Multi-component synthetic closure and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A multi-component synthetic closure and/or a rod-shaped intermediate product which incorporate printed indicia comprising ink that is invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions and a continuous, in-line manufacturing process therefor are described. In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the core member of the synthetic closure and/or the rod-shaped intermediate product can be formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indicia among which can be a registration mark that can be invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions on the outer surface of the central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.

Claims

1. A multi-component, substantially cylindrical closure for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a container, the closure comprising: a. a core member comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, b. at least one peripheral layer at least partially surrounding and intimately bonded to the core member, the at least one peripheral layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and c. printed indicia printed on a lateral surface of the core member or on a lateral surface of the at least one peripheral layer, wherein the printed indicia comprise invisible ink, and d. at least one of the following features (i) to (iii): (i) the printed indicia comprise a registration mark comprising the invisible ink and defining a cutting position configured to be detected by a cutting machine, the printed indicia further comprising decorative indicia that differ from the registration mark, that comprise visible ink, and that are non-interfering with the registration mark; (ii) the invisible ink is detectable by a change in temperature from a temperature within a range of from 10 C. to 35 C. to a temperature within a high range of from 40 C. to 200 C., without requiring presence of infrared or ultraviolet light; or (iii) the invisible ink is rendered visually detectable by irradiation with emissions of a radio frequency source.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the printed indicia comprise a solvent-based ink.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the printed indicia comprise a UV-curable ink.

4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral layer comprises a first peripheral layer at least partially surrounding and intimately bonded to the core member, the first peripheral layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one second peripheral layer at least partially surrounding and intimately bonded to the first peripheral layer, the at least one second peripheral layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein the printed indicia are printed on a lateral surface of the first peripheral layer and wherein the at least one second peripheral layer overlies the printed indicia.

5. The closure according to claim 4, wherein the printed indicia comprise a registration mark comprising the invisible ink and defining a cutting position configured to be detected by a cutting machine, the printed indicia further comprising decorative indicia that differ from the registration mark, that comprise visible ink, and that are non-interfering with the registration mark.

6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the printed indicia comprise visible ink.

7. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is detectable by a change in temperature from a temperature within a range of from 10 C. to 35 C. to a temperature within a high range of from 40 C. to 200 C., without requiring presence of infrared or ultraviolet light.

8. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is detectable under ultraviolet light.

9. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is detectable under infrared light.

10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is invisible from 10 to 35 C. and visible at temperatures in a range of from 40 to 200 C.

11. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is invisible from 10 to 35 C. and visible at temperatures below about 8 C.

12. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is detectable by a chemical reaction of the invisible ink upon exposure of the invisible ink to iodine or a pH indicator.

13. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is detectable by irradiation with emissions of an x-ray source.

14. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the invisible ink is rendered visually detectable by irradiation with emissions of a radio frequency source.

15. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the printed indicia are printed on a surface having a surface roughness R.sub.a in a range of from 0.5 m to 17 m.

16. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer of the core member is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene block copolymers, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, olefin copolymers, olefin block copolymers, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene block copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene block copolymers, styrene isoprene styrene block copolymers, styrene isobutylene block copolymers, styrene isoprene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene block copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

17. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer of the at least one peripheral layer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, metallocene catalyst polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, silicones, vinyl-based resins, thermoplastic elastomers, polyesters, ethylenic acrylic copolymers, ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers, ethylene-methyl-acrylate copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluorelastomers, fluoropolymers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, and blends thereof, ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymers, ethylene-propylene-rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene block copolymers, ethylene-ethyl-acrylic copolymers, ionomers, polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene and copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, olefin copolymers, olefin block copolymers, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene block copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene block copolymers, styrene isoprene styrene block copolymers, styrene isobutylene block copolymers, styrene isoprene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers, styrene ethylene propylene block copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

18. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a plurality of cells.

19. The closure according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of cells is a plurality of substantially closed cells.

20. The closure according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of cells comprises a cell size in a range of from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm.

21. The closure according to claim 18, wherein at least one of a size or a distribution of the plurality of cells is substantially uniform throughout at least one of a length or a diameter of the core member.

22. The closure according to claim 18, wherein the core member comprises at least one of closed cells having an average cell size ranging from about 0.02 mm to about 0.50 mm or a cell density ranging from about 8,000 cells/cm.sup.3 to about 25,000,000 cells/cm.sup.3.

23. The closure according to claim 22, wherein the core member comprises at least one of an average cell size ranging from about 0.05 mm to about 0.1 mm or a cell density ranging from about 1,000,000 cells/cm.sup.3 to about 8,000,000 cells/cm.sup.3.

24. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral layer is further defined as comprising a thickness ranging from 0.05 mm to 5 mm.

25. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral layer is further defined as comprising a tough score and mar resistant surface.

26. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral layer is further defined as comprising a density from 300 kg/m.sup.3 to 1500 kg/m.sup.3.

27. A substantially rod-shaped intermediate product for preparation of multi-component, substantially cylindrical closures configured for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of a container, the substantially rod-shaped intermediate product comprising: a. a core member comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, b. at least one peripheral layer at least partially surrounding and intimately bonded to the core member, the at least one peripheral layer comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and c. printed indicia printed on a lateral surface of the core member or on a lateral surface of the at least one peripheral layer, wherein the printed indicia comprise a registration mark comprising invisible ink and defining a cutting position configured to be detected by a cutting machine, wherein the printed indicia further comprise decorative indicia that differ from the registration mark, that comprise visible ink, and that are non-interfering with the registration mark.

28. The substantially rod-shaped intermediate product according to claim 27, wherein the invisible ink is detectable by at least one of illumination with UV light; illumination with IR light; irradiation with emissions of an x-ray source; irradiation with emissions of a radio frequency source; heating the substantially rod-shaped intermediate product to temperatures in a range of from 40 C. to 200 C.; cooling the substantially rod-shaped intermediate product, in particular cooling the substantially rod-shaped intermediate product to temperatures below about 8 C.; or a chemical reaction of the invisible ink with a chemical reagent.

29. The substantially rod-shaped intermediate product according to claim 27, wherein the substantially rod-shaped intermediate product comprises a plurality of cells.

30. The substantially rod-shaped intermediate product according to claim 27, wherein the at least one peripheral layer is further defined as comprising a thickness ranging from 0.05 mm to 5 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the disclosure herein described, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the synthetic closure produced by employing the manufacturing system of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the manufacturing equipment employed for producing the synthetic closure of the present disclosure using the preferred manufacturing method of the disclosure;

(4) FIGS. 3-7 are a series of diagrammatic views depicting alternate printing techniques and systems that may be employed in implementing the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) By referring to FIGS. 1-7, along with the following detailed disclosure, the construction and production method for the multi-component synthetic bottle closures of the present disclosure can best be understood. In these Figures, as well as in the following detailed disclosure, an exemplary embodiment of the multi-component synthetic closure of the present disclosure, and its method of production, is depicted and discussed as a bottle closure for wine products. However, as detailed above, the present disclosure is applicable as a synthetic closure for use in sealing and retaining any desired product in any desired closure system. However, due to the stringent and difficult demands and requirements placed upon closures for wine products, the following detailed disclosure focuses upon the applicability of the synthetic bottle closures of the present disclosure as a closure for wine bottles. However, it is to be understood that this detailed discussion is provided merely for exemplary purposes and is not intended to limit the present disclosure to this particular application and embodiment.

(6) In FIG. 1, the preferred construction of multi-component synthetic closure 20 is depicted comprising a generally cylindrical shape formed by core member 22 with flat surfaces 27 and outer layer or skin layer 24 which peripherally surrounds and is intimately bonded to core member 22.

(7) In the preferred embodiment, outer layer or skin layer 24 is intimately bonded directly to core member 22, peripherally surrounding and enveloping the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of core member 22. Outer layer or skin layer 24 incorporates exposed surface 29, which comprises a substantially cylindrical shape and forms the outer surface of multi-component synthetic bottle closure 20 of the present disclosure, along with flat end surfaces 27 that are devoid of outer layer or skin layer 24.

(8) In addition, as is more fully detailed below, core member 22 incorporates printed indicia 30 formed on the substantially cylindrically shaped outer surface thereof which is placed thereon prior to the formation of outer layer or skin layer 24 on the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of core member 22. In this way, outer layer or skin layer 24 overlies and protects printed indicia 30 placed on the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of core member 22. Furthermore, in accordance with the present disclosure, indicia 30 comprises any desired printed material, graphics, numbers, symbols, codes, designations, data matrix codes, linear bar-codes, generic printed patterns, custom printed patterns, traceability numbers, labels, generic artwork, specific artwork, invisible marks, covert marks, registration marks, and the like. These indicia can be printed with ink that is visible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions and/or with ink that is invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions.

(9) As briefly discussed above, outer layer or skin layer 24 must be constructed from material which provides sufficient transparency for enabling indicia 30 printed on core member 22 to be easily visible and/or detectable therethrough. In addition to selecting materials which will provide the desired transparency, the thickness of outer layers/skin layer 24 is also controlled in order to assure the visibility and/or detectability of indicia 30 through outer layer/skin layer 24.

(10) By referring to FIG. 2, along with the following detailed discussion, the preferred production method of the present disclosure wherein multi-component

(11) synthetic bottle closure 20 is formed, with the desired indicia printed thereon during the forming operation. In accordance with this disclosure, the first production step or stage is the use of extruder 35.

(12) In order to employ extruder 35, the desired materials or ingredients are fed into hopper 36 for being processed through extruder 35 to produce core member 22 as a continuous, elongated length of material. Typically, core member 22 is foamed during processing through extruder 35. Preferably, a physical blowing agent such as carbon dioxide rather is employed for foaming the core member. However, foam material is not required for forming core member 22.

(13) As core member 22 emerges from extruder 35 as a continuous, elongated length of material, core member 22 passes through water bath 40 for controlling the temperature of core member 22. In addition, the temperature of the continuous elongated length of material can be controlled using a calibrator station. In the calibrator station, the temperature of the continuous elongated length of material is controlled by blowing cold air onto the elongated length of material and/or by passing it along cooled steel segments. The calibrator station can be positioned before or after water bath 40. After core member 22 emerges from water bath 40, core member 22 passes through in-line printing station 44. In accordance with the present disclosure, printing station 44 may comprise any desired construction which achieves effective printing, marking, labeling, and/or decorating on the surface of core member 22. Although not all inclusive, such printing systems include one or more selected from the group consisting of dry offset printers, inkjet printers, hot stamping printers, laser printers, laser marking, hot melt ink jet printing, engraving, offset printing, dry offset printing, direct gravure printing, tampon printing, and the like. In addition, if desired, pretreatment of the surface of core member 22 can be provided and would typically include heat treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma treatment, and/or UV treatment. Furthermore, print curing may also be provided using such means as UV light exposure and/or infrared heat exposure.

(14) According to the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printing system utilizing a curable ink such as a UV-curable ink or a heat dryable ink such as a solvent-based ink may be employed. Furthermore, invisible and/or visible ink may be used. The visibility and/or detectability of the ink refers to the visibility/detectability under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions. Ink curing and/or drying may be provided by using such means as UV light exposure and/or infrared heat exposure after passage of the elongated length of material through the printer system. In addition, if desired, the outer surface of the elongated, continuous, length of material forming the core member after passage of the elongated length of material through the printer system and/or curing system can be post treated. Post treatment would typically include heat treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma treatment and/or UV treatment. The post treatment of the printed elongated, continuous length of material forming the core member is preferably effected prior to applying the peripheral layer.

(15) While in FIG. 2 the printing station 44 is located immediately after the water bath 40, it is also possible to place the printing station 44 at other positions in the production line, e.g. after the extruder 35 and/or before or after puller 42. However, it has been found that the placement of the printing station 44 after the water bath 40 can yield closures and/or rod-shaped intermediate products with the desired properties. It has been found in particular that the placement of the printing station 44 after the water bath 40 can yield sharply printed indicia on the closures and or rod-shaped intermediate products. This may be due to the fact that the indicia are not distorted by a shrinking of the core member on cooling. Moreover, it has been found that irregularities in the skin that can lead to leakage of the wine from the bottle after corking using the closure can be avoided when placing the printing station 44 after the water bath 40.

(16) As is evident from the foregoing discussion as well as the further detailed disclosure provided herein, the printing of any desired indicia on the surface of core member 22 while core member 22 is being manufactured and processed as a continuous, elongated length of material represents a significant advantage for achieving a high-speed, low cost, labor-free or labor-reduced production operation. In particular, the pretreatment of core member 22 before printing and/or the post treatment after the printing help in achieving indicia that are not smeared. In this regard, a solvent-based ink can help to achieve a more efficient manufacturing process. As a result, by employing the manufacturing process of the present disclosure, multi-component synthetic closures are produced substantially more efficiently, effectively, and less expensively than prior art constructions.

(17) As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous, elongated length of material forming core member 22 is advanced through the stages of the production operation by employing puller 42. Typically, puller 42 comprises a pair of continuously rotating endless loop belt members mounted in cooperating, spaced relationship with each other for enabling the continuous length of material forming core member 22 to pass therebetween and be continuously advanced by the movement of the belt members. In this way, core member 22 continuously moves at a controlled rate of speed through the entire production operation.

(18) After passage of core member 22 through printing station 44, core member 22 passes through puller 42 and is advanced from there into extruder 46 for applying the outer layer or skin layer 24 about the substantially cylindrically shaped surface 26 of core member 22.

(19) Typically, extruder 46 comprises a crosshead extrusion system or a co-extrusion system for providing the desired outer layer or skin layer 24 to core member 22. In this application, the terms crosshead extrusion and co-extrusion are used interchangeably as equivalent terms. As a result, regardless of the system employed, whether these systems or any other system, the present disclosure focuses upon the application of outer layer/skin layer 24 on the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of core member 22 after the desired indicia has been printed on the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of core member 22.

(20) Typically, extruder 46 operates in a manner similar to extruder 35 by having the desired material fed into hopper 47 which is then processed and passed through extruder 46 for delivering and applying the desired outer layer/skin layer 24 to core member 22. In this regard, using the equipment detailed above and well known in the industry, extruder 46 is able to apply a controlled, thin layer of material intimately bonded to core member 22 in peripheral, surrounding interengagement therewith, thereby achieving the desired outer layer 24 with the desired physical characteristics. In addition, by incorporating material which achieves sufficient transparency, the indicia printed on core member 22 is readily visible and/or detectable through outer layer/skin layer 24.

(21) Once outer layer/skin layer 24 has been applied to core member 22, the resulting product is fed to water bath 50 for controlling the temperature of the multi-component product. The movement of the elongated length of material comprising core member 22 and outer layer/skin layer 24 continues through water bath 50 and through the final stages of the operation. This continued movement is provided by puller assembly 43.

(22) In this final stage, the elongated length of material comprising core member 22 and outer layer/skin layer 24 is fed through cutting blade members 52 which repeatedly cut the elongated length of material into the desired length for producing synthetic closure 20. If desired, the outer surface of the continuous, elongated, multi-component length of material can be pretreated before the cutting operation. The pretreatment can include heat treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma treatment and/or UV treatment. A suitable pretreatment station can be placed before or after puller assembly 43. In the cutting operation, a visible or invisible registration mark printed onto the elongated length of material of core member 22 in the printing step is detected by the cutting machine to determine the cutting position. Moreover, the cutting position can be readjusted by recognizing the position of the indicia on the elongated length of material comprising core member 22 and outer layer/skin layer 24. Thus, from the cutting blade member 52, closure 20 with the desired length is formed. If desired, a lubrication of the closures can be provided after the cutting step by applying a lubricant such as silicone oil to the closure. This can be effected, for example, by tumbling at least one closure with the lubricant.

(23) In an alternate embodiment, the elongated length of material is cut into rod-shaped intermediate products with the length of a plurality of the length of a synthetic closure. Typically, this can be achieved by adjusting the cutting machine to cut after detecting a predefined number of registration marks on the elongated length of material. Alternatively, the cutting machine can be set to cut after predefined time intervals. Thus, in this alternate embodiment, the rod-shaped intermediate product is formed from the cutting blade members 52. From the rod-shaped intermediate products, the individual closures 20 can be formed by passing the rod-shaped intermediate product through the cutting blade members 52 that cut the rod-shaped intermediate product into the desired length of the closures. In this cutting operation, a visible or invisible registration mark printed onto the elongated length of material of the core member 22 of the rod-shaped intermediate product in the printing step can be detected by the cutting machine to determine the cutting position. The rod-shaped intermediate product can comprise one or more registration marks. If there is more than one registration mark, the registration marks on the core member 22 of the rod-shaped intermediate product can be comprised at regular intervals corresponding to the size of the final closures. Moreover, the cutting position can be readjusted by recognizing the position of the indicia on the rod-shaped intermediate product. Thus, individual closures 20 are formed from the rod-shaped intermediate product in this cutting operation. If desired, a lubrication of the closures can be provided after the cutting step by applying a lubricant such as silicone oil to the closure. This can be effected, for example, by tumbling at least one closure with the lubricant. Furthermore, if desired, the outer surface of the rod-shaped intermediate product can be pretreated before the cutting operation. The pretreatment can include heat treatment, corona treatment, flame treatment, plasma treatment and/or UV treatment.

(24) As is evident from the foregoing detailed disclosure, the production system of the present disclosure is capable of providing a completed synthetic closure 20 and/or a rod-shaped intermediate product in a continuous, in-line operation with virtually no manual intervention. By employing this disclosure, the entire system operates automatically, producing synthetic closure 20 and/or a rod-shaped intermediate product having core member 22 which is peripherally surrounded and intimately bonded to outer layer/skin layer 24 with any desired indicia 30 printed on the surface of core member 22 prior to the application of outer layer/skin layer 24. The cutting operation is improved by employing indicia that are invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions but can be detected in the cutting operation. An ink that is detectable and/or visible when illuminated with UV light is particularly useful in this regard. Moreover, the cutting position can be readjusted using the indicia printed on core member 22. In this way, the present disclosure eliminates some or all of the difficulties and drawbacks found in prior art synthetic closure systems, wherein printing is required to be achieved on individual closure members after their production or the cutting of the continuous length of material comprising indicia is problematic.

(25) By referring to FIGS. 3-7, along with the following detailed discussion, the preferred printing techniques or operations for forming any desired indicia on the surface of core member 22 can best be understood. However, it should also be understood that the following discussion as well as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-7 are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not intended as a limitation of the present disclosure to the particular techniques or operations disclosed herein.

(26) In FIG. 3, an in-line foil or ribbon printing system is depicted wherein the elongated length of material forming core member 22 is advanced in the direction represented by arrow 60 through printing assembly 61. In this regard, printing assembly 61 comprises printhead 62, print ribbon 63 and transfer spools 64 and 65. In this embodiment, printing ribbon 63 is transferred from spool 64 to spool 65 for continuously advancing ribbon 63 in the desired direction.

(27) In addition, printhead 62 continuously rotates about its central axis and incorporates the desired indicia formed on rotating printhead 62. As core member 22 advances into contact with printhead 62 as ribbon 63 passes therebetween, the indicia contained on printhead 62 is imparted to the substantially cylindrically shaped surface 26 of core member 22, as depicted in FIG. 3. In this way, the desired indicia 30 is continuously printed upon the surface of core member 22 as core member 22 continuously advances in the direction of the arrow 60.

(28) As discussed above, indicia 30 may comprise any desired printed material including data matrix codes, linear bar codes, generic print patterns, custom print patterns, logos, artwork, symbols, traceability numbers, registration marks, invisible marks, and the like. For exemplary purposes, a number sequence is depicted as indicia 30 in FIGS. 3-6.

(29) In addition to depicting various alternate methods for printing a number sequence during the in-line extrusion process in accordance with the present disclosure, the following detailed disclosure also describes a method for improving the cutting operation, wherein the desired positioning of indicia on individual synthetic closures formed from the elongated length of material is provided by a registration mark. In addition, as is evident from the foregoing detailed disclosure, any desired art work may also be printed on the synthetic closures manufactured in accordance with the present disclosure, along with any registration mark.

(30) In FIGS. 4 and 5, an in-line inkjet, in-line laser marking, or in-line hot melt printing operation is depicted. As shown, one or more ink jet printing heads, laser marking heads, or hot melt printing heads 68 are positioned in association with the continuous length of material forming core member 22 for printing the desired indicia 30 on the surface of core member 22 as core member 22 advances in direction 60. As shown, a single printhead 68 or a plurality of printheads 68 can be employed for achieving the desired printing of indicia 30 on the surface of core member 22.

(31) In FIG. 6, an alternate printing method is depicted wherein indicia 30 is printed on the outer surface of core member 22 by employing rotating print wheel 70. As depicted, print wheel 70 incorporates the desired indicia formed on the outer edge thereof and is constructed for having ink applied to this outer surface for effectively printing the desired indicia 30 on the surface of core member 22 as core member 22 advances into contact with the outer edge of rotating wheel 70. In this way, the desired indicia 30 is quickly and easily effectively printed on the outer surface of core member 22 as core member 22 continues to move through the manufacturing operation detailed above.

(32) Finally, FIG. 7 shows how the precise position of registry of indicia 30 on closure 20 can be achieved. Indicia 30 is depicted as comprising data matrix codes printed on core member 22 repeatedly at regular intervals using any of the printing techniques detailed above. The length of the final closure 20 is indicated, as well. In this regard, the data matrix code may serve as a start/stop signal and/or eye mark and/or registration mark printed on the surface of core member 22. Vision control systems or vision algorithms can be employed, which detect such a registration mark such that the desired positioning of the indicia on the final closure is achieved. Printing these specific signals and/or marks using invisible ink can help to avoid a confusion of the desired indicia with the signals and/or marks. If desired, the indicia printed using visible ink can be detected by a vision control system or vision algorithm, too, to allow for readjustment of the cutting position.

(33) Although FIG. 7 depicts only data matrix codes, it is evident from the foregoing detailed discussion that indicia 30 may comprise any configuration or visual appearance which may be desired including indicia invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions and/or indicia visible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions.

(34) It will thus be seen that the needs set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently obtained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method without departing from the scope of this disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it should be understood that the details of the disclosure described in the foregoing detailed description are not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings but are rather meant to apply to the disclosure in general as outlined in the summary of the disclosure and in the claims.

(35) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the disclosure herein described, and all statements of the scope of the disclosure which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.