Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLOSURE WITH FRANGIBLE TAMPER-EVIDENT BAND
FIELD OF THE INVE1~T~"XON
The present invention relates to closures far containers, and more
particularly
to tamper-evident closures for containers,
BACKGROUND TO THE IN'V'ENTION
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should is no way
be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely la~,own or forms
part of
common general knowledge in the field.
There exists extensive prior art in relation to the design and manufacture of
l0 tamper-evident closures for containers, such ag for example US Patents Noa.
4,653,657 (Papavasilopolous), 4,807,7?1 (Roy), 5,660,288 (Nyman), 6,551,093
(Taha} and 6,64Q,988 (Taha) the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
into this
specification by way of cross-reference.
One problem that exists with prior art tamper-evident closures is the loss of
I s sealing between the closure and container opening prior to the tamper-
evidence
features operating.
A~ further problem is the poor visibility of the status of the tamper-evident
features, with the consequence that a consumer may not discern that the seal
of the
container has been broken.
20 Tamper-evident band design on most closures includes an interference
between the container pock and the tamper band. Often upon opemning and
removal of
the closure the tamper-evident band does not drop away from the closure body
but
remains by means of interference between the tamper-evidence band and the
container
neck held an the neck in a similar position to the tamper band on an un-opened
25 package or in the case of malicious tampering a container may be opened and
contaminants introduced and the closure replaced and the tamper-evidence band
pushed beak into close proximity to the closure to give the appearance of an
ua-
opened package.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least
one
30 of the disadvantages of the prior art, ox to provide a useful alternative.
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2
SOriIMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention deals especially with the need for a
proper
relationship between sealing means and tamper-evidence means such that the
tamper-
evidence means operates prior to the seal being breached, This avoids the
possibility
apparent with many so-called tamper-evident closures whereby by raalicious
tampering or inappropriate application torque andlor relaxation of the closure
causing
the seal between closure and container neck to be breached without the tamper-
evidence means operating and allowing the contents to be degraded by action of
atmosphere or the malicious introduction of contaminants.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a tamper-evident closure
for
a container with tamper-evident means and means of dispensing one or more
additives
into the container and a tamper-proof cover to protect additive dispensing
moans.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a tamper-evident closure
for
a container with tamper-evident means and a dispensing means for dispensing
the
1 s contents of the container in a controlled or limited manner, and a
reusable tamper
proof cover for said dispensing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
);is. 1 depicts the dispensing end of a container, with the neck of the
container
adapted to include tamper-evident features according to one aspect of the
present
invention;
Fig. 2 depicts the dispensing end of the container illustrated in Fig. 1, with
an
alternative embodiment of the tamper-evident features on the neck of the
container;
2s Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident Closure aecarding
to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident closure located on
the
neck of a container;
Fig, 5 is an enlarged view of a projection located on the neck of the
container
3o illustrated in Fig. x;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the neck of the container illustrated
in
Fig. 1, taken in the plane W-W;
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Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of a tamper-evident band
according to an aspect of the present invention;
Fig, 7a is a view of the mould assembly apparatus for forming the.tamper-
evident closure illustrated in Fig. 2;
s ' Fig. 7b is an enlargod view of the mould assembly apparatus shown in Fig.
7a
illustrating the formation of the lower section of the skirt and tamper-
evident band of
the closure;
Fig. $ is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper~evident closure located on
the
neck of a container according to a further aspect of ttro present invention;
i0 Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident closure according
to a
fi~rther aspect of the present invention and including a dispensing
arrangement for
dispensing an additive to the contents of the container;
Fig. 10 is a fiu-ther embodiment of the tamper-evident closure depicted in
Fig. 9;
15 Fig. 11 is a fiurther embodiment of the tamper-evident closure depicted in
Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident dispensing closure
according to a further aspect of the present invention, illustrated in
position on the
neck of a container;
2o Fig. 13 is a crass-sectional elevation of a further embodiment of the
tamper-
evident dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 12 further including a tampon-
evident
cover;
Fig. 14 is a plan view of the tamper-evident dispensing closure shown in
Fig. 12;
25 Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional elevation of a fiuther embodiment of a
dispensing
portion of a dispensing closure and cover;
Fig. 16 is a view of the mould assembly apparatus for forming the closure
illustrated in Fig.12;
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional elevation of a fiuther embodiment of tamper-
30 evident clesure and cover;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional elevation of an orifice device and associated
cover
for fitting to the dispensing orifice of a container closure.
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Figg, 19 to 24 illustrate a prior art tamper-evident closure;
Fig. 25 illustrates a further embodiment of tamper-evident closure according
to
a further aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 26 illustrates a prior art tamper-evident closure;
Figs. 27 to 33 illustrate a further embodiment of tamper~evident closure, and
apparatus for making same, according to a further aspect of the present
invehtion;
Figs. 34 to 36 illustrate a further embodiment of a container closure
incorporating various aspects of the present invention; and
Figs 37, 38 and 38a illustrate a further embodiment of the tamper-evident
closure, incorporating a receptacle or cup to enable items to be contained
within the
closure receptacle,
DETAILED DESCRIPTIQN OF PRE)r'ERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 illustrates a neck portion 10 of a container. Typically the container
is an
inj action blow-moulded container formed from a suitable material such as
is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ~Towever, it should be noted that the
invention
applies to various forms of containers made from various materials. The neck
10
includes a helically threaded section 12 formed on the exteznal surface 14 of
the neck
10. Typically, the threaded section 12 is integrally formed on the neck 10.
The
threaded section 12 is threads are adapted to engage with a complementary
helically
2o threaded section on the internal face of the skirt of a tamper-evident
closure.
The neck 10 includes an annular tamper-evident bead 16 located below the
threaded section and extending radially outward from the external surface of
the neck
10. The tamper-evident bead 16 is preferably moulded on the external surface
of the
neck 10: Extending downwardly from the bead 16 are one or more discretely
spaced
25 projections 18 located around the circumference of the neck 10. In one
example, the
container neck 10 is provided with four substantially equally spaced
projections 18.
The projections 18 are adapted to engage with tabs on a tamper-evident band of
a
closure and facilitate the breaking the band from the skirt of the closure.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a tamper-evident closure 100 adapted to fit to
the
30 container neck portion 10 illustrated in Fig. 1. The closure 100 is
depicted prier to its
application to a container 10. Typically, the closure is a one-piece moulded
construction. The closure 100 includes a top wall 102 and downrhrardly
extending
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skirt 104. The closure includes a helically threaded section 106 located on
the internal
face '108 of the skirt which is adapted to engage with the corresponding
holically
threaded section 12 on the external surface of the neck 10 of the container.
The
closure further includes a tamper-evident band 110 which extends downwardly
from
5 the skirt of the closure. The tamper-evident band is connected to a lower
surface x 12
of the skirt 104 by a frangible section 114 foamed by a series of
circumferentially
spaced.ribs 116 separated by slots I 1$. The ribs 116 are of a cross-section
which
provides sufficient strength to withstand typical forces which may be imparted
during
handling andlor the application of the closure to the container neck. The
tamper-
evident band includes an annular wall 120 from which extends a series of
digeretely
spaced tabs 122. The tabs 1z2 are eonneeted to the lower surface of the
annular wall
120 by menus of a hinged section 124, Initially, the tabs ,122 extend radially
inwardly
at an obtuse angle with respect to the annular wall 1z0 to facilitate removal
from the
mould. Subsequent to the moulding of the closure, the tabs 122 are moved to a
perpendicular or acute angle with respect to the annular wah 120. Each tab 122
includes an engagement face 124 adapted to engage with a projection 18 on the
neck
10 of tho container during removal of the closure from the container.
Extending downwardly from the inner surface of the top wall 102 of the
closure is an annular sealing member 130. The sealing member 130 includes a
2o circumferentially extending apex 132 adapted to seat against the inner wall
of the neck
portion of the container arid provido sealing of the container. Extending
inwardly
from the wall 108 and downwardly from the top 102 is secondary sealing member
134
which engages outer surface 14 andlor the upper surface 15 of neck 10.
The design of the projections 18 will now be described in further detail. Fig.
S
is a cross-section taken in the plane Y-Y of Fig. 1 between z-Z', illustrating
the profile
of a projection 18, whilst Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the neck portion taken
in the
plane W-W of Fig. 1 illustrating a prefen~ed location of the projections 18
amuad the
outer periphery of the neck. To remove the closure from the neck of the
container the
closure is rotatod in an anti-clockwise direction as indicated by tho arrow X
in Fig. d.
