U.S. patent application number 11/767813 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for closure and container neck.
This patent application is currently assigned to ABACUS (C.I.) LIMITED AS TRUSTEE OF BAYVIEW TRUST. Invention is credited to Christopher Lyndon Higgins.
Application Number | 20080073382 11/767813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36601290 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080073382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Higgins; Christopher
Lyndon |
March 27, 2008 |
CLOSURE AND CONTAINER NECK
Abstract
This invention relates to closures for containers, and more
particularly to tamper-evident closures for containers. One aspect
of the invention provides a container and a closure for connection
to said container, said closure including: an upper wall (102); a
skirt (104) formed integrally with and extending downwardly from
said upper wall, said skirt adapted to engage with a neck portion
of the container to secure the closure to the container; a
tamper-evident band (110) frangibly connected to said skirt; the
neck of a container including a tamper bead adapted to engage with
tabs (122) on said tamper-evident band to facilitate separation of
the band (110) from the skirt of the closure and an inwardly and
downwardly sloping container neck surface beneath said tamper bead,
said inwardly and downwardly sloping surface urging said separated
tamper-evident band downwards away from said skirt.
Inventors: |
Higgins; Christopher Lyndon;
(Noosa Heads, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
ABACUS (C.I.) LIMITED AS TRUSTEE OF
BAYVIEW TRUST
Jersey
AU
|
Family ID: |
36601290 |
Appl. No.: |
11/767813 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/AU05/01968 |
Dec 23, 2005 |
|
|
|
11767813 |
Jun 25, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/3428 20130101;
B65D 81/266 20130101; B65D 47/123 20130101; B65D 47/2031 20130101;
B65D 1/023 20130101; B65D 41/0421 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2004 |
AU |
2004907264 |
Claims
1. A dispensing closure assembly for connection to a container,
said dispensing closure assembly including a flow control means for
controlling the flow of material from said container in response to
increased pressure inside the container, said flow control means
comprising a resiliently deformable member having one or more
slits, said flow control means being arranged such that, upon an
increase of pressure inside the container, said resiliently
deformable member deforms to create an opening adjacent to said
slits thereby allowing said material to be dispensed from said
container.
2. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said slits are in the form of intersecting slits.
3. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said resiliently deformable member is in the form of an annular
disk.
4. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said annular disk is formed from a foamed plastic flexible
liner.
5. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4,
wherein said annular disk is inserted into said dispensing closure
assembly and, upon application of said dispensing closure assembly
to said container, is compressed to form a seal between said
dispensing closure assembly and a neck of the container.
6. A flow control device for controlling the flow of material from
a container in response to pressure applied to the contents of a
container, said flow control device comprising a resiliently
deformable member having one or more slits, said flow control
device being arranged such that, upon application of pressure to
the walls of the container, said resiliently deformable member
deforms to create an opening adjacent to said slits thereby
allowing said material to be dispensed from said container.
7. A flow control device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said slits
are in the form of intersecting slits.
8. A flow control device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
resiliently deformable member is in the form of an annular
disk.
9. A flow control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said
annular disk is formed from a foamed plastic flexible liner.
10. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said resiliently deformable member is in the form of an annular
disk.
11. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said annular disk is formed from a foamed plastic flexible
liner.
12. A dispensing closure assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said annular disk is inserted into said dispensing closure assembly
and, upon application of said dispensing closure assembly to said
container, is compressed to form a seal between said dispensing
closure assembly and a neck of the container.
13. A flow control device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
resiliently deformable member is in the form of an annular
disk.
14. A flow control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said
annular disk is formed from a foamed plastic flexible liner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT Application No.
PCT/AU2005/001968, filed Dec. 23, 2005 which claims priority to
Australian Application No. 2004907264, filed Dec. 23, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to closures for containers,
and more particularly to tamper-evident closures for containers and
including tamper evident dispensing closures and tamper evident
child resistant closures together with corresponding container
necks.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification
should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art
is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the
field.
[0004] There exists extensive prior art in relation to the design
and manufacture of tamper-evident closures for containers, such as
for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,657 (Papavasilopolous), U.S. Pat.
