, and (b) wherein at least one temporary interlocking mechanism includes at least one element that irreversibly deforms during the initial opening of the liquid container wherein the deformation requires a force with a magnitude higher than a threshold force, and (c) further wherein at least one temporary interlocking mechanism is positioned in a location different from the location of an orifice of the closure or from a path that a liquid content of the liquid container follows during dispensing, (d) and further wherein at least one temporary interlocking mechanism, after irreversibly deforming during the initial opening of the liquid container, does not interfere with the opening and closing of the liquid container during subsequent use, and (e) wherein a ratio of the threshold force value to a required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 1.25.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 1.5.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 2.

4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 3.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 4.

6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 5.

7. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the threshold force required to open the closure for the first time is from 12 N to about 50 N.

8. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the threshold force required to open the closure for the first time is from 18 N to about 40 N.

9. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the threshold force required to open the closure for the first time is from 20 N to about 35 N.

10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a flip top closure.

11. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure which comprises at least one temporary interlocking mechanism further comprises two temporary interlocking mechanisms both of which contain a hook and loop fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a flip top (2) type cap with a hook (5) and loop (6) technology. The moveable flip top (2) itself is connected to the base (1) of the cap via the hinge. Left and right of the flip top (2) the hooks (5) are visible which engage in the closed stage with the loops (6) left and right of the base (1) of the cap.

(2) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a hook (5), moveable flip top (2) itself connected to the base (1) of the cap, wherein hook (5) once engaged with the loop (6), can be released by increasing the force, resulting with either a breakage or wear out of the hook (5).

(3) FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a hook (5).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(4) All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise designated. All measurements are understood to be made at ambient conditions, where ambient conditions means conditions at about 25 C., under about one atmosphere of pressure, and at about 50% relative humidity, unless otherwise designated. All numeric ranges are inclusive of narrower ranges; delineated upper and lower range limits are combinable to create further ranges not explicitly delineated.

(5) A typical container for consumer goods includes either a flip top closure or a disc top closure. A non-limiting example is a flip top (2) closure, which has a pin (3), as an integral part of the moveable flip top (2) lid, and an opening or orifice (4) on the fixed base (1) of the closure. Such closure mechanism will tighten the system, both in transit as well as in use. Alternatively, in the non-limiting example of a disc top closure, the moveable part can be a disc that is integrated into the body of the closure and rotates around an axis. This rotation of the moving part of the closure creates a channel connecting the contents of the container with the outside of the container so that the contents can be dispensed by the consumer. A typical method of making flip top (2) and disc top closures includes injection molding of different plastics like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

(6) Containers having closures with moveable parts can be readily opened and closed by the consumer during the product use. That is, the containers do not require excessive force for the routine opening and closing operation. However, the same container can be transported and stored safely without accidental opening and leaking of the liquid, before it reaches the consumer. Indeed, a problem that is occasionally encountered in containers that include closures having moving parts, such as flip top (2) and disk top closures, is the accidental opening of the container and product leakage during manufacturing, transportation and storage. The present invention has found that container closures can be designed and produced so that they are safely transported and stored with very low probability of accidental opening. Then, they can be readily opened and closed by the consumer during the regular use of the product by the consumer. This is achieved by using closures wherein the force required to open the container for the first time is significantly higher than the force required to open the container after the initial opening. More specifically, these closures use a mechanism that prevents the accidental initial opening of a container. The mechanism includes at least one temporary interlocking mechanism having a two part fastener that engages the moveable part of the closure with the fixed part of the closure. This temporary interlocking mechanism includes at least one element that breaks or irreversibly deforms during the initial opening of the container. The temporary interlocking mechanism is invisible when the container is closed. The temporary interlocking mechanism is positioned in a location that is different from the location of the orifice (4) of the closure or from the path that the liquid follows during dispensing. The additional force required to break or to irreversibly deform the element of the temporary interlocking mechanism and to open the container during the first opening significantly reduces the risk of accidental opening during shipment or storage of the goods. The temporary interlocking mechanism is achieved by using a two part mechanical fastener, such as a hook (5) and loop (6) fastener, that connects the moveable to the fixed part of the closure, wherein the two part mechanical fastener inhibits the separation between the parts applying a force below a specific threshold, and wherein the two part mechanical fastener breaks or it is irreversibly deformed during the first opening of the container when a force above the threshold is applied.