3o Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the projections 18 aro moulded on the external
surface of the neck below the tamper-evident bead 16. Each projection
comprises a
aeries of faces, 18a, 1$b and 18c. Face 18a is of a dimension J which is equal
to or
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6
less than the distance that the tamper bond 16 projects beyond the external
surface of
the container neck. Face 18a is designed to interact with tabs 122 on closure
100 such
that upon rotation of the closure, the engagement face 124 of tab 122 engages
with the
angled engagement face 18a. Upon furthEr rotation of the closure, the tab 120
is
driven downwardly along the anglod face 18a, thereby placing stress on the
frangible
ribs 116 and facilitating the severance of the frangible ribs 116, thus
promoting early
tampen~evidence operation by opening a discernible gap between the lower edge
of
the skirt 104 and the tamper'evident band 110.
Fig. 2 depicts an alternative embodiment wherein the face 18a includes a,
portion 18a' of varying angle with respect to the plane of the lower surface
of the
tamper~evident bead 16. In one embodiment the face has an initial curved
section
which provides a gently increasing angle with respect to the lower surface of
the bead.
This acts to gradually and progressively stretch and weaken the frangible ribs
116 so
that when the engagement face 124 of a tab 122 on the tamper-evident band 110
reach
~ 5 the more steeply angled section of the face 18a, the frangible ribs 116
are akoady
sufficiently weakened and further rotation of the closure urges engagement
face 124
below face,18m, thereby promoting breakage of the frangible ribs. Iwan
alternative
embodiment (not depicted), the face 18a may comprise two or more discreto
planar
surfaces of progressively increasing angle with respect to the tamper~evident
bead 16.
Yn this embodiment, tho face 18a has an initial surface angled with respect to
the place
of the lower surface of the tamper-evident bead 16, followed by one or more
further
surfacos of increasing angle with respect to the plane of the lower surface of
the
tamper-evident bead 16.
Fig. 4 shows sealing means in sealing engagement with the external wall of
2S container neck 10.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the distance between the
underside face of container tamper-ovideat bead 16 and the projection face 18m
and
the extent and location of the progressively ramped portion 18a' of proj
action face 18a
are designed to take into account:
(i) the distance representing clearance between tamper-evident band 110
ongagement surfaces 124 and the underside of tamper bead 16 when the
closure is fully applied to the container . That is to take account of the.
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7
relative position of engagement surfaces 124 and progressively camped
porkion 18a' of projection face 18a so that said engagement surfaces 124
make contact with said progressively camped portion 18a' before
contacting the more steeply angled section of projection face 18a; and
(ii) the distance over which the frangible ribs 116 deform in an axial
direction
before broaking,
rt should also be noted that for a particular container it is possible to
determine
i~ advance the relative location of any portion of the closure tamper-evident
band 110
to projections 18 when the closure is fully applied to the container.
It is possible to reduce the force necessary to initially stretch and break
the first
frangible ribs by selectively designing oue or more of the frangible ribs 116
be
weakened. It is possible to predetermine which ribs will be first to advance
to
projections 18 upon ren1ouel of the closure and therefore the weakened
frangible ribs
can' be located as to be ixrst to be stretched by the downwards urging along
projection
is face 18a,
Face 18b is of a dimension K which at least exceeds the width of the space
122c between the engagement portions 122 of the tamper-evident band 110 so
that the
free ends 126 of the tabs 122 will be retained below the edge 18m of the
projection 18,
thereby making a more visible gap between the severed tamper~evident band 110
and
a0 the closure skirt 104.
Face 18e has a camped surface so as to minimise interference and enable the
tuba 122 to pegs easily over the projections upon the initial application of
the closure
to the neck of the container. It should be noted that the closure can be
designed to bo
applied by axial movement (for example by using a multiple thread) rather than
by
1s rotation.
Fig. 7 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment
of the tamper-evident band 110 prior to application to a container. 'The
tamper-
evident band 110 depends from the lower face of the skirt of the closure (not
depicted)
by means of a series of ribs 116 which form a frangible section. The band
includes an
3o annular wall 120 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs 122
connected to an
inner surface of the annular wall. The tabs 122 oxtend from the lower surface
of the
annular wall 118 by means of a hinged section 124. The tabs 122 terminate at a
free
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8
end which includes an engagement face 124. Initially the tabs 122 extend
radially
inwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the annular wall 120 and then are
subsequently bent inwardly along the hinge line 124.
In ono embodiment {not shown), the engagement surfaces 124 of the tabs 122
have an angle corresponding to the angled faces 18a of the projections 1$ so
that
engagement surfaces 1Z4 tend to make contact with faces I$a over a greater
portion of
the engagement surface 124. This tends to avoid the curling or folding of the
junction
of surface 124 and 124a thereby assisting in directing engagement surface 124a
downwards along angled faces 18a.
Preferably, one. or more perforations 128 are provided along the bingo line
124
to allow for drainage of product spilled during the filling process.
Recesses 122a of width R and depth S are provided between each tab 122.
The depth 'S' ie preferably such that during application of the closure to the
container
the hoop strength existing in the continuous annular portion of the band along
line
extending irom.the bases 1220 of recess 122a is sufficiently reduced to unable
flexing
along the line of the bases 122e of the recess 122a to facilitate a more easy
application
of the closure to the container:
The depth 'S' of the recess 122a is preferably greater than the distance
between dotted lines 'Vf and X of Fig. 1 thereby allowing the free end 124 of
tabs 122,
at least when adjacent to angled engagement faces 18a, to remain in close
proximity to
the container neck and allow the free end of closure engagement surfaces 124a
to
engage angled engagement faces 18a. As removal rotation continues the free end
of
engagement surfaces 124a are driven downwards along angled engagement faces
18a
thereby inducing axial stress in the frangible ribs 116 resulting in breakage
of ono or
2s more of the ribs and promoting early separation of the tamper-evident band
110 from
closure 100. The continuous annular portion of the engagement portions 122 of
the
tamper~evident band 110 along the line ext0ading from the bases 122e of recess
122a
enhances the effectiveness of contact between said engagement surfaces 124a
and ea3d
angled engagement faces 18a by assisting to maintain the location of
engagement
suxface 124a.
When applying the closure to a container the rampod upper shoulder of the
tamper-evident bead 16 urges the tamper_evid0nt b0ad 0ngagem0nt portion 122 of
the
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9
tamper-evident band 110 against the inside wall of the tamper-evident band so
that the
tamper-evident band 110 may pass over the tamper-evident bead 16 and the
camped
surfaces 18c of projections 18 urge the free edges of the upper regions of
engagement
portions 122 against the inside wall of said tamper-strident band 110 so that
the said
s engagement portions of the tamper-evident band 110 may pass over the
proj ections 18.
In another example of closure tamper-evident band at least four of the
recesses
122a referred to a8 location recesses may have dimension 'R' increased in size
and
located so that upon full application to the container neck the center point
of each said
location recess is approximately adjacent the center of sash of the similar
number
(being four in this example) afprojections 18 such that the engagement
surfaces 124
have clearance from either side of at least faxes 18b of projections 18. In
the same '
example at least four other recesses 122a are smaller in 'R' dimension than
the said
location recesses and ideally smaller in 'R' dimension than the length of that
portion
of lgwer face 18m which adjoins face 18b of projections 18. Upon retrieval
rotation
engagement surfaces 124-contact the said projections 18 and are urged
downwards
slang faces 18a thereby placing axial stress sequentially on and substantially
or
completely severing at least the majority of frangible ribs 116 and moving the
tamper-
evident band 110 below the lower surface 18rn of projections 18. Recesses 122a
other
2o than the location recesses being of leas in dimension 'R' will pass under
those portions
of lower face 18m which adjoins face 18b ofprojections 1$ thus continuing the
sequential axial stressing and substantial severing of frangible ribs 116 and
separation
of the tamper-evident band 110 from closure 100 thus promoting early and more
visible contemporaneous evidence of opening.
2s Referring to Fig, 28, a partial cross-section of the neck portion of a
container
and closure is depicted. The neck portion of the container includes a tamper
bead 16
which has a lower aurfaee which lies in one plane. In aeeordanco with a
further aspect
of the invention, the closure is designed according to the following formula
(formula A):
30 A ZB+C+D+E+F
wherein:
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{i) A is the distance over which the sealing member can seal against the
inner wall or outer wall (example not shown) of the neck portion of the
container;
(ii) B is the distance between the engagement surface 61 of the tamper-
evident bead 16 and the engagement surface 124 of the tabs 122 when
the closure is fully applied to the container;
(iii) C is the amount of compression that occurs in the said tamper-evident
band tabs 122 during the process of removal of the closure;
(iv) D is the amount of stretch that occurs under stress during closure
10 removal in the skirt and the frangible ribs 116 connecting the tamper-
evident band 110 to the closure skirt 104;
(v) E is the distance equal to the tolerance allowed in the measurement
specifications of the container nock 10 and the closure 100; and
(vi) F is the distance required for a margi~a of safety for a particular
closure
i5 and neck combination so as to promote the operation of the tamper-
evidence means prior to loss of the seal between closure and container
neck.