No. 4,807,771 (Roy), U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,288 (Nyman), U.S. Pat. No.
6,551,093 (Taha), U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,988 (Taha) and Australian
Patent application 43435/85 (Patent No. 550878) the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated into this specification by way of
cross-reference.
[0005] One problem that exists with prior art tamper-evident
closures is the loss of sealing between the closure and container
opening prior to the tamper-evidence features operating and
insufficient visibility of tamper evidence means.
[0006] A further problem is that air is often present within sealed
containers and at least the oxygen and or moisture contained
therein and or contained in air or oxygen which may after sealing
permeate into the container may react with and degrade the
contents. There exists extensive prior art in relation to means of
reducing or limiting the amount of oxygen inside a sealed
container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,052, (Zenner), U.S. Pat. No.
5,364,555 (Zenner), U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,022 (Adur) and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,811,027 (Speer) the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated into this specification by way of cross-reference. The
said prior art does not disclose oxygen or moisture reduction in
sealed container using means associated with the closures disclosed
herein.
[0007] It is also often desirable with containers that are to
contain a flowable substance to provide a means to control the flow
of the substance from the container in response to the degree of
pressure applied by the user to the container. Prior art valves, as
for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,652, are generally
formed from silicon rubber and are specially shaped in order to
provide the necessary flow control characteristics. However such
flow control valves are relatively complicated and expensive to
manufacture. Additionally, prior art valves, especially those made
of silicon rubber, typically require a retention means to hold and
retain the valve in position. This adds to the complexity and cost
of manufacture and often necessitates the use of specialised
machinery in order to manufacture the valve. It is therefore
desirable to provide a simple and effective flow control valve that
can be manufactured and inserted using known equipment.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the
prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention provides a
dispensing closure assembly for connection to a container, said
dispensing closure assembly including a flow control means for
controlling the flow of material from said container in response to
increased pressure inside the container, said flow control means
comprising a resiliently deformable member having one or more
slits, said flow control means being arranged such that, upon an
increase of pressure inside the container, said resiliently
deformable member deforms to create an opening adjacent to said
slits thereby allowing said material to be dispensed from said
container.
[0010] Preferably, said slits are in the form of intersecting
slits.
[0011] Preferably, said resiliently deformable member is in the
form of an annular disk. Preferably, said annular disk is formed
from a foamed plastic flexible liner. Preferably said annular disk
is inserted into said dispensing closure assembly and, upon
application of said dispensing closure assembly to said container,
is compressed to form a seal between said dispensing closure
assembly and a neck of the container.
[0012] A second aspect of the present invention provides a flow
control device for controlling the flow of material from a
container in response to pressure applied to the contents of a
container, said flow control device comprising a resiliently
deformable member having one or more slits, said flow control
device being arranged such that, upon application of pressure to
the walls of the container, said resiliently deformable member
deforms to create an opening adjacent to said slits thereby
allowing said material to be dispensed from said container.
[0013] Preferably, said slits are in the form of intersecting
slits.
[0014] Preferably, said resiliently deformable member is in the
form of an annular disk. Preferably, said annular disk is formed
from a foamed plastic flexible liner.
[0015] A further aspect of the present invention deals especially
with the need for a proper relationship between sealing means and
tamper-evidence means such that the tamper-evidence means operates
prior to the seal being breached. This avoids the possibility
apparent with many so-called tamper-evident closures whereby by
malicious tampering or inappropriate application torque and/or
relaxation of the closure causing the seal between closure and
container neck to be breached without the tamper-evidence means
operating and allowing the contents to be degraded by action of
atmosphere or the malicious introduction of contaminants.
[0016] A further aspect of the present invention provides a
tamper-evident closure for a container with tamper-evident means
and means of dispensing one or more additives into the container
and a tamper-proof cover to protect additive dispensing means.
[0017] A further aspect of the present invention provides a
tamper-evident closure for a container with tamper-evident means
and a dispensing means for dispensing the contents of the container
in a controlled or limited manner, and a re-usable tamper evident
cover for said dispensing means.
