Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PACKAGE AND CLOSURE WITH TAMPER-EVIDENT BAND
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
17/034,456 filed on
September 28, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a polymeric closure for a
package. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a polymeric closure with a
tamper-evident band
and package using the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Polymeric closures have been used in many applications over the years
in conjunction
with containers. The polymeric closures are adapted to thread on and off of
the container.
Many polymeric closures also include a tamper-evident feature such as a tamper-
evident
band. A tamper-evident band, when properly designed and located, indicates to
a user that
the container has been opened. This indication can be accomplished after
opening, for
example, by leaving a second portion of the closure around the container while
a first portion
of the closure is removed from the container. The placement of the polymeric
closure onto
the container is important for removal of the closure and for the
effectiveness of a tamper-
evident band.
[0004] One of the problems of placing a polymeric closure onto a container
occurs when a
portion of the tamper-evident band is not positioned properly with respect to
an A-collar or
A-diameter of the container during the opening process. If the tamper-evident
band is not
properly positioned, a user could potentially open the container without the
closure separating
into two pieces, indicating tamper-evidency. Or, alternatively, the user could
have difficulty
in breaking the frangible connection when the tamper-evident band rotates
inwardly into an
exterior wall of the container or unfolds.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a closure for a package that addresses
and avoids
these above-noted situations, while still performing other desirable
properties of a closure.
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SUMMARY
[0006] According to one embodiment, a closure includes a first closure portion
and a second
closure portion. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top wall
portion and a
polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion.
The annular
skirt portion includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The
interior surface of the
annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating
engagement with an
external thread formation of a container. The second closure portion includes
a polymeric
tamper-evident band depending from and being at least partially detachably
connected to the
polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection. The polymeric
tamper-evident
band includes a first portion and a second portion connected via a bending
area. The second
portion extends generally upwardly from the bending area towards the polymeric
top portion
and is located inwardly from the first portion of the polymeric tamper-evident
band. The
second portion of the tamper-evident band includes a tab portion and an
extension portion.
The extension portion is located further from the bending area than the tab
portion. The
average thickness of the tab portion is greater than the average thickness of
the extension
portion. The extension portion extends continuously around an entire inner
circumference of
the closure.
[0007] In another embodiment, a closure includes a first closure portion and a
second closure
portion. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top wall portion and a
polymeric
annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion. The
annular skirt
portion includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior
surface of the
annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating
engagement with an
external thread formation of a container. The second closure portion includes
a polymeric
tamper-evident band depending from and being at least partially detachably
connected to the
polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection. The polymeric
tamper-evident
band includes a first portion and a second portion connected via a bending
area towards the
polymeric top wall portion. The second portion extends generally upwardly from
the bending
area and is located inwardly from the first portion of the polymeric tamper-
evident band. The
second portion of the tamper-evident band includes a tab portion and an
extension portion.
The extension portion is located further from the bending area than the tab
portion. The
average thickness of the tab portion is greater than the average thickness of
the extension
portion. The extension portion extends around the entire inner circumference
of the closure
in a substantially continuous manner.
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[0008] In a further embodiment, a package includes a container and a closure.
The container
has a neck portion defining an opening. The container has an external thread
formation on
the neck portion and an A-collar. The closure is configured for fitment to the
neck portion of
the container for closing the opening. The closure includes a first closure
portion and a
second closure portion. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top
wall portion and a
polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion.
The annular
skirt portion includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The
interior surface of the
annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating
engagement with the
external thread formation of the container. The second closure portion
includes a polymeric
tamper-evident band depending from and being at least partially detachably
connected to the
polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection. The polymeric
tamper-evident
band includes a first portion and a second portion connected via a bending
area. The second
portion extends generally upwardly from the bending area towards the polymeric
top portion
and is located inwardly from the first portion of the polymeric tamper-evident
band. The
second portion of the tamper-evident band includes a tab portion and an
extension portion.