In a variant of the above formula (formula A) the dimensional units are
measured in, degroce of removal rotation of the closure. This alternative
formula is
useful in tamper-evident closure systems which use projections 18 of the type
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
The various aspects of the closure invention described above may be designed
to be manufactured using the mould equipment and method as disclosed in US
Patent
N'os. 6,551,093 and 6,640,988 (Taha) the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated
zs in this speeihcation. In ono modification, illustrated in Fig. 7, the
engagement portion
of the tamper-evident band 110 may be moulded in a position such that the
angle 'A'
between line Al .extending from and parallel to the inside wall of the tamper
band 110
and Iine A2 extending from and parallel to the outside wall of the annular
engagement
portion 122 of the tamper-evident band is greater than 0° and less than
45°, and
3o preferably approximately 30°.
p'ig. 6 is a cross-section of the container neck 10 showing the preferred
location of ramped projections 18 below tamper bead 16 (represented by the
annular
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11
broken line). A method of manufacture and mould assembly to form the container
neck is as follows,
The line V-V is the parting line of two mould portions. As shown by the line
V1-V1 in Fig. 1, the mould part line may advantageously follow the path
dictated by
the boundary between faros 18a and 18b, or 18b and 18c, so that at least the
ramped
faces 18a in the projections 18-2 and 18-4 may be formed in the mould portions
Q~,
Ql respectively'.
The angle between the leading edge of the projections arid the wall of the
neck,
shown as "F'! in p'ig. b, is preferably 90° or less.
1o rn a two-piece mould and taking a section through the gart of the container
mould forming the neck and projections 18 with the parting line being the
straight line
from 90° to 270° (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock) 0° being at 12
o'clock then the section is
nominally divided into.four equal quadrants, with quadrants Q~ and Q~ both
being in
the mould first half and quadrants Q3 and Q4 boing in the nrxould second half,
wherein
Ql lies between 270° and 360°, Qa lies between 0° to
90°, Q3 lies between 90° to 180°,
and Q4 lies between 180° to 270°.
Only in quadrants Ql and Q3, or at the juncture between them and quadrants QZ
aad Q4, may faces 18a be formed with an angle 'F' of 90° or less.
Projections 18 moulded with face 18a formed in quadrant Qi from 270 to
about 359° (the difference between 359 and 360° representing an
allowance for
"draw" to enable the mould to open without interference with at least the
faces 18a)
may have faces with angle 'F' decreasing from 90° by 1° for
every degree lass than
359°, and similarly in quadrant Q3 from 179°.
Having angle 'F' less than 90° is advantageous in that the free edges
124,124a
of engagement portions 122 upon removal rotation of the Closure and contact
with
faces 18a will tend to be urged inwards across faces 18a towards the neck wall
14 and
thereby to remain in close proximity to faces 18a and the container neck wall
14
tending to ensure continual movement downwards along face 18a.
However if projections 18 are moulded with at least the surface of faces 18a
fortnad by the mould in quadrants QZ and Q4 (other than at the juncture with
quadrants
1 and 3) faces 18a will have angles 'F' greater than 90° which will
upon removal
rotation of the closure have the undesirable effect of tending to direct the
&ee edges
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12
124, 124a of engagement portions 122 away from container wall 14 and past
pmj ection 18.
It should bo noted that the mould parting line may deviate (from a centreline
where one mould half is a mirror of the other) to accommodate the forming of
one or
two of projections 18 thus one half of the mould may projoct across the
"mirror image
parting line" into the space normally occupied by the second mould half and
the said
second mould half will have a corresponding shape to accommodate the pmjeeting
first half.
In removal operation of most commonly used single thread closures from a
1o container approximately at least the first 90° of removal rotation
does not lift the
closure in the direction of removal because there is firstly an amount of
dimensional
tolerance difference between the cooperating threads on container and closure.
One. example of the present invention container neck preferably hag four of
projections 18 located equidistant, or substantially equidistant, so that
within
approximately the first 90 to 120° of closure removal rotation most of
the freo ends
124 and 124a of engagement portions contact the said projections and are urged
downwards along faces 18a thereby placing axial stress on and substantially or
completely severing the majority frangible.bridges and moving the tamper band
110
below the lower surface 18m of projection 18 providing an early and more
visible
z0 tamper-evidence.
Another example of the present invention container neck preferably has two or
more of projections 18 located in quadrants Ql and Q3 such that all
projections 18
have an angle 'F' less than 90° or substantially equidistant so that
within
approximately the first 90° of closure removal rotation most of the
free ends 124 and
124a.of engagement portions contact the said projections and are urged
downwards
along faces 18a thereby severing the majority frangible bridges and moving the
tamper band 110 below the lower surface 18m of projection 18 providing an
early and
more visible tamper-evidence.
The parting line YI-V1 in Fig. 1 may vary from that shown and still achieve
the forming of the said tamped projections.
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13
The container mould may also be of the expanding cavity type with more than
two segments which will allow moulding of at least one of projections 18 in
ea,eh
sogment of an expanding cavity mould.
The moulding of the closure 100 depicted in h'ig. 4 will now be described with
reference to Fig, 7a. The sequence of moulding steps is as follows. Depending
upon
the profile of the bore seal 130, core 4 moves in the direction of the arrow
in order to
release the inside bore seal 130. However, it should be noted that depending
upon the
profile of the bore seal I30 such movement of core 4 may not be ne=cessary.
The outer
core sleeve movos also in the same direction in order to release the outside
of the
tamper-evident band 110,
Stripper ring 22, ejector sleeve 5 and inner core 6 move in the opposite
direction, At the end of this motion, closure 100 has been stripped of the
threaded
core 3, bore seal 130 has also been totally freed from the threaded core 3.
The inner
barrel 42 is also clear of front face of core 4. At this point, inner core 6
and stripper
21 are arrested. The ej actor sleeve 5~ is then pushed further forward
resulting in inner
barrel 42 being pushed off inner core 6 and outside of the tamper-evident ring
110
being pushed outside of stripper ring 22. The undercut 44 is free to pass over
inner
core b as core 4 is completely disengaged from inner barrel 42.
Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a further aspect of the present invention. This
aspect
provides a container closure, preferably having tamper-evidence means, with a
dispensing means to dispense into a container connected to the closure one or
more
additives contained within the dispensing means. The advantages of such a
dispensing device include the ability to keep additives separate from both of
the '
~atmosph~e and contents of the container until the time of use by the
consumer.
Fig. 8 depicts a closure 100 having a top wall 20 with a circular opening 22
of
diameter "P" formed therein. One or more annular ribs 24 are provided on the
peripheral surface of the opening 22.
The C10BL1Te 100 includes a depending skirt 30 having helical threads 32
adapted to cooperate with corresponding helical threads 66 on the external
surface of
3o the container neck 60 to apply and remove the closure to and from container
neck.
Fig. 9 illustrates the closure 100 of Fig. 8 with a plunger housing 200 fitted
in
the opening 22 of the top wall 20. It is to be noted that whilst in the
ombodiment
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14
depicted the plunger housing 200 is illustrated as a separate component, it
may be
integrally formed as part of the closure 100. In the embodiment depicted, the
plunger
housing 200 includes a pair of radially extending flanges 210, 212 which act
to locate
and retain the housing 200 within the opening in the top wall 20 of the
closure. The
housing 200 is pressed into position, in the top wall 20, with the lower
flange 210
including an angled face 214 to facilitate insertion of the plunger housing
into the
opening 22. 'The upper flange 212 may be of greater diameter than the lower
flange 210.
T.,ocated betuveen the radial flanges 210, 212 the plunger housing 200 has an
outer wall 220 of diameter "R" which is in sealing engagement with the annular
ribs
24 located in the opening of the top wall 20,
The plunger housing 200 has au inner wall 230 which defines a bore 232 for
receiving plunger 240. The bore 232 includes a pair of annular ribs 234, 236
which
are in sealing engagement with outer wall 242 of plunger 240. The annular ribs
234,
236 serve to retain the plunger 240 in a non-actuated position (as shown in
Fig. 9)
until the application of a force acting in direction 'Q' sufficient to causo
the annular
rib and the annular rib 225 closest to plunger end wall 221 to deflect and
show the
said plunger end wall to travel downwards.
