U.S. patent application number 11/247902 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for beverage container with threaded plastic drinking sleeve.
Invention is credited to Richard A. Laveault, Brian R. Law.
Application Number | 20070080128 11/247902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37910253 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070080128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laveault; Richard A. ; et
al. |
April 12, 2007 |
Beverage container with threaded plastic drinking sleeve
Abstract
A molded plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck
portion of a container according to a typical embodiment includes
an annular body formed by an annular sidewall having a uniform
taper from a first open end to an opposite second open end, the
annular sidewall defining an open interior. The annular sidewall
further includes a series of external threads and a roller abutment
at the base of the threads for stopping the roller equipment used
to help fabricate a metal closing cap that is designed to thread
onto the plastic drinking sleeve. The annular sidewall further
includes an inner surface formed with at least one raised,
inwardly-extending projection constructed and arranged to contact
the neck portion with an interference fit.
Inventors: |
Laveault; Richard A.; (Ft.
Wayne, IN) ; Law; Brian R.; (Lelcester, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODARD, EMHARDT, MORIARTY, MCNETT & HENRY LLP
111 MONUMENT CIRCLE, SUITE 3700
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-5137
US
|
Family ID: |
37910253 |
Appl. No.: |
11/247902 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/122 20130101;
B65D 1/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/044 |
International
Class: |
B65B 7/28 20060101
B65B007/28 |
Claims
1. A plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck portion
of a beverage container, said plastic drinking sleeve comprising:
an annular body formed by an annular sidewall defining an open
interior, said annular sidewall having an open first end and
opposite to said first end an open second end and including a
series of external threads, said annular sidewall further including
an inner surface formed with at least one raised,
inwardly-extending projection constructed and arranged to contact
said neck portion with an interference fit when said plastic
drinking sleeve is assembled onto said neck portion.
2. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 1 wherein said inner
surface is outwardly diverging from said first end to said second
end.
3. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 2 wherein said outwardly
diverging inner surface is tapered at approximately 11/2
degrees.
4. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 2 wherein said series of
external treads are constructed and arranged to sealingly receive a
threaded closing cap when said plastic drinking sleeve is assembled
onto said neck portion.
5. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 4 wherein said series of
external threads are constructed and arranged to begin with a
scaled-down thread size and wherein said annular body is
constructed and arranged to expand due to assembly onto said neck
portion, said expanding causes said scaled-down thread size to
expand to the requisite size to sealingly receive said threaded
closing cap.
6. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 5 wherein said annular body
includes a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base of
said series of external threads.
7. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 1 wherein said series of
external threads are constructed and arranged to sealingly receive
a threaded closing cap when said plastic drinking sleeve is
assembled onto said neck portion.
8. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 7 wherein said series of
external threads are constructed and arranged to begin with a
scaled-down thread size and wherein said annular body is
constructed and arranged to expand due to assembly onto said neck
portion, said expanding causes said scaled-down thread size to
expand to the requisite size to sealingly receive said threaded
closing cap.
9. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 8 wherein said annular body
includes a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base of
said series of external threads.
10. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 1 wherein said annular
body includes a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base
of said series of external threads.
11. A plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck
portion of a beverage container, said plastic drinking sleeve
comprising: an annular body formed by an annular sidewall defining
an open interior, said annular sidewall having an open first end
and opposite to said first end an open second end and including a
series of external threads, said annular sidewall further including
an inner surface constructed and arranged with an outwardly
diverging shape extending from said first end to said second
end.
12. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 11 wherein said series of
external threads are constructed and arranged to sealingly receive
a treaded closing cap when said plastic drinking sleeve is
assembled onto said neck portion.
13. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 12 wherein said series of
external threads are constructed and arranged to begin with a
scaled-down thread size and wherein said annular body is
constructed and arranged to expand due to assembly onto said neck
portion, said expanding causes said scaled-down thread size to
expand to the requisite size to scalingly receive said threaded
closing cap.
14. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 13 wherein said annular
body includes a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base
of said series of external threads.
15. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 11 wherein said annular
body includes a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base
of said series of external threads.