[0018] A further aspect of the present invention provides a tamper
evident closure having a means of extracting at least oxygen and or
moisture from at least the air trapped inside a container sealed
with a tamper evident closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident
closure according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional elevation of a preferred
embodiment of a container neck;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a perspective elevation of portion of a preferred
embodiment of a container neck 50;
[0023] FIG. 2B shows the area `D` in FIG. 2 circled in dotted lines
and showing 3 alternate preferred embodiments of a container
neck;
[0024] FIG. 2C shows the area `D` in FIG. 2 circled in dotted lines
and showing 3 alternate preferred embodiments of a container
neck;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a tamper evident closure 100 similar to the
tamper evident closure shown in FIG. 1 and having an alternate
preferred arrangement of tamper evident engagement tabs 122;
[0026] FIG. 3A shows a tamper evident closure 100 similar to the
tamper evident closure shown in FIG. 3 and having an alternate
preferred arrangement of tamper evident engagement tabs 122;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation of area `W` circled
with interrupted line (referring to FIG. 3) which has improved
sealing arrangements for a closure;
[0028] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional elevation of area `W` circled
with interrupted line (referring to FIG. 3) which shows further
embodiments of improved sealing arrangements for a closure;
[0029] FIG. 4B is a cross sectional elevation of area `W` circled
with interrupted line (referring to FIG. 3) which shows further
embodiments of improved sealing arrangements for a closure
[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of view of a
closure and container neck in preferred embodiment according to an
aspect of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of view of a
closure and container neck in preferred embodiment according to an
aspect of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a plan view of tamper evident engagement tabs of a
closure as viewed from below in normal orientation in a preferred
embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a sectional plan of container neck 50 view from
direction `KK` taken through (referring to FIG. 2A) dotted line `H`
`H` in a preferred embodiment according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a sectional plan of a container neck 50 view from
direction `KK` and taken through (referring to FIG. 2A) dotted line
`J` `J` according to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a dispensing closure 100 and tamper evident
sealing cover cap 200 according to a further aspect of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of areas `A` and `B`
of FIG. 10;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional elevation of a dispensing
closure according to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a an enlarged cross sectional elevation view of
the main elements contained in the circled section `D` in FIG. 3
showing the sealing elements of sealing cover 200 in closure
proximity to but not sealingly engaged with dispensing closure 100
according to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional elevation of a dispensing
closure 100 with a tamper evident sealing cover 200 in sealing
engagement and with the closure threadingly engaged on the open end
of a container neck 600. The general arrangement of these elements
are similar to that shown in FIG. 10 but this embodiment contains
at least one means of controlling or shutting off the dispensing
flow of product according to a further aspect of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of that portion of dispensing
closure 100 circled and marked `G` in FIG. 14 according to a
further aspect of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view from below cut through the
line `F` `F` and viewed in direction `Q` of that portion of
dispensing closure shown in FIG. 15 showing further means of
dispensing flow control according to a further aspect of the
present invention;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a plan view of (referring to FIG. 14) disc 700
having slits 705 showing further means of dispensing flow control
according to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 18 is a plan sectional view from below of that portion
of dispensing closure 100 above the dotted line E in FIG. 12
according to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 19 is a plan view from above lead in surface 128 of
dispensing closure 100 (referring to FIG. 13) according to a
further aspect of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 20 is an enlargement of a view similar to the view in
FIG. 13 and showing a further aspect of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of sealing assembly 300 as
viewed from direction `Q` according to a further aspect of the
present invention;
[0047] FIG. 22 shows an alternate arrangement of enlarged sectional
view of the area `D` and adjacent area shown in FIG. 12 according
to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view through the axis of a
closure 100 according to a further aspect of the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 24 a cross sectional view through the axis of a closure
100 having annular or interrupted annular clip means 105 according
to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 25 is a cross sectional elevation of closure 100 in
FIG. 24 according to a further aspect of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 26 is a cross sectional plan view of said moulded
structure 120 in closure 100 in FIG. 23 according to a further
aspect of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 27 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 26 showing
some alternate shapes of walls 121 according to a further aspect of
the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 28 is a cross sectional elevation through the axis of a
closure and container neck according to a further aspect of the
present invention;
[0054] FIG. 29 is a plan view from above lead in surface 128 of
dispensing closure 100 (referring to FIG. 13) according to a
further aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a closure 100. Typically, the closure is
a one-piece construction moulded from thermoplastic. The closure
100 includes: a top wall 102 and connected thereto a downwardly
extending skirt 104 having a helically threaded section 106 located
on the internal face 108 of the said skirt. Said helically threaded
section ideally has more than 1 full turn of thread excluding lead
in and washout and preferably two full turns of helical thread
which is advantageous on closures for containers of carbonated
products under high pressures. Said helical thread is adapted to
engage with the corresponding helically threaded section on the
external surface of the neck of a container. Said top wall 102 may
be shaped in an arc in the area closer to the axis of the closure
than annular sealing member 130 with the lowest point of the said
arc located below the depicted top wall 102 at the axis of the
closure and thereby forming a partially dome shaped top wall 102
projecting into the closure and said dome shape is more resistant
to deformation especially in closures for use on containers of
carbonated contents.
