Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ITS METHOD OF FORMING
The present invention relates to a closure system
comprising a neck and a cap engageable with the neck. The
closure system includes tamper evident means comprising a
locking member attached to the neck such that, having
applied the cap to the neck, the cap is prevented from being
removed from the neck prior to breaking of the tamper
evident means.
Paperboard cartons have long been known to benefit from
the addition of a plastics pouring device or spout commonly
referred to as a"fitment". Such devices commonly comprise
a neck and many are initially closed by an integrally
moulded disc within the neck structure. The disc is joined
to the neck by means of a frangible tear-line and is
provided with a grip mechanism in the form of a pull-ring or
pull-tab. A user, on initial opening of the paperboard
carton, grasps the grip mechanism and tears the moulded disc
away from the neck structure along the frangible tear-line.
These devices are generally additionally provided with a cap
which surrounds the outside features of the neck and
provides the facility to reclose the carton once it has been
opened.
Such devices thus provide reasonable tamper evidence as
well as sealing properties appropriate to aseptic or
extended life applications. The disadvantage that such
devices have is-their well known potential for splashing the
packaged product as a result of the sudden release of the
disc on opening.
In another variation of the fitment system no disc is
provided within the neck structure and, instead, the
interaction between the cap and neck is designed to provide
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both a primary seal and the tamper evident capability.
Whilst this variation overcomes the problem associated with
the frequent splashing of the packaged product on opening,
it has provided poor compatibility with standard long life
(aseptic) cleaning systems. This is because, in order to
provide a satisfactory primary seal, it has been thought
necessary for the surfaces of the cap to engage closely with
the surfaces of the neck with the result that it has then
been difficult to flush the surfaces of the assembled
fitment with an aseptic cleaning solution. If a fitment
cannot be processed in this way, then it cannot be used to
contain products intended to have an extended shelf life and
the usefulness of the fitment is therefore limited.
Furthermore, depending oh the nature of the tamper
evidence, if the tamper evident feature is intended to be
retained on either the cap or the neck (as opposed to simply
being discarded), there is a risk that the tamper evident
feature may become detached during normal use. This is
regarded as a major issue since if the tamper evident
feature were to fall into the receptacle into which the
packaged contents were being dispensed and this went
unnoticed by the user there then exists the possibility of
the tamper evident feature contaminating the dispensed
product or, worse still, the user swallowing the tamper
evident feature if, as is often the case, the product is
intended for human consumption. Because of this risk the
tamper evident features of fitments of this type have become
increasingly complex and costly to manufacture.
In contrast to this trend the present invention
provides a closure system of reduced complexity and which is
cheaper to manufacture in which a locking member is attached
to the neck, the locking member being orientated in a first
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position with respect to the neck to facilitate moulding of
the neck and orientated in a second position with respect to
the neck to prevent removal of at least a portion of the cap
from the neck. Furthermore, the locking member is moved
from the first position to the second position upon
application of the cap to the neck.
Whilst it is recognised that the use,'on a cap, of a
radially inwardly projecting locking bead to engage below a
radially outwardly projecting abutment surface provided on a
neck is well known to prevent the lifting up of the cap,
such an arrangement requires the creation of an undercut on
the neck in order to produce the abutment surface. This is
both complex and expensive to produce. In particular, such
a neck, it if is to be moulded, requires a mould tool having
parts that open in at least two transverse directions.
Similarly, although it is known to provide tamper
evident means which include folded features, these are
typically provided on the cap and form an inverting band
which folds upwardly and inwardly from a lower edge of the
cap skirt. By contrast, in the closure system of the
present invention the locking member is attached to the neck
at a point part way up the neck wall and, in use, is
inverted downwards, away from the dispensing orifice. This
arrangement also serves to limit the potential for levering
up the underside of the cap in order to defeat the tamper
evident feature.
According to a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided a closure system comprising a cap, a neck
and tamper evident means, the system allowing the
application of the cap to the neck whereupon the tamper
evident means prevents the cap from being removed from the
neck while the tamper evident means remains intact.
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Advantageously the neck is provided with flexible
locking members, the members being adapted to engage with
the tamper evident means on the cap and thus to resist
subsequent removal of an annular band after application of
the cap to the neck.
Advantageously the locking members are moulded in a
flexible format able to adapt to release on removal from a
standard and mostly conventional single axis mould movement
providing great opportunity for economical manufacturing
benefit to such a system over conventional systems.