16. A plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck
portion of a beverage container, said plastic drinking sleeve
comprising: an annular body formed by an annular sidewall defining
an open interior, said annular sidewall having an open first end
and opposite to said first end an open second end and including a
series of external threads, said annular sidewall further including
an inner surface, said series of external threads being constructed
and arranged to sealingly receive a threaded closing cap when said
plastic drinking spout is assembled onto said neck portion, said
series of external throws being constructed and arranged to begin
with a scaled-down tread size and wherein said annular body is
constructed and arranged to expand due to assembly onto said neck
portion, said expanding causing said scaled-down thread size to
expand to the requisite size to sealingly receive said threaded
closing cap.
17. The plastic drinking sleeve of claim 16 wherein said annular
body includes a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base
of said series of external threads.
18. A plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck
portion of a beverage container, said plastic drinking sleeve
comprising: an annular body formed by an annular sidewall defining
an open interior, said annular sidewall having an open first end
and opposite to said first end an open second end and including a
series of external threads, said annular sidewall further including
an inner surface, said annular body including a roller abutment
stop integrally formed at the base of said series of external
threads.
19. In combination: a beverage container including a neck portion;
a plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to said neck
portion, said plastic drinking sleeve comprising: an annular body
formed by an annular sidewall defining an open interior, said
annular sidewall having an open first end and opposite to said
first end an open second end and including a series of external
threads, said annular sidewall further including an inner surface
formed with at least one raised, inwardly-extending projection
constructed and arranged to contact said neck portion with an
interference fit when said plastic drinking sleeve is assembled
onto said neck portion; and a closing cap constructed and arranged
to sealingly thread onto said series of external threads with said
plastic drinking sleeve pushed onto said neck portion.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said inner surface is
outwardly diverging from said first end to said second end.
21. The combination of claim 20 wherein said outwardly diverging
inner surface is tapered at approximately 11/2 degrees.
22. The combination of claim 21 wherein said annular body includes
a roller abutment stop integrally formed at the base of said series
of external threads.
23. The combination of claim 19 wherein said plastic drinking
sleeve having a first thread major diameter dimension and a first
thread minor diameter dimension prior to assembly to said neck
portion and a second thread major diameter dimension and a second
thread minor diameter dimension after push-on assembly of said
plastic drinking sleeve to said neck portion, said second
dimensions being larger than said corresponding first dimensions
due to expansion of said annular body resulting from an
interference fit between said plastic drinking sleeve and said neck
portion when said plastic drinking sleeve is assembled onto said
neck portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to beverage
containers of the type where the consumer may drink directly from
the dispensing opening in the neck of the container. More
specifically, the present invention relates to the addition of an
externally-threaded, plastic drinking sleeve to the neck of the
container to facilitate and improve the drinking experience.
[0002] As one example of the type of beverage container that is
suitable for the plastic drinking sleeve of the present invention,
consider a metal beer "bottle" with a screw-on, screw-off metal
cap. Without the plastic drinking sleeve of the present invention,
a consumer desiring to drink directly from the bottle would need to
contact the threaded metal opening while drinking. Any metal edges,
roughness or burrs that might be left as part of the bottle or
created from the interaction of the threaded metal closing cap and
the bottle would be a concern. These features could create
discomfort to the consumer and might force the consumer to dispense
the contents from the container into another container before
consuming. While this may not be a problem in some environments,
beverages of this type are often consumed when no other container
is available for the transfer of contents. Therefore, the addition
of a plastic drinking sleeve, according to the present invention,
improves the overall fit and feel and the overall drinking
experience.
[0003] By applying a threaded plastic sleeve to the neck of the
bottle, any rough metal edges or burrs are either eliminated and/or
covered with a smooth, molded plastic structure. The plastic sleeve
is externally-threaded so as to receive the metal closing cap. As
such, it is important that there be a secure seal so as to capture
and hold the internal pressure for carbonated beverages. This
requires that there be a close conforming fit and a tight threaded
engagement between the plastic sleeve and the closing cap for a
secure, leak-free interface, capturing and maintaining the internal
pressure.
[0004] Whether during the capping procedure at the time of filling
the container or at the time the closing cap is being removed for
the first time, it is important that the plastic sleeve not loosen,
slip, or turn (rotate) relative to the neck of the container.
