U.S. patent application number 11/215668 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for tamper-evident plug seal closure.
Invention is credited to David E. Babcock, John J. Brown, Coy Herald, Roshan Jahan, Richard Laveault, Robert Aaron Schwarts, Larry Smeyak, Mike Zurawski.
Application Number | 20060043053 11/215668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35941566 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060043053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herald; Coy ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Tamper-evident plug seal closure
Abstract
A plastic closure for a container includes a top wall portion,
an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion, and a
removal tab projecting downwardly from the skirt portion for
manipulation of the closure during removal. A sealing plug depends
from the inside surface of the top wall portion for disposition
generally within the mouth of an associated container. The closure
includes a pair of weakened regions which extend along the skirt
portion on respective opposite sides of the removal tab, and which
further extend along the closure top wall portion on respective
opposite sides of the sealing plug.
Inventors: |
Herald; Coy;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Laveault; Richard;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Jahan; Roshan;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Schwarts; Robert Aaron;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Brown; John J.;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Babcock; David E.;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Smeyak; Larry;
(Crawfordsville, IN) ; Zurawski; Mike;
(Crawfordsville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
35941566 |
Appl. No.: |
11/215668 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60605789 |
Aug 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/253 ;
215/344 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/485
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/253 ;
215/344 |
International
Class: |
B65D 39/00 20060101
B65D039/00 |
Claims
1. A closure for a container comprising: a top wall portion; an
annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion; a
removal tab projecting from said skirt portion; and a sealing plug
depending from an inside surface of said top wall portion for
disposition generally within a mouth of an associated container,
said closure including a pair of frangible weakened regions
extending along said annular skirt on respective opposite sides of
said removal tab, and further extending along said top wall portion
on respective opposite sides of said sealing plug.
2. A closure in accordance with claim 1, including: a sealing liner
disposed on said sealing plug for sealing engagement with said
container.
3. A closure in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said sealing
liner is coextensive with said sealing plug, and includes a central
portion positioned generally within said sealing plug adjacent said
top wall portion.
4. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said annular
skirt portion includes at least one inwardly projecting retention
bead for retaining said closure on said container.
5. A closure in accordance with claim 4, wherein: said annular
skirt portion includes a plurality of inwardly projecting,
circumferentially spaced retention beads, one of said retention
beads on said skirt portion generally between said pair of weakened
regions.
6. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said pair of
weakened regions extend along said top wall portion partially
around said sealing plug.
7. A closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said pair of
weakened regions extend along said top wall portion in concentric
relationship with said sealing plug.
8. A closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said pair of
weakened regions extend partially around said sealing plug on the
side of said sealing plug opposite said removal tab.
9. A closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said weakened
regions comprise relatively thin portions of said closure, having a
thickness of about 0.005 to 0.010 inches.
10. A closure for a container, comprising: a top wall portion; an
annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion, said
skirt portion including at least one inwardly projecting retention
bead; a sealing plug depending from an inside surface of said top
wall portion for disposition generally within a mouth of an
associated container; and a sealing liner disposed on said sealing
plug for sealing engagement with said containers, said closure
including a pair of weakened regions extending along said top wall
portion on respective opposite sides of said sealing plug.
11. A closure in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said pair of
weakened regions extend along said top wall portion partially
around said sealing plug.
12. A closure in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said pair of
weakened regions extend along said top wall portion in concentric
relationship with said sealing plug.
13. A closure in accordance with claim 12, wherein: said weakened
regions comprise relatively thin portions of said closure, having a
thickness of about 0.005 to 0.010 inches.
14. A closure in accordance with claim 10, including: a removal tab
projecting downwardly from said skirt portion.
15. A closure in accordance with claim 14, wherein: said pair of
weakened regions further extend along said skirt portion on
respective opposite sides of said removal tab.
16. A closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein: said closure is
configured for snap-on application, and said skirt portion includes
a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly projecting
retention beads, with one of said retention beads being positioned
generally between said weakened regions extending along said skirt
portion.
17. A closure in accordance with claim 15, wherein: said sealing
plug is generally aligned with the portions of said pair of
weakened regions extending along said skirt portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to closures for
bottles and like containers, and more particularly to a plastic,
plug seal closure for a container which is configured for
convenient removal without openers or the like, and which provides
visually discernable tamper-evidence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various constructions for container closures have been
developed over the years in order to provide effective closure and
sealing, while permitting convenient closure removal for
consumption or use of the container contents. By way of example,
use of internally threaded, molded plastic closures has become
increasingly widespread by virtue of the sealing integrity which
they provide, especially for carbonated beverages, while
facilitating convenient removal by consumers. U.S. Pat. No.
4,407,422, No. 4,497,765, No. 4,418,828, and No. 4,938,370, all
hereby incorporated by reference, disclose various
compression-molded plastic closures which have proven to be very
commercially successful, in part due to the tamper-indicating
features with which such closures can be provided.
