U.S. patent application number 10/556435 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-30 for bottle seal.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alcoa Deutschland GmbH. Invention is credited to Gunter Spatz.
Application Number | 20060266727 10/556435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33440940 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060266727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spatz; Gunter |
November 30, 2006 |
Bottle seal
Abstract
The invention relates to a closure for closing a bottle having a
bottleneck (1) with an opening on which bottleneck an outer thread
(5,6) is formed in the vicinity of the opening. In order to provide
a closure that is easy to handle and can be fabricated
inexpensively, the closure (2) has at least one, and particularly
several, deformation regions which are plastically deformed so that
in the outer peripheral surface of the closure they form
indentations (21,22) and internally (25,26) they are adapted to the
thread (5,6).
Inventors: |
Spatz; Gunter; (Lampertheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
Alcoa Deutschland GmbH
Mainzer Strasse 185
Worms
DE
D-67547
|
Family ID: |
33440940 |
Appl. No.: |
10/556435 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
May 5, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/04745 |
371 Date: |
November 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67B 3/20 20130101; B65D
41/348 20130101; B67B 3/14 20130101; B67B 3/12 20130101; B65D
41/0464 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/252 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2003 |
DE |
103 22 374.6 |
Claims
1. Closure for closing a bottle having a bottleneck with an opening
on which bottleneck, in the vicinity of said opening, there is
formed an outer thread, the closure having at least one and
particularly several deformation regions that are plastically
deformable so that in the outer peripheral surface of the closure
they form indentations and internally they are adaptable to the
thread, the deformation regions being elongated and disposable
essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle or at
an angle to the thread and the closure having an outer jacket made
of plastically deformable sheet metal, particularly aluminum, on
the inside of which can be placed a plastically deformable sealing
material, particularly a plastic material, wherein the deformation
regions in the outer jacket are shaped in the form of elongated
tongues or creases disposed in the direction of the longitudinal
axis of the bottle and that in the deformation regions, on the
inside of the closure, the sealing material can be pressed against
the thread flights.
2. Closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the jacket has the shape
of a cap surrounding an essentially cylinder jacket-shaped body one
face of which is closed by a circular disk-shaped lid.
3. Closure as defined in claim 2, wherein the sealing material is
disposed internally on the cylinder jacket-shaped body.
4. Closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the sealing material is
disposed in the region of the interface between the body and the
lid.
5. Closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the closure is combined
with a safety element providing a tamper-evident closure.
6. Bottle, particularly a beverage bottle, with a bottleneck having
an opening on which bottleneck, in the vicinity of said opening,
there is formed an outer thread, wherein the bottle opening is
closed by a closure as defined in claim 1.
7. Method for closing a bottle, particularly a beverage bottle,
with a bottleneck having an opening, on which bottleneck, in the
vicinity of said opening, there is formed an outer thread, with a
closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the closure is placed on the
bottleneck and the deformation regions are deformed plastically so
that in the outer peripheral surface of the closure they form
indentations and internally they are adapted to the bottle
thread.
8. Method as defined in claim 7, wherein the following steps: a)
first, applying pressure to the closure to ensure sealing between
the closure and the bottleneck opening; b) then, deforming the
deformation regions of the closure.
9. Device for closing a bottle, particularly a beverage bottle,
with a bottleneck having an opening on which bottleneck, in the
vicinity of said opening, there is formed an outer thread, with a
closure as defined in claim 1, wherein form fingers intended for
the purpose of forming the deformation regions.
10. Device as defined in claim 9, wherein the form fingers are
supported in swivelable manner.
11. Device as defined in claim 10, wherein a conical sleeve
intended for the purpose of pressing the form fingers against the
deformation regions of the closure so as to bring about plastic
deformation of the deformation regions.
12. Device as defined in one claim 9, wherein a plunger intended
for the purpose of applying pressure to the closure so as to press
the closure against the bottle opening.
13. Device as defined in claim 12, wherein the form fingers are
disposed on the plunger in swivelable manner.
14. Device as defined in claim 12, wherein the form fingers are
held together by an elastic ring.
15. Device as defined in claim 14, wherein each of the form fingers
is provided with a recess for receiving a section of the elastic
ring.
16. Device as defined in claim 9, wherein in the end region of each
of the form fingers there is provided a nose intended for the
purpose of reshaping a safety element.