The plungor housing 200 has an annular end wall to which is affixed sealing
member 250 which covers and seals the open end of the plunger housing 200. The
sealing member may, for example, be formed from aluminium foil, plastic or
other
suitable material.
In an alternative embodiment (not depicted) the sealing member 250 may be
integrally formed as part of the plunger housing 200 and be manufactured with
lines
2$ of weakness to facilitate breaking of sealing member 250 when plunger 240
is moved
sufficiently in the direction 'Q'.
Referring to Fig. 10, an additive 260 is shown by dotted lines. The additive
may take away &om, for example one or more capsules or tablets, a powder, or a
liquid. The additive may comprise, for example, vitamins, diet supplement(s),
a
herbal product, an alcoholic beverage or spirit, a condiment, a sweetener or a
flavouring. The additive may be separately soaled within a packaging material
such as
aluminium foil. Preferably, the additive occupies a substantial portion of the
space
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bounded by the plunger housing, the inner wall 230, sealing member 250 and the
plunger actuator and wall 221.
The additive 260 is kept separate from the contents of the container (not
shown) and separate From the atmosphere by plunger housing, inner wall 230,
outer
5 . wall '208, annular sealing engagement features 201 and 201a, sealing
member 250,
plunger actuator, plunger end wall 221, and annular sealing engagement
features 225.
Where the additive is contained within separate packaging then one end wall
of the separate packaging preferably extends to the annular edge of the outer
wall 208
and the separate packaging is affixed and sealed to the end wall 207 similar
to as
1o shown by the position of sealing element 250 or sealed to the end wall 207
and the
immediately adjacent outer wall 208 so that the material outer edges of the
separate
packaging are retained on the end walls 207 so that the additive element may
be
pushed into the contents of the container through the end of the said
separate'
packaging by the movement of the end wall or disc 221 when the plunger 240 is
15 moved to its full extent in direction 'Q'.
The relative location of the end wall 221 the plunger 240 is designed so that
the distance travelled in direction 'Q' by the and wall or end wah 221 is
sufficient to
completely eject the additive 260 from plunger housing 200 when the lower wall
227
of actuator 224 comes in contact with upper wall 231 of plunger housing 200.
2o After injection of the additive into the container the closure 100 may be
removed from the container by unscrewing in the normal manner, thereby
providing
access to the contents of the container.
Referring to a further embodiment depicted in Fig. 10, the body of the plunger
240 may be designed such that it has an open end. An actuator disc 224 is
formed
separately as a cover cap or closure. The cover cap or closure may be attached
to the
body of the plunger by known means such as thread or clip means 241 to
cooperating
thread or clip means 228 formed on at least one of the outer or inner wall of
the
plunger. A stop means 229 located on the outer wall of plunger 240 acts to
restrain
the extent of movement of the plunger in direction 'Q' upon stop mesas 229
abutting
upper wall 231 of plunger housing 200.
In another embodiment (not shown) the cover cap 240 and the plunger actuator
cylinder 226 may be formed as a two piece assonably operating similarly to
prior art
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1b
rosealablo dispensing closures extensively referred to in the closure
manufacturing and
beverage marketing industries as a "push-pull cap" or a "sports cap".
After injection of the additive to the container the cover cap 224 may be
ramayed and the contents of the container will thereby be in fluid
communication the
s open and of plunger actuator cylinder 226 and easily accessible by the user.
Figs. 12 to 15 illustrate a further aspect of the present invention. Fig. '12
shows
a cross sectional view of a closure and cantainer neck. The closure 100 has a
top wall
102 with a depending annular skirt 104 with threads 106 adapted to cooperate
with
corresponding threads .12 vn the container neck. The closure optionally
includes an
annular tamper-evident band 110, A dispensing means core 208 .is manufactured
as
part of closure 100 extending above top surface 11 of top wall 20. and having
a
plurality of dispensing cap lifting ramps 209, dispensing cap lowering ramps
201,
annular wall 207, retention feature 202, on a spigot post 205 having wall 206
and
spigot post support 203.
is p'ig. 13 shows a cross suction through the centre of a closure 100 with a
conical
dispensing cap 300 and a tamper-evident cover 400. The conical dispensing cap
300 is
provided with a sealing feature 301. A plurality of recesses 304 on the outer
surface of
the cap 300 provides a knurled finish to provide gripping means when turning
the
dispensing cap between closed and open positions. A sealing feature 302 is in
sealing
2o contact with a eomplernentary annular wall 207 during the opening and
closing .
movement of the dispensing cap so as to provide a seal to prevent leakage of
container
contents from orifice 204 along wall 207. The sealing feature 302 is
restrained by
retention feature 202.
A lifting ramp engagement feature (not shown) engages with the lining ramp
25 209 and upon rotation of the dispensing cap in an opening direction lifts
the
dispensing cap 300 to an open position and annular closing ramp engagement
feature
303 which in cooperation with closing ramp 201 upon closing rotation causes
the
dispensing cap to be moved in the closing direction 'C.
The annular orifice 305 is of a diameter 'K' which is smaller than the outside
3o diameter of spigot post 20s such that upon rotation in the direction of
closing sealing
feature 301 sealingly engages wall 206 thereby providing a positive closure of
the
container contents from the atmosphere.
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1T
Annular base 306 may have on its outer wall 307 shaped areas (not shows)
which cooperatively engage with corresponding features (not shown) on inner
wall
405 of cover 400 such that the rotation of the said cover will cause the said
annular
base to rotate.
The tamper-evident cover 400 has, a circular top wall 403. Depending
therefrom is annular skirt 404 which has an engagement feature 401 which maybe
an
annular ring or consist of more than 1 individual feature. The feature or
features
engage the upper surface of annular base 306 of dispensing cap 300 thereby
locating
the cover on the annular base.
o Inner wall 405 may have shaped areas (not shown) which cooperate with
corresponding features (not shown) on outer wall 307 of dispensing cap 300 to
provide locking engagement of cover 400 with dispensing cap 300. In an
alternative
arrangement shown in Fig. 15 cover 400 may also be located or in locked
engagement
with disporlsing,eap 300 by means of one or more of one or both cooperating
is projections and cooperating recesses on annular base 306 and Iower wall 408
. The
projections and recesses are numbered 308 and 309 on annular base 306, and 409
and
410 on lower wall 408.
More than ono frangible bridge 402 which have depending front.them ~
annular or other tamper-evidence band or means (not shown) which engage with
2o corresponding features such as the types shown at 13 and 14 on top wall 20.
As au alternative to shaping inner wall 405 the cover 400 may also be designed
to lockingly engage with the dispensing cap 300 actor operation of the
tamper..
evidence feature there may be depending from top wall 403 more than one
locating
ongagement fin 407 (dotted line and shaded) which engage with recesses 304.
Said
2s engagement locating ins may be formed on the inner wall of a cylindrical
shape 406
(dotted line) depending from the top wall 403.
Fig. 14 illustrates a plan view of closure 100, including top wall surface 11
lowering ramp 201, spigot post support 203, orifice 204, spigot post 205, and
lifting
ramp 209.
3o Fig. 15 illustrates a cross sectional view of cover 400 engagement means
409,
410 engaging with dispensing cap 300 engagement means 308, 309 after tamper-
evident means (including known means not shown) has been separated from lower
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18
extremity of wall 404 for example at frangible bridges 402. The engagement or
locking engagement meaner are intended to allow the dispensing cap 300 to be
turned
from the closed to the open position and open to closed position by gripping
and
turning the cover and at the first said turning to open to cause by axial
movement of
s the cover 400 whilst tamper-evident means is restrained in engagement with
projections or recesses such as 13 and 14 (Fig, 13) on the upper wall 102 (in
Fig.l2)
of and or lifting movement as the dispensing cap engages lifting ramps (209 in
Fig. 12) to thereby sever the frangible bridges 402.
Fig. 15 also shows an additional or alternate means of engagement 412 to
io engage or locate or lock cover 400 and dispensing cap 300 the concept of
having the
diameter of top wall 403 extend beyond depending wall 404 such that the
diameter of
top wall 403 may be increased to provido a more secure base on which to stand
the
package when it is desired to orient the package to drain the container
contents by
gravity towards the dispensing orifice.
15 Fig. 16 shows a partial cross section of an alternative dispensing closure
which
is simplified in that it has less parts and is thereby leas costly to
manufacture.
Closure 100 incorporates a dispensing means 20 having annular dispensing
orifice 22. The annular dispensing orifice 22 is sealed by cooperation with
annular
sealing device 42 on tamper-evident sealing cover 40.
2o The tamper-evident sealing cover 40 may be ire any shape such as a shape
closely following the shape of dispensing portion 20 and or may attach to the
closure
at points other than that shown by the location of the tamper-evidont band
110. For
example the tamper-evident band 110 may be located on the dispensing portion
20.
The frangible section 114 which attaches the tamper-evident band 110 to the
2s wall of the tamper-evident sealing cover id severed upon removal rotation
of the
tamper-evident sealing cover, The tamper-evident band 110 has engagement means
to
restrict removal rotation and promote fracture of the frangible bridges.
Tamper-evident sealing cover 40 may be re-attached to the closure body after
initial opening by means of annular projection 47 which in eooperatiaa with
annular
30 ' engagement ridge 123 locates and holds the tamper-evident sealing cover
40.
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19
Closure 100 may be produced by a mould assembly of the type disclosed in
Fig: 1 b by modifying the shape of that portion of the closure above top wall
annular
disc ~102.to form the shape the hohow dispensing portion 120.
rt is desirable to be able to have a dispensing orifice 22 of smaller or
larger
diameter according to the viscosity and contained particle size of the
contents to be
dispensed. Fig. I8 ihustrates an oriflee device 630 which lockingly engages
with
dispensing portion 20. The orifice device may have an annular orifice of any
desired
diameter as illustrated by reference numerals 31, 32 and 33. The orifice
device
cooperates with annular sealing device 542 to seal the container.
Advantageously, use
of the orif cc device 630 porinits the production of only one size closure to
satisfy
various dispensing requirements. This confers benefits such enabling making
one .
larger cavitation closure mould to accommodate all orifice sizes with
corresponding
cost efficiencies:
Advantageously, if the orifice device 630 is attached af~or filling then stock
holding of closures for customers requiring dispensing closures with various
size
dispensing ori~ees is thereby reduced because the customer holds only ono
closure
size but various sizes of the much smaller orifice variation devices.
In an alternative embodiment, depicted in Fig. I T the closure does not open
and close by means of rotation. In this embodiment, the closure is opened and
closed
2o by removal and/or replacement of the.tamper-evident sealing cover 540. The
sealing
cover 540 has an annular scaling device 542 which engages the annular orifice
22 in
the dispensing portion 20 of the closure 100, A tamper-evident ring 543 is
connected
by frangible bridges 545 to the cover wall 546.
The manufacture of the closure illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 will now be
2S described with reforeace to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 shown a cross-section of the
mould
apparatus used tv make dispensing closure 100. The mould apparatus features an
annular stripper ring 1C which is affixed to plate 1 and which forms the lower
surface
of wall 30, frangible ribs 116 and part of tamper band 110. The apparatus also
features an outer core 2C which is affixed to plate 2 and which forma part of
the
3o external wall and the lower surfaces of tamper band 110, the outer wall of
tamper
band engagement means 122. The apparatus further includes an annular threaded
core
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3C which is afftxod to plate 3 (not shown) angular core 4C which is affixed to
plate 4
(not shown) annular sore or.stripper sleeve 5C which is affixed to plate 5
(not showm).
Annular core 6C is affixed to plate 6 (not shown). The annular core 6 has
within it an annular void 8 and hohow tuba 7 which is used to conduct cooling
water
s to the uppermost region of the annular core 6 and at least above upper wall
I02 of
closure 100. The portion of annular core 6 above upper wall 11 of closure 100
forming the inner walls and features including the inner walls being shaped
'to follow
the outer walls and features forming dispensing core means 208 for example the
inner
wall surface of lifting ramps 209 may be parallel to the upper or outer
surface which
1o engages with corresponding lifting ramp engagement means 310 formed on the
inside
of dispensing cap 300.
The mould apparatus operates as follows,
Molten plastic is injected under proasure through orifice 502 whieh~ia in
fluid
communication with void V2 which is formed in the mould closed position as
eho~m
1s by cooperation between mould portions cavity insert 9C and annular cores
1C, 2C,
3C, 4C, ~C gad 6C. The void V2 is thus formed in the desired shape to produce
dispensing closure 100.
After plastic is injectod into the void V2 and solidification ofthe plastic
has
occurred by heat transfer through cavity insert 9C to cooling water
circulating channel
20 9W and through annular core 6C to cooling water circulation channel 8W
which may
be extended further towards annular retention feature 202 by using a smaller
diameter
hollow tuba 7 and $ reduced diameter portion of water circulation chat>nel 8W
arid if
necessary by adding additional cooling means in the form of one or more
cooling
water circulation channels through annular outer core 2C (not shown).
By relative movement between plate 6 and plates 1,. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 such that
plate 6 moves in direction "C" to withdraw annular core 6 sufficiently to
create a void
inside dispensing core means 208 at least adjacent to annular retention
feature 202
'thereby providing a void into which said annular retention feature 202 can
deflect
upon opening of the mould.
The mould then opens at part line 9A as plate 9 is moved in direction "O".
Plates 1, 3, 5 and 6 then move in unison in direction "O" and plates 2 and 4
do
not move or at least do not move relative to plates l, 3, 5 and 6 and tho
relative
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21
movement between the annular coral connected to the plates creator void spaces
into
which seal a0 and portion of tamper-evident band 1 IO and tamper-evident
engagement means 122 can deflect. Tha relative movement in direction "C" of
annular con 4C closes void V1 and opens a similar void adjacent to seal 40 and
annular outer core 2C moving a similar distance relative to core 1C opens a
similar
void adjacent to tamper band 110 and tamper band engagement mans 122.
Plate 3 then ceases to move and at least plates 1 and S continue moving in
direction "O" causing relative movement betweon plate 3 and plates 1 and 5
thus
pausing threaded core 3C to disengage from the closure 100. The closure 100 is
now
io &ee of cores 2C, 3C, 4C and 6C and is held by stripper ring 1C and annular
core or
stripper sleeve 5C remains in contact with the lower surface 21 of top wall
circular
disc 20,
Plate 1 then ceases to move and plate 5 continues movement in direction "O"
causing core 5 to eject the moulded closure firam stripper ring 1C.
~s Plate 5 then ceases to move and the closure is ejected from the mould.
Tha mould then closes ready for the next injection cycle.
Further improvements in mould design will now be discussed.
The distance "I" is the total space available to contain the annular cores 3C,
4C, SC, 6C. It is highly desirable in large mufti-cavity moulds operating on
fast cycle
20 time to have distance "I" as large as possible at least for the following
reasons.
It is desirable to have core 6C. as large as possible in diameter so that
hollow
tuba 7 and water channel void 8W can ba of sufl~cient diameter to accommodate
the
flow of a large volume of cooling water thus enabling the moulded part to
solidify and
- be ejected earlier thus enabling the mould.to produce morn parts in a given
time.
zs It is also desirable to have the wall thickness of annular cores 3C, 4C and
5C
and distance "H" and any interspacing bushes (not shown) of dimension as large
as
can be accommodated to ensure that the construction of the mould is robust and
can
last for many millions of cycles.
Preferably, distance "F" (the length of tamper band engagement means 122)
30 and distance "Cr" the distance from the end of tamper band engagement means
122 to
the point at which the outer wall of annular core 3C becomes parallel to the
axis of
annular cores and by roducing distances "F" and "G" the point at which the
outer wall
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22
of annular sore 3C becomes parallel to the axis of annular cores occurs such
that
distance "I" is thereby increased.
Angle "E" is also fundamental in determining distance "I". By restricting
angle "E" to less than 50° and preferably 45° or less than the
point at which the outer
wall of annular core 3C becomes parallel to the axis of annular cores is
further from
the said axis thereby increasing the distance "x".
With reference to Figs. 19 to 23, a further aspect of the present invention
will
now be described. The drawings are taken from US Patent No. 6,755,347 and
illustrate a closure 32 with a tamper band 35. The band is moulded in an
extended
1o position as shown in Fig. 21 and thereafter to facilitate application of
the closure to the
container, the engagement portion 40 is folded into the position shown in
1~ig. 19,
Referring to Fig. 20, the engagement portion 40 has segments 43, separated by
slots S which serve to reduce the hoop strength of the free edge of the
engagement
portion 40, thereby enabling it to pass more easily over the tamper band on
the neck of
the container. >:Towever, it is necessary to retain sufficient hoop strength
to keep the
engagement portion 40 in an engagement position and of necessity there is
interference between engagement portion 40 and the container tamper bead 37.
With reference to Fig. 23, upon rotation to remove the closure, the free end
of
the tamper band 40 comes into contact with the underside of the container
tamper
zo bead 3"1 and the axial force applied is transmitted through the engagement
portion 40
to the body of the tamper band 35. The force may ba expressed as operating
initially
on a vector approximately through the line F. However, part of the force will
be
directed by the geometry, and relative positions of the respective features
41, 42, 43, in
the direction K which will cause the band 35 to deform outwardly and thereby
move
hinge point 41 outwards. This serves to increase the angle of the engagement
portion
40 and cause an increase in the force acting in the direction I~ and the
decrease acting
in the direction L. '
Ultimately, engagement portion 40 may be deformed so as to invert without
severing the tamper band from the closure, thereby defeating the intended
tampor-
evidence feature of the closure 40.
The abovementioned problem may be minimised by making the band 35 of
sufficient thickness to resist deformation. However, such thickening will make
it
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23
morn difficult to stretch the band over the coatainer tamper bead thereby
making the
closure harder to apply to the container.
Fig. 24 is taken from US Patent No. 6,640,988, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated into this specification by way of cross-reference. With
reference
to Fig. 24, there, is disclosed a closure with a tamper band where the
engagement
portion 40 consists of a numb~r of separate elements hinged from a lowor end
or hinge
point 41, this arrangement affords many advantages over the prior art ouch as
U.S.
Patent No. 5,755;347 in that there is no hoop strength in the engagement
portion of the
tamper band to be overcome in the application of the closure.
. However, there is still tho problom of the force vectors operating through
engagement portions 40 to move hinge point 41 outwardly and cause the
engagement
portions 42 invert before breaking the frangible bridges 38, thereby defeating
the
achievement of tamper-evidonce.
The following aspect of the present invention may ba manufactured using the
mould oquipmont and method as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,551,093, which is
hereby incorporated into the speeifieadon by way of cross roference. This
aspect of
the invention provides a closure w~rith a tamper band having more than one
engagement portion 40 with a removal force vector angle closer to dir~action L
so as to
reduce the propensity of the tamper band 35 to deform outwardly when removal
force
2o is applied to the engagement portions 40. This is achieved by locating tho
hinge point
41 closure to the axis of the closure. Such relocation is brought about by
thickening
the tampon band 35 at the hinge point 41. In doing so, the force vector angle
is
reduced, causing morn of the removal force to operate in the direction L and
less to
operato in direction K. Furthormore, thickening the band facilitates
resistance to
zs outward deformation which assists in maintaining the position of hinge
point 41, thus
maintaining maximum force vector in direction L. The thinner portion of the
band
above hinge point 41 leaves an area into which the free of engagement portion
40 can
flex during application as the engagement portion 40 passes over the container
tamper
bead 37.
30 Referring to the comparative drawings Figs. 2S and 26 (prior art), the
force
vector operating upon removal at bingo point 41 to stretch the band 35 is
reduced by
about 60% (reduced from about 15 degrees to about 5 degrees); and the increaso
in
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24
hoop strength by thickening the lower portion of the band 35 will further
contribute to
resisting stretching of the band upon removal, Both of these changes act
together to
ensure that the hinge point 41 is more resistant to outward movement under the
stress
of removal, thus ensuring that the engagement portions 40 are held in place to
effect
separation of the tamper band from the closure,
A further aspect of the present invention will now be described with reference
to Figs. 27 to 33 and relates to a tamper-evident closure and eorr8sponding
container
neck, and to a closure mould assembly.
Refernng to fiig. 31, the neck 100 has an outer wall 105, an inner wall 130
and
1o a top wall 135 joining the outer and inner walls. Tho outer wall 105 is
provided with
one or more external threads 110 adapted to cooperate with a corresponding
internal
thread or threads on the closure. In the case of mufti-start threads tho
thread profile
may be of narrower profile on both neck and closure to allow for the axial or
push-on
application of the closure to the container, The threads may be continuous or
~s segmented as required. In the case of eontainBrs for carbonated beverages,
threads
110 cooperate with the closure threads to retain the closure on the neck
whilst the
pressurised gas vents. To accomplish this the threads of one or more of the
closure or
the container neck may be slotted or segmented to facilitate release of the
gas.
'fho neck includes a tamper bead 115 with a face 116 to cooperatively engage
20 with a tamper-evident ring or tamper-evidence engagement means on the
closure. The
tamper bead may be advantageously segmented with equal spaced gaps 'Y' to
reduce
tho quantity of material required.
Ono or more ramped angled projections 120 are located below tho tamper bead
and shaped such that ramped surfaces 124 allow corresponding ramped surfaces
on
25 the closure to pass over during application of the closure to the container
neck.
However, upon rotation to remove the closure, engagement surfaces 122 ongago
with
corresponding oagagement surfaces on the closure thereby promoting early
breakage
of the frangible bridges and separation of the~tamper ring from the skixt of
the closure
as described below.
30 ~ Referring to Fig, 29a, the closure 10 consists of a disc 20 with an upper
wall
and a lower wall 13. One or more sealing means such as annular sealing means
40, 41
depend from the inner wall 13. The sealing rneane 40, 41 act to sealingly
engage in
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Z5
such manner as to create a seal between closure and container that will have
at least
one sealing means operating until the tamper-evident ring is substantiahy
separated
from the closure skirt thus givizig clear evidence of the seal being breached.
Qne or more retention means 42 may tie provided to retain, for example, a cup
or receptacle or disc or device (not shown) either within or depending from
the
closure, The retention means 42 may take the form of one or more clips,
projections,
recesses, rings, annular flange, interrupted or segmented annular flange
annular
groove or recess interruupted or segmented aturular groove or recess depending
from
the lower wall of the closure. ~1n object, such as a cup, may be engaged with
the
retaining means so as to be held in position whilst the closur~ is sealingly
engaged to a
container but may be removed to access the contents (such as food or beverage
additives) contained in the cup.
The skirt 30 of the closure has an inner wall with a raised thread which
cooperates with the external thread on the neck of the container.
A tamper-evidence ring 55 depends from a lower wall of the skirt by means of
frangible bridges 50.
The neck of the container includes an engagement means with the tamper bead
on the neck of the container such engagement means 58 consisting of but not
limited
to any one or more of and in any combination thereof which combination may
omit
one or more of
a ramped projection which is shaped to more easil~r pegs over the tamper bead
on the neck of the container on application of the closure but also shaped
that upon
removal of the closure from the container the projections engage with
corresponding
surface on the container neck promoting early breakage of the frangible
bridges and
~j separation of the tamper ring from the skirt of the closure.
The flap 58, which may be folded after moulding, may be thicker at ane end
than the other and may have stiffening ridges thereon. The flap may be shaped
to
facilitate folding and may be advantageously moulded in a position where end
59 is
closer to the a~cis or centre of the closure to ensure that when folded into
the closure
3o the flap will tend to be in a position to engage with both the wall 105 and
the
engagement faces 116 and I 18.
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2s
With reference to Fig. 29, a flap may be moulded in a position to allow one or
more projections 73 to be created on the wall of the flap 58 such that when
folded into
position inside the closure ( shown with dotted line)
the ramped surface 72 shaped to more easily pass over the tamper bead on the
neck of the container upon application of the closure(not shown)and
the ramped projection surface 72 shaped to easily pass over corresponding (in
Fig. 31) ramped surfaces 124 on projections 120 on the neck of the container
below
the tamper bead 115 upon application of the closure(not shown) and
whereupon the closure is rotated in the direction to remove the closure from
~o the neck of the container then the surfaces 70 and 59 of the said
projections 73
respectively engages with corresponding engagement surfaces 122 and 116 on the
neck of the container thereby rostraining movement of the tamper ring and
promoting
early breakage of the fiangible bridges and separation of the tamper ring from
the
skirt of the closure and the projection shape 74 in partial view 2 of Fig, z9
having a
is dimension 'X' being a dimension larger than the gaps dimension 'Y' shown is
Fig. 32
in a segmented tamper bead 115 of a corresponding container neck
a projection (not shown) which may be shaped so as to engage with the tamper
bead on the container neck but also shaped to assist removal from the mould
and
any combination of the foregoing.
20 The mould assembly comprising first and second mould portions which
cooperate to define when in a closed position, a closure cavity;. .
the first mould portion eontairung the means of injection of polyolefln
material and defining or partially defining
the external, features of the top disc and skirt of the closure and
25 one or more raised f~atures on the exterior of closure which may cooperate
with closure application means or closure ejection means.
The second mould portion having one or more of and or rneang of cooperation
between and in any combination thereof
a threaded core shaped to define any one or more of and in any combination
3o thoreof which combination u~ay omit one or more of
threads on the inner wall of the closure skirt ouch threads cooperating with
the
threads on the neck of the container
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27
annular sealing means depending from the lower wall of tho closure disc
andlor the inner wall of the closure skirt or any combination thereof and such
sealing
means to sealingly engage with any oao or more of or in any combination of
tho inside wall of the container neck
the top wall of the eontainBr neck
tho outer wall of the container neck
annular or interlvpted annular retentive means depending from the lower wall
of the closure disc such that an object (such as a cup or roceptacle or disc
or device)
may ba engaged with the retaining means such that the object is held in
position whilst
1o the closure is in use or alternatively the object but may bo removed to
access the
contents (such as food or beverage additives) of the receptacle. The retention
moans
rnay, for example, take tho dorm of one or more of clips, projections,
recesses, annular
flange, interrupted annular Range annular groove or rocess interrupted annular
groovo
or recess
15 an annular support ring shaped and positioned to form one or more of or
portion of and in any combination thereof which combination may omit one or
more
of
part of the outside wall of tho skirt
a projection on tho outside wall of the skirt
20 a shoulder defining the lower extremity of the skirt
at least a portion of the tamper-evidont ring
one or morn frangible bridges connecting the skirt to the tamper-evident ring
an outer core which cooperates with tho threaded core and the support ring to
define at least portion of an annular tamper-evident ring and by cooperative
movement
2s relative to the support ring and the threaded core creator a space into
which the
tamper-evident ring may deflect to assist ej action of tho closure.
one or more innor cores which may be shaped to define at least portion of the
one or more of and annular sealing means and or annular or interrupted annular
retention means and which by collective cooperation and relative movement
between
30 the said inner cores and the threaded core assists ejection of the closure
from the
mould.
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28
the inner cores and the threaded core cooperating and by relative forward or
opening movement in relation to the support ring cause the closure whilst
still
remaining on the said inner cores and threaded core to move away from the
support
ring. .
the inner cores and the threaded core cooperating and by relative forward or
opening movement of one or more of the inner cores relative to the threaded
core eject
the closure off the threaded core.
Alternatively the support ring may move forward relative to the threaded core
thereby withdrawing the threaded core from the closure and further forward
to rnov~nant by the inner core or cores removes the closure from contact with
the
support ring and ejects the closure from the mould .
if the closure is still retained on the inner cores by portion of the closure
such
as the said retention means then by cooperative forward or opening movement of
the
innermost eors relative to the other inner core the closure may be ejected off
the inner
15 Core.
The present invention includes a cup or receptacle ( not shorxm) shaped with
features which cooperate with the said retention means within the closure such
means
of cooperation being for example but not limited to one or more of clips,
projections,
recesses, annular flange, interrupted annular flange annular groove or recess
20 interrupted annular groove or recess.
In a further non-limiting aspect of the invention suitable for use with or
without cup retention means we show in Fig. 28:
a tamper-evident closure 10 (shown partially) with atop wall 20 and
as annular sealing device 40 sealingly engaging the inside wall 65 of the
25 container neck 60 and
another annular scaling device 41 which may also but not necessarily be used
to sealingly engage with either or both the upper wall 63 and the outer wall
64 of the
container neck 60 ( shown not fully sealingly engaged).
The design of the closure being ouch that when the closure is fully applied
3o the distance 'A' being the distance over which an interference fit aid seal
continues to occur between the annular sealing device 40 and the inner wall 65
of the
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29
container neck 60 during removal of the closure from the fully applied
position (not
shown) on the container neck and
further described as being the distance between
line A1 being the line touching the top wall 63 of the container neck and the
line A2 being the line touching point of sealing engagement between annular
sealing device 40 and the inner wall 65 of the container neck 60 measured at
the point
when the eloaure'is fully applied{ riot shown) to the container neck
shall be always sufficiently larger than the distance 'B' being the distance
between the engagement surface 61 of the tamper bead 62 and the engagement
surface
59 of the tamper ring engagement means S8 when the closure is fully applied to
the
container) plus
a distance 'C' (not shown) equalling the amount of compression that occurs in
the tamper ring engagement means during the process of removal plus
a distance 'D' (not shown) equalling the amount of stretch that occurs under
is stress during closure removal in the frangible bridges 50 eanneeting the
tampor-
evidence annular ring 55 to the closure skirt 30 plus
a distance 'E' (not shown} being the distance equal to. the tolerance allowed
in
the measurement specifications of the container neck 60 and the closure 10
plus as
may be required a distance for margin of safety for a particular closure and
nook
. combination.
By observing this formula in designing a closure them the closure will be in
sealing engagement with the container neck until after tamper-evidence is
displayed
thereby ensuring that no contamination of contents can occur without tamper'
evidence.
z5 The foregoing inventions may be adapted according to the following
procedure
for closures using sealing methods other than that described in the foregoing
example
of closures with a bore seal on the inside neck surface of the container.
Where closures seal by other than a bore-seal the distance 'G' over which the
seal is effectively is contact with the neck of the container expressed as the
number of
3o removal rotations or portion of a rotation of the closure during removal is
substantially
lass than distance 'A' referred to in the bore-seal example in Fig. 28.
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To eompengate for this the tamper-evidence feature must be caused to operate
promptly upon removal rotation of the closure,
Referring to Fig. 29, the present invention is designed to restxain the
movement of the tamper-evident ring 55 on the closure by including
cooperating.
5 engagement means 58 on the tamper-evident ring and engagement means 115 on
the
container neck (shown iri Fig. 31) such that upon removal rotation the said
cooperating engagement means engage and further removal rotation fractures the
frangible bridges 50 separating the tamper-evidence ring 55 from the closure
skirt 30.
The present invention including container necks is described in the following
non-
10 limiting examples.
Referring to Fig. 29, Partial View 1, shows the lower edge 59 of tamper
evident engagement means 58 with protrusions 73 having engagement faces 70 and
romped surfaces 72 . The protrusions are spaced around the whole of the lower
portion (as moulded) of the tamper-evident engagement means 58 with the
is protrusions 73 protruding in the direction 'B' such that when the tamper-
evident
engagement means 58 is folded into the closure (shown with dotted line then
the
protrusions are oriented to upon rotation of the closure in the direction of
removal
engage with (shown in >~''IG. 4.) the corresponding neck engagement means 11S
and
120 on the container neck . The neck engagement means 115 have engagement
faces
20 116 to restrain axial movement and engagement faces 122 to restrain
rotational
movement of the tamper-evidence ring 55 and upon further removal rotation of
the
closure sever the frangible bridges 50 and
Partial View 2 shows an alternative configuration of protrusions 73 and 74
which are designed to cooperate with as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 4 or a
combination
2s of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 such that the distance 'X' on protrusion 74 is greater
than the
distance 'Y' shown in FIG. 5 thus preventing protrusion 74 from passing
through the
gap 'Y' in the tamper bead 115 and retaining the tamper band 55 on the neck of
the
container.
Partial View 3. shows a corresponding view of Partial View 1 as seen from
30 location 'B'.
Referring to Fig. 30a, Partial View 4 is a view from location 'B' showing
protrusions 76 extending from the lower edge 59 oftamper-evidence engagement
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31
means 58 to form a series of tooth like engagement devices 76 having
engagement
faces 70 and ramped surfaces 72 and first engagement points 75 which are
designed
upon romoval rotation to progrossively engage (shown in Fig, 32) with
corresponding
engagement faces 116 and ~ 118,
Partial Visw 5 is a perspective view from the direction 'C' showing the
tamper-evident engagement means 58 folded inside the closure . As can bee seen
the
engagement faces 70 will be able to engage both of the corresponding neck
engagement means 116 arid 118 {shown in Fig. 32) and the face of the tamper-
evidence engagement means 58 which passes over the tamper bead 115 upon
~o application has no projections thereon and will by deflecting outwardly
towards the
outside of the closure. Xn the event that the surfaces 72 abut the
corresponding
opposite surface of engagement face 116 on the container tamper bead 115
during
the passing of the tamper-evidence engagement means 58 over the tamper bead
115
then the ramped shapes of surface 72 will assist.
is The corresponding formula for non bore-seal or shallow bore-seal closures
is
'T'he distance '(~' which is the distance represented by that fraction of a
turn in
the direction of removal which must always be less than the distance > 'H' (
not shown}
being the corresponding rotational measurement to distance '13' (iri the bore-
seal
formula) this dimension as may be required also takes into account during the
closure
20 design stage of the compression of the sealing means against the upper
surface 135 of
the container neck plus the distance 'I' (not shown) which is the fraction of
a rotation
necessary to prcsont engagement faces 70 and engagement points 75 on the
tamper
ring against corresponding engagement faces 11b and 118 on the container neck
plus
the distance 'J' (not shown) being the corresponding rotational measurement to
25 distance 'C' (ia the bore~aeal formula) . This number can be minimised
through the
addition of stiffening ribs or ridges andlor use of more rigid plastics
plus
the distance 'K' (not shown) being the corresponding rotational measurement
to distance 'D' (in the bore-seal formula) plus
30 the distance 'L' (not shown) being the corresponding rotational measurement
to distance, 'E' (in the bore-seal formula).
Now referring to Fig. 30a we disclose
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32
that the retention device 42 may usefully be located iiZrther away from the
skirt
of the closure especially in closures of larger diameter.
the retention device 42 is also not limited to the shape shown but may be
shaped to correspond with the cup or container or device being retained (not
shown)
S which may also be shaped such that one or more of or combination of
cooperating
slips, projections, recesses, annular flange, segmented or interrupted annular
flange,
annular groove or recess, interrupted annular recess and said cup and
retention mcana
42 may be advantageously designed for example with a chamfered flange on the
cup
so that the cup is easily fitted into the reta'ming means 42 and this assembly
may
l0 usefully be combined in a closure, with the sealing means 41. or its mirror
image 43
shown with dotted line.
Referring to Fig. 30a we hereby disclose a design for sealing means 41 and or
43 which may advantageously be constructed with the cross sectional dimension
decreasing progressively from the point of joining with the lower wall l3 of
the
i5 closure disc 20 and the said point of joining having a radius (not shown)
such that the
over all design of sealing means 41 and or 43 facilitates easy removal from a
mould
assembly (not shown)
the features 41 42 and 43 may also be shaped advantageously according to
known means.
2o Referring to Figs. 32 and 33, which illustrate a plan view of two
embodiments
of container necks which' correspond with the closures disclosed herein. The
necks
can be divided into quadrants Ql, QZ, Q3 and Q4 as shown.
In Fig, 32 all four quadrants are similar, whilst in Fig. 33 QZ is the mirror
of Q~
and the half Q3 and Q4 is the mirror image of the other half Q~, Qz. The
interruptions
25 or gaps'Y' in the tamper bead 115 may be shaped differently according to
the means
of manufacture or desire to minimise the amount of material used, The
relationship of
gape'Y'to segments'Z' may usefully be varied to save material for example by
making the dimension ratio 3Y to 2Z resulting in a material saving is in the
order of
b0% of the material used in a solid tamper bead and such container necks and
tamper
3o beads caa be designed so as to operate with other closures.
The various aspects of the present invention can be applied to dispensing
closures for particular dry goods, such as spices. For example, closures of
the type
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33
disclosed in US )latent No. 6,341,720 are 5,799,838 may be adapted as
illustrated in
accornpanying Figs. 33 to 35. 'With reference to Figs. 34 to 36, the closure
10 has an
annular retention features 123 which, in cooperation with annular projection
47 on
over cap 40 serves to retain the over cap when replaced onto the closure after
the
initial fracturing of the frangible bridges of the tamper-evidenf ring 43. An
opening
70 is provided for spoon or bulk dispensing, whilst an adjacent opening 71
comprising
a plurality of apertures is provided for a shaker-type dispenser.
The tamper-evident over cap 47 has discrete Sealing means 85 and 86
respectively sealing the closure openings 70 and 71. The sealing means operate
by
1o means of interference ~t between outer walls 84 and inner walls 49 of the
opeaings 70
and 71. One or more hinge lines 80 which may be spaced apart, allow one or
more
over cap portions (for example over cap portion 88) to ba lifted upwards to.
allow
dispensing of contents of the. container through the orifices. Preferably, one
of the
hinge lines is located such that more than 50% of the circumference of the
over cap
remains affixed to the closure by cooperation between the annular retention
feature
123 and annular projection 47:
Referring to Fig. 37, a partial section of the tamper-evident closure and
receptacle or cup is depicted. Tho closure 10 has sealing means 40 to
sealingly
engage the inside wall 65 of a container neck and sealing nneans 44 to
sea,lingly
2o engage the outside wall 64 of the container neck 60. A tamper band 55 is
attached to
skirt 30 by means of frangible bridges 50 and more than one tamper band
engagement
portion 58 is separate from each other, thus facilitating less resistance when
passing
over the container tamper bead 61 upon application to the container,
The cylindrical receptacle 150 may be integrally formed in the closure, or
2s manufactured as a separate component and secured to tho inside of the upper
wall of
the closure. The receptacle may be of any desired length but advantageously
its
length extends from the top wall 20 of the closure to between the lines marked
"G"
and "H", such that the end of the receptacle does not project from the closure
whilst
the tamper band 55 is on the closure, thus facilitating ease of sorting and
orienting and
3o applying the closure to the container. When the elasure is removed from the
container, the end of the receptacle will project from the closure thus
facilitating
removal of any sealing means applied to the open end of the receptacle. The
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34
receptacle sealing means is necessary in order to separate the contents of the
receptacle from the contents of the container. The receptacle has an inside
wall 151
and an outside wall 152, the walls being thicker at the point at which the
walls join the
top wall 20 of the closure. The receptacle walls are thinner at the open end
of the
receptacle. Preferably, the tapering in the walls of the receptacle is
sufficient to allow
easy romaval of the mould by the relative movement between one or more mould
components andlor relative movement between the mould components and the
closure.
With reference to Figs. 38 and 38a, the mould assembly disclosed by Taha in
US Patent No. 6,651,093, which is hereby incorporated into the specification
by way
of cross-reference, has been modified to create the receptacle walls 150 and
151. 'The
annular receptacle xnay be of a smaller diameter and located closer to the
mould
portion 220. On larger diameter closures the width of the mould portion 218
can be
increased, thus facilitating creation of receptacle walls of greater length
than that
1 s shown.
Advantageously,.the various embodiments of the tamper-evident closure
according to the present invention may be adapted or combined with one or morn
of
the openings to dispense the contents of a container, or the threads and
tamper-evident
bead on the outside skirt so that a plug seal type over cap can be aff'uced to
the basic
2o closure in order to seal the container initially and provide clearly
visible evidence that
the over cap has been opened. Additionally this provides means to reseal the
container. This is useful, especially in instances where the container has a
wide
dimensional tolerance; since the basic closure can be snapped into a sealing
position
and riot able to be removed without first removing the tamper~evident band.
The over
25 cap can be designed to seal more effectively in multiple removal/resealing
operations.
The present invention includes any ono or more of the aspects disclosed herein
incorporated with the mquld assembly and closures disclosed in US Patent Nos.
x,598,833, 6,551,093, 6,626,310 and 6,640,988 and Australian Patent No. 550878
and
Australian Patent Application No. 79927/98 the disclosures of which are hereby
30 incorporated into this specification by way of cross-reference.
The various aspects of the present invention described above may be combined
with any one or more of the following:
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(i) Various child resistant features, one .of which may be of the typo
whereby it is necessary to exert downward force either on the top of the
closure or on the top of an over-cap which fits over the top of the
closure, such that the downward force overcomes resistance thereby
allowing arigagoment means between the over-cap and the closure to
enable removal rotation of the closure to operate the tamper.evident
feature and remove the closure from the neck of the container.
{ii) child-resistant tamper~evident closures, including' a "squeeze dropper"
type dispensing closure.
1o (iii) Dispensing closures for liquids, such as oils.
(iv) Dispensing closures for particulate matters, such as granular powders
and the like.
{v) The moulding ofthe closure from more than one type ofmaterial. For
example, it would assist recycling if the closure tamper-evident band
i s was moulded in the same materiax as the container. Tn another example
a different colour or typo of material may be used to mould the tamper
band promoting visual difference between closure body and tamper
band or physical performance of the tamper band.
(vi) Various dispensing means such as, but not limited to, a perforated or
20 partially perforated closure with flip top cover, a flexible membrane
with cruciform or other pattern slits or openings to thereby permit the
dispensing of container contents or a pump action dispenser or a
pushlpull valve closing/opening feature.
(vii) A closure applied by axial rather than rotational motion and closures
zs with more than one thread means.
(viii) A closure with a cooperating ratchet or engagement means between the
tamper-evident band and features on the neck of the container such that
cooperation between the said engagement means or any of them upon
removal rotation of the threaded closure tends to promote severing of
30 the frangible ribs connecting the tamper-evident band to the skirt of the
closure. Said engagement means having camped surfaces which
cooperate during application of said closure to said container neck to
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3s
reduce rotational force on the tamper-evident band during application .
reducing the possibility of severing the frangible ribs connecting the .
. tamper-evident band to the skirt of the closure.
(ix) Various means of employing an additional foil seal to ensure freshness
s . of the contents of a container and which may include a means to pierce
the foil,
(x) Closures made of metal or plastic materials, or a combination of metal
and plastic materials as may be useful in hot fill vacuum seal packages.
(xi) Containers made of plastic, metal arid glass materials,
uo Although the various aspects of this invention have been described with
reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in.the
art that the
invention may be embodied in many other forms.