The extension portion is located further from the bending area than the tab
portion. The
average thickness of the tab portion is greater than the average thickness of
the extension
portion. The extension portion extends continuously around an entire inner
circumference of
the closure. The extension portion abuts with an exterior surface of the A-
collar of the
container.
[0009] The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every
aspect
of the present invention. Additional features and benefits of the present
invention are
apparent from the detailed description and figures set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the
following
detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a closure according to one
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view (without the cross-hatching) of the
closure taken
generally along the line 2A-2A of FIG. 1B.
[0014] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of generally circular region 2B in FIG. 2A.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of a package including a container
and the closure
of FIGS. 1A, 1B.
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[0016] FIG. 3B is a top perspective view of the package of FIG. 3A.
[0017] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional front view of the package taken generally
along line 4A-
4A in FIG. 3B.
[0018] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of generally circular region 4B in FIG. 4A.
[0019] FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of generally circular region 4B in FIG. 4A
further
depicting the original position of the second portion of the tamper-evident
band in dashed
lines.
[0020] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms,
specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings
and will
herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is
not intended to limit
the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the
intention is to cover
all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and
scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIGS. 1A, 1B illustrate a polymeric closure 10 according to one
embodiment of the
present invention. The closures are configured to be placed on a container or
bottle that
contain product. The product is typically a liquid product, but also may be a
solid product or
a combination of a liquid and solid product. The polymeric closure 10 of FIGS.
1A, 1B is
generally cylindrically shaped. The polymeric closure 10 of FIGS. 1A, 1B is a
one-piece
closure assembly. It is contemplated that the closure may be a two-piece
closure. It is
contemplated that the closure may be of other shapes and dimensions.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, the polymeric closure 10 includes a
polymeric top
wall portion 12, a polymeric annular skirt portion 14, a polymeric continuous
plug seal 16
(FIG. 2A), an outer seal 18 (FIG. 2A), a top seal 20 (FIG. 2A) and a polymeric
tamper-
evident band 30. The polymeric annular skirt portion 14 depends from the
polymeric top
wall portion 12.
[0023] Referring back to FIGS. 1A, 1B, an outer surface 14b of the polymeric
annular skirt
portion 14 may also include a plurality of ridges 14c thereon. The plurality
of ridges 14c has
a contoured shape that assists a user in gripping the closure 10.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2A, the polymeric continuous plug seal 16 depends from
the
polymeric top wall portion 12 and provides a sealing mechanism. The outer seal
18 depends
from the polymeric top wall portion 12 and also provides a sealing mechanism.
The top stop
20 assists in locating the closure with respect to the finish of the
container. The top stop 20
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may also assist in providing some sealing aspects to the closure. The
continuous plug seal
16, the outer seal 18 and the top stop 20 are spaced from an interior surface
14a of the
polymeric annular skirt portion 14 as shown in FIG. 2A. It is contemplated
that the outer seal
may extend from an interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion
instead of the top
wall portion in another embodiment.
[0025] In another embodiment, the closure may include other sealing
mechanisms. For
example, the closure may include a polymeric lining material that provides a
seal to the
closure. This would be a two-piece closure. Non-limiting examples of a closure
including a
polymeric liner and a polymeric disk can be found at U.S. Publication No.
2018/0099795,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In this embodiment,
the closure
would be formed from separate components, but would function as the one-piece
closure
discussed except with a different sealing mechanism. In another embodiment,
the closure
may include either a polymeric outer seal or a continuous plug seal. It is
contemplated that
the closure may include other sealing mechanisms.
[0026] As shown in, for example, FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, the polymeric tamper-
evident
band 30 depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the
polymeric annular
skirt portion 14 by a frangible connection 50. Once the closure moves from an
initial closed
position (see, e.g., FIG. 2A) to an open position, the polymeric tamper-
evident band 30 is
desirably fully detached from the polymeric annular skirt portion 14. The
tamper-evident
band 30 works in conjunction with the container to indicate to a user that the
contents of the
container may have been accessed. More specifically, the tamper-evident band
30 is
designed to at least partially separate from the annular skirt portion 14 if a
user opens the
package by unthreading and removing the closure to gain access to the
container. In one
embodiment, the frangible connection 50 may be formed using bridges, scoring
or scored
lines, notches, leaders, nicks or other lines of weaknesses.