17. Device as defined in claim 9, wherein the conical sleeve is
displaceable relative to the plunger in the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the plunger.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a closure for closing a bottle
having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which is
provided an outer thread. The invention also relates to a bottle,
particularly a beverage bottle, having a bottleneck with an opening
in the vicinity of which is provided an outer thread. The invention
also relates to a method for closing a bottle, particularly a
beverage bottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the
vicinity of which is provided an outer thread, the bottle being
provided with an afore-described closure. The invention also
relates to a device for closing a bottle, particularly a beverage
bottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of
which is provided an outer thread, with an afore-described
closure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional twist-closures contain internally an inner
thread that is configured in a manner essentially complementary to
the outer thread of the bottle. Also known are crown caps with an
inner thread which, however, because of their outer shape are
difficult to handle and which when the closure is twisted off or on
can lead to injuries to the hand of the user.
DISCUSSION
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a closure
according to the preamble of claim 1 which is easy to handle and
inexpensive to fabricate.
[0004] In the case of a closure for closing a bottle with a
bottleneck having an opening in the vicinity of which there is
provided an outer thread, this objective is reached by providing
the closure with one, and particularly with several, deformation
regions that are plastically deformed so that in the outer
peripheral surface they form indentations and internally they are
adapted to the thread. Unlike in conventional closures, the thread
is not formed in its entirety, but only in the deformation regions
of the closure. To this end, at least in the deformation regions,
the closure is made of a plastically deformable material. This
material can be, for example, a metal or a plastic material. The
closure can be made of a single material or of several different
materials. The deformation regions are deformed in a manner such
that, seen from the outside, indentations are formed in the closure
and, seen from the inside, elevations are formed. The external
indentations ensure better packing than does a smooth outer
surface. The purpose of the internal elevations is to form the
bottle thread. The bottle thread is not formed in its entirety but
only partly, namely in the deformation regions.
[0005] A preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized in
that the deformation regions are of elongated shape and are
disposed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
bottle. The longitudinal axis of the bottle corresponds to the
rotational axis of the closure when the bottle is in the closed
condition. As a result of this configuration and arrangement of the
deformation regions, said regions are disposed essentially at an
angle to the flight of the threads. As a result, one deformation
region extends over several threads. In other words, in a
deformation region, neighboring sections of different threads are
formed.
[0006] Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized
in that the deformation regions are in the form of elongated
tongues or creases disposed in the direction of the longitudinal
axis of the bottle. In this manner, the closure assumes a crown
cap-like shape. The deformation regions partly forming the bottle
thread ensure that the closure can be repeatedly twisted off and
twisted on.
[0007] Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized
in that the closure has an outer jacket made of, in particular,
plastically deformable sheet metal, particularly aluminum, on the
inside of which is provided, in particular, a plastically
deformable sealing material, particularly a plastic material. The
jacket has the function of a carrier for the sealing material.
Moreover, the jacket protects the bottle mouth from damage. In the
deformation regions, the jacket is provided with longitudinal
creases. The sealing material serves the purpose of sealing the
interface between the bottle opening and the closure. Moreover,
parts of the bottle thread are formed in the sealing material in
the deformation regions.
[0008] Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized
in that the jacket is shaped in the form of a cap that surrounds an
essentially cylinder jacket-shaped body one face of which is closed
by a circular disk-shaped lid.
[0009] Yet another preferred embodiment of the closure is
characterized in that the sealing material is disposed internally
at the cylinder jacket-shaped body. The thread is only partly
formed. The threads formed in the sealing material are not complete
but consist of only short adjacent pieces.
[0010] Still another preferred embodiment of the closure is
characterized in that the sealing material is disposed in the
region of the interface between the body and the lid. The sealing
material in the region of the interface between the body and the
lid serves to seal the bottle opening in radial and axial
direction.
[0011] Another preferred embodiment of the closure is characterized
in that a safety element, particularly a safety ring, is provided
at the closure. The safety element is intended for the purpose of
proving that the closure was not tampered with. In its place,
however, the closure can be covered by shrink film.
[0012] The object of the invention is also to provide a bottle with
a closure that is easy to handle and inexpensive to fabricate.