(7) Intentional opening by consumers is possible by overcoming the initial opening force and breaking the mechanical connection. This event is intentionally not clearly apparent to consumers and does not require any additional action by the consumers. Any subsequent opening of the moveable part will require the regular, lower force as intended.

(8) One embodiment of the present invention includes a container having a flip top (2) closure wherein the closure also includes an interlocking mechanism having a two part fastener that contains an element that breaks during the initial opening of the closure if a force is applied that is higher than a threshold value. A non-limited example of the two part fastener is a hook (5) and loop (6) type. The hook (5) is interlocked with the loop (6) when closure is at the closed state and the closure has never been opened. The hook (5) and loop (6) fastener is in a different location from the orifice (4) of the closure. The hook (5) element is part of the moveable part of the closure and the loop (6) is part of the fixed part of the closure. The hook (5) and loop (6) fastener consists of complementary parts which engage to form a firm joint. However, as opposed to some typical use of such interlocking mechanism, the fastener in this embodiment is not re-engageable, because the hook (5) does not have sufficient flexibility. Thus, when the closure is opened, using a sufficient force, it breaks and it cannot be interlocked with the loop (6) thereafter. Any hook (5) and loop (6) fastener familiar to the person having ordinary skill in the art may be used to achieve the desired interlocking mechanism. That is, the hook (5) and loop (6) fastener can have different hook (5) shapes, such as anchor-shaped, barbed shaped, mushroom shaped and others. Analogously, the loop (6) part of the fastener can be of different shapes and designs. Other two part fasteners familiar to a person having ordinary skill in art that can be used such as stud-type fasteners, nut and bolt fasteners, and others. The force required to break or irreversibly deform the interlocking mechanism depends on the material hardness, flex modulus, rigidity as well as the geometry and 3D design.

(9) In an embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 1.25. In a further embodiment, wherein the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 1.5. In yet a further embodiment, the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 2. In a further embodiment, the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 3. In a further embodiment, the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 4. In a further embodiment, the ratio of the threshold force value to the required force to open the closure after the initial opening is larger than 5. In an embodiment, the threshold force required to open the closure for the first time is from about 12 N to about 50 N. In a further embodiment, the threshold force required to open the closure for the first time is from about 18 N to about 40 N. In yet a further embodiment, the threshold force required to open the closure for the first time is from about 20 N to about 35 N.

(10) The flip top (2) closure also includes at least one permanent interlocking mechanism between the moveable part of the closure with its fixed base (1). A non-limited example of a permanent interlocking mechanism is a pin (3) and hole. The permanent engagement allows for multiple openings and closings during the life of the container for dispensing of the product. In the case of the pin (3) and hole, the permanent force required to open the closure after the initial opening depends on the material properties of the chosen plastic, mainly friction, and the three dimensional shape. The closure is required to comprise of an orifice (4) that is air tight in the closed state so that evaporation and contamination is prevented. Additional friction between the closure parts will increase the opening force requirement as designed per actual technical and consumer requirements. The flip top (2) closure that includes both interlocking mechanisms, the temporary and the permanent interlocking mechanisms, can be manufactured by injection molding.

(11) Another embodiment of the present invention includes a container having a flip top (2) closure wherein the closure also includes an interlocking mechanism having a two part fastener that contains an element that irreversibly deforms, instead of breaking, during the initial opening of the closure if a force is applied that is higher than a threshold value, as described above. The deformation occurring during the first opening of the closure of the container results in the inability of the elements of the fastener to reengage in an interlocking manner. More specifically, the hook (5) or the loop (6) is designed in such a way that it is deformed during the initial opening and cannot achieve its original shape. This defined functionality may be achieved by the selection of proper plastic material, material thickness and molding process conditions.

(12) Another embodiment of the present invention includes a container having a flip top (2) closure wherein the closure also includes two interlocking mechanisms each having a two part fastener that contains an element that breaks or irreversibly deforms during the initial opening of the closure if a force is applied that is higher than a threshold value, as described above.

(13) Intentional opening by consumers is possible by overcoming the initial opening force and breaking the mechanical connection. This event is intentionally not clearly apparent to consumers and does not require any additional action by the consumers. Any subsequent opening of the moveable part will require the regular, lower force as intended.

(14) In an embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples materials with appropriate physical properties to be used for closures described herein manufactured via injection molding are polypropylene (PP), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene Terehthalate (PET), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and others.

(15) The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as 40 mm is intended to mean about 40 mm.

(16) Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

(17) While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.