Preferably, the plastic sleeve is securely connected or anchored to
the neck so that, once assembled, there is no relative motion
between the plastic sleeve and the neck of the container. It is
also important to have an assembly procedure for the plastic sleeve
that is quick and simple, yet reliable and predictable.
[0005] The threaded plastic drinking sleeve of the present
invention includes various structural features, characteristics and
cooperative relationships, each of which contribute to some
improvement or benefit or to some portion of an improvement or
benefit of the overall closure assembly. The referenced closure
assembly includes the container neck, the plastic sleeve, and the
closing cap. While the present invention is directed principally to
the threaded plastic drinking sleeve, its fit and assembly relative
to the container neck is important. Similarly, the nature of the
threaded engagement between the closing cap and the threaded
plastic drinking sleeve is important in that the contents,
typically under pressure, must be captured without gas or liquid
leakage. In order to maximize the benefits afforded by the plastic
drinking sleeve, as disclosed herein, the present invention
includes a modification to the geometry of the container neck.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A plastic drinking sleeve for push-on assembly to a neck
portion of a beverage container, according to one embodiment of the
present invention, includes an annular body formed by an annular
sidewall defining an open interior, the annular sidewall having an
open first end and, opposite to the first end, an open second end
and including a series of external threads, the annular sidewall
further including an inner surface formed with at least one raised,
inwardly-extending projection constructed and arranged to contact
the neck portion with an interference fit, when the plastic
drinking sleeve is assembled onto the neck portion.
[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide an
improved plastic drinking sleeve for a beverage container.
[0008] Related objects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a beverage container including
a plastic drinking sleeve and metal closing cap according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the plastic drinking sleeve
and beverage container illustrating the first stage in their
assembly sequence.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view, in partial section, of the
FIG. 2 plastic drinking sleeve and container neck combination
illustrating the second stage in the assembly procedure.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view, in partial section, of the
plastic drinking sleeve and container neck combination showing the
third stage in the assembly procedure.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view, in partial section, of the
plastic drinking sleeve and container neck combination showing the
fourth and final stage of the assembly procedure.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view, in full section, of the
FIG. 1 plastic drinking sleeve.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the FIG. 1 plastic
drinking sleeve illustrating a thread stop feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated a molded
plastic drinking sleeve 20 that is securely attached to the annular
neck 21 of a beverage container 22. In the illustrative embodiment
of FIG. 1, the beverage container 22 is a metal beer "bottle" and
plastic sleeve 20 is intended to be permanently attached to the
neck 21. The outer surface of sleeve 20 is externally threaded in
the form of threads 23 for receipt of an internally-threaded metal
closing cap 24.
[0018] In terms of the overall shapes and geometries, the container
22 can assume virtually any size and shape, but preferably there
will be an annular abutment form such as shoulder 27 located at the
bottom or base of the neck 21. Neck 21 is a hollow annular form
with two adjoining frustoconical portions 28 and 29. While the
normal or prior art style of neck profile is typically a straight
conical (frustoconical) profile, this particular shape is limited
to upper portion 28. Lower portion 29 has been changed according to
the present invention by being slightly flared in a radially
outward direction. This change results in portion 29 having a
greater cone angle, as measured at the apex compared to the cone
angle of portion 28. Neck 21, including portions 28 and 29, is
circumferentially symmetrical about its axial centerline 21a.
[0019] The plastic drinking sleeve 20 is a hollow, generally
annular form with external threads 23. Sleeve 20 is a unitary,
molded plastic structure that can be fabricated from a suitable
material based upon the container contents and compatibility with
the metal of the container and the metal of the closing cap. The
longitudinally opposite ends 30 and 31 each define a generally
circular opening 30a and 31a, respectively. In terms of the present
invention, the plastic drinking sleeve includes two interior
features and two exterior features that can be used together,
separately, or in any combination of two or three as disclosed
herein as part of the present invention. While these various
features cooperate to provide an improved plastic sleeve, these
features individually provide a benefit or improvement, albeit less
than what all four contribute as a cooperative group. Sleeve 20 is
circumferentially symmetrical about axial centerline 20a and when
sleeve 20 is properly installed on the container neck 21, axial
centerlines 20a and 21a should generally coincide.