[0013] In the case of a bottle, particularly a beverage bottle,
having a bottleneck with an opening in the vicinity of which is
provided an outer thread, the objective is reached by closing the
bottle opening with an afore-described closure. In the closed
condition, the closure resembles a crown cap. The closure of the
invention, however, has the advantage that it can be repeatedly
opened and again tightly closed by twisting it on and off. With the
aid of a safety ring provided at the closure or with the aid of
shrink film, a tamper-evident closure can be obtained.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a method for
closing a bottle with an afore-described closure that can be
carried out in simple fashion and inexpensively.
[0015] In the case of a method for closing a bottle, particularly a
beverage bottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the
vicinity of which is provided an outer thread, with an
afore-described closure, the objec-tive is reached in that the
closure is placed on the bottleneck and the deformation regions are
plastically deformed so that in the outer peripheral surface of the
closure they form indentations and internally they are adapted to
the bottle thread. In this manner, the closure placed on the bottle
opening is given the appearance of a crown cap, but can still be
removed and then again twisted on without using a bottle
opener.
[0016] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized by the
following steps: First, pressure is applied to the closure to
ensure sealing between the closure and the bottleneck; then, the
deformation regions of the closure are deformed. This ensures
especially good sealing between the closure and the bottle
opening.
[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for
closing a bottle with an afore-described closure that is easy to
handle and inexpensive to fabricate.
[0018] In the case of a device for closing a bottle, particularly a
beverage bottle, having a bottleneck with an opening in the
vicinity of which is provided an outer thread with an
afore-described closure, the objective is reached by means of form
fingers the purpose of which is to create deformation regions. With
the aid of the form fingers, the deformation regions can be
deformed inexpensively and quite reproducibly.
[0019] A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in
that the form fingers are supported in swiveling manner. The form
fingers can, however, also be stationary.
[0020] Another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized
by a conical sleeve the purpose of which is to press the form
fingers onto the deformation regions of the closure so as to
achieve plastic deformation of the deformation regions. In tests
carried out within the framework of the present invention, this
simple solution was found to be particularly advantageous.
[0021] Yet another preferred embodiment of the device is
characterized by a plunger intended for the purpose of exerting
pressure on the closure so as to press the closure against the
bottle opening. This ensures unusually good sealing between the
closure and the bottle opening.
[0022] Still another preferred embodiment of the device is
characterized in that the form fingers are disposed on the plunger
in swiveling manner. Within the framework of the present invention,
this proved to be particularly advantageous from a constructive
standpoint.
[0023] Another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized
in that the form fingers are held together by an elastic ring. This
prevents undesirable movement of the form fingers during the
operation of the device.
[0024] Yet another preferred embodiment of the device is
characterized in that each of the form fingers is provided with a
recess for receiving a section of the elastic ring. This prevents
the elastic ring from sliding during the operation of the
device.
[0025] Still another preferred embodiment of the device is
characterized in that in the end region of the form fingers there
is provided a nose for the purpose of forming a safety ring. The
safety ring is connected with the closure, for example, by a
multiplicity of connectors. The safety ring can be fastened with
the same tool that is used to deform the deformation regions.
[0026] Another preferred embodiment of the device is characterized
in that the conical sleeve is displaceable relative to the plunger
in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plunger. This
ensures simple hand-ling of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Other advantages, features and details of the invention will
become evident from the following description in which different
embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached
drawings. The features referred to in the claims and in the
description either alone or in any desired combination can be
essential for the invention. In the drawings:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a partly sectional representation of the upper
end of a bottleneck with the closure in place;
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a section through a closure
similar to that of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the closure of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a lateral view of a closure similar to that of
FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 5 shows in longitudinal section a device for closing a
bottle in sealing position;
[0033] FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 5 in deformation position,
and
[0034] FIG. 7 shows in longitudinal section a device for closing a
bottle with swivelably disposed form fingers.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a bottleneck 1 of a beverage bottle in partial
longitudinal section. In the region of the bottleneck opening there
is formed an outer thread with two thread flights. Moreover, a
circumferential bulge 8 is formed on bottleneck 1.
[0036] The opening of bottleneck 1 is closed by a closure 2
comprising a lid 10 that is essentially in the form of a circular
disk from the periphery of which extends a body 12 essentially
having the shape of a cylindrical jacket. Body 12 widens slightly
in conical fashion. Closure 2 is connected with a safety ring 16 by
connectors 14 regularly distributed over the periphery. Safety ring
16 has a multiplicity of bent regions 17, 18, 19 that surround
bulge 8 so as to keep closure 2 on the bottle opening.