[0027] The polymeric tamper-evident band 30 includes a first portion 32 and a
second
portion 34 connected via a bending area 36. The first portion 32, the second
portion 34 and
the bending area 36 are typically integrally connected. The second portion 34
is folded over
inwardly and upwardly (arrow A in FIGS. 2A, 2B) in the direction of the
polymeric top wall
portion 12 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B. The second portion 34 extends generally
upwardly
from the bending area 36 and is located inwardly from the first portion 32 of
the polymeric
tamper-evident band 30.
[0028] It is noted that when manufacturing the closure, the second portion 34
initially extends
downwardly (arrow B in FIGS. 2A, 2B) in generally the opposite direction of
arrow A.
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Specifically, the second portion 34 of the tamper-evident band 30 is
positioned substantially
axially to the first portion 32 before being folded over and inwardly in the
manufacturing
process via the bending area 36 into the position shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B.
[0029] The second portion 34 of the tamper-evident band 30 includes a tab
portion 38 and an
extension portion 40. The extension portion 40 assists in initially locating
and maintaining
the position of the tab portion 38 during the opening process. The extension
portion 40 is
located further from the bending area 36 than the tab portion 38 as shown in
FIGS. 2A, 2B.
As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, the tab portion 38 and the extension portion 40 are
generally
vertical. This is shown by the direction of the arrow A in, for example, FIGS.
2A, 2B. The
tab portion and the extension portion may be substantially vertical or
vertical in another
embodiment.
[0030] It is desirable for the tab portion 38 and the extension portion 40 to
be vertical or
substantially vertical so as to prevent or inhibit the tab portion 38 from
rotating inwardly
towards an exterior wall of a container or bottle finish, or by unfolding. It
is desirable for the
tab portion 38 and the extension portion 40 to be substantially vertical to
prevent or inhibit
from being located too sharply against the interior surface 14b of the
polymeric annular skirt
portion 14.
[0031] By keeping the tab portion 38 from rotating inwardly or unfolding
assists in avoiding
or inhibiting problems in the opening process by a user. Specifically, when a
user applies
vertical and axial forces in opening the closure, it is desirable for these
forces to be
substantially applied to breaking the frangible connection instead of
transmitting the energy
into moving (i.e., rotating or unfolding) the tab portion 38. When the tab
portion remains
generally in place, the vertical and axial forces from the user transmits only
to or substantially
to the opening of the frangible connections (e.g., breaking the bridges).
[0032] In one embodiment, to assist in preventing or inhibiting the tab
portion 38 and the
extension portion 40 from being vertical, the first portion 32 may include an
inwardly-
extending bead 46. The bead 46 prevents or inhibits the tab portion 38 and the
extension
portion 40 from folding too sharply against the interior surface 14a of the
polymeric annular
skirt portion 14.
[0033] If desirable to make the tab portion 38 and the extension portion 40
more vertical, an
inwardly-extending bead may be made smaller than the inwardly-extending bead
46 of FIG.
2B or may be eliminated entirely.
[0034] If the tab portion moves inwardly towards an exterior wall of the
bottle finish or the
tab portion unfolds, this can lead to undesirable results. For example, if a
certain percentage
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of the bridges in the frangible connection are not broken (typically on one
side) because
energy is transmitted into moving the tab portion, a user may have difficulty
in opening and
accessing the contents of the container. Specifically, when some of the
bridges remain
unbroken, this can lead to a tether-like or hinged-band scenario. This can
lead to the closure
being in a hanging or stuck position. When bridges remain unbroken, the
closure becomes
looser with more ability or freedom to move around, resulting in potential
undesirable
movement. For example, a side-to-side movement of the closure can result in a
user
inadvertently pulling the closure to one side that makes the closure off-
centered.