[0003] Internally-threaded closures of the above type have, in
part, supplanted use of metal, so-called crowns, which have been,
and continue to be employed on beverage containers. While closures
of this type provide the desired sealing integrity, such closures
have typically required use of an opener or like implement to
effect their removal from an associated container. While
manually-removable "twist-off" crowns are known, such closures can
still be difficult for some consumers to remove without use of an
opener or the like. Additionally, metal crown closures typically do
not include any specific tamper-indicating feature, which can be
desirable to assure consumers of a container's integrity.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a
closure for a container which can be efficiently applied, and
easily removed by consumers without an associated opener or like
implement. Aside from providing the desired sealing integrity,
particularly for carbonated contents, it is desirable to provide a
closure which is configured for tamper-evidence.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The plastic closure embodying the principles of the present
invention can be configured for snap-on application to an
associated container, and removal by consumers without use of an
opener or like implement. Notably, the present snap-on closure is
configured to provide tamper-evidence in a manner which is clearly
visually discernable by consumers, and is further desirably
configured to vent gas pressure from within a container prior to
complete closure removal. The present closure is desirably
straightforward in configuration, thus facilitating efficient,
cost-effective manufacture, and is readily adaptable to existing
container finishes, such as commonly employed with metal closure
crowns.
[0006] A closure embodying the principles of the present invention
includes a top wall portion, and an annular skirt portion depending
from the top wall portion. In the preferred configuration, the
closure includes a removal tab which projects downwardly from the
skirt portion, and facilitates convenient removal by consumers
without a closure opening implement.
[0007] Sealing of the associated container is effected by the
provision of a generally cylindrical sealing plug which depends
from an inside surface of the top wall portion of the closure. The
sealing plug is configured for disposition generally within the
mouth of an associated container. Depending on the specific
application, the present closure can be provided in a composite
form, and include a sealing liner disposed on the sealing plug for
sealing engagement with the associated container. The sealing liner
may be formed separately, or molded on the sealing plug.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, the present
closure provides tamper-evidence attendant to closure removal by
the provision of a pair of weakened regions which preferably extend
along the annular skirt portion of the closure, on respective
opposite sides of the removal tab, and which further extend along
the top wall portion on respective opposite sides of the sealing
plug. The sealing plug is preferably generally aligned with the
portions of the weakened regions extending along the closure skirt,
with the weakened regions preferably extending partially about, and
in concentric relationship with, the sealing plug.
[0009] By this arrangement, removal of the closure from an
associated container can be initiated by upward movement of the
removal tab, which effects breakage and tearing of the weakened
regions in the closure skirt. Tearing of the weakened regions
propagates and continues into the top wall portion of the closure,
on opposite side of the sealing plug, with continued opening
movement of the removal tab acting to disengage and dislodge the
sealing plug from within the mouth of the associated container. The
closure is clearly visibly permanently altered by this tearing of
the weakened regions, thus providing clear tamper-evidence.
Additionally, this opening action, with the sealing plug generally
separating from the remainder of the top wall portion, desirably
effects venting of any gas pressure from within the associated
container prior to disengagement of the closure from the associated
container.
[0010] The closure is retained on the associated container by the
provision of at least one inwardly projecting retention bead. In
the preferred form, a plurality of inwardly projecting,
circumferentially spaced retention beads are provided, with the
portion of the skirt portion between the pair of weakened regions
having one of the retention beads thereon.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become readily apparent from the following detailed description,
the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a closure embodying the
principles of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the present
closure;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the inside of the
present closure;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present closure
taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter
be described, a presently preferred embodiment, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0017] With reference to the drawings, therein is illustrated a
closure 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. In
the presently preferred form, the closure 10 includes a sealing
liner 12, which can be separately formed, or molded, in situ, for
enhancing sealing cooperation with an associated container.
However, as will be evident from the present disclosure, a closure
configured in accordance with the principles disclosed herein need
not include the separate sealing liner 12. Closure 10 can be
fabricated in accordance with conventional manufacturing
techniques, including compression molding and injection
molding.
[0018] While it is presently preferred that closure 10 be
configured for snap-on application to an associated container, the
closure can be otherwise configured, such as to facilitate screw-on
or twist-on application to a container. The container may be
provided with external or internal threads to facilitate
application and retention in this fashion.
[0019] The closure 10 includes a generally circular top wall
portion 14, and an annular skirt portion 16 which depends from the
top wall portion. In the preferred form, the closure 10 includes a
lever-like removal tab 18 which projects downwardly from the skirt
portion 16, and which facilitates manipulation and removal of the
closure from the container by consumers.
[0020] Closure 10 is configured to effect a so-called plug seal
with the associated container, and to this end, the closure
includes a sealing plug 20 (FIG. 4) depending from an inside
surface of the top wall portion 14 for disposition generally within
the mouth of the associated container. While the sealing plug 20
may be configured for sealing engagement with the interior of the
container, it is presently preferred that the closure 10 include
the sealing liner 12 for disposition on the sealing plug, such that
the sealing liner is positioned for sealing engagement with the
container.
