CLOSURE

Abstract

A closure (1) with a shell (2) for securement to a container neck (11) and a lid (3) pivotally connected to the shell (2) by a pair of hinge elements (6). A hinge line (50) in the side wall (5) delineates a deformable latch (8) having an external grip tab (80) and an internal 5 engaging tab (82) between the grip tab (80) and a top wall (4) of the lid (3). The grip tab (80) extends radially from a side wall (5) of the lid (3) and the engaging tab (82) engages a lip (13) surrounding the mouth of the container neck (11). The deformable latch (8) is configured to deform along the hinge line (50) when an opening force is applied to the grip tab (80), thereby to disengage the engaging tab (82) from the lip (13) of the container neck 10 (11).

Claims

1. A closure (1, 101) for sealingly closing a neck opening (11) of a container, the closure (1, 101) comprising a shell (2, 102) for securing the closure (1, 101) to a container neck (11) and a lid (3, 103) pivotally connected to the shell (2, 102) by a hinge (6, 106, the lid (3, 103) comprising a top panel (4, 104), a side wall (5, 105) depending from the top panel (4, 104), a grip tab (80, 180) projecting radially from an outer surface (81, 181) of the side wall (5, 105) and an engaging tab (82, 182) projecting from an inner surface (83, 183) of the side wall (5, 105) between the grip tab (80, 180) and the top wall (4, 104) for engaging a lip (13, 113) of a container, wherein the side wall (5, 105) is configured to deform, in use, around the grip tab (80, 180) when an opening force is applied to the grip tab (80, 180), thereby to disengage the engaging tab (82, 182) from the lip (13, 113) of the container.

2. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the side wall (5, 105) comprises a hinge line (50, 150) delineating a portion (8, 108) of the side wall which includes the grip tab (80, 180) and the engaging tab (82, 182) such that the side wall (5, 105) deforms, in use, along the hinge line (50, 150) when the opening force is applied to the grip tab (80, 180).

3. A closure according to claim 2, wherein the hinge line (50, 150) extends from a lower edge (51, 151) of the side wall (5, 105) on a first side of the grip tab (80, 180), passing between the engaging tab (82, 182) and the top wall (4, 104) and to the lower edge (51, 151) on a second side of the grip tab (80, 180).

4. A closure according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the side wall (5, 105) comprises a radial thickness along the hinge line (50, 150) between the engaging tab (82, 182) and the top wall (4, 104) which is reduced by at least 30%.

5. A closure according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the side wall (5, 105) comprises a radial thickness along the hinge line (50, 150) between the engaging tab (82, 182) and the top wall (4, 104) which is reduced by at least 40%.

6. A closure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the hinge line (50, 150) is described by a groove on the outer surface of the side wall (5, 105) which delineates an arc portion (8, 108) of the side wall (5, 105), which provides a deformable latch (8, 108).

7. A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid (3, 103) comprises a radial flange (40, 140) extending from the top wall (4, 104), which enables the opening force to be applied, in use, to the grip tab (80, 180) by urging the radial flange (40, 140) and grip tab (80, 180) toward one another.

8. A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the shell (2, 102) comprises one or more projections (20, 120) for engaging a tamper-evidence bead (12, 112) of a container neck (11, 111) and the engaging tab (82, 182) is configured to engage a lip (13, 113) of the container located between the tamper-evidence bead (12, 112) and an opening thereof.

9. A closure according to claim 8, wherein each of the shell (2, 102) and the side wall (5, 105) comprises an annulus having a substantially constant axial depth and the shell (2, 102) is connected to the side wall (5, 105) by a plurality of bridges (52, 52a, 52b, 152, 152a, 152b) which are configured to break upon first opening of the lid (3, 103).

10. A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging tab (82, 182) extends about less than 25% of the inner circumference of the side wall (5, 105).

11. A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the side wall (105) comprises a relief (109) on each side of the hinge (106) such that the lid (103) clears, in use, a rim of the container neck (11) as the lid (103) is pivoted from a closed position to an open position.

12. A closure (101) for sealingly closing a neck opening (11) of a container, the closure (101) comprising a shell (102) for securing the closure (101) to a container neck (11) and a lid (103) pivotally connected to the shell (102) by a hinge (106), the lid (103) comprising a top panel (104) and a side wall (105) depending from the top panel (104), wherein the side wall (105) comprises a relief (109) on each side of the hinge (106) such that the lid (103) clears, in use, a rim of the container neck (11) as the lid (103) is pivoted from a closed position to an open position.

13. A closure according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein each relief (109) tapers away from the hinge (106) toward the shell (102).

14. A closure according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the shell (102) comprises a tab (126) on each side of the hinge (106), which extends from an upper edge (123) of the shell (102) into a respective relief (109), thereby to inhibit tampering of the closure.

15. A closure (101) according to claim 14, wherein each tab (126) is substantially triangular.

16. A mold stack comprising a plurality of mold inserts which, when in a molding configuration, together describe a molding cavity for molding a closure (1, 101) according to any preceding claim.

