Closure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a closure, especially a closure for packages for liquids such as beverages. In particular the invention relates to a closure for containers for carbonated liquids such as soft drinks. The closure comprises an outer shell with a reduced weight and a sealing means which actively compensates the deformation of the outer shell to avoid loss of performance.

Claims

1. A closure including: a top deck and b. a therewith adjacent outer skirt, c. said outer skirt comprising on an inside a segmented thread with thread segments protruding radially inwardly above the inside of the outer skirt whereby d. a first recess arranged between two adjacent thread segments in a circumferential direction on the inside of the outer skirt extending in an axial direction of the skirt and whereby e. second recesses are arranged on the outside of the outer skirt which are recessed relative to said outside of said outer skirt and extend in the axial direction of the outer skirt, whereby each of said second recesses are arranged radial outside to and aligned with at least two thread segments adjacent to each other in an axial direction (z) of the closure, and whereby said second recesses are centered with the at least two thread segments in the circumferential direction, and wherein at least one frangible bridge is in the circumferential direction aligned with one of said first recess.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the second recesses are arranged symmetric with respect to the adjacent thread segments.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the second recesses and the adjacent thread segments are arranged in a symmetric manner with respect to each other.

4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein between two second recesses a third recess is arranged.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein on the inside of the outer skirt in circumferential direction 10-15 rows of thread segments and first recesses are arranged.

6. The closure according to claim 5, wherein outside of each row of thread segments one of said second recesses is arranged.

7. The closure according to claim 6, wherein the second recesses are arranged coaxial to the rows of thread segments.

8. The closure according to claim 1, wherein at least one protrusion of a tamper band is in the circumferential direction aligned with one of said thread segments.

9. The closure according claim 1, wherein a sealing means is arranged en the inside of the closure and wherein the sealing means with respect to its cross-section comprises an outer leg extending in general perpendicular from the top deck of the closure and being arranged such that the outer leg in an applied position of the closure on a neck finish interacts with an outer surface of the neck finish forming a first sealing area.

10. The closure according to claim 9, wherein the sealing means comprises a bump arranged at the inner root of the outer leg to interact with a rim surface and/or an annular end surface of the neck finish forming a second sealing area, whereby the bump seal is functionally separated from the outer leg by a notch.

11. The closure according to claim 9, wherein a blend is arranged between the outer leg and the top, which acts as a second sealing area, wherein the blend is designed such that it provides a functional interaction between the outer leg and the second sealing area.

12. The closure according to claim 11, wherein the blend has a concave shape with respect to its cross-section.

13. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one frangible bridge is made by a scoring process.

14. The closure according to claim 13, wherein a tamper band is interconnected to the closure shell by the at least one frangible bridge.

15. The closure according to claim 1, wherein a tamper band is interconnected to the closure shell by the at least one frangible bridge.

16. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said closure consists essentially of an equal number of the first recesses on the inside of the outer skirt and rows of the second recesses on the outside of the outer skirt.

17. The closure according to claim 1, wherein there are two second recesses for every first recess.

18. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the second recesses are recessed and concave relative to the outside of the outer skirt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

(2) FIG. 1 A first embodiment of a closure according to the invention in a perspective view;

(3) FIG. 2 The closure according to FIG. 1 in a top view;

(4) FIG. 3 The closure according to FIG. 1 in a bottom view;

(5) FIG. 4 The closure according to FIG. 1 in a side view;

(6) FIG. 5 The closure according to FIG. 1 in a section view along section line D-D;

(7) FIG. 6 Detail A of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 The closure according to FIG. 1 in a side view;

(9) FIG. 8 The closure according to FIG. 7 in a section view along section line E-E;

(10) FIG. 9 The closure according to FIG. 7 in a section view along section line F-F;

(11) FIG. 10 The closure according to FIG. 7 in a section view along section line G-G;

(12) FIG. 11 A second embodiment of a closure according to the invention in a side view;

(13) FIG. 12 The closure according to FIG. 11 in a section view along section line H-H;

(14) FIG. 13 The closure according to FIG. 11 in a section view along section line I-I;

(15) FIG. 14 Detail B according to FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(16) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a closure 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. FIG. 2 shows the same closure 1 in a top view, FIG. 3 in a bottom view and FIGS. 4 and 7 in a side view. FIG. 5 shows a section view of the closure along section line D-D and FIG. 6 shows detail A according to FIG. 5 in a magnified manner. FIG. 8 shows a section view of the closure along section line E-E, FIG. 9 a section view along section line F-F and FIG. 10 a section view along section line G-G.