[0035] When all of the bridges are not broken, several scenarios can occur. In
one scenario,
the entire tamper-evident band may go underneath the A-collar or A-diameter of
the finish,
which may make the closure difficult to open. In another scenario, some
section of the
tamper-evident band may lift over and partly above the A-collar of the finish,
which leads to
a hiked band that makes the closure difficult to open. In a further scenario,
the positioning of
the tab portion could lead to the tamper-evident band riding entirely over an
A-collar of the
finish and coming off with the remainder of the closure when the container is
being opened.
This is undesirable for several reasons including making the opening of the
container more
difficult and defeating the tamper-evident aspects of the package because the
tamper-evident
band should remain with the container after the closure is unthreaded.
[0036] The tab portion 38 is desirably positioned to remain below and adjacent
to a bottom
surface of an A-collar of the finish of the container. The tab portion 38 as
discussed above is
desirably spaced from an exterior wall of the container finish. The tab
portion 38 includes a
ledge 38a. The ledge 38a desirably seals under the A-collar of the finish.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 2A, the extension portion 40 extends continuously
around the entire
inner circumference in one embodiment. The outer circumference of the closure
10 is formed
by the polymeric annular skirt portion 14. The inner circumference of the
closure is formed
by the second portion 34 of the tamper-evident band 30.
[0038] In another embodiment, the extension portion extends around the entire
inner
circumference of the closure in a substantially continuous manner. This
embodiment also
assists in placing and positioning the extension portion adjacent to and
abutting an exterior
surface of the A-collar. In one embodiment, the extension portion extends from
about 75% to
about 99% around the inner circumference of the closure. In another
embodiment, the
extension portion extends from about 80 to about 99% around the inner
circumference of the
closure. In another embodiment, the extension portion extends from about 90 to
about 99%
around the inner circumference of the closure. In a further embodiment, the
extension
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portion extends from about 95 to about 99% around the inner circumference of
the closure. If
the extension portion does not extend around the entire inner circumference of
the closure in
at least a substantially continuous manner, it will not desirably and
consistently assist in
preventing or inhibiting the extension portion from moving underneath the A-
collar of the
finish during the opening process.
[0039] The extension portion in a more desirable embodiment extends around the
entire inner
circumference of the closure and maintains a position adjacent to and abutting
an exterior
surface of the A-collar without the extension portion moving underneath the A-
collar. By
having the extension portion abutting an exterior surface of the A-collar and
not being
underneath the A-collar, problems discussed above such as having difficulty in
opening the
container or having the tamper-evident aspects defeated are substantially or
entirely avoided.
[0040] As shown best in FIG. 4C, the extension portion 40 is positioned
between an interior
surface 14a of the polymeric wall portion 14 and an A-collar or A-diameter
106. It is
desirable for the extension portion 40 to conform or slightly confirm with the
A-collar 106 of
a container continuously around the entire inner circumference of the closure.
In this specific
embodiment, the extension portion 40 is squeezed between the interior surface
14a of the
polymeric wall portion 14 and the A-collar 106. By not having a gap or much of
a gap
therebetween, the tab portion 38 is prevented or inhibited from rotating
inwardly towards an
exterior wall of the container finish or unfolding further away from the A-
collar. It, however,
can be difficult to maintain the tolerances such that the extension portion is
squeezed or
pinched between the interior surface of the polymeric wall portion and the A-
collar.
[0041] The extension portion 40 of the tamper-evident band 30 conforms with
and abuts an
exterior surface 106a of the A-collar 106. The extension portion 40 desirably
forms a seal
with the exterior surface 106a of the A-collar 106. The ledge 38a desirably is
located
underneath the A-collar 106 and away from the sidewall of the finish. As shown
in FIG. 4B,
the extension portion 40 prevents or inhibits vertical (arrows A and B) or
horizontal (arrows
C and D) movement of the tab portion 38.