[0037] Closure 2 is provided with a multiplicity of deformation
regions uniformly distributed over the periphery, said deformation
regions when observed from the outside being in the form of
elongated indentations 21,22. Indentations 21,22 extend from lid 10
to shortly ahead of the connectors 14. Internally, inden-tations
21,22 are adapted to the shape of the thread flights, as shown in
cross-section at 25 and 26. In other words, each external
indentation or inner elevation 21, 22 forms two adjacent sections
of thread flights 5, 6.
[0038] In the transition region between lid 10 and body 12, on the
inside of closure 2, there is formed an axial sealing region 28 and
a radial sealing region 29. Axial sealing region 28 provides
sealing between bottleneck 1 and closure 2 in the axial direction.
Radial sealing region 29 provides sealing between bottleneck 1 and
closure 2 in the radial direction.
[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a bottleneck similar to that closed by a
closure as depicted in FIG. 1. Equal parts are identified by equal
reference numerals. To prevent repetition, the reader is referred
to the preceding statements made in reference to FIG. 1. In the
following, only the differences between the two embodiments will be
dealt with.
[0040] In FIG. 2, it is shown in longitudinal section that closure
2 has an outer jacket 32 made of sheet metal, such as aluminum. On
the inside of jacket 32 there is disposed a sealing material 34.
Both the outer jacket 32 and the sealing material 34 that is firmly
connected therewith are plastically deformable in at least some
regions.
[0041] In the outer jacket 32, the deformation regions are in the
form of creases 20,21. In the regions of creases 20,21, on the
inside of closure 2, sealing material 34 is pressed against thread
flights 5, 6. Unlike in the embodiment of FIG. 1, safety ring 16 is
not bent in only some of the regions, but is completely bent, as
can be seen in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the bent edge of safety
ring 16 is indicated by reference numeral 19. Bent edge 19 rests
entirely on bulge 8.
[0042] In the embodiment represented in FIG. 4, closure 2 is
fastened to bulge 8 of bottleneck 1 by means of a plastic film 42
or a plastic ring. Other variants (not shown) to provide a
tamper-evident closure, however, are also possible.
[0043] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a device for applying closure 2 to
bottleneck 1. In FIG. 5, a plunger 51, which can be actuated with
the aid of a piston 52, is placed on closure 2. Plunger 51 is
shaped so that the radial and axial sealing region between closure
2 and the opening of the bottleneck are sealed. To this end, a
certain pressure is applied to closure 2 by means of plunger
51.
[0044] A pressure sleeve 55 is displaceable relative to plunger 51
in the axial direction. In essence, pressure sleeve 55 is shaped
like a cylinder and is provided with a constriction 56.
Constriction 56 forms a stop for the end of compression spring 58
the other end of which rests on the side of plunger 51 facing away
from closure 2. The initial stressing force of compression spring
58 corresponds to the contact pressure exerted by plunger 51 onto
closure 2.
[0045] From pressure sleeve 55 extend in axial direction form
fingers 60, 61. A multiplicity of form fingers 60, 61 are uniformly
distributed over the periphery of pressure sleeve 55.
[0046] In FIG. 6 it can be seen that form fingers 60, 61 can be
pushed beyond plunger 51 when the pressure applied to pressure
sleeve 55 exceeds the initial stressing force of compression spring
58. In that case, form fingers 60, 61 deform the deformation
regions 21,62 in closure 2. The deformation leads to the formation
of creases in closure 2 on the inside of which the sealing material
is pressed against the bottleneck thread.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a device for closing
bottleneck 1 with closure 2. The device comprises a plunger 71 that
cooperates with a clamping sleeve 72. Plunger 71 is fitted with an
annular groove having an essentially semicircular cross-section. In
annular groove 73 are swivelably supported a multiplicity of form
fingers 74,75. Form fingers 74,75 are uniformly distributed over
the circumference of annular groove 73. On each of form fingers
74,75 are present thread-forming cheeks 76,77 which are pressed
against the deformation regions of closure 2 when conical sleeve 72
is displaced relative to plunger 71 in axial direction.
