U.S. patent application number 10/559801 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for synthetic resin cap, closing device, and container-packed beverage.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alco Closure Systems Japan, Limited. Invention is credited to Mitsuharu Harada, Masataka Hisano, Hiroaki Tsutsumi.
Application Number | 20060138071 10/559801 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33548977 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060138071 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsutsumi; Hiroaki ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
Synthetic resin cap, closing device, and container-packed
beverage
Abstract
A synthetic resin cap according to the present invention
includes a cap body having a top plate and a cylindrical section
extending downward from a periphery of the top plate; a circular
inner seal projection formed on an inner surface of the top plate
and fits into a container opening; and a circular opening edge seal
projection formed on the inner surface of the top plate and
contacts an opening edge of the container opening, wherein the
opening edge seal projection bends and deforms in an expanding
radial direction until contacting the cap body at the time of
attaching the synthetic resin cap to the container opening, and
wherein a positioning protrusion is provided on the top plate that
contacts the opening edge when the opening edge seal projection
bend and deformed until contacting the cap body. The present
invention provides the synthetic resin cap, a closing device having
thereof, and a container-filled beverage.
Inventors: |
Tsutsumi; Hiroaki;
(Chiba-shi, JP) ; Harada; Mitsuharu; (Tsukuba-shi,
JP) ; Hisano; Masataka; (Oyama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
Alco Closure Systems Japan,
Limited
148, Oaza Nogi, Nogi-machi, Shimotsuga-gun
Tochigi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
33548977 |
Appl. No.: |
10/559801 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
June 10, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/07350 |
371 Date: |
December 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/252 ;
215/344; 215/354 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/325 20130101;
B65D 41/0421 20130101; B65D 41/3428 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/252 ;
215/344; 215/354 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/34 20060101
B65D041/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2001 |
JP |
2001-377861 |
Claims
1. A synthetic resin cap comprising: a cap body having a top plate
and a cylindrical section extending downward from a periphery of
the top plate; a circular inner seal projection formed on an inner
surface of the top plate and fits into a container opening; and a
circular opening edge seal projection formed on the inner surface
of the top plate and contacts an opening edge of the container
opening, wherein the opening edge seal projection bends and deforms
in an expanding radial direction until contacting the cap body at
the time of attaching the synthetic resin cap to the container
opening, and wherein a positioning protrusion is provided on the
top plate that contacts the opening edge when the opening edge seal
projection bend and deformed until contacting the cap body.
2. The synthetic resin cap according to claim 1, wherein the
positioning protrusion is integrated with the inner seal
projection.
3. The synthetic resin cap according to claim 1, wherein the
opening seal projection comprises an erect cylindrical section
extending downward from the top plate, and an expanding cylindrical
section spreads in a skirt-like shape from the erect cylindrical
section.
4. A closing device comprising a container and a synthetic resin
cap that is attached to an opening of the container, wherein the
synthetic resin cap has a cap body having a top plate and a
cylindrical section extending downward from the periphery of the
top plate, a circular inner seal projection formed on an inner
surface of the top plate and fits into a container opening, and a
circular opening edge seal projection formed on the inner surface
of the top plate and contacts an opening edge of the container
opening, wherein the opening edge seal projection bends and deforms
in an expanding radial direction until contacting the cap body at
the time of attaching the synthetic resin cap to the container
opening, and wherein a positioning protrusion is provided on the
top plate and contacts the opening edge when the opening edge seal
projection bend and deformed until contacting the cap body.
5. A container-filled beverage in which a beverage is filled in a
closing device that comprising a container and a synthetic resin
cap attached to an opening thereof, wherein the synthetic resin cap
has a cap body having a top plate and a cylindrical section
extending downward from the periphery of the top plate, and a
circular inner seal projection formed on an inner surface of the
top plate and fits into a container opening, and a circular opening
edge seal projection formed on the inner surface of the top plate
and contacts an opening edge of the container opening, wherein the
opening edge seal projection bends and deforms in an expanding
radial direction until contacting the cap body at the time of
attaching the synthetic resin cap to the container opening, and
wherein a positioning protrusion is provided on the top plate and
contacts the opening edge when the opening edge seal projection
bend and deformed until contacting the cap body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a synthetic resin cap that is
attached to a container opening and seals the container opening, a
closing device using the synthetic resin cap, and a
container-filled beverage.
BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A linerless cap, which gives a seal function to a cap body,
is one type of a synthetic resin cap.
[0003] A cap including on its top plate an inner seal projection
that fits into the container opening is used as this type of
linerless cap.
[0004] In conventional synthetic resin caps there is a problem in
that, at the time of attaching to the container opening, the
hermeticity deteriorates when the winding tightness is
insufficient, and the disconnecting torque becomes too great when
the winding tightness is excessive.
[0005] For this reason, there is a demand for a technique for
reliably obtaining the appropriate hermeticity and disconnecting
torque.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been realized in view of the
circumstances described above, and aims to provide a synthetic
resin cap that may reliably obtain the appropriate hermeticity and
disconnecting torque.
[0007] The synthetic resin cap of this invention is characterized
in that a circular opening edge seal projection that contacts an
opening edge of a container opening is provided on the inner face
of a top plate, and, at the time of attaching the synthetic resin
cap to the container opening, the opening edge seal projection is
made able to bend and be deformed in the expanding radial direction
until it contacts a cap body; a positioning protrusion is provided
on the top plate, and contacts the opening edge when the opening
edge seal projection has bend and deformed until contacting the cap
body.
[0008] The positioning protrusion may preferably be integrated with
the inner seal projection.
[0009] The opening seal projection may be constituted from an erect
cylindrical section extending downward from the top plate, and an
expanding cylindrical section spreads in a skirt-like shape from
the erect cylindrical section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an
embodiment of a closing device according to this invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing part of
the synthetic resin cap shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a step diagram showing a step of attaching the
synthetic resin cap shown in FIG. 1 to a container opening.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a step diagram showing a state in which the
synthetic resin cap of FIG. 1 is attached to the container
opening.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0014] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of a closing device of
this invention, the closing device shown here including a container
21, and a synthetic resin cap 1 that is attached to an opening 20
of the container 21.
[0015] The container 21 is made of a synthetic resin such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, or the like, a threaded
section 22 that is formed around the outer periphery of the
container opening 20, and an expanding step section 23 that is
formed below the threaded section 22. An opening edge 20b of the
container opening 20 is provided flatly so as to run along a
substantially horizontal face.
[0016] The synthetic resin cap 1 includes a cap body 4 having the
disk-shaped top plate 2 and a cylindrical section 3 extending
downward from the periphery of the top plate 2, a circular inner
seal projection 12 which fits into the container opening 20
projecting downward provided on an inner surface of the top plate
2, and a circular opening edge seal projection 13, which contacts
the opening edge 20b (particularly outer peripheral section 20c
thereof) of the container opening 20 projecting downward provided
on an inner surface of the top plate 2.
[0017] The cylindrical section 3 of the cap body 4 is divided by a
horizontal score 6 (weakening line) into a main section 8 above the
horizontal score 6, and a tamper evidence ring section 9 (TE ring
section), which is connected to the bottom edge of the main section
8 by bridges 7.
[0018] A threaded section 10 engaging with the threaded section 22
of the container opening 20 is formed on the inner face of the main
section 8.
[0019] Tabs 11 are provided on the inner face of the TE ring
section 9. Tabs 11 are a plurality of thin plate-like clipping
means for preventing the movement of the TE ring section 9 by
clipping with the container 21 when the cap 1 is disconnected.
[0020] The cap 1 is made of a synthetic resin material such as high
density polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0021] The inner seal projection 12 contacts an inner peripheral
surface 20a of the container opening 20 when fitted into the
container opening 20.