[0042] To better conform and abut with the A-collar 106, the extension portion
40 has a
smaller diameter than the A-collar 106. This is shown in FIG. 4C where the
first position 82
of the extension portion 40 before being placed onto the container is shown in
dashed lines
and the second position 84 of the extension portion 40 is shown after being
placed onto the
container and being moved outwardly by the A-collar 106. Even though the
thickness of the
extension portion 40 does not vary, it is noted that the diameter of the
extension portion 40
varies since the second portion 34 including the extension portion 40 is
angled (see the first
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position 82) as opposed to being vertical. Thus, a top end 40a of the
extension portion 40 has
a smaller diameter than a bottom end 40b of the extension portion 40.
Similarly, the diameter
of the tab portion 38 varies from being angled.
[0043] It is desirable to have the extension portion 40 initially angled at
angle A such that the
A-collar 106 abuts and moves the extension portion 40. It is desirable to have
a more
reduced angle on the same to assist in the manufacturing process of removing
the closure
from the associated tooling. Referring back to FIG. 2B, the extension portion
40 is generally
at an angle A of from about 3 to about 35 degrees. More specifically, the
extension portion
40 is generally at an angle A of from about 5 to about 30 degrees, or at an
angle A of from
about 5 to about 25 degrees. The extension portion 40 is at an angle A is
typically from about
to about 25 degrees, or at an angle A of from about 10 to about 20 degrees.
[0044] The diameter of the extension portion 40 is smaller than the diameter
of the A-collar
106. Because the diameter of the extension portion 40 is smaller than diameter
of the A-
collar 106, the extension is moved outwardly (in the direction of arrow D in
FIG. 4D)
towards the polymeric annular skirt portion 14. The relative diameters of the
extension
portion 40 and the A-collar 106 also assist in positioning the second portion
34 of the tamper-
evident band 30.
[0045] The thickness and the materials used to form the extension portion 40
allow it to be
moved from the position in FIG. 2A to the position of FIGS. 4A-4C during the
placement of
the closure onto the finish of the container. The angle B of the extension
portion 40 in FIG.
4B is generally from about -5 to about 35 degrees. The angle B of the
extension portion 40 is
typically from about 0 to about 35 degrees, and more specifically from about 0
to about 25
degrees. More specifically, the angle B of the extension portion 40 is from
about 0 to about
degrees and, more specifically from 0 to about 10 degrees. Thus, it is
contemplated that
angle B may be a negative angle (past vertical and angled toward the interior
surface 14a)
after being placed onto the finish of the container. The angle B at 0 degrees
is in a vertical
position.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2B, 4B and 4C, angle A is greater than angle B.
Generally,
angle A is 0 to about 20 degrees greater than angle B. Typically, angle A is 0
to about 10 or
about 15 degrees greater than angle B.
[0047] The average thickness of the tab portion is greater than the average
thickness of the
extension portion. The average thickness Ti of the tab portion 38 as shown in
FIG. 2B is
generally from about 2 to about 8 times greater than the average thickness T2
of the extension
portion 40. The average thickness Ti of the tab portion 38 is generally from
about 2 to about
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6 times greater than the average thickness T2 of the extension portion 40. The
average
thickness Ti of the tab portion 38 is typically from about 3 to about 6 times
greater than the
average thickness T2 of the extension portion 40.
[0048] The average thickness Ti of the tab portion 38 of the tamper-evident
band 30 in FIG.
2B is generally from about 0.03 to about 0.075 inches. More specifically, the
average
thickness Ti of the tab portion 38 is from about 0.03 to about 0.06 inches.
[0049] The length Li of the tab portion 38 of the tamper-evident band 30 in
FIG. 2B is
generally from about 0.05 to about 0.175 inches. More specifically, the length
Li of the tab
portion 38 is from about 0.06 to about 0.16 inches, or from about 0.075 to
about 0.15 inches.
[0050] The average thickness T2 of the extension portion 40 of the tamper-
evident band 30 in
FIG. 2B is generally from about 0.005 to about 0.025 inches. More
specifically, the average
thickness T2 of the extension portion 40 is from about 0.01 inches to about
0.025 inches, or
from about 0.01 to about 0.02 inches.
[0051] The length L2 of the extension portion 40 of the tamper-evident band 30
in FIG. 2B is
generally from about 0.05 to about 0.15 inches. More specifically, the length
L2 of the
extension portion 40 is from about 0.075 inches to about 0.12 inches, or from
about 0.08 to
about 0.10 inches.