Advantageously the locking member will be adapted to
fold downwards post moulding as a result of application of a
suitable downward force of the cap or external force.
Advantageously, upon application of the cap to the
neck, the locking wall members hinge with respect to the
closure annular band, this providing downward and inward
folding movement which forms adaptable engagement with the
annular band on the closure.
Advantageously the flexible locking members may be
formed as a plurality of flexible tabs. The plurality of
flexible tabs may be circumferentially spaced with each tab
being separated from an adjacent tab on either side by a
pair of slits.
Advantageously these tabs are shaped with a radial form
which once inverted downwards and inwardly will form against
a truncated wall of the cylindrically shaped neck to enhance
the structural strength and maintain maximum contact with
the annular contact band provided to the closure.
Advantageously the locking member extends from the neck
in a direction which is inclined vertically outwardly at an
angle of between 0 and 15 to the vertical axis of the
closure system thus providing an adaptable fit to
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accommodate variations in size of the two components and
enhancing the tamper evident security and ability to retain
the tear band feature after opening.
Advantageously the locking member may comprise a
plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements, the
locking elements having a first circumferential dimension
adjacent the annular band and a second circumferential
dimension adjacent the neck, the first circumferential
dimension being greater than the second circumferential
dimension. Preferably, the locking elements are separated by
a plurality of apertures, the apertures being arranged in
groups on circumferentially opposite sides of the locking
member.
Alternatively, the locking member may comprise one or
more pleats or folds. In another arrangement the locking
member may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced
locking elements separated by areas of weakness or reduced
thickness.
Advantageously the cap may be provided with engagement
means for repeated and releasable engagement with
complimentary engagement means provided on the neck.
Preferably the pair of complimentary engagement means may
comprise a pair of helical thread configurations. Under such
circumstances, the configuration provided on the neck is
preferably a male thread configuration.
Advantageously the pair of thread configurations is
adapted so as to permit the application of the cap to the
neck by means of an axially applied force whereupon the
threads on the cap slide over those provided on the neck and
then interengage. Preferably the threads on the cap are
orientated with respect to those on the neck in such a way
that upon axial application of the cap to the neck the
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respective thread configurations are placed in optimal
thread engagement.
Advantageously the cap may be provided with an annular
plug for receipt within a bore of the neck.
Advantageously the closure system comprises a fitment
for attachment to a carton or other container.
Alternatively, the closure system containing the
locking members may be integrally moulded with a container,
the neck forming a'neck of the container.
Advantageously there is provided an inwardly formed
diameter connected to the inside walls of the neck creating
an opening able to interact with a suitable formed seal
diameter projecting from the underside of the closure to
form a gaseous and liquid tight seal.
Advantageously this inward formed diameter will
maintain the point of seal at a distance of between 0.1mm
and 5mm clear of the side wall to allow access of cleaning
solutions and light able to cleanse the accessible area for
the purpose of hygienic and aseptic type packing.
Advantageously said inward formed diameter will provide
strength to the structure to permit further light weighting
of the design facilitated primarily by the novel flexible
locking members.
Advantageously said inward formed diameter shall be
formed with a slightly downward angle of face to allow ease
of application of closure seal and return of product after
dispensing.
According to a second aspect of the present invention
there is provided a closure system comprising a cap, a neck
and tamper evident means moulded in a flexible structure,
the structure allowing the application of the cap to the
neck whereupon the tamper evident means prevents the cap
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from being removed from the neck while the tamper evident
means remains intact.
Advantageously a locking member is joined to the neck
at a flexible connection and contacting cap at the extent
of member whereupon the member co-operates with the neck and
the cap to form said tamper evident means.
Advantageously said tamper security comprises an
annular band adapted to pass over the neck upon application
of the cap to the neck and a locking member engaged to the
annular band, the locking member being adapted to co-operate
with the neck to resist the subsequent rembval of the
annular band from the neck.
Advantageously the closure system is installed with a
series of frangible bridges between the section of annular
ring and threaded portion to provide means of tamper
evidence.
Advantageously the closure system is installed with
slit bridges post assembly of the cap to the neck structure.
Advantageously the locking member is hinged and
preferentially, though not essentially, radially formed to
allow the neck form to lock fully over to within close
proximity of the neck form to more effectively support the
closure system allowing for post assembly slitting of bridge
form.