[0022] Preferably, the inner seal projection 12 may gradually
increase in diameter as it extends downward, so that the outer
diameter of a maximum outer diameter section 12a is greater than
the inner diameter of the container opening 20.
[0023] The inner seal projection 12 may preferably be formed so
that it may elastically deformable in the compressing radial
direction so as to be fitted into the container opening 20.
[0024] That is, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line
in FIG. 2, the inner seal projection 12 may be constituted so that
it may elastically bend and deform in the compressing radial
direction (the direction in which a tip 12c moves inward) at a base
section 12b.
[0025] The protruding length of the inner seal projection 12 is
preferably from 1 to 5 mm (more preferably from 2 to 4 mm).
[0026] The thickness of the inner seal projection 12 is preferably
from 0.5 to 2 mm (more preferably from 0.5 to 1 mm).
[0027] The gradient angle of the outer surface of the inner seal
projection 12 with respect to the vertical direction (the direction
perpendicular to the top plate 2) is preferably from 5.degree. to
30.degree. (more preferably from 10.degree. to 20.degree.).
[0028] The height position of the maximum outer diameter section
12a is preferably set so that the distance between the maximum
outer diameter section 12a and the top plate 2 is 4 mm or less
(more preferably 3 mm or less).
[0029] The outer diameter of the maximum outer diameter section 12a
is preferably from 21.74 mm to 23.74 mm (more preferably from 21.94
mm to 22.94 mm).
[0030] The difference between the outer diameter of the maximum
outer diameter section 12a and the inner diameter of the container
opening 20 is preferably 1 mm or less (more preferably from 0.1 mm
to 0.6 mm).
[0031] The opening edge seal projection 13 sealing the opening edge
20b of the container opening 20 (particularly the outer peripheral
section 20c) is formed on the outer side of the diameter direction
than the inner seal projection 12. The opening edge seal projection
13 has an erect cylindrical section 13a extending substantially
vertically downward from the inner face of the top plate 2, and a
skirt-like expanding cylindrical section 13b widening in diameter
along with extending downward from the bottom edge of the erect
cylindrical section 13a.
[0032] The projection length of the opening edge seal projection 13
is preferably from 1 mm to 4 mm (more preferably from 1.5 mm to 3
mm).
[0033] The length of the erect cylindrical section 13a is
preferably from 0.5 mm to 3 mm (more preferably from 1 mm to 2 mm),
and thickness thereof is preferably from 0.1 mm to 1 mm (more
preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm).
[0034] The length of the expanding cylindrical section 13b is
preferably from 0.5 mm to 3 mm (more preferably from 1 mm to 2 mm),
and thickness thereof is preferably set greater than the thickness
of the erect cylindrical section 13a, more specifically, from 0.2
mm to 1.5 mm (more preferably from 0.4 mm to 1 mm).
[0035] The gradient angle of the expanding cylindrical section 13b
with respect to the vertical direction is preferably from
20.degree. to 60.degree..
[0036] The opening edge seal projection 13 is capable of bending
and deforming in the expanding radial direction at a base section
13c of the erect cylindrical section 13a.
[0037] The inner diameter of the erect cylindrical section 13a is
set smaller than the outer diameter of the container opening
20.
[0038] The diameter of a bottom edge 13d of the expanding
cylindrical section 13b is preferably set larger than the outer
diameter of the container opening 20.
[0039] A thin section 2b is thinner than the outer periphery
section 2a, and is formed in the central section of the top plate
2. The thin section 2b is provided inner than the base section 12b
of the inner seal projection 12. The thin section 2b is preferably
circular in shape.
[0040] The thickness of the thin section 2b is preferably from 0.5
mm to 2.0 mm (more preferably from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm).
[0041] The height of a step 2c between the outer periphery section
2a and the thin section 2b is preferably from 0.1 mm to 1.0 (more
preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm).
[0042] An auxiliary wall section 14 is provided at a corner 15 on
the inner surface of the connecting section between the top plate 2
and the cylindrical section 3, and tapers from top to bottom so as
to fill up the corner 15.