[0052] The length of the tab portion is typically greater than the length of
the extension
portion. The length Li of the tab portion 38 as shown in FIG. 2B is generally
from about
0.75 to about 3 times greater than the length L2 of the extension portion 40.
The length Li of
the tab portion 38 is generally from about 1 to about 3 times greater than the
length L2 of the
extension portion 40. The length Li of the tab portion 38 is generally from
about 1 to about 2
times greater than the length L2 of the extension portion 40.
[0053] The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an internal thread
formation for mating
engagement with an external thread formation of a container. Specifically, the
polymeric
annular skirt portion 14 of FIG. 2A includes an internal thread formation 60
for mating
engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The internal
thread formation
60 includes a first closure lead 62 and a second closure lead 64. The thread
development is
typically discontinuous. The thread segments in the polymeric annular skirt
portion 14 from
the beginning to the end are helical in this embodiment.
[0054] The first closure lead 62 begins near the polymeric top wall portion 12
at a first
position (not shown in FIG. 2A) and extends in a helical fashion to a second
position closer to
the tamper-evident band 30. Similarly, the second closure lead 64 begins near
the polymeric
top wall portion 12 at a first position (not shown in FIG. 2A) and extends in
a helical fashion
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to a second position (not shown in FIG. 2A) closer to the tamper-evident band
30. The first
and second closure leads 62, 64 are referred collectively as a double lead
closure thread.
Each of the first and second closure leads 62, 64 is continuous. The first
positions of the first
and second closure leads 62, 64 are located roughly 180 degrees apart from
each other and,
thus, begin on generally opposing sides of the closure 10.
[0055] It is contemplated that the first and second closure leads may be
discontinuous. It is
also contemplated that the internal thread formation of the closure may differ
from a helical
thread formation. It is also contemplated that other internal thread
formations may be used in
the closure.
[0056] There may be applications where there are not multiple thread segments
in the
closure, but they are typically used for packages holding less than 45 psi. It
is contemplated
that the thread closure turns may be continuous, especially in those
applications with
packages having less than 45 psi. It is also contemplated that the internal
thread formation of
the closure may differ from a helical thread formation. It is also
contemplated that other
internal thread formations may be used in the closure.
[0057] The frangible connection 50 may be formed by molded-in-bridges in one
embodiment. The molded-in-bridges are typically formed using a feature in the
mold. In
another embodiment, the frangible connection may be formed using scoring or
scored lines,
notches, leaders, nicks or other lines of weaknesses.
[0058] The closure 10 of the present invention may be used with a container
108 used to form
a package 100 of FIGS. 3A, 3B. FIGS. 4A, 4B are general cross-sectional views
of a portion
of the container 108 that includes a neck portion 102 that defines an opening
and the closure
10. The neck portion 102 of the container 108 includes an external thread
formation 140 and
a continuous outer ring 110. The external thread formation 140 includes a
first finish lead
142 and a second finish lead 144. The external thread formation 140 (first
finish lead 142
and second finish lead 144) engages with the corresponding internal thread
formation 60 (the
first and second closure leads 62, 64) to seal the package 100.
[0059] The first finish lead 142 begins near the open end of the container 108
and extends in
a helical fashion to a second position that is closer to the closed end of the
container.
Similarly, the second finish lead starts closer to the open end of the
container 108 and extends
in a helical fashion to a second position that is closer to the closed end of
the container. Each
of the first and second finish leads is continuous. The first positions of the
first and second
finish leads are typically located roughly 180 degrees apart from each other
and, thus, begin
on opposing sides of the neck portion 102 of the container 108. When opening
the container
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108, the first closure lead 62 is desirably in contact with the first finish
lead 142 and the
second closure lead 64 is desirably in contact with the second finish lead
144. It is
contemplated that the external thread formation of the container may have
discontinuous
leads.
[0060] It is contemplated that the external thread formation of the container
may be different
than that disclosed with respect to the container 108.