Advantageously the flexible locking member(s) is joined
to the neck by a web or point of weakness this forming a
hinge permitting the locking member to invert to a downward
and slightly outward location thus providing the necessary
surface to cooperate with the annular ring of the closure
and create effective tamper proof engagement.
Advantageously the neck is provided with a locking
wall, the annular ring of closure being adapted to engage.
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with the locking wall to resist subsequent removal of the
annular band upon application of the cap to the neck.
Advantageously the act of applying the cap to the neck
causes the locking member to fold inwardly of the annular
band.
Advantageously upon application of the cap to the neck
the locking member hinges with respect to the annular band,
folding inwardly and into engagement with a locking wall
provided on the closure.
Advantageously the annular band is joined to the cap at
a frangible connection, said frangible connection being
adapted to break upon the attempted removal of the cap from
the neck.
Advantageously the locking member is formed to a radius
able to co-operate with the neck form on final inverting.
Advantageously locking connections are formed as a
plurality of frangible tabs connected to the neck form.
Advantageously said plurality of flexible locking tabs
are circumferentially spaced with each tab being separated
from an adjacent tab on either side by a pair of slits,
openings or folding pleats.
Advantageously the flexible locking member extends from
the neck to a point able to cooperate with the annular band
of closure on inverting of said flexible locking member.
Advantageously the flexible locking member extends from
the neck in a direction which is inclined vertically
outwardly at an angle of between 0 and 150 to the axis of
the closure system thus providing an adaptable fit to
accommodate variations in size between the two components
and enhancing the tamper evident security and ability to
retain the tear band feature after opening.
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Advantageously the flexible locking elements are
separated by a plurality of apertures.
Advantageously the flexible locking member comprises
one or more pleats or folds.
Advantageously the cap is provided with engagement
means for repeated and releasable engagement with
complimentary engagement means provided on the neck.
Advantageously the pair of complimentary engagement
means comprise between 1 and 10 helical thread
configurations
Advantageously the thread configuration provided on the
neck is a male thread configuration.
Advantageously the thread configuration provided on the
neck is a female thread configuration.
Advantageously the thread configurations are adapted so
as to permit the application of the cap to the neck by means
of a rotationally and axially applied force whereupon the
threads on the cap slide over those provided on the neck to
create engagement.
Advantageously the cap is provided with an annular plug
for receipt within a bore of the neck.
Advantageously the frangible bridges connecting the
annular ring portion and threaded portion are formed
preferentially, though not essentially, by slitting or other
method after assembly of closure to neck form.
Advantageously the closure system comprises a fitment
for attachment to a carton or other container.
According to a further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a closure in combination with a neck which
when assembled provides access of between 0.5mm and 5mm
towards point closure and neck cooperate to provide a seal
thus allowing for more effective sanitizing.
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According to a further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a neck form providing an inwardly
projected surface creating a point of seal 0.5mm-5rnm clear
of the neck side wall.
Advantageously the inwardly projected surface is
preferentially, though not essentially, angled downwards
towards the opening of the neck to permit product return
flow and enhance seal and application by creation of
mechanical advantages.
According to a further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a method of closing a container in a
tamper evident manner comprising the steps of moulding a
flexible locking member to the neck of the container by
which means form a structure which by applying the cap to
the neck prevents the cap from being removed from the neck
while the tamper evident ring attached to the closure
remains intact.
Advantageously the tamper evidence mechanism of the
closure may be created by slitting of the bridge formation
after the closure is assembled to the neck thus permitting
for weaker bridge form and resultant enhancement to the
tamper evidence.
The present invention will now be described by way of
example with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closure system
embodying the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the closure system
of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a neck portion of
the closure system;
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Figure 4 is a detailed cross sectional view of the neck
portion of the present invention showing a flexible locking
member;
Figure 5 is an elevational view of the neck portion of
the closure system;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a cap portion of
the closure system;
Figures 7(a), (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of
the closure system showing the movement and resultant
position of the flexible locking member when the cap portion
is applied to the neck portion;
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the closure
system once the cap portion has been fully applied;
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the closure
system after the cap portion has been removed and with a
tamper evident band retained on the neck portion.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a closure system embodying
the present invention may take the form of a fitment 10.
The fitment 10 comprises a neck portion 12 and a cap portion
14.
The neck portion 12 is shown in more detail in Figures
3 to 5 and comprises an apertured flange 16having
substantially smooth and planar upper and lower surfaces 18
and 20, respectively.