[0021] It is presently contemplated that the sealing liner 12 be
formed by injection molding in situ, that is, by a secondary
process for molding the liner 32 directly on the sealing plug 20.
Alternatively, the liner 32 can be separately molded, such as by
compression molding, and then assembled with the closure by
disposition on sealing plug 20. Formation of the sealing liner 12
from suitable material such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or
like materials as are known in the art for such applications, is
contemplated. By the above-described configuration of the sealing
plug 20 and sealing liner 12, sealing of the closure 10 with the
associated container is effected generally along the outside
surface of the sealing liner 12 where the sealing liner engages the
inside surface of the mouth of the container.
[0022] The liner 12 is preferably coextensive with the sealing plug
20, and includes a central portion 28 adjacent to wall portion
14.
[0023] As noted, the present closure is preferably configured for
snap-on application to the associated container, and can be
configured for retention on the container without resort to thread
formations or the like. In order to retain the closure 10 on the
circumferential bead of the container, the closure includes at
least one, and preferably a plurality of retention beads 30 which
project inwardly from the skirt portion 16 of the closure. As
shown, one of the retention beads 30 is provided on skirt portion
16 generally between the weakened regions 32, generally above
removal tab 18.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, tamper-evident
removal of closure 10 from an associated container is effected by
the provision of a pair of frangible weakened regions 32, or
frangible tear lines, which extend along the skirt portion 16 of
the closure on respective opposite sides of removal tab 18, and
which further extend along top wall portion 14 on respective
opposite sides of sealing plug 20. The weakened regions are
provided in the form of relatively thin portions of the closure,
and are preferably formed by molding, or may be formed by scoring
or cutting the closure. The relatively thin weakened regions
preferably have a thickness in the range of about 0.005 to 0.010
inches, with the weakened regions having a thickness of 0.007
inches in a current embodiment, wherein the closure is formed from
polypropylene.
[0025] It is presently preferred that the weakened regions 32 be
formed along the inside surfaces of skirt portion 16 and top wall
portion 14, as illustrated, but it will be understood that the
weakened regions can be formed to extend along either or both of
the inside and outside surfaces of the closure 10. As will be
observed in FIG. 3, the sealing plug 20 is generally aligned with
those portions of the weakened regions 32 which extend along the
skirt portion 16, with the weakened regions 32 preferably extending
in concentric relationship with sealing plug 20. The weakened
regions 32 preferably extend along the top wall portion partially
around the sealing plug 20, with the presently preferred
configuration being such that the weakened regions 32 extend
partially around the sealing plug on the side of the sealing plug
opposite the removal tab. The weakened regions each extend around
the sealing plug 20 to a point spaced at an angle .alpha. from the
center of removal tab 18, with angle .alpha. being 135.degree. in a
current embodiment (i.e., the ends of the weakened regions on top
wall 14 are spaced apart at about 90.degree.).
[0026] By this configuration of the weakened regions 32,
tamper-evident closure removal is facilitated. Upward lever-like
manipulation of removal tab 18 results in fracture and tearing of
the weakened regions 32 extending along the skirt portion 16.
Tearing and fracture of the weakened regions continues and
propagates from the skirt portion into the top wall portion 14,
with continued upward manipulation of removal tab 18 acting to
dislodge sealing plug 20 from the mouth of the container. The
preferred disposition of one of the retention beads 30 on the
portion of the skirt portion positioned between weakened regions
32, generally above removal tab 18, permits tearing and opening of
the closure in this fashion while the remainder of the retention
beads 30 remain generally in engagement with the finish of the
container. As manipulation of removal tab 18 acts to dislodge
sealing plug 20 from the container, any gas pressure within the
container can be vented, while the closure 10 generally remains in
place on the container. Thus, that portion of the closure
positioned generally between the weakened regions 32, including the
removal tab 18, the adjacent skirt portion 16, and the sealing plug
20 move generally as an integrated unit, as the removal tab is
manipulated, and flex upwardly with respect to the remainder of the
closure, which is retained in position by the retention beads
30.
[0027] After tearing and fracture of the weakened regions 32, the
structural integrity of closure 10 is sufficiently weakened as to
permit the closure to be readily removed from the associated
container generally by outward and upward deformation of skirt
portion 16. By virtue of the resilience of the polymeric material
from which the closure 10 is formed, the closure can be re-applied
to the container to effect an adequate seal for any contents of the
container which may remain after its initial removal. However,
while re-application of the closure 10 to the container after
initial removal is possible, it is not contemplated that such
re-application is intended to effect the same degree of sealing
integrity with the container as when the closure is initially
applied. In any event, initial removal of the closure provides
clearly visible evidence of opening, by virtue of the clearly
distinct tearing and fracture of weakened regions 32, thus
providing clear evidence of opening for consumers, even if the
closure 10 is subsequently reapplied to the container.
[0028] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effected without departing from
the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should
be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended
claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *