Closure

Abstract

A closure (10) for a container mouth, comprising a cap (15) and a retaining ring (20) for retaining the closure on a container mouth, a tether (45) is provided between the cap side wall and the retaining ring along the circumference of the cap, one end of the tether is fixedly connected to the side wall and the other end is fixedly connected to the retaining ring, in which the tether is connected to the cap by a root (30) and extends from the root in a clockwise direction.

Claims

1. A closure in combination with a container having a container neck, the closure comprising a cap, and a retaining ring for retaining the closure on the container neck, a tether is provided between the cap and the retaining ring, one end of the tether is fixedly connected to the cap and the other end is fixedly connected to the retaining ring, the tether is connected to the cap by a root and extends from the root in a clockwise, cap screwing-on direction, the ring is rotatable but exerts a compression force on the container neck whereas the cap is not as impeded in its rotation on the container neck, when the cap is unscrewed and removed for the first time and then re-screwed onto the neck the ring is retarded as it rotates together with the cap and thereby rotates less than the cap causing the tether to buckle and bulge outwards along its length above the retaining ring, thereby providing evidence of tampering.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure comprises a main frangible line formed between the cap and the ring.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 2, in which a tether-forming frangible line is formed axially beneath the main frangible line.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3, in which the interface between the main frangible line and the tether-forming frangible line is chicane-like.

5. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which a circumferential extent of the tether-forming frangible line is: in the range 10 degrees to 40 degrees; in the range 40 degrees to 70 degrees; approximately 55 degrees; in the range 70 degrees to 120 degrees; or approximately 90 degrees.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining ring includes a bead for retaining the ring on a container mouth.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining ring comprises one or more retaining flaps for retaining the ring on a container mouth.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which a cross section of the tether is in the range 0.5 mm.sup.2 to 3 mm.sup.2.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more frangible lines, in which the frangible line/s are formed by moulded bridges.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 9, comprising one or more frangible lines, in which the frangible lines are slit.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the tether is formed in the ring.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap is able to be in a docked position on a container mouth.

13. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining ring is retarded as it rotates together with the cap, the difference in rotation causing the cap to overtake the ring and causing deformation of the tether, the deformation providing an additional visual form of tamper evidence.

14. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap comprises a top plate and a side wall depending from the periphery thereof, the retaining ring being arranged axially beneath the side wall.

15. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap comprises a base and a lid hingedly connected together and a dispensing member, the retaining ring is formed on the base.

16. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the container has a neck transport bead and in which the tether enables the cap to be able to assume a docked position under the neck transport bead.

17. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the container includes a molded recess and the cap is able to assume a docked position in the recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a tethered closure in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 depicting a cap to be unscrewed and a tether formed between the cap and a ring.

(3) FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the closure of FIG. 2 depicting the ring engaged onto a container neck.

(4) FIG. 4 is an elevational view a one-piece lasso tether closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the closure of FIG. 4 depicting a cap therefore partially removed.

(6) FIG. 6 is an elevational view of closure of FIG. 5 depicting the cap turned to fit under a neck support ring of the closure.

(7) FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 7 depicting a cap to be unscrewed and a tether formed between the cap and a ring.

(9) FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the closure of FIG. 6 depicting the ring engaged onto a container neck.

(10) FIG. 10 is an elevational view of closure of FIG. 9 depicting the cap turned to fit under a neck support ring of the closure.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the closure of FIG. 11.

(13) FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is perspective view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the closure of FIG. 15.

(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(18) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention depicting a cap removed and docking under a neck transport bead.

(19) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(20) FIG. 20 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 19.

(21) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a bottle/cap docking system in accordance with the present invention.

(22) FIG. 22 is perspective view of a dockable, tethered closure in accordance with the present invention.

(23) FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the closure of FIG. 23.

(24) FIG. 24 is perspective view of a tethered closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(25) FIG. 25 is an elevational view of a closure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

(26) FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 25.

(27) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 25 depicting an unscrewed cap and a tether formed between the cap and a retaining band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(28) Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a tethered closure generally indicated 10.

(29) The closure 10 comprises an upper cap 15 and a lower retaining ring 20.

(30) At the bottom of the cap 15 a circumferential frangible line 25 (in this embodiment formed by slitting to form frangible bridges) extends. The line 25 is frangible around all of its length except for a root portion 30, which is non-frangible.

(31) Beneath the line and axially spaced therefrom is a tether-forming frangible line 35. This means that the line 25 starts at one side of the root portion (to the clockwise side) and finishes at the other side; and at the anticlockwise side of the root portion a frangible chicane 40 is present to join the lines 25, 35. It will be noted, therefore, that in this embodiment the line 35 (and hence the tether formed thereby) extends in a clockwise direction from the root.

(32) There are therefore two circumferential cuts and an axial cut (which forms the chicane). The circumferential extent of the line 35 is significantly less than the line 25. The line 35 extends under the root and under (parallel to) part of the way around the line 25.

(33) As illustrated in FIG. 2, together the lines 25, 35 allow the cap to be unscrewed and a tether 45 is formed between the cap and the ring.

(34) FIG. 3 shows the ring engaged onto a container neck 50. The cap 15 is shown removed, retained by the tether 45.

(35) FIG. 4 shows a one-piece lasso tether closure 110 formed according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment the frangible lines are formed by moulded bridges 126, 136. FIG. 5 shows the cap 115 partially removed. The tether 145 is designed to have a length and rigidity such that the cap can be turned to fit under the neck support ring 155, as shown in FIG. 6.