[0020] The closing cap 24 is an annular metal component that is
internally threaded and provided with a frangible ring 34 at its
base that locks onto the lower portion 33 of plastic drinking
sleeve 20. Once the closing cap 24 is securely (initially)
tightened onto sleeve 20 at the time of filling, ring 34 locks
beneath radial lip 35 into annular recess 36. Retrograde turning of
closing cap 24 so as to axially move closing cap 24 upwardly off of
sleeve 20 causes ring 34 to abut up against the underside surface
37 of radial lip 35. This abutment prevents further upward travel
of ring 34 and with continued counterclockwise turning of closing
cap 24 (unthreading), the frangible elements 38 that connect ring
34 to the remainder of closing cap 24 fracture, leaving ring 34 in
recess 36 between surface 37 and shoulder 27 and permitting the
closing cap 24 to be removed from sleeve 20.
[0021] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, the structural
details of plastic drinking sleeve 20 will be described, including
its installation procedure and sequence so as to secure the sleeve
20 onto the neck 21 of container 22. Drawing FIGS. 6 and 7 describe
further features of sleeve 20 including its cross-sectional
form.
[0022] The first aspect of note in terms of the overall
construction of plastic drinking sleeve 20 is that it presses onto
or pushes onto neck 21 and there is a certain degree of dimensional
interference between the plastic drinking sleeve and the neck of
the container that contributes to the overall secure fit between
these two components. This degree of dimensional interference has
at least two effects in terms of the sleeve and container
combination. First, there is some degree of dimensional expansion
to the outer surface of plastic sleeve 20 as it is pressed on or
pushed onto the neck 21. It is estimated that there is
approximately an 8 percent size expansion of the outer profile of
the sleeve 20. This dimensional expansion affects the thread size
in terms of the thread major diameter and the thread minor
diameter. There is a size difference (8 percent) between the free
dimensions prior to installation and the dimensions after the
sleeve is pressed onto the neck. In order to compensate for the
dimensional expansion that is experienced as the plastic sleeve is
pushed onto the neck with an interference fit, the present
invention specifically configures the molded plastic external
threads to the small side dimensionally. This smaller or
scaled-down starting size for the plastic sleeve threads, as
initially molded and prior to assembly, results in the threads 23
being able to expand to the desired final dimension in terms of the
thread major diameter and the thread minor diameter, once the
sleeve 20 is fully and properly installed onto the neck 21 of
container 22. There is in effect a first thread major diameter and
a first thread minor diameter prior to assembly of sleeve 20 and
then larger second thread major and minor diameters after
assembly.
[0023] Secondly, the degree of dimensional interference influences
how tightly the sleeve 20 fits onto the neck 21 as the sleeve 20 is
pushed onto the neck. In order to enhance the tightness and
security of the sleeve-to-neck connection, the inner surface 41 of
the plastic sleeve 20 is molded with an equally-spaced series of
six (6) tear drop-shaped raised projections or bumps 42. These
bumps extend away from inner surface 41 in a radially inward
direction toward axial centerline 20a. This specific operation and
functioning of these raised bumps 42 will be described in greater
detail hereinafter.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the installation or assembly
sequence of the plastic sleeve 20 onto neck 21 is illustrated in
four steps or stages. Beginning or starting with the illustration
in FIG. 2, the neck 21 of the container is presented for receipt of
the unitary, molded plastic drinking sleeve 20 which goes to the
neck by axial movement (push-on) including a sliding interference
fit of sleeve 20 onto neck 21. In FIG. 3, the sleeve 20 is pushed
onto the neck 21 and the sizes, shapes, and contours of the sleeve
engage the upper and lower frustoconical portions 28 and 29,
respectively. As previously described, the lower portion 29 has a
slightly flared profile and this shape, in cooperation with the
raised bumps 42, creates added interference to the aforementioned
dimensional interference as the sleeve 20 begins to encounter lower
portion 29.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 4, continued force or pressure in an
axial direction on sleeve 20 pushes it fully onto neck 21 into a
fully assembled condition with regard to the axial position between
the two. In this condition, the lower end 30 of sleeve 20
approaches shoulder 27 and will preferably contact shoulder 27. The
fully assembled condition of sleeve 20 onto neck 21, as illustrated
