Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LOCKING BOTTLE TRANSPORT RING FOR A STOPPER
TECHNICAL FIELD
10011 This
present disclosure relates generally to closures tbr containers. More
specifically, the present disclosure relates to securing a closure to a
portion of the plastic
bottle neck.
BACKGROUND
0021 In the
field of liquid packaging, it is very common to seal the aperture of a
container with a stopper, often made from a plastic material. Such a container
is usually
a plastic bottle, but other materials may be used as well.
10031 The
stopper typically has a tubular shape closed at its top edge by a top wall.
The stopper comprises a closure shell attached to a tamper band through the
implementation of bridges. Bridges are distributed around the circumference of
the
closure shell and the tamper band. Moreover, the bridges may be made when
molding
the stopper or after through tmdergoing a cutting step during the
manufacturing process.
1004i Usually
the bottle neck finish comprises outer fixation features, such as
threads to receive a screw-type stopper. For screw type stoppers, the closure
shell
typically comprises inner thread(s) arranged on an inner side wall that are
intended to
engage with outer thread(s) located on the bottle neck finish. Such
combinations of outer
and inner thread(s) allow the stopper to be screwed on a bottle neck finish to
seal it and
unscrewed for bottle entirely opening.
10051
Alternatively, the bottle neck finish comprises outer fixation features, such
as
annular fixation rings to receive a snap-type stopper that secures the stopper
onto the
bottle neck finish. A snap-type stopper includes an inner annular area and the
bottle neck
finish fixation feature includes an outer fixation ring, in order. secure
(e.g., using a
downward force) the stopper onto the bottle neck finish. A snap type stopper
comprises a
closure shell with a movable scaling roof from a closure position to a part
opening, and
reversely. The roof may be separating upon opening or may be connected with
the
closure shell.
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10061 In a
sealing position of the stopper, the tamper band is secured around the
bottle neck finish through inner tamper band retaining features or through the
tamper
band diameter being smaller than. a diameter of a tamper evident ring of the
bottle neck
finish.
10071 The
closure shell is typically removable. During bottle opening, the bridges
form a weakness line and are torn apart from the closure shell, so it can be
separated from
the bottle. The weakness line is torn when user unscrews the closure shell of
the stopper
or when user lifts the roof by tilting.
NOM After
opening, the. closure shell can be completely removed and discarded
(e.g., dropped), preventing subsequent closure of the bottle. Additionally,
the removed
closure can represent waste if not recycled.
10091
Previous solutions to .prevent the, closure shell from being completely
removed
from the bottle have been considered. For example, known systems attach the
closure
shell with the tamper band, -so the closure shell stays attached to the bottle
neck. via a
attachment portion after bottle opening. Other known systems include a
tethered stopper
comprising a spiral strip fonned within stopper during the molding of the
stopper. The.
attachment portion and/or the spiral strip are typically made of the same
plastic material
as the remaining portions of the stopper.
100101 One
problem with respect to the previous solutions are that once the closure
shell Is removed from the bottle aperture after opening, the elastic
properties :of. the
plastic .attachment portion(s) cause the plastic attachment portion(s) to
attempt to return
to original configuration near the neck finish. As the attachment portion(s)
attempts to
return to the original configuration, the closure shell may interfere with the
bottle
aperture at the neck finish,, which can cause the closure Shell to interfere
with the user
during drinking or pouring.
--SUMMARY
100111 This
invention relates to a method for locking a strip tethered plastic stopper
'tinder a transport ring and into a shoulder of a plastic bottle, so between
the transport ring
and into at least a part of the shoulder.
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ponj TO
prevent the closure being completely removed from a bottle while keeping
the closure: shell away from the bottle aperture,. a solution consists of
connecting the
closure shell with the bottle, so the. closure shell remains attached after
the initial opening
of the bottle and securing the closure shell so as to move the closure shell
away from the
bottle aperture.
1001.31 An
object of the present invention is a bottle tethered stopper, having a closure
shell that. remains attached to a tamper band which is secured on the neck. of
the bottle.
Seeming the closure shell to the tamper band after the initial opening,,
prevents a user
from unintentionally misplacing or discarding the closure shell. Additionally,
securing
the closure shell to the. tamper band, allows the user to secure and remove
the closure
shell from the bottle finish (e.g., threading) of the bottle multiple tin-a,
for example,
during drinking.