17. A mold comprising a mold stack according to claim 11.

18. A molding system comprising a mold according to claim 12.

19. A computer program element comprising a three-dimensional design for use with a three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing device, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of a closure (1, 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. A package comprising a container and a closure (1, 101) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 affixed to a neck (11) thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a closure according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 1 and 2 from below, illustrating the engaging tab;

[0043] FIG. 4 depicts a section view of the closure of FIGS. 1 to 3 through the centre of the deformable latch and ratchet member;

[0044] FIG. 5 depicts a section view similar to that of FIG. 4 with the closure mounted to the neck of a container;

[0045] FIG. 6 depicts a section view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating the deformation of the latch immediately before the engaging tab disengages the lip at the mouth of the container;

[0046] FIG. 7 depicts a section view similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrating the lid after it is disengaged from the neck of the container;

[0047] FIG. 8 depicts a front perspective view of a closure according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0048] FIG. 9 is a side view of the closure of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, there is depicted a closure 1 for sealingly closing a container neck 11. The closure 1 includes a shell 2 for securing the closure to the container neck 11, a lid 3 with a top wall 4 and a side wall 5, a pair of spaced hinge elements 6 pivotally connecting the top wall 4 of the lid 3 to the shell 2 and a ratchet member 7 projecting from the shell 2 between the hinge elements 6 and toward the top wall 4 of the lid 3. The closure 1 is formed of a plastics material, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene or any other suitable material. The closure 1 is injection molded in this embodiment, but it will be appreciated that other methods of manufacture are also envisaged, such as compression molding. The container neck 11 forms part of a bottle in this embodiment, which is configured to be filled with a still beverage or other liquid.

[0050] The shell 2 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with a series of cams 20 projecting from its internal surface. Each cam 20 includes an upper, engaging surface 21, which faces the top wall 4 and extends substantially radially for engaging a tamper-evidence bead 12 of the container neck 11. Each cam 20 also includes a tapered lead-in 22, on an opposite side to the engaging surface 21, for engaging the tamper-evidence bead 12 to gradually deform the shell 2 as the closure 1 is urged onto the container neck 11 in the usual way. The shell 2 also includes an upper edge 23 with a pair of spaced cutouts 24 and three spaced projections 25 between the cutouts 24, which are on the opposite side of the shell 2 to the hinge elements 6.

[0051] The top wall 4 of the lid 3 is circular in plan and the side wall 5 depends from the top wall 4 adjacent, but spaced inwardly from, its periphery. As a result, the lid 3 includes a radial flange 40 about the periphery of the top wall 4. The radial flange 40 includes a pair of interruptions 41 where the hinge elements 6 join the top wall 4, which also creates a tongue 42 between the interruptions 41. Similarly, part of the side wall 5 is omitted to accommodate the hinge elements 6 and ratchet member 7. The top wall 4 also includes a plug seal 43, which is formed integrally therewith and is configured to sealingly fit into the opening of the container neck 11.

[0052] The hinge elements 6 are similar to those disclosed in WO 2019/113681 A1, and are formed integrally with the shell 2 and the top wall 4 of the lid 3. Each hinge element 6 has a lower portion 60 projecting from the shell 2 and an upper portion 61 depending from the top wall 4. The lower portion 60 has a wall thickness equivalent to that of the shell 2, while the wall thickness of the upper portion 61 is substantially less. The hinge portions 60, 61 are joined together by an external step 62, which provides the transition in wall thickness therebetween.

[0053] The ratchet member 7 is also similar to those disclosed in WO 2019/113681 A1, and is formed integrally with the shell 2. The ratchet member 7 has an outer contour with upper and lower recesses 70, 71, and ribs 72 on its inner side. The ratchet member 7 and its recesses 70, 71 guide and engage an end portion of the tongue 42 during opening of the lid 3, to retain it in intermediate and/or fully open positions, as explained in more detail in WO 2019/113681 A1.

[0054] The side wall 5 also includes a deformable latch portion 8 on the opposite side to the hinge elements 6. The deformable latch portion 8 is delineated by hinge line 50 formed by a groove in the outer surface of the side wall 5. The radial thickness of the side wall 5 along the hinge line 50 is approximately 50% that of the rest of the side wall 5. However, it is envisaged that this thickness may be more or less, depending on the requirements of the closure.

[0055] The hinge line 50, illustrated most clearly in FIG. 1, follows an arcuate path from a lower edge 51 of the side wall 5 to an upper portion thereof, along and adjacent the radial flange 40, and back down to the lower edge 51. The hinge line 50 therefore delineates an arc portion of the side wall, which provides the deformable latch 8.