[0061] The closures of the present invention may include an oxygen-scavenger
material.
This oxygen-scavenger material may be distributed within the closure or may be
a separate
layer. The oxygen-scavenger material may be any material that assists in
removing oxygen
within the container, while having little or no effect on the contents within
the container.
[0062] Alternatively, or in addition to, the closures may include an oxygen-
barrier material.
The oxygen-barrier material may be added as a separate layer or may be
integrated within the
closure itself The oxygen-barrier materials assist in preventing or inhibiting
oxygen from
entering the container through the closure. These materials may include, but
are not limited
to, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). It is contemplated that other oxygen-
barrier materials
may be used in the closure.
[0063] Additionally, it is contemplated that features other than the tamper-
evident band may
be included in the closure described above. For example, U.S. Publication No.
2018/009979,
U.S. Publication No. 2017/0349336, U.S. Patent No. 9,126,726, U.S. Patent No.
9,085,385,
U.S. Patent No. 8,763,830, U.S. Patent No. 8,485,374, U.S. Publication No.
2009/0045158
and U.S. Patent No. 6,123,212 all include such features that may be
incorporated in the
closures of the present invention. All of these references are hereby
incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
[0064] The top wall portion 12, the annular skirt portion 14, and the tamper-
evident band 30
are made of polymeric material. The top wall portion 12, the annular skirt
portion 14, and the
tamper-evident band 30 are typically made of an olefin (e.g., polyethylene
(PE),
polypropylene (PP)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or blends thereof. One
example of a
polyethylene that may be used in high density polyethylene (HDPE). It is
contemplated that
the top wall portion, the annular skirt portion, the tamper-evident band may
be made of other
polymeric materials. The tamper-evident band 30 is typically made of the same
materials as
the top wall portion 12, and the annular skirt portion 14.
[0065] The closures are typically formed by processes such as injection or
compression
molding, extrusion or the combination thereof.
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[0066] The container 108 is typically made of polymeric material. One non-
limiting example
of a material to be used in forming a polymeric container is polyethylene
terephthalate (PET),
polypropylene (PP) or blends using the same. It is contemplated that the
container may be
formed of other polymeric or copolymer materials. It is also contemplated that
the container
may be formed of glass. The container 108 typically has an encapsulated oxygen-
barrier layer
or oxygen barrier material incorporated therein.
[0067] To open the container 108 and gain access to the product therein, the
closure 10 is
unthreaded by turning the closure 10 with respect to the container 108. After
the closure has
been unthreaded, the closure 10 can be removed from the container 108. When
using this
method, the tamper-evident band 30 is desirably fully separated from the
reminder of the
closure 10 via the frangible connection 50, which indicates that the closure
10 has been
unthreaded with respect to the container 108.
[0068] The neck portion 102 of the container 108 includes the external thread
formation 104,
the A-collar 106 and the continuous outer ring 110. The continuous outer ring
110 assists in
positioning the tamper-evident band 30 if the annular skirt portion 14 is
unthreaded from the
neck 102 of the container 108 by the breaking of the frangible connection 50.
The
continuous outer ring 110 also assists in simplifying the handling of the
container during the
formation and filling of the container during the manufacturing process.
[0069] The polymeric closures of the present invention are desirable in both
low-temperature
and high-temperature applications. The polymeric closures may be used in low-
temperature
applications such as an ambient or a cold fill. These applications typically
include
pressurized products such as carbonated soft drinks. It is contemplated that
the closure may
be used in other applications such as water, sports drinks, and aseptic
applications such as
dairy products. It is contemplated that other low-temperature applications may
be used with
the polymeric closures of the present invention.
[0070] The polymeric closures of the present invention may be exposed to high-
temperature
applications such as hot-fill, pasteurization, and retort applications. A hot
fill application is
generally performed at temperatures around 185 F, while a hot-fill with
pasteurization is
generally performed at temperatures around 205 F. Retort applications are
typically done at
temperatures greater than 250 F. It is contemplated that the polymeric
closures of the present
invention can be used in other high-temperature applications.