in FIG. 4, leaves annular portion 43 of neck 21, axially extending
above or beyond the upper end 31 of sleeve 20. Annular portion 43
is then formed over and around upper end 31 (see FIG. 5) to create
annular lip 44 that helps capture sleeve 20 and cooperates with the
interference fit to prevent any upward axial travel of sleeve 20
relative to neck 21. Any downward axial travel of sleeve 20
relative to neck 21 is prevented in part by shoulder 27 and in part
by the interference fit of plastic sleeve 20 onto neck 21.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, the plastic sleeve 20 is
illustrated in full section form to help show the specific geometry
of the various portions and sections and their spatial and
functional relationships. The inner surface 41 includes a tapered
portion extending downwardly from upper end 31 to lower end 30. One
omitted feature of note is that there is no lead-in chamfer in area
47 as would normally be seen or expected around lower end 30. The
angle of taper for the inner surface 41 from end 31 to end 30,
excluding bumps 42, is preferably 11/2 degrees, but the present
invention contemplates that a suitable taper can range from 1
degree up to 2 degrees. The direction of taper is outwardly
diverging from end 31 to end 30. This taper provides adequate
clearance to forego the need for any lead-in chamfer. By omitting
any lead-in chamfer adjacent lower end 30, additional surface
contact area is provided as part of the inner surface 41 of sleeve
20 for more complete engagement of the sleeve inside surface
against the outer surface of neck 21. It is envisioned that having
more surface area contact between sleeve 20 and neck 21 will help
hold sleeve 20 in place on neck 21 and lessen the risk of sleeve 20
turning or having any relative motion with respect to neck 21
during initial assembly, filling, and at subsequent times as the
closing cap 24 is removed, reapplied, and removed again.
[0027] The sectioning plane of FIG. 6 extends through an opposing
pair of raised bumps 42. The described tear drop shape of each
raised bump 42 applies to the planar outline and to the side view
wherein the upper tip is thinner than the bulbous opposite end. In
this way, the innermost (radially inward) surface of each tear
drop-shaped bump 42 generally follows the profile of upper portion
28. However, when the lower portion 29 of neck 21 is encountered by
the series of raised bumps 42, there is interference with portion
29 and the sleeve 20 creates a tighter and tighter fit on the neck
21 with continued downward axial travel of sleeve 20. Additionally,
as the sleeve 20 is fully seated, the raised bumps 42 deform both
the metal of the lower portion 29 and the sleeve 20, thereby
helping to securely anchor the sleeve 20 to the neck. The degree of
interference and the material choices for sleeve 20 and neck 21
cooperate to create the deforming of both components. The effect of
using the raised bumps 42, and one benefit of actually deforming
the metal of the neck 21 by bumps 42, is to prevent any turning or
rotation of the sleeve 20 relative to neck 21. As such, the closing
cap 24 can be properly threaded onto and off of the sleeve 20
without also turning or rotating the sleeve on the neck. This means
that the closing cap can be fully tightened as part of the filling
and capping procedures in order to properly close the container and
seal in the contents. When the closing cap 24 is to be removed from
the sleeve 20, whether the first time in order to sever the
frangible ring 34 or subsequently while the contents are being
consumed, the closing cap accurately tracks the external threads 23
without any slippage between the sleeve 20 and neck 21.
[0028] The capping procedure involves the automated (threaded)
assembly of the closing cap 24 onto sleeve 20. The initial assembly
of the closing cap 24 includes seating of the frangible ring 34
portion into the annular recess 36 below radial lip 35. One of the
realities of structures of this type in terms of the sleeve 20 and
closing cap 24 is the need for the thread pitches to be closely
matched for the best fit and a securely connected, tightly sealed
interface. The technique that is used is to use tracking rollers to
trace the threads on the sleeve by pushing against a closing cap
pre-form and thereby control the fabrication of the closing cap 24
based on the thread specifics. In this manner, whatever expansion
or reshaping of the sleeve 20 takes place when the sleeve is
assembled onto the container neck, these variables will be
considered and utilized in fabricating a "matching" closing cap.
The variations that might occur from one assembled sleeve 20 to
another are read by the tracing or tracking roller and translated
into the sizing and shaping of the cooperating threads of the metal
closing cap 24. This procedure creates a closer and better fitting
metal closing cap 24 that is specifically matched for a
corresponding plastic sleeve 20.
