Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02661679 2009-02-25
WO 2008/030400 PCT/US2007/019199
COMPOSITE CLOSURE WITH OUTER GRIPPING LAYER
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a molded plastic
closure, and
more particularly to a composite closure comprising an internally threaded
closure cap, and
an associated, integral outer gripping layer, wherein the closure is
configured for enhanced
gripping and manipulation by consumers, while facilitating handling by
automated
equipment, and further, while avoiding undesirable damage to the relatively
soft, outer
gripping layer. Enhanced visual appeal is achieved by portions of the closure
cap, in the
form of graphical elements, projecting through the outer gripping layer.
Background Of The Invention
[0002] Molded plastic closures have found widespread applicability in
the market
fOr packaging of all manner of food products and beverages. Such closures
typically have a
generally cylindrical configuration, including a top wall portion and a
depending annular skirt
portion. The sealing capabilities of such closures can be enhanced by the
provision of
sealing liners or like components for sealing engagement with an associated
container.
[0003] Naturally, easy and convenient use of such closures by
consumers is of
paramount concern, and accordingly, molded plastic closures typically include
features on
the exterior thereof, such as gripping ribs or the like, to facilitate
gripping and manipulation
by consumers. However, features of such closures which further facilitate
consumer use
desirably enhance versatile application of such products.
[0004] The present invention is directed to a composite closure
construction
configured for enhanced gripping and manipulation by consumers. At the same
time, the
closure is configured to facilitate handling by automated equipment, and also
is configured
to minimize damage to the closure which can otherwise occur attendant to
normal handling,
storage, and shipment of such closures. The closure is desirably configured
for enhanced
aesthetic presentation.
Summary Of The Invention
[0005] The present invention is directed to a composite closure having
an
integral outer gripping layer of relatively pliable plastic material to
facilitate enhanced
gripping and manipulation of the closure by consumers. Notably, the outer
gripping layer
extends at least about the periphery of a skirt portion of the closure, thus
greatly facilitating
removal of the closure from an associated threaded container or the like.
Notably, the
closure is configured for enhanced presentation of graphical elements, which
extend
through the outer gripping layer, with the closure further including
specifically provided
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features to facilitate handling of the composite closures by automated
equipment, while
avoiding damage to the closures attendant to normal packaging, storage, and
shipment.
[0006] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present
composite
closure includes a molded closure cap having a top wall portion, and a
depending, internally
threaded, annular skirt portion. In accordance with the present invention, the
closure further
includes an outer gripping layer applied to at least an outer periphery of the
skirt portion of
the closure cap. The outer gripping layer, which can be formed by over-molding
on the
closure cap, or by co-injection molding as is known in the art, is desirably
formed from
plastic material which is relatively soft, and thus provides the closure with
a peripheral
surface which is readily and easily gripped and manipulated by consumers.
[0007] Further in accordance with the present invention, the closure
cap of the
present composite closure includes at least one projecting portion which
extends to at least
the surface of the outer gripping layer. In one aspect of the present
invention, the projecting
portion extends through the outer gripping layer, and is configured in the
form of one or
more graphical elements which project through, and are visibly distinct
generally within the
outer gripping layer. Configuring the closure cap and outer gripping layer
from suitably
contrasting colors enhances the aesthetic appeal of the graphical elements.
Disposition of
the graphical elements so as to extend generally through the outer gripping
layer further
facilitates gripping and manipulation of the composite closure.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, the projecting
portion of the
closure cap extends beyond the outer gripping layer, with the projecting
portion thus
desirably acting to facilitate handling of the closure by automated equipment.
In particular,
because the outer gripping layer can exhibit a relatively high coefficient of
friction, or
"tackiness", the layer can undesirably impede feeding and/or transport of
closures by
automated equipment. The projecting portion of the closure cap, by virtue of
extending
beyond the outer gripping layer, desirably provides a sliding surface for
engagement with
handling equipment, while avoiding disruption that can otherwise occur as the
relatively soft,
outer gripping layer engages the equipment. Moreover, the integrity and
appearance of the
gripping layer is desirably maintained.