(36) FIGS. 7 to 10 show a closure 210 formed according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment the frangible bridges in the upper and lower lines are formed by slitting. The ring 220 includes scalloped flaps 222 that engage under a bead on the container neck to retain the ring. Screw threads 217 are shown on the interior of the cap 215. The cap 215 is shown removed in FIG. 9 and docked under the transport bead or neck support ring 255 in FIG. 10.

(37) FIG. 11 shows a closure 310 formed according to a further embodiment. The closure comprises a tether 345 placed below the main frangible line 325. In this embodiment a folded tamper-band 320 is provided. This embodiment is a one-piece closure with a folded band and a slit bridge lasso tether.

(38) FIG. 12 shows a section of a closure 410 formed according to a further embodiment. The closure 410 comprises a disc-shape top plate 411 and a side skirt 412 depending from the periphery thereof. An internal screw thread formation 417 with vent channels 418 formed therein is provided on the interior of the skirt 412. An annular inner olive seal 460 depends from the top plate; and annular outer seal 465 also depends from the top plate, radially outwardly of the inner seal; a pressure block 470 is provided in the region of the intersection between the top plate and the side skirt. In use a container neck fits between the inner and outer seals; the pressure block ensures that the outer seal is pressed against the neck to ensure a seal.

(39) The tether 445 is shown between frangible lines 425, 435.

(40) At the free end of the ring 420 an annular folding flap 475 is provided. In use the flap folds from the downward position shown to an upward position (towards the top plate) so that it can engage under a retention bead on a container neck.

(41) FIG. 13 shows a further closure 510, with frangible bridges formed by slitting. A moulded bridge closure 610 is shown in FIG. 14.

(42) FIG. 15 shows a one-piece closure 710 with a chicane and a moulded bridge lasso tether 745. FIG. 16 shows the closure 710 engaged on a container neck 750.

(43) FIG. 17 shows a one-piece closure 810 with a chicane and a slit bridge lasso tether. The slit/bridge pattern is generally the same as for the closure 710.

(44) FIG. 18 shows a closure 910 formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cap 915 is removed and docking under the neck transport bead 955 is enabled by the tether 945.

(45) FIGS. 19 and 20 show a closure 1010 formed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The closure 1010 includes a clockwise extending tether of the same general type as that described above. The retaining ring 1020 fits around the container neck and exerts a certain amount of compression i.e. it is not completely freely rotatable. The cap 1015, on the other hand, is not impeded (or as impeded) in its rotation.

(46) After the cap 1015 has been removed, when it is replaced it will be screwed onto the screw threaded neck by a clockwise rotation (i.e. in the same direction as the tether extends). The ring cannot rotate relative to the neck as fast as the cap, so the cap rotation pushes on the tamper-evident band (retaining ring) and causes the tether to bulge/buckle, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. This provided an additional level of tamper-evidence.

(47) FIG. 21 shows a bottle/cap docking system formed in accordance with the present invention.

(48) The closure 1110 is a tethered closure (a clockwise or anticlockwise tether may be provided).

(49) Beneath the neck support ring 1155 of a container 1180 a moulded recess 1182 is provided (in this embodiment in a conical part 1181 of the container and above a cylindrical part). The tether 1145 permits the cap 1115 to be twisted and pushed into the recess 1182, where it is held stably. In this embodiment, as an alternative the cap could also be docked under the transfer bead/neck support ring 1155.

(50) FIGS. 22 and 23 also show a dockable, tethered closure 1210.

(51) FIG. 24 shows a tethered closure 1310. In this aspect the top plate 1311 of the closure 1310 is provided with a peel-off glue sticker 1305. This means that when the cap 1315 is unscrewed it can be stuck to the side of an associated container 1380.

(52) FIGS. 25 to 27 show a closure 1410 formed according to a further aspect.

(53) The closure 1410 comprises a shell with a top plate 1411 and a depending side skirt 1412. Towards the free end of the skirt 1412 a helical frangible line 1413 is formed and define axially beneath it a tamper-evident retaining band 1420. In this embodiment the band 1420 (which is adapted to remain on the neck of a bottle after opening, for example using a snap bead, retention flaps or the like) is made by non-continuous cutting (slitting) of the plastics material, which leaves a plurality of breakable elements (bridges) between the band 1420 and the remaining cap 1415.

(54) The inclination extends over 360 degrees and the remaining strap forms a lasso tether.

(55) Deformation of the strap may provide stress whitening of the material to serve as additional tamper-evidence.

(56) On a standard cap the cut is horizontal and 360 degrees; the unscrewing process causes complete separation of the cap and the tamper-evident band. On a standard cap, there is a cutting area, an overlap of the beginning and the end of the cut.

(57) In this aspect due to the sloping slitting of the cap a strap is created between the lid and the tamper-evident band when slitting the sidewall. With a slitting blade longer than the perimeter of the cap, the beginning and end of the cut overlap. The slitting no longer has a cutting area, but a vertical offset sufficient to create a plastic strap connecting the cap to the band.

(58) There are several options for achieving the vertical offset: Option 1: with an inclination of the slitting blade; Option 2: with an inclination of the cap when cutting; Option 3: slitting blade with special profile, inclined or vertical offset; Option 4: associating multiple slitting blades to create an offset.

(59) Upon opening, the slitted bridges break and the strap 1445 is deformed to allow unscrewing and the cap stay attached to the retained band, as shown in FIG. 27.

(60) Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.