Surrounding the aperture, a cylindrical wall 22
projects upwardly from the upper flange surface 18 to form a
smooth lower neck portion. At an end remote from the
apertured flange 16, the cylindrical wall 22 merges with an
upwardly and radially inwardly projecting wall 24. This
upwardly and radially inwardly projecting wall 24 in turn
merges with a second cylindrical wall 26 which has both a
reduced internal diameter and a reduced external diameter
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compared to the first cylindrical wall 22. However, the
first cylindrical wall 22 is of reduced wall thickness
compared to both the upwardly and radially inwardly
projecting wall 24 and the second cylindrical wall 26 as
well as the apertured flange 16.
At an end remote from the upwardly and radially
inwardly projecting wall 24, the second cylindrical wall 26
merges with a downwardly and radially inwardly directed
annular rim 28 which terminates at a cylindrical surface 30
defining a dispensing aperture or bore 32.
The second cylindrical wall 26, which defines an upper
neck portion, is provided on an external surface with
engagement means 34 with which to engage complimentary
engagement means provided on the cap portion 14. In the
example shown, the engagement means 34 take the form of a
male, equi-spaced, multi-lead helical thread configuration
which includes three threads or leads 36. It will be
apparent however, that the engagement means 34 may take a
number of different forms and, in particular, need not be
limited to three threads or leads but may comprise one or
two threads as appropriate. The engagement means 34 may
also comprise four, five or more threads if so desired.
In the illustrated embodiment, each thread 36 extends
about 1200 around the circumference of the second
cylindrical wall 26. Qnce again however, it will be
understood that threads of a lesser or greater extent may
also be employed. For example, each thread 36 may extend
within a range from 90 to more than 360 . Preferably the
helical thread configuration has a fine thread density to
limit the vertical float of the cap portion 14 with respect
to the neck portion 12. Thus, the thread density
preferably lies within a range of between 6 and 12 threads
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per linear inch. Most preferably of all, the helical thread
configuration has a thread density of approximately 8
threads per linear inch.
By contrast, on an external surface of the first
cylindrical wall 22, at or near where it merges with the
upwardly and radially inwardly projecting wall 24, the neck
portion 12 is provided with a plurality of upwardly and
radially outwardly directed locking members 40. The locking
members 40 are mutually spaced and arranged
circumferentially around the neck portion 12. Each locking
member 40 is joined to the first cylindrical wall 22 and/or
the upwardly and radially inwardly projecting wall 24 by a
thin web 42 which, with the locking member 40, defines, in
cross-section, an upwardly and radially outwardly directed
lower surface 44 which terminates in an end surface 46.
The end surface 46, remote from the first cylindrical wall
22 and the upwardly and radially inwardly projecting wall
24, extends substantially at right angles to the lower
surface 44 before joining, again at right angles, with a
downwardly and radially inwardly directed upper surface 48.
This upper surface 48 in turn merges with a substantially
downwardly directed necking surface 50 before merging with
an upper surface 52 of the web 42.
As can be seen more clearly in Figure 5, the locking
members 40 are curved such that the lower surface 44 has
substantially the same radius of curvature and centre of
curvature as the first cylindrical wall 22. Being of
substantially constant wall thickness, other than in the
region of the web 42 and necking surface 50, the upper
surface 48 is similarly curved.
Although the locking members 40 are shown as being
mutually spaced and arranged circumferentially around the
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neck portion 12, it will be understood that one or more (or,
indeed, all) of the locking members 40 may be joined by
pleats or folds extending between their respective side
surfaces. These pleats or folds may be of reduced wall
thickness compared to the locking members 40 to enhance
their flexibility or else may be of substantially the same
wall thickness and scored or necked along intended fold
lines.
On an internal surface, adja.cent the transition between
the apertured flange 16 and the first cylindrical wall 22,
the neck portion 12 is provided with a radially inwardly
projecting bead 38, the purpose of which will be described
in more detail below.
Turning to the cap portion 14 shown in Figure 6, the
cap portion comprises a circular top 60 having an
undersurface 62. The circular top 60 merges at a radially
outer edge with a downwardly and radially outwardly inclined
surface 64 which, in turn, merges with a depending annular
side wall 66 to form a downwardly extending skirt portion.