[0009] In one form, the projecting portion comprises an annular
element which
projects outwardly from the free edge of the skirt portion of the closure cap.
The projecting
portion may be also provided in the form of an annular element which projects
upwardly
from the top wall portion of the closure cap, again, beyond the surface of the
outer gripping
layer. Preferably, annular projecting portions are provided in both forms,
i.e., projecting
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from the skirt portion and the top wall portion, generally along respective
margins of the
gripping layer.
[0010] In order to avoid undesirable damage, such as scratching or
nicking, to
the relatively soft, outer gripping layer, the present composite closure
preferably includes an
inner free edge of the skirt portion which defines a radius which is
sufficient to avoid
damage to the outer gripping layer of other like ones of the composite
closures during
handling. This radius is preferably provided and arranged from about 0.050
inches to about
0.090 inches, most preferably about 0.070 inches.
[0011] Manufacture of the present composite closure, including
projecting
portions in the form of graphical elements on the outer periphery of the skirt
portion, is
facilitated by configuring and positioning the graphical elements in a
preferred form with
respect to a mold parting line defined by the closure. As will be recognized
by those familiar
with the art, the exterior of the closure cap of the composite closure of the
present invention
can be efficiently formed by a two-part mold, with the closure defining a mold
parting line at
which the mold portions mate. To facilitate molding of the graphical elements
of the present
closure, while enhancing their visual appeal, side surfaces of the graphical
elements are
preferably configured to extend perpendicularly to the mold parting line.
[0012] Manufacture is further facilitated by providing the graphical
elements in
first and second groups, with the groups arranged in diametrically opposed
relationship.
Preferably, each group of graphical elements is positioned within a respective
quadrant of
the closure, with each one of the quadrants positioned a right angle with
respect to the mold
parting line defined by the closure.
[0012a] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
composite
closure, comprising:
a closure cap having a top wall portion and an annular, internally
threaded depending skirt portion having an internal thread formation; and
an outer gripping layer comprising relatively soft thermoplastic material
applied to at least an outer periphery of said skirt portion, said closure cap
including a plurality
of projecting portions that extend at least to a surface of said outer
gripping layer, including an
annular projecting portion projecting radially outwardly from a free edge of
said skirt portion,
and another annular projecting portion extending upwardly from said top wall
portion, said
projecting portions being positioned along respective margins of said gripping
layer and
facilitating handling of the composite closure, said closure cap including at
least two further
projecting portions in the form of graphical elements that have an open
configuration and
extend outwardly from said skirt portion of said cap which project through the
outer gripping
layer that contacts all side surfaces of each of the graphic elements, said
graphical elements
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being provided in first and second, diametrically opposed groups, wherein each
group of the
graphical elements is positioned substantially within a respective quadrant of
the closure.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become
readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying
drawings, and
the appended claims.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
[0014] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a composite closure
embodying the
principles of the present invention;
[0015] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a closure cap of the present
composite closure;
[0016] FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the composite closure
of the
present invention;
[0017] FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the closure cap of the present
closure;
[0018] FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view, in partial cross-
section, of the
present closure; and
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[0019] FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of composite
closures
configured in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description
[0020] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various
forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, a
presently
preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to
be
considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to
limit the invention to
the specific embodiments illustrated.
[0021] With reference to the drawings, therein is illustrated a
composite closure
embodying the principles of the present invention. Composite closure 10
includes a
molded plastic closure cap 12, and an outer gripping layer 14 of relatively
soft material
which is applied to at least an outer periphery of the closure cap 12. Closure
cap 12 can be
efficiently formed from polypropylene or polyethylene, while outer gripping
layer 14 is
preferably formed from relatively soft, thermoplastic elastomeric material.
[0022] Closure cap 12 is preferably of unitary, one-piece
construction, and
includes a top wall portion 16, and an annular, depending skirt portion 18
having an internal
thread formation 20.