(0014) Another
object of the present. invention is the bottle tethered stopper is
configured to position the closure- shell away from the bottle aperture after
initial and
subsequent openings. Allowing the closure shell to be positioned away from the
bottle
aperture after opening allows the user to .position the. closure shell away
from the user
during use (e.g,, positioning shell away from user face during drinking).
10015l
According to the invention the stopper is affixed to a bottle. The bottle
comprises a bottle finish, a tamper evident ring, a transport ring, a neck
including an
integrally formed locking feature. The bottle finish is configured to receive
a stopper
comprising a closure shell and a tamper band, the 'closure shell and the
tamper band being
separably connected. The transport ring is located below the tamper evident
ring and the
tamper band is configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and
the
transport ring, 'The -locking feature is configured to receive and retain at
least a portion of
the closure shell between a bottom surface of the transport ring and. a bottom
surftice of
the neck when the closure shell is separated from the tamper band.
100161 in some
embodiments, the locking feature is integrally formed into the neck
during 11. preform molding process. In other embodiments, the locking feature
is
integrally formed. into the neck during a blow molding process.
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[00171 in some embodiments, the locking feature is dimensioned relative to
the
closure shell height allowing at least a portion of the. closure shell is
received and retained
by the locking feature,
[00181 In some embodiments, the locking feature forms a continuous locking
feature
around the perimeter of the neck. In Other embodiments, the neck. comprises a
plurality
of locking features each positioned below the transport ring and distributed
around the
perimeter of the neck.
100191 Also according to the invention, a method for locking a stopper onto
a bottle
is included. The method includes providing the bottle having a stopper
inserted onto a
neck of a bottle, where the stopper having a tamper band and a separably
connected
closure shell, wherein the tamper band is secured between a tamper mildew,
ring and a
transport. ring. The method also includes separating the closure shell from
the tamper
band and inserting at least a portion of closure shell into a locking feature
positioned
between a bottom surface of a transport ring and a bottom. Surface Of the
neck.
100201 Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention
will be or
will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon- examination of the
following
figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional
systems, methods,
features and advantages be included within this description, be within the
scope of the
invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
100211 The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be
exaggerated
or minimized, such as to show details of particular components. Emphasis is
placed on
illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference
numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
100221 Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a tethered stopper locked under
a transport.
ring of a bottle into a hollow created in the shoulder.
10023) Figure-2 illustrates is a cross-sectional view of the Figure
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100241 As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are
disclosed
herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely examples that may be embodied in
various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, for
example,
exemplary, and similar terms, refer expansively to embodiments that serve as
an
illustration, specimen, model or pattern.
100251 In some instances, well-known components.,- systems, materials or -
methods
have not been described in detail, in order. to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis
for teaching. one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
disclosure.
100261 Phrasing such as 'configured to' perform a function, including in
the claims.,
can include any or all of being sized, shaped, positioned in the arrangement,
and
comprising material to perform the function.
100271 Terms indicating quantity, such as 'first' or 'second' are used for
exemplary
and explanation pinposes and are not intended to dictate the specific ordering
of a
component with respect to other components.
(00281 Various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein.
The..
described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations
set for a
clear understanding of the: principles of the disclosure. Variations,
modifications, and
combinations may be made to the described embodiments without departing from
the
scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are
included
herein by the scope of this disclosure and the claims.
100291 Figure 1 illustrates a screw stopper 102 in an open positiOn
relative to a bottle
finish 100. The bottle finish 100 includes a sealing stuface 120, an evident
tamper ring
1.10, and a transport ring .112. A bottle neck. 118 is positioned between the
transport ring
112 and a shoulder 1.16.
PM Prior to opening, the stopper 102 includes a closure shell 104
connected to a
tamper band 106.. Once open4 the stopper 102 becomes disconnected from the
tamper
band. (e.g., weakness lines or bridges: are broken in. order to allow the
closure Shell to be
removed).
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[00311 In some
embodiments, the stopper 102 also includes a strip (not illustrated) to
allow the closure shell 104 to remain connected. with the tamper band 106
after opening.
When opened, the strip is attached at one end to the closure shell 104 at an
opposite end
to the tamper band 106.