[0043] Since the auxiliary wall section 14 increases the rigidity
of the connecting section between the top plate 2 and the
cylindrical section 3, preventing the top plate 2 from expanding
and deforming when the pressure inside the container 21 is
increased, the height and width of the auxiliary wall section 14 is
preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm (more preferably between 0.5 mm
and 1.8 mm).
[0044] The auxiliary wall section 14 is made of the same material
as the cap body 4, and is preferably integrated with the cap body
4.
[0045] In the cap 1 of this embodiment, a positioning protrusion 16
contacting the opening edge 20b of the container opening 20 is
provided on the top plate 2.
[0046] The positioning protrusion 16 is substantially rectangular
in cross-section and protrudes downward in order to keep the
distance between the top plate 2 and the opening edge 20b
substantially constant and to keep the wind tightening angle
substantially constant when attaching the cap.
[0047] The positioning protrusion 16 is integrated with the inner
seal projection 12 on the outer surface side of the inner seal
projection.
[0048] The positioning protrusion 16 is provided at a position so
that bottom face 16a thereof contacts the opening edge 20b as
attaching the cap 1 to the container opening 20.
[0049] The positioning protrusion 16 may be formed in a continuous
circular shape in the circumferential direction, or in a
non-continuous circular shape including a plurality of island-like
projections that are arranged in the circumferential direction.
[0050] The height A of the positioning protrusion 16 is preferably
from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm (more preferably from 0.5 mm to 1 mm).
[0051] When the height A is shorter than this range, the
disconnecting torque is liable to become excessive; when the height
A is higher than this range, the hermeticity is liable to
decrease.
[0052] The width B of the positioning protrusion 16 is preferably
from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm (more preferably from 0.7 mm to 1.3 mm).
[0053] Subsequently, the operation of the cap 1 when it is attached
to the container opening 20 will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0054] When the cap 1 is wound and tightened around the container
opening 20, the inner seal projection 12 fits into the container
opening 20 and contacts the inner peripheral surface 20a of the
container opening 20 with no gap therebetween.
[0055] When the inner seal projection 12 fits into the container
opening 20, the inner seal projection 12 elastically bends and
deforms at the base section 12b in the compressing radial direction
(the direction in which the tip 12c moves inward) (see FIG. 3).
[0056] As a consequence, the outer diameter of the inner seal
projection 12 decreases, enabling it to fit into the container
opening 20.
[0057] After having been fitted into the container opening 20, the
inner seal projection 12 has elastically deformed in the
compressing radial direction, whereby its elastic restoring force
applies a pressing force to the container opening 20 in the
expanding radial direction.
[0058] As the cap 1 is rotated, the outer peripheral section 20c of
the opening edge 20b of the container opening 20 contacts the inner
surface of the expanding cylindrical section 13b of the opening
edge seal projection 13, applying an upward force against it (see
FIG. 3).
[0059] As a result of the application of the upward force of the
container opening 20 against the expanding cylindrical section 13b,
a force in the expanding radial direction is applied against the
opening edge seal projection 13, whereby the opening edge seal
projection 13 bends and deforms at the base 13c in the expanding
radial direction, and its tip side moves outward.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, when the cap 1 is further rotated, the
container opening 20 causes the opening edge seal projection 13 to
bend and deform further in the expanding radial direction, and a
tip 13e contacts the cap body 4 (the auxiliary wall section 14 in
the example shown in FIG. 4).
[0061] In this state, the outer peripheral section 20c of the
opening edge 20b applies a diagonally upward pressing force against
the erect cylindrical section 13a, and in addition, the auxiliary
wall section 14 applies a diagonally downward resistant force
against the expanding cylindrical section 13b, whereby the opening
edge seal projection 13 slightly bends and deforms in the
midsection of longitudinal direction so as to jut outward.