[0029] One of the concerns with the presently available tracking
roller equipment is that the tracking or tracing rollers continue
to travel even after the profile of the threads has been traced and
the threads on the closing cap formed. This roller equipment
continues to run even after tracing the threaded profile, even
though no new shape information is being generated. As a result,
there is a time and equipment utilization inefficiency. More
specifically, in the manufacturing process directed to creating and
applying the metal closing cap 24, the cap begins as a metal form
or preform that needs to be properly sized and shaped in order to
conform to the neck of the container, in this case, it needs to be
conformed to the neck, as fitted with plastic sleeve 20. The
closing cap 24 will ultimately end up as an internally-threaded
component, but initially the metal preform is not threaded. The
threads are created by conforming that metal preform to the size
and shape of the external threads of plastic sleeve 20. Ideally the
threads on the closing cap 24 will be sized and shaped to closely
conform to the external threads on the plastic sleeve. This is
virtually guaranteed by using the size, shape, and threaded form of
the plastic sleeve profile as the mandrel for shaping the metal
closing cap. With use of the plastic sleeve as a shaping mandrel,
there is a high degree of correspondence and a better fit and
function for the finished closing cap 24 as it fits onto threaded
plastic sleeve 20.
[0030] Since the plastic sleeve 20 can vary or change slightly as
part of the plastic molding process and since it can change again
when pushed onto the neck 21 of container 22, using the plastic
sleeve profile as a mandrel helps to "match" the closing cap being
fabricated with the plastic sleeve that receives the cap. This
higher degree of conformance or correspondence helps to ensure a
tightly closed combination that provides the requisite sealing.
This closing cap-to-plastic sleeve fit also helps to ensure that
the frangible ring 34 will separate properly and that the closing
cap 24 will not become a "spinner". The term "spinner" is used for
closures that do not break the frangible ring when twisted off. The
same term is used to describe closures that have been turned the
wrong way (i.e., clockwise) on opening, stripping the thread while
not breaking the frangible ring.
[0031] The closing cap fabrication and the subsequent capping
process or procedure for roll-on-pilfer-proof (ROPP) closures
(i.e., closing cap 24) is a high-speed event. A typical production
line provides a capping head that is lowered automatically over the
metal preform of the closing cap as it is positioned over the
plastic sleeve 20. A pressure is applied that creates a seal
between the sleeve and any cap liner material.
[0032] As the capping head rotates, a spring pivot system causes
the equipment rollers to move inwardly. These rollers engage the
outer surface of the metal preform for closing cap 24 and push the
metal inwardly as the rollers track the threaded form of the
plastic sleeve that was pushed onto the neck 21 of container 22.
The forming of the metal of the closing cap preform, using the
plastic sleeve 20 as a mandrel, creates the necessary threaded form
for the closing cap 24 that precisely matches and closing conforms
to that particular plastic sleeve. The published paper entitled
"Understanding The Roll-On-Pilfer-Proof Process" by J. Langley, Dr.
A. Yoxall, and Prof. John Yates of the Department of Mechanical
Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK, and P. Taylor of
Tinsley Bridge Ltd., Sheffield, UK, provides a discussion of this
process.
[0033] As described, the capping equipment does not have the
"intelligence" to stop the rollers from continuing to roll around
the exterior of the closing cap once the threaded form is created
and the capping completed.
[0034] It would therefore be an improvement to this fabrication and
capping process to modify the roller equipment to eliminate or
reduce these inefficiencies. The present invention though
approaches a solution to this issue not by modifying the roller
equipment, but instead by incorporating into the external threads
23 of sleeve 20 a stop in the form of a roller abutment 50. This
roller abutment or stop 50 is unitarily formed at the base of the
external threads 23 on a minor diameter surface. As the roller
encounters this abutment 50, the roller travel stops. There is no
continued movement of the roller and no time or equipment
utilization inefficiency as a result of adding the thread stop 50
for roller abutment.
[0035] The roller abutment 50 has a half-moon shape and functions
as a door stop to the roller travel. As the tracing or tracking
roller would otherwise keep spinning, this roller abutment 50
provides a stopping point and further provides a better looking
capped assembly.
[0036] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown
and described and that all changes and modifications that come
within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
* * * * *