The depending annular side wall 66 is provided, on an
inner surface 68, with complimentary engagement means 70 for
repeated and releaseable engagement with the engagement
means 34 provided on the neck portion 12. As before, this
engagement means 70 may take many forms but, in the example
shown, comprise a male, equi-spaced, multi-lead helical
thread configuration having three threads or leads 72 and a
thread density of approximately 8 threads per linear inch.
Once again, however, it will be appreciated that the
complimentary engagement means 70 need not be limited to
three threads or leads but may comprise one or two threads
as appropriate. The complimentary engagement means 70 may
also comprise four or five or more threads if so desired.
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In the embodiment shown, each thread 72 extends
approximately 1200 around the inner surface 68 of the
depending annular side wall 66. However, it is to be
understood that this thread length may be increased or
decreased if desired. For example, each thread 72 may
extend in a range from 90 to more than 3600. Likewise, the
thread density is not intended to be limited to being about
8 threads per linear inch but, nevertheless, preferably lies
within the range from about 6 to about 12 threads per linear
inch.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, if one
of the engagement means 34 or 70 comprises a male helical
thread configuration, then the other of the two engagement
means may comprise a helical groove configuration. In the
case of two male helical thread configurations, it will be
apparent that one or both of the thread configurations may
be interrupted at intervals along its length.
The two thread configurations may be shaped so as to
slip past one another when a direct, axial downward force is
applied to the cap portion 14 to urge the cap portion into
engagement with the neck portion 12.. In other words, when
the cap portion 14 is pushed onto the neck portion 12, the
threads 72 on the cap'portion 14 snap over the threads 36 on
the neck portion 12 before interengaging with them. This
may be made possible by appropriate shaping of the threads
36 and 72, for example, by forming the threads with an
asymmetric cross-section or by making them less pronounced.
Alternatively, if it is desired to rotate the cap portion 14
onto the neck portion 12, the threads 36 and 72 may be of
symmetrical, as opposed to asymmetrical, cross-section and
may be more pronounced.
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In addition to the complimentary engagement means 70,
the interior of the cap portion 14 is provided with an
annular plug 74 which depends from the undersurface 62 of
the circular top 60 and is spaced radially inwardly of the
depending annular side wall 66. The annular plug 74 is
defined by a respective radially inner and outer walls 76
and 78. The radially outer plug wall 78 merges at an end
remote from the circular top 60 with a generally downward
and radially inwardly directed surface 80. This generally
downward and radially inwardly directed surface 80
intersects the radially inner plug wall 76 and, together,
serves to provide the annular plug 74 with a bevelled
radially outer surface and a tapering cross-section. The
tapering cross-section is further accentuated by the fact
that, whereas the radially outer plug wall 78 extends in a
direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the
undersurface 62, the radially inner plug wall 76 extends
from the undersurface 62 in a direction which is both
downward and radially outward.
By contrast, on an exterior of the cap portion 14, the
depending annular side wall 66 is provided on its outer
surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced,
vertically extending ribs 82 which serve as knurls to
facilitate the gripping of the cap portion 14 by a user.
The vertically extending ribs 82 also facilitate the
assembly of the cap portion 14 to the neck portion 12 during
the mechanical process for the assembly of the fitment 10.
As is common with a number of caps, a small downwardly
directed dimple 84 is formed in the centre of the circular
top 60 so that any flash left after the cap portion 14 has
been moulded does not project above a plane defined by the
upper surface of the circular top 60.
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In addition to the foregoing features, the inner
surface 68 of the depending annular side wall 66 is provided
with a radially inwardly projecting bead 86 at an end remote
from the circular top 60. The radially inwardly projecting
bead 86 is, in turn, defined by a radially inwardly and
downwardly directed surface 88 which merges with the inner
surface 68 and, with it, forms an internal shoulder 90. At
an end remote from the inner surface 68, the radially
inwardly and downwardly directed surface 88 merges with a
downwardly and radially outwardly directed surface 92 before
this last surface, in turn, merges with an end surface 94 of
the depending annular side wall 66, the end surface 94
extending generally at right angles to the inner surface 68.
Between the radially inwardly projecting bead 86 and
the engagement means 70, the depending annular side wall 66
is provided with a plurality of circumferential slits or
spaces 96. These slits or spaces 96 are mutually spaced by
frangible bridging elements 98 and together serve to define
a circumferential line of weakness which divides the
downwardly extending skirt portion defined by the depending
annular side wall 66.into an upper skirt section and a lower
skirt section in which the lower skirt section is capable of
functioning as a retained tamper evident band 100. As will
be apparent to those skilled in the art, the circumferential
slits or spaces 96 may be formed as a secondary slitting
operation and may be created mechanically after the cap
portion 14 has been moulded. Alternatively, the slitting
operation may be performed after the cap portion 14 has been
assembled onto the neck portion 12. In another arrangement
the circumferential slits or spaces 96 may be formed during
the process of moulding the cap portion 14. Although
moulding the circumferential slits or spaces 96 provides the
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advantage that no secondary operations are then required to
the cap portion 14 other than assembly to the neck portion
12, one disadvantage is that the strength of the bridging
elements 98 can not be easily adjusted without major re-
tooling. Another disadvantage is that without correct
maintenance there is a risk that flashing may occur within
the circumferential slits or spaces 96 which may, in turn,
adversely affect the tamper evident properties of the
fitment 10. Both these disadvantages are addressed by a
secondary slitting operation. In addition the cap portion 14
can then be moulded using a single axis mould tool. Such
mould tools, in which the mould components open and close
along only a single axis, are generally less complex, less
costly and may run faster and more efficiently than their
multi-axis counterparts. Furthermore, the strength or
dimensions of the bridging elements 98 can be easily
adjusted by replacing a single blade in the slitting
machine. The disadvantage, of course, is that a second
machine is required to do the slitting and these can be
costly when required to run at high volumes.
In order to assemble the fitment 10, the cap portion 14
is offered up to the neck portion 12 in the orientation
illustrated schematically in Figures 7(a), (b) and (c). The
cap portion 14 may be applied to the neck portion 12 by
means of a push-on application, whereby the threads 72 on
the cap portion 14 snap over those provided on the neck
portion 12, or else by means of a rotary application in
which the cap portion 14 is threaded onto the neck portion
12 and the two thread configurations interengage in the
conventional manner. In any event, prior to the
interengagement of the threads 36 and 72, the radially
inwardly projecting bead 86 provided on the inner surface 68
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of the depending annular side wall 66 passes over the
engagement means 34 provided on the neck portion 12. This
is, in part, facilitated by the riding of the engagement
means 34 up the downwardly and radially outwardly directed
surface 92 of the radially inwardly projecting bead 86 as
the cap portion 14 is applied to the neck portion 12.
Having reached the position shown in Figure 7(a)
continued movement of the cap portion 14 in the direction of
the neck portion 12 causes the end surface 94 of the
depending annular side wall 66 to come into engagement with
the locking members 40. As shown in Figure 7(b), this
engagement occurs at a location radially outwardly of the
web 42 and causes the locking members 40 to fold or rotate
downwardly about the connection between the web .42 and the
first cylindrical side wall 22. This movement continues
until such time as the lower surface 44 of the locking,
member 40 is pressed against the smooth first cylindrical
wall 22. It will be remembered that these two surfaces
share a substantially common radius and centre of curvature
to enable the locking members 40 to hug the first
cylindrical wall 22 in a close confronting relationship
notwithstanding the fact that the wall is cylindrical in
nature.
As the locking members 40 hinge downwardly, the
radially inwardly projecting bead 86 slides down the upper
surface 48 until such time as the components reach the
position shown in Figure 7(c). In this position the
radially inwardly projecting bead 86 has passed beyond the
end surface 46 of the locking member 40 and occupies a
position between the locking member 40 and the apertured
flange 16. Fuithermore, the locking member 40 is received
within the shoulder 90 defined by the radially inwardly and
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downwardly directed surface 88 of the radially inwardly
projecting bead 86 and the inner surface 68 of the depending
annular side wall 66. At the same time, the natural
resilience of the material used to form the locking members
40 tends to urge the locking members 40 to rotate in such a
way as to return to their as-moulded, starting position
shown in Figure 7(a). Although this movement is prevented
by the presence of the cap portion 14, nonetheless this bias
causes the upper surface 48 of the locking members 40 in the
region close to the end surface 46 to engage even more
pressingly with the inner surface 68 of the depending
annular side wall 66. This, of course, in turn means that
the end surface 46 of the locking members 40 is brought
evermore reliably into confronting relationship with the
radially inwardly projecting bead 86.
As the cap portion 14 is applied to the neck portion
12, the annular plug 74 is also received within the bore 32
defined by the cylindrical surface 30 at the radially inner
end of the downwardly and radially inwardly directed annular
rim.28. In so doing, the generally downward and radially
inwardly directed surface 80 slides along the cylindrical
surface 30 causing the annular plug 74 to flex slightly
radially inwardly. This same movement also causes the
downwardly and radially inwardly directed annular rim 28 to
flex slightly downwardly. Once fully received within the
bore 32, the restoring force inherent in the resilient
nature of the design and materials making up the annular rim
28 and the annular plug 74 causes the radially outer plug
wall 78 to be urged into sealing engagement with the
cylindrical surface 30. Thus, in the assembled condition,
the interaction between the annular plug 74 and the
cylindrical surface 30 constitutes a primary seal.
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With the closure system in the assembled condition, the
fitment 10 may be applied to a paperboard or other carton in
the conventional manner. In this regard it will be noted
that the opening to the neck portion 12 defined by the
radially inwardly projecting bead 38 facilitates the
insertion of a spud of a manipulation tool. Since the
apertured flange 16 has substantially smooth and planer
upper and lower surfaces 18 and 20, the fitment 10 may be
bonded either to the outside or to the inside of a carton
panel as desired. However, in another arrangement, the neck
portion 12 may be provided with one or more additional
projections which co-operate with the apertured flange 16 to
retain the fitment 10 in a specific orientation with respect
to the carton panel to which the fitment is to be attached.
Once the fitment 10 has been applied to a carton, the
fitment provides that carton with a closure that can be
repeatedly opened and closed as desired and which offers
excellent sealing and re-sealing characteristics. In
addition, the fitment 10 also provides a tamper evident
capability to alert a consumer should the contents of the
carton have been compromised prior to initial opening. This
tamper evident capability is provided in the form of a
retained tamper evident band 100 which must first be
separated from the cap portion 14 before the cap portion can
be removed from the neck portion 12. If a consumer finds
that the tamper evident band 100 has been separated from the
cap portion 14 before the fitment 10 has first been opened
by them then it is possible that the contents of the carton
may have been tampered with or may have become adversely
affected in some other way. The tamper evident capability
of the fitment 10 functions as follows.
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In the assembled condition the cap portion 14 is
prevented from being removed from the neck portion 12 in an
axial direction by the interengagement of the engagement
means 34 and 70 and by the engagement of the end surfaces 46
of the locking members 40 with the radially inwardly
projecting bead 86. Furthermore, the close proximity of the
end surface 94 of the depending annular side wall 66 with
the upper flange surface 18 precludes the insertion of a
tool between the two surfaces to prise the cap portion 14
off the neck portion 12. In order to remove the cap portion
therefore, a user is required to rotate the cap portion 14
with respect to the neck portion 12. This causes the
threads 72 of the engagement means 70 to rise up the threads
36 of the engagement means 34 and bring the radially
inwardly and downwardly directed surface 88 of the radially
inwardly projecting bead 86 more firmly into engagement with
the end surfaces 46 of the locking members 40. Continued
upward movement of the cap portion 14 with respect to the
neck portion 12 is resisted by the locking members 40 with
the result that the upward force exerted by a user in
unscrewing the cap portion is applied to the
circumferentially spaced bridging elements 98 which serve to
connect the upper skirt section of the depending annular
side wall 66 to the retained tamper evident band 100. The
relative size of the webs 42 compared to the bridging
elements 98 ensures that the bridging elements 98 will
fracture as a user continues to unscrew the cap portion 14
long before any damage is sustained by the locking members
40.
As shown in Figure 9, once the bridging elements
98 have been broken, the cap portion 14 may be removed and
the contents dispensed from the carton. The cap portion 14
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may be reapplied and subsequently removed from the neck
portion 12 as often as it is desired. Even though the
bridging elements 98 have been fractured, it will be noted
that the fact that the locking members 40 remain folded and
trapped between the first cylindrical wall 22 and the inner
surface 68 ensures that the tamper evident band 100 is
retained on the neck portion 12 and cannot be removed
without causing.physical damage to the fitment 10 and/or the
associated packaging.
In the example shown, the tamper evident band 100
remains in essentially the same position with respect to the
neck portion 12 both before and after initial opening.
However, it will be appreciated that in order to provide the
tamper evident band 100 with a drop down capability which
may more easily alert a consumer to potential tampering, all
that is required is to elongate the portion of the
cylindrical wall 22 between the apertured flange 16 and the
end surfaces 46 of the locking members 40 when in their
downwardly folded configuration.