[0062] Consequently, the opening edge seal projection 13 bends and
deforms outwardly at the base section 13c and bends and deforms
outwardly also at the midsection of the longitudinal direction.
[0063] Therefore, the elastic restoring force pushes the opening
edge seal projection 13 against the opening edge 20b (particularly
the outer peripheral section 20c) so that the opening edge seal
projection 13 contacts the opening edge 20b (particularly the outer
peripheral section 20c) without a gap, thereby sealing the
container opening 20.
[0064] At this time, since the opening edge seal projection 13 does
not contact the entire opening edge 20b but only a narrow area
including the outer peripheral section 20c, the force applied
against the opening edge 20b by the opening edge seal projection 13
is concentrated near the outer peripheral section 20c.
[0065] In the state shown in FIG. 4, the opening edge 20b of the
container opening 20 is contacting the bottom surface 16a of the
positioning protrusion 16.
[0066] This positions the height of the cap 1 with respect to the
opening edge 20b, and obtains a predetermined distance between the
top plate 2 and the opening edge 20b.
[0067] Consequently, the deformation amount of the opening edge
seal projection 13 reaches a predetermined value, and the pressing
force of the opening edge seal projection 13 against the opening
edge 20b reaches a predetermined value.
[0068] By attaching the cap 1 to the container opening 20 by the
steps described above, the container 21 is hermetically sealed.
[0069] When the cap 1, which has been attached to the container
opening 20, is rotated in the disconnecting direction, the tabs 11
that are provided on the inner surface of the TE ring section 9
clip with the bottom edge of the expanding step section 23 of the
container opening 20, making the main section 8 of the cap body 4
rise as the cap 1 is rotated and stopping the TE ring section 9
from moving upward.
[0070] Consequently, an expanding force acts on the plurality of
narrow bridges 7 that are connecting the cap main section 8 to the
TE ring section 9, breaking the bridges 7, cutting away the TE ring
section 9 from the main section 8, and disconnecting the cap 1.
[0071] In the cap 1 of this embodiment, since the positioning
protrusion 16 is provided on the top plate 2 and contacts the
opening edge 20b when the opening edge seal projection 13 has bent
and deformed until contacting the cap body 4, at the time of
attaching the cap, a predetermined distance between the top plate 2
and the opening edge 20b can be ensured, and the pressing force of
the opening edge seal projection 13 against the opening edge 20b
can be made sufficient.
[0072] Therefore, sufficient sealing capability can be
achieved.
[0073] Furthermore, since a predetermined distance can be obtained
between the top plate 2 and the opening edge 20b, a predetermined
wind tightening angle can be ensured when attaching the cap.
[0074] Therefore, the disconnecting torque can be set to an
appropriate value.
[0075] Incidentally, the clipping means of the tamper evidence ring
section 9 are not limited to the tabs 11 in the embodiment
described above, it being acceptable to use tabs including wings
and beads, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No.
H08-46445 already applied for by the present applicant, or clipping
means that combine clipping claws on the container side and
clipping protrusions on the tamper evidence ring side, as disclosed
in Japanese Patent Applications Nos. H06-228514, H06-246619,
H06-275415, H06-307804, H06-313837, H07-84315, and H07-109850.
[0076] In this invention, the container 21 may be filled with a
beverage such as fruit juice, tea, coffee, and the like, so that by
attaching the cap 1 to the container opening 20 it is possible to
obtain a container-filled beverage.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0077] As described above, the synthetic resin cap of this
invention has the positioning protrusion contacting the opening
edge on the top plate, so that at the time of attaching the cap, a
predetermined distance may be obtained between the top plate and
the opening edge, and a predetermined pressing force may be applied
against the opening edge by the opening edge seal projection,
obtaining sufficient sealing capability.
[0078] Furthermore, since a predetermined distance can be obtained
between the top plate and the opening edge, the wind tightening
angle when attaching the cap can be set at a predetermined value,
and the disconnecting torque can be set to an appropriate
value.
* * * * *