(17) As it can be seen in FIG. 1, the closure 1 comprises a circular top deck 2 and a therewith adjacent in outer skirt 3. A tamper band 4 is interconnected to the lower free end of the outer skirt 3. A closure shell 5 consists out of the top deck 2 and the outer skirt 3.

(18) As it can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer skirt 3 comprises on the inside a thread 6, which consists out of thread segments 6.1. The thread 6 extends in the shown embodiment over a total angle of 765 (2 coils). Between two in circumferential (helical) direction adjacent thread segments 6.1, channel-like recesses 7 are arranged on the inside of the skirt 3 in a vertical direction (parallel to a closure axis z; vertical means in general vertical). The shown embodiment comprises in total twelve channel-like recesses 7, which are circumferentially evenly distributed between the thread segments 6.1. As it can be seen, the recesses 7 extend in axial direction at least across two in axial direction adjacent thread segments 6.1. By the evenly distributed and balanced arrangement of the thread segments 5.1 and the channel-like recesses 7, a balanced distribution of the load is achieved, which e.g. may occur due to internal pressure or the like.

(19) The majority of the channel-like recesses 7 are extending over approximately 70-90% of the outer free length of the outer skirt 3. Only the recess 7 above the extended thread start segment 6.2 has a shorter length (see FIG. 5). The recesses 7 of the shown embodiments have an in general constant cross-section. If appropriate, the cross-section may vary over the length of the recess 7. If appropriate, the recesses 7 may haveinstead of a straight design as showna curved, e.g. helical shape.

(20) As best visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 the outer skirt 3 of the closure 1 comprises on the outside knurls 8, which are foreseen to increase the grip of the closure 1. In radial outside direction behind and aligned to the thread segments 6.1 channel-like second recesses 9 are arranged, which extend in axial direction of the closure having a first depth d1. The second recesses 9 on the outside and the first recesses 8 on the inside of the skirt 3 alternate with respect to each other in a circumferential direction. Intermediate to the second recesses 9 channel-like third recesses 10 are arranged having a second depth d2 compared to the second recesses 9. The third recesses extend in axial direction (z-direction) of the closure 1. The dept and the orientation of the recesses 8, 9, 10 may vary over their length, e.g. due to draft angle and/or design reasons. It has been found that the herein shown arrangement of smaller knurls, recesses 7, 9, 10 and thread segments 6.1 in a balanced and equalized manner results in a closure shell 5 (top deck and outer skirt) with a very low weight still having a high stiffness to withstand the occurring loading conditions. If appropriate the second and the third recesses 9, 10 may have the same dimensions/cross-sections. If appropriate the second and/or the third recesses can be left away although the overall weight of the closure thereby increases. The recesses 9, 10 preferably have an in general cylindrical or slightly conical shape to increase the axial stiffness and rigidity of the closure shell 5.

(21) The closure 1 comprises on the inside a sealing means 11 which interacts at least with an outer surface 13 and a rim surface 14 of the neck finish 12, when the closure 1 is applied to a neck finish 12 (cross-section in FIG. 6 schematically indicated by dash line). The rim surface 14 interconnects the outer surface 13 with an annular end surface 15.

(22) FIG. 6 shows the seal 11 in a cross-sectional view. The seal is shown in a non-deformed manner. As it can be seen the seal 11 comprises in the shown embodiment an outer leg 16 with an in general constant thickness. The outer leg 16 is separated by a gap 33 from the outer skirt 3. The gap 33 allows that the outer leg to be deformed freely in a radial direction. Under normal circumstances no interaction with the outer skirt is foreseen. An inner side wall 17 of the outer leg 16 is arranged perpendicular or at an angle pointing slightly radial inwardly. Good results are achieved when the angle is in a range between 85-90. Larger angles may reduce the effectiveness of the seal, because they are difficult to produce and therefore tend to be distorted while ejection of the closure out of the mold. In the shown embodiment the inner side wall 17 merges at the lower end of the outer leg 16 into a herein toroidal lead-in surface 18 having a first radius R1. Alternatively or in addition, the lead-in surface 18 may be funnel shaped. The lead-in surface 18 helps to apply the outer leg 16 onto the neck finish 12. When applied onto the neck finish 12, the outer leg 16 forms a first sealing area with the outer surface 13 of the neck finish 12.

(23) On the outside, the outer leg 16 comprises an outer side wall 19, which is arranged in general parallel to the inner side wall 17. Versus the lower end of the outer leg 16, the outer side wall merges into an outer transition surface 20, which has in the shown embodiment a circular cross-section with a second radius R2, which is depending on the field of application in the range of 0.25 mm to 1.5 mm.

(24) At the inner rear end of the outer leg 16, a bump 21 is visible which is designed and arranged such that when the closure is applied onto the neck finish 12 the bump 21 interacts with the rim surface 14 forming a second sealing area. The bump 21 is functionally separated from the outer leg 16 by a notch 22. The functional interaction between the outer seal 16 and the bump 21 can be adjusted by the shape of the notch 22. In a preferred embodiment the notch 22 has a depth in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. In the shown embodiment the bump 21 has a toroidal shape with a radius preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The notch 22 avoids unwanted interaction between the outer leg 16 and the bump 21 when deformation of the shell of the closure 1 occurs.

(25) As it can be seen in FIG. 6, the sealing means 11 further comprises a bore seal 36 having a cross-section consisting of an inner leg 23, which reaches into the neck finish 12 when the closure is applied on the neck finish 12 and acts as a bore seal. The inner leg 23 has a protrusion 24 extending radial outwardly and forming in applied position a third sealing area between the sealing means 11 and the neck finish 12. The bore seal 36 may have different shapes depending on the field of application. The bore seal 36 comprises a series of grooves 37 (see FIG. 3) arranged at the lower free end of the bore seal 36. The grooves are 37 which are foreseen to improve venting of the closure during opening in that the gas stored inside the container can be released more quickly.

(26) If appropriate, the herein shown sealing means 11 can be used with a different closure shell although this will result in a less efficient solution with a higher material consumption.

(27) As it can be best seen in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 the tamper band 4 is interconnected to the closure shell 5 by frangible bridges 25 which are integrally formed when making of the closure 1. The frangible bridges are pyramidal shaped with a tip arranged in the direction of the skirt 3. Depending on the field of application and the performance of the closure alternatively the frangible bridges can be made by a scoring process. The tamper band 4 comprises on the inside radial inwardly directed protrusions 26 which are foreseen to latch with a corresponding bead (not shown in detail) on the neck finish. As it can be seen in FIG. 9 and the sectional view according to FIG. 10, the protrusions 26 are having in the shown embodiment in a top view an in general circular cross-section.

(28) As it can be seen best in FIG. 5 the frangible bridges 25 are arranged in-between the protrusions 26 of the tamper band 4 and between the rows of thread segments 6. The frangible bridges are in aligned to the first recesses 7 on the inside of the skirt 3. By this balanced and symmetrical setup in combination with the sealing means compensating the deformation of the outer shell 5 when internal pressure and/or elevated temperatures occur a very light-weight closure can be achieved which still has a superior performance with respect to the closures known from prior art.

(29) As it can be seen in the tamper band 4 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 further weight saving is achieved by skeletonizing of the band, i.e. by fourth and fifth recesses 27, 28 evenly distributed on the circumference of the tamper band 4.

(30) FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the closure 1 in a side view. FIG. 12 shows a section view of the closure 1 according to FIG. 11 along section line H-H and FIG. 13 a section view along section line I-I. FIG. 14 shows Detail B according to FIG. 12.

(31) The outer shell 5 of the closure 1 is in general similar to the shell 5 of the closure 1 according to FIGS. 1 through 10. Therefore, regarding the general explanations of these elements it is referred to said drawings. The differences between the closure 1 according to FIGS. 1 through 10 and the closure 1 according to FIG. 11 through 14 are the slightly tamper band 4 and the different sealing means 11.

(32) The sealing means 11 comprises an outer leg 16 which extends in a perpendicular direction (general z-direction) from the top deck 2. The sealing means 11 is shown in an undeformed manner. The outer leg 16 is separated by a gap 33 from the outer skirt 3 and in general free-standing, i.e. no contact with the outer skirt 3 occurs under normal conditions. The outer leg 16 comprises at its lower end a sealing surface 29 foreseen to interact with the outer surface 13 of the neck finish 12 (dash line) forming a first sealing area 30 when the closure is applied onto neck finish 12. The outer leg 16 comprises at its inner root a blend 31 forming a transition area between the outer leg 16 and the top deck 2. The blend 30 is foreseen to establish a second sealing area 32 with a rim surface 14 of neck finish 12. As it can be seen in FIG. 14 in applied position the rim surface 14 of neck finish 12 may significantly dive into and deform the blend 31. Thereby sealing surface 29 is pulled radial inwardly resulting in an increased sealing force in the first sealing area 30. Due to that effect the negative influence which may occur due to a deformation of the outer shell 5 of the closure 1 can be significantly reduced. In the shown embodiment the blend 31 has a circular shape with a radius R3. The radius is preferably in the range between 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm. In the shown embodiment the radius is 1 mm. In the shown embodiment the sealing surface 29 protrudes above the inner surface of the blend 31 forming the most inner point. On the outside the outer leg 16 is defined by an outer side wall 34 which is arranged in general perpendicular to the top deck 2. At the free end the outer side wall 34 turns into an outer transition surface 35 having a radius R4. The radius R4 is preferably in the range of 0.25 mm to 1.5 mm. The sealing means 11 further comprises a bore seal 36 having a cross-section comprising an inner leg 23 and a protrusion directed in radial outward direction.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

(33) R1 First Radius (outer leg 16)

(34) R2 Second Radius (outer leg 16)

(35) R3 Third Radius (outer leg 16)

(36) R4 Fourth Radius (outer leg 16)

(37) d1 First Depth (second recess 9)

(38) d2 Second Depth (third recess 10)

(39) 1 Closure

(40) 2 Top Deck

(41) 3 Outer skirt; skirt

(42) 4 Tamper Band

(43) 5 Closure shell (Top Deck 2+Outer Skirt 3)

(44) 6 Thread (6.1: Thread Segments; 6.2: Thread Start Segment)

(45) 7 Channel-like first recess; first recess

(46) 8 Knurls

(47) 9 Channel-like second recesses

(48) 10 Channel-like third recesses

(49) 11 Sealing means (Seal)

(50) 12 Neck finish

(51) 13 Outer surface of neck finish

(52) 14 Rim surface of neck finish

(53) 15 Annular end surface

(54) 16 Outer Leg

(55) 17 Inner side wall

(56) 18 Lead-in surface

(57) 19 Outer side wall

(58) 20 Outer transition surface

(59) 21 Bump

(60) 22 Notch

(61) 23 Inner leg (bore seal)

(62) 24 Protrusion (inner leg)

(63) 25 Frangible bridge

(64) 26 Protrusion (tamper band)

(65) 27 Fourth recess (inside tamper band)

(66) 28 Fifth recess (outside tamper band)

(67) 29 Sealing surface (outer leg)

(68) 30 First sealing area

(69) 31 Blend (outer leg)

(70) 32 Second sealing area

(71) 33 Gap

(72) 34 Outer side wall (outer leg 16)

(73) 35 Outer transition surface

(74) 36 Bore seal

(75) 37 Groove (bore seal)