[0048] Moreover, at each form finger 74,75 is provided a bending
nose 78,79, for the purpose of bending safety ring 16 around bulge
8 in some regions. Form fingers 74,75 are held together by elastic
ring 80.
[0049] An essential feature of the present invention is the
combination of the deformation regions, each of which forms only
one section of adjacent thread flights, with a safety element such
as a safety ring or a safety film that ensures a tamper-evident
closure. The use of aluminum has the advantage of pre-venting
undesirable rusting.
[0050] All this indicates that the closure of the kind described
herein has special advantages: It comprises a lid that closes the
region of a bottle opening. To said lid is connected a cylindrical
jacket-shaped body that extends over the outer threads of a
bottleneck 1. The closure is made of a single piece and preferably
consists of a deep-drawable metal, particularly aluminum.
[0051] In FIGS. 1 to 7 and the attendant explanations, it was
assumed that the closure has a safety ring provided on the lower
edge of the cylindrical jacket-shaped body surrounding the lid. The
reader is specifically reminded, however, that for the inventive
solution such a safety ring is not absolutely necessary even though
it provides the user with the essential advantage that he can
detect manipulation of the closure and a first opening.
[0052] In the cylinder jacket-shaped body are provided several
deformation regions distributed over the periphery which, seen from
the outside, appear as elongated indentations, namely they protrude
in the direction of bottleneck 1. On the inside of cylindrical
jacket-shaped body 12, in the region of the elongated indentations,
there are formed projections into which the threads engage. In
other words, in the region of the indentations, the body of the
closure is adapted to the outer thread of a bottleneck.
[0053] The adaptation of a body, also referred to as the jacket, of
a closure to the thread flights of a bottleneck is known. Here it
is essential that such adaptation to the outer thread of a
bottleneck is provided only in individual deformation regions,
namely in the region of the indentations. Ribs are left between the
indentations to enhance the gripping properties of the closure.
[0054] As a result of the adaptation, body 12 is approximately
equally thick in the region of the indentations, as in the region
of the ribs disposed thereinbetween. In other words, the body, seen
in the circumferential direction, has a practically constant wall
thickness.
[0055] The outstanding feature of the closure is that in the region
of the indentations the body is optimally adapted or fitted to the
outer thread of a bottleneck. This offers the advantage that after
the first opening of the closure, said closure again optimally fits
on the outer thread of a bottleneck.
[0056] This, for example, constitutes an essential difference
compared to a closure devoid of threads on the inside when such a
closure is placed on a bottle for the first time. Here the outer
thread of a bottle fits into the inner surface of closure 2 which,
for example, can have protruding ribs. The adaptation here occurs
through the deformation and/or displacement of the material without
any forces being exerted onto the outside of the closure or onto
the outside of its body. In particular, the body when it is put in
place for the first time is not deformed from the outside.
[0057] Because in the case of such closures the material that
becomes deformed when put in place is reformed to some extent when
the closure is opened, the reclosing of the bottle with such a
closure is not entirely simple, because additional deformation work
is required.
[0058] Hence, the closure of the invention stands out by the fact
that in some regions an adaptation to the outer thread of a
bottleneck takes place as a result of the fact that forces are
applied to the body from the outside. In conventional closures, to
form a thread, a force is applied to certain regions from the
inside.
[0059] It is clear from the explanations of the figures that in the
closure, preferably in the region of the cy-lindrical jacket-shaped
body, there is provided a sealing material that extends as far as
the region of lid 10 and is present there on the inside of the lid
facing bottleneck 1.
[0060] When a force is applied to the body of the closure from the
outside, said material is adapted to the outer thread of the
bottleneck in the region of the deformation regions. The forces
applied from the outside are thus somewhat reduced so that damage
to the outer thread is safely prevented.
[0061] In this regard, the reader is specifically reminded of the
fact that in the region of the body, also referred to as the
jacket, such a sealing material is not necessarily required and
that the body can be adapted directly to the outer thread of
bottleneck 1.
[0062] By the adaptation to the outer thread in the deformation
regions, an optimum fit is achieved between the closure and the
outer thread of the bottleneck so that, during the first opening of
the closure, defined opening forces can be provided with certainty
and, moreover, it is ensured that the closure can again be placed
on the once-opened bottleneck and here, too, it being possible to
provide closing forces.
* * * * *