[0023] In order to enhance gripping and manipulation of closure 10 by
consumers, the outer gripping layer 14 preferably extends at least generally
along the height
of skirt portion 18. Because the outer gripping layer 14 typically exhibits a
relatively high
frictional coefficient, in comparison to the closure cap 12, the closure cap
12 includes at
least one projecting portion which extends at least to the surface of the
outer gripping layer
14.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, two such projecting elements are
provided
which extend beyond the surface of the outer gripping layer, and desirably act
to facilitate
handling of closures by automated equipment, by providing sliding surfaces for
contact with
the equipment, while avoiding contact with the outer gripping layer.
[0025] In particular, an outwardly-projecting annular element 22 is
provided at
the free edge of skirt portion 14, with annular element 22 projecting beyond
the outer.
surface of outer gripping layer 14. In a presently preferred form, another
outwardly
projecting element is provided in the form of annular projection 24 which
projects outwardly
from the top wall portion 16 of the closure cap, again, beyond the outer
surface of outer
gripping layer 14. Thus, the annular projecting element 22 and 24 are
positioned along
respective margins of the gripping layer 14.
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[0026] Notably, the free edge of the skirt portion 18 is preferably
configured so
as to minimize damage to the outer gripping layer 14, which can otherwise
occur attendant
to storage and transport of closures. In particular, the relatively soft,
outer gripping layer 14
can be subject to scratching, abrasion, or other damage in the event that the
outer gripping
layer of one closure contacts the relatively hard closure cap 12 of another
one of the
closures, such as during storage or handling (see diagrammatic view of FIGURE
6).
[0027] To this end, the inner free edge of the skirt portion 18
defines a radius, at
R, which is sufficient to avoid damage to the outer gripping layer of other
like ones of the
composite closures during handling. This radius is illustrated in FIGURE 5,
with the radius
preferably being from about 0.050 inches to about 0.090 inches, with a current
embodiment
of the present closure having a radius of about 0.070 inches. Scuffing,
abrasion, or other
damage to the outer gripping layer of other like composite closures is
desirably avoided.
[0028] While projecting portions of the closure cap 12 of the present
closure are
preferably provided to facilitate handling by automated equipment, another
aspect of the
present invention contemplates that one or more projecting portions be
provided in the form
of graphical elements which extend outwardly from the skirt portion 18 of the
closure cap
through the outer gripping layer 14. To this end, the closure cap includes
outwardly
projecting portions in the form of graphical elements 26 which project through
the outer
gripping layer 14 and are preferably coextensive with the outer surface of the
outer gripping
layer. The colors of the closure cap 12 and outer gripping layer 14 are
preferably selected
to be suitably contrasting, whereby the graphical elements 26 are not only
aesthetically
pleasing, but can further desirably function to alert consumers to the
presence of the outer
gripping layer to facilitate closure manipulation.
[0029] FIGURE 4 illustrates features of closure cap 12 which
facilitate
manufacture of the present composite closure. In particular, the exterior of
closure cap 12
can be efficiently formed by a two-part mold, wherein the mold components mate
with each
other along a mold parting line, designated PL, defined by the closure.
Preferably, the
graphical elements 26 define side surfaces which extend perpendicularly to the
mold parting
line, thus facilitating efficient closure manufacture. Manufacture is further
facilitated by
providing the graphical elements 26 in first and second, diametrically opposed
groups,
wherein each group of the graphical elements is positioned substantially
within a respective
quadrant (i.e., 90 degree segment) of the closure, designated Ql and Q2 in the
illustrated
embodiment. As will be observed, each of the quadrants Qi, Q2, are
perpendicular to the
parting line PL defined by the closure, whereby manufacture is further
facilitated.
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[0030] As illustrated, graphical elements 26 are preferably each
provided with an
open configuration, that is, there are no regions of the graphical elements
which would
otherwise be closed to the flow of the plastic material from which outer
gripping layer 14 is
formed (note the open configuration of the letters "R" and "P" in the
illustrated embodiment).
By this arrangement, the outer gripping layer contacts all side surfaces of
each of the
graphical elements 26.
[0031] Erom the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
modifications and
variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of
the novel
concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation
with respect to the
specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The
disclosure is
intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall
within the scope of
the claims.
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