100321 In some
embodiments, the bottle finish 100 includes engaging features (e.g..,
threads 108) meant to engage with complementary engaging features -.(not
illustrated)
located on the inner surface of the closure shell .104. in other embodiments,
the bottle
neck finish does not include engaging features (e.g., threads), and the
closure shell 104 is
secured onto the bottle finish 100 through other securing means, such as
snaps, clasps, or
other mechanically engaging features.
100331 Before
opening (c.a., during sealing), the stopper 102 is positioned. (e.g.,
fbrced in a downward motion) onto the bottle finish 100 in such a way that the
tamper
band 1.06 is secured under the tamper evident ring 112. of the bottle finish
100. For
example, the closure shell 104 is secured onto the bottle finish 110 by the:
outer threads
110 engaging with inner threads of the closure shell 104 as the tamper band
1.06 is
positioned below the tamper evident ring 112. In some embodiments, the tamper
band
106 comprises retaining features, such as an inner collar (not illustrated) to
prevent the
tamper band 106 from moving above the tamper evident ring.
100341 During
opening, a user to alters the position of the Stopper 102,141. example
by -twisting the closure shell 104 (where threads exist) or removing the
closure Shell 104
from a mechanically securing feature. As the bottle is opened-, the closure
shell 104 can
be removed from the the tamper band 106. To prevent the user from
unintentionally
misplacing or discarding the closure shell 104, the bottle-neck 114 is
includes a locking
feature 114.
[00351 As
illustrated in Figure. 1, the closure shell 104 may be secured into the
locking feature 114 of the bottle neck 118 located between the transport ring
112 and the
Shoulder 116. Specifically, the locking feature 114 allows the closure shell
114 to be in
contact with a bottom surface 122 of the transport ring 112 and a bottom
surface. 128
formed within the bottle neck 118. The locking feature 114 secures the closure
shell. 114
in place to prevent movement. Advantageously, a user can. stc.4"c the closure
shell 114
within the locking feature .for subsequent uses (e.g., when closing the
bottle).
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100361 The
bottle neck 118 has a length that is so dimensioned to form the locking
feature 114. The locking feature 114 is so dimensioned such that the closure
shell 102
may be received into the locking feature 1.14. Specifically, the. locking
feature .1.1.4 has a
height that corresponds to receive the height of the closure shell 104.
1.00371 In some
embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed within a preform
during a preform molding process. For example, the locking feature 114 is
formed within
the prefom using an injection mold cavity configured to shape the preform with
the
locking feature 114.
100381 In some
embodiments, the locking feature .114 is formed within a preform
during a preform cooling process. For example, the locking feature 114 is
formed within
the preform, which is warm from molding, using a tool (not shown) configured
to form
and shape the locking feature 1.14 such that the locking feature. 1.14 will
receive the
closure shell 114.
100391 In some
embodiments, the locking feature- 114 is formed as the pretbmi
transforms into the bottle during a blow molding process. For example, the
locking
feature 114 is formed by placing a tool (not shown) adjacent a bottle Molding
cavity near
the transport ring 112. The tool could serve as a collar keeping a portion of'
the preform
that would. traditionally be blow molded out of the blow molding cavity.
Alternatively, or
additionally, the tool can could shape the locking feature 114 as the bottle
is formed (e.g.,
using a stretch brow machine)- within the bottle molding cavity.
100401 As
another example, the locking feature 114 is formed by placing or securing
an insert (not shown) into the bottle- mold cavity so that the locking-feature
114 is formed
into the bottle during blow molding.
100411 In some
embodiments, the preform has greater rigidity at an area that will
eventually become the bottle neck 118 when compared to conventional preforms.
For
example., the area of the preform that will eventually become the bottle neck
118 includes.
additional material during the preform molding process.
100421 The
closure shell .104 can be locked under the transport ring 1.12 of the bottle
finish 100. The closure shell 104- can be at least partially locked into at
least one of the
locking features 114 formed into the shoulder 116 of the bottle.
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100431 in some
embodiments; the looking feature 114 is a continuous feature formed
within the entire perimeter of the bottle neck tit. thus. forming one locking
feature- 114
around the circumference of the bottle neck 11.8., as illustrated in Figures 1
and 2. In
other embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed at specified location on
the bottle
neck. 1.18. In other embodiments, more than One locking feature 114 is formed
within the
bottle neck 118. The locking features 114 can be distributed around. the
bottle neck at
any predetermined spacing.
100441 While
various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and
implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention.
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