[0056] The deformable latch portion 8 includes a grip tab 80 projecting radially from its outer surface 81 and an engaging tab 82 projecting from its inner surface 83. The engaging tab 82 is located axially between the grip tab 80 and the top wall 4, but on the inside of the lid 3. The engaging tab 82 extends about only part of the inner circumference of the side wall, approximately 45°, or 25% thereof The engaging tab 82 is positioned and configured to engage a lip 13 surrounding the mouth of the container neck 11. As such, the hinge line 50 delineates a portion of the side wall 5, i.e. the deformable latch portion 8, that includes the grip tab 80 and the engaging tab 82.

[0057] The portion of the hinge line 50 that extends along and adjacent the radial flange 40, above both the grip tab 80 and the engaging tab 82, describes a living hinge 50a. As will be explained in more detail below, the grip tab 80 and engaging tab 82 of the latch portion 8 are able to pivot about the living hinge 50a, thereby to perform a latching operation.

[0058] The lid 3 is also connected to the shell 2 by eight bridges 52, 52a, 52b in this example, which join the lower edge 51 of the side wall 5 to the upper edge 23 of the shell 2. The bridges 52, 52a, 52b are spaced equally about the closure 1, with the exception of the region incorporating the hinge elements 6 and the ratchet member 7. However, the number of bridges 52, 52a, 52b may vary depending on specific requirements.

[0059] A first pair of bridges 52a are aligned with the cutouts 24 of the shell 2, which are longer as each of them joins the base of a respective one of the cutouts 24 to an adjacent portion of the lower edge 51 of the latch portion 8. The cutouts 24 improve the visibility of the bridges 52a, enhancing their tamper evidence function by alerting more readily a user to unauthorised opening of the closure 1.

[0060] A second pair of bridges 52b join the lower edge 51 of the latch portion 8 to the shell 2 between pairs of the projections 25. The projections 25 limit the deformation of the lid 3 toward shell 2 during capping, which protects the bridges 52b from excessive deformation and damage. As such, the deformable latch portion 8 is connected to the shell 2 by four bridges 52a, 52b, whilst the remaining four bridges 52 (visible in FIG. 4) connect the rest of the side wall 5 to the shell 2.

[0061] In use and when the closure 1 is mounted to a container neck 11 as shown in FIG. 5, a user (not shown) urges the grip tab 80 upwardly, for example by urging, pinching or clamping the radial flange 40 of the top wall 4 and the grip tab 80 toward one another. This causes the deformable latch portion 8 of the side wall 5 to deform preferentially along the entire hinge line 50. This deformation causes the engaging tab 82 to pivot about the living hinge 50a such that it rides up the lip 13 surrounding the mouth of the container neck 11, as shown more clearly in FIG. 6.

[0062] The grip tab 80 is then urged upwardly relative to the hinge elements 6, such that the engaging tab 82 is urged over the lip 13 and snaps out of engagement therewith. The bridges 52a, 52b joining the deformable latch portion 8 to the shell 2 sever or break as the engaging tab 82 disengages the lip 13. Further pivoting of the lid 3 relative to the shell 2 also causes the remaining bridges 52 to break, thereby providing evidence of opening in the usual way. The lid 3 may then be pivoted about the hinge elements 6 to an open condition, thereby to provide access to the contents of the container.

[0063] The skilled person will appreciate that the closure 1 may be opened at various intermediate or fully open positions, as described in WO 2019/113681 A1.

[0064] Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a closure 101 according to another example, which is similar to the closure 1 of FIG. 1, wherein like references depict like features which are incremented by 100. The closure 101 according to this example differs from that of the closure 1 of FIG. 1 in that a tapered relief 109 is formed between the shell 102 and the side wall 105 of the lid 103 on each side of the hinge elements 106.

[0065] More specifically, the omitted portion of the side wall 105 of the lid 103 is described between opposed tapered portions 153 of the side wall 105. This provides a void in the side wall 105, which is in the form of a truncated triangle.

[0066] Each tapered portion 153 creates a tapered relief 109 between the side wall 105 and the is adjacent hinge element 106. The shell 102 includes a pair of triangular tabs 126 projecting upwardly from the upper edge 123 of the shell 102. Each triangular tab 126 extends into a respective tapered relief 109, and fills the void created by the tapered relief 109 to inhibit tampering of the closure 101.

[0067] The tapered relief 109 in the side wall 105 on each side of the hinge elements 106 inhibits interference between the side wall 105 and the container neck 11 during opening. It has been observed that, as the lid 3 of the closure 1 of FIG. 1 is pivoted from the closed position to the open position, the opposed portions of side wall 5 on each side of the hinge elements 6 can interfere with the container neck 11.

[0068] This causes the side wall 5 to deform on opening, which increases the force necessary to open the lid 3. This interference can also cause the side wall 5 to fold toward the top wall 4 as the lid 3 is re-closed, which inhibit re-closing and/or can damage the side wall 5.

[0069] The tapered relief 109 provided in the closure 101 of FIGS. 8 and 9 inhibits such interference. This facilitates both opening and closing operations of the closure 101, and can also avoid damage to the side wall 105 in use.

[0070] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.