The design of the neck portion 12 illustrated in
Figures 3 to 5 provides considerable manufacturing
advantages and cost savings. Although it would be possible
to mould a plastics fitment in which the neck portion had
the same configuration as that illustrated in Figure 7(c)
but in which the locking members were formed as radial
protrusions from the first cylindrical wall (rather than as
hinged elements that fold down into this position), such a
fitment would be considerably more expensive to produce. In
particular, in such an arrangement the end surfaces of the
locking members would represent an undercut which could only
sensibly be formed using a mould tool having components that
opened and closed along two transverse axes. By contrast,
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the neck portion 12 illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 can be
formed using a mould tool having components that open and
close along only a single axis. This represents a
significant saving in tooling costs and a simplification of
the manufacturing process.
Although the necking surface 50 is shown in Figure 4 as
being substantially downwardly directed, in fact the surface
may extend from the upper surface 48 to the upper surface of
the web 42 at an ax~gle of between 0.5 and 100 to a
longitudinal axis of the neck portion indicated by reference
numeral 54 while still enabling the mould tool responsible
for producing the neck portion 12 to open and close in a
direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 54 and without
requiring mould tool components to open and close in a
direction transverse to that axis.
Another advantage of using locking members 40 which, in
their initial position, are directed upwardly and radially
outwardly from the cylindrical wall 22 but which may be
folded or hinged so as to engage or otherwise hug the
cylindrical wall is that it allows the first cylindrical
wall 22 to be formed with a reduced wall thickness compared
to other parts of the neck portion 12. This has a direct
saving on the amount of plastics material necessary to mould
the fitment 10 and translates into an important reduction in
the cost of manufacture. Although it might be thought that
reducing the wall thickness of the first cylindrical wall 22
might compromise the operation of the fitment 10, the fact
that, in the assembled condition, the locking members 40 are
pressed up against the first cylindrical wall 22 means that,
in use, the effective thickness of the lower neck portion at
the point where it engages with the radially inwardly
projecting bead 86 is comparable to other regions of the
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neck portion 12 and more than capable of fulfilling its
function.
Another advantage of using locking members 40 that can
flex from an initial, as-moulded, position to an operable,
in-use, position is that they may serve to eliminate any
vertical float of the cap portion 14 with respect to the
neck portion 12. This is because the cap portion 14 may be
fully retained by the interengagement between the end
surfaces 46 of the locking members 40 and the radially
inwardly projecting bead 86. The natural resilience of the
locking members 40 which tends to urge them to return to
their as-moulded position and so causes the upper surface 48
adjacent the end surface 46 to be urged into evermore
pressing engagement with the inner surface 68 of the
depending annular sidewall 66 also helps to prevent the cap
portion 14 from becoming loose during transit between the
point of manufacture and the point of final application of
the fitment 10 to a carton.
Another advantage of the described closure assembly is
that the primary seal between the annular plug 74 and the
c,ylindrical surface 30 is located a small but non-zero
distance 102 from the inner surface of the second
cylindrical wall 26. Typically, this distance 102 may be
between 0.1mm and 5mm. In a preferred embodiment this
distance 102 is between 1.8mm and 2.1mm. This spacing
between the position of the primary seal and the inner
surface of the second cylindrical wall 26 has the advantage
of allowing the ingress of cleaning solutions of the type
used during rinsing processes. This configuration also has
the advantage of allowing light to penetrate to all surfaces
of the neck portion 12 for the purpose of hygiene treatment
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and so allows the fitment 10 to be used in aseptic packaging
applications.
In addition, the natural hoop strength of the
downwardly and radially inwardly directed annular rim 28
serves to strengthen the neck structure and prevents the
second cylindrical wall 26 from collapsing radially inwards.
This added strength may be utilised to permit further
decreases in wall thickness thereby enabling further savings
in manufacturing costs in terms of the quantity of plastics
material needed to mould the closure system.
The fact that the annular rim 28 is directed downwardly
and radially inwardly provides the advantage that any
product left on the rim after dispensing will tend to drain
back through the dispensing orifice defined by the bore 32
rather than draining down the outside of the neck portion 12
and onto the treads 36.
Although the present invention has been described in
relation to a fitment for attachment to a carton, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention
is not so limited and that the closure assembly may be
formed integrally with a container if so desired.'