[0056] Depending from lower surface 112 of the skirt 104 is
tamper-evident means consisting of tamper band 110 which is
connected to a said lower surface 112 by a frangible section 114
formed by a series of circumferentially spaced ribs 116 separated
by slots 118 which slots may be of different length thereby
allowing tamper band 110 to deform more easily adjacent to larger
slots when said closure 100 is ejected from a mould and said
tamper-evident band 110 has an annular wall 120 from which extends
more than one discretely spaced tabs 122. The tabs 122 are
connected to the lower surface of the annular wall 120 by means of
a hinged section 125. Initially, the tabs 122 extend radially
inwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the annular wall 120 to
facilitate removal from the mould and are depicted in this position
in FIG. 1. Subsequent to the moulding of the closure, the tabs 122
are moved to a perpendicular or acute angle with respect to the
annular wall 120 prior to application onto a corresponding
container.
[0057] Said sealing member 130 has sealing contact point 132 which
when said closure 100 is fully applied to a corresponding container
neck said sealing contact point 132 sealingly engages (referring to
FIG. 2) an inner surface 60 of said corresponding container neck 50
and the relative positions of said sealing contact point 132
surface and (referring to FIG. 5) and free edges 124A of tamper
band tabs 122 and the clearance distance between free edges 124A
and lower engagement surface 57 on the neck of a corresponding
container tamper bead 55 and the distance representing stretching
deformation of frangible ribs 116 is such that upon removal
rotation and axial movement of said closure 100 free edges 124A of
tamper band tabs 122 engage lower engagement surface 57 of said
container tamper bead 55 causing frangible ribs 116 to be severed
before loss of seal between sealing contact point 132 and inner
surface 60 of said corresponding container neck 50.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of a container neck
50 and said neck being of a type suitable to accept a closure of
the type shown in FIG. 1 said closure having one or more of the
sealing means and engagement means as shown FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, 6 and 7
and providing advantages in the co-operation between a closure
tamper evidence means and corresponding container neck. Said
container neck having:
[0059] top of neck sealing surface 68; and
[0060] inside annular sealing surface 60; and
[0061] radius or sloped or curved sealing surface 68A connecting
said top of neck sealing surface 68 to outside annular sealing
surface 69; and
[0062] said outside annular sealing surface 69 located adjacent to
said sealing surface 68A and extending downwards away from said
sealing surface 68A for the distance necessary to provide a proper
seal between container neck and corresponding closure said annular
sealing surfaces 68, 68A and 69 are typically formed without mould
parting lines and annular sealing surfaces 68A and 69 are together
typically at least 11.0 mm in vertical height at least on
containers used for carbonated contents but including other
products and said annular sealing surface 69 may be increased in
height as necessary to provide extended vertical height of sealing
surface to facilitate extended sealing engagement for closures of
the type shown in FIG. 1 to enable frangible ribs 116 to be severed
before loss of seal between closure and container; and
[0063] helical thread 61; and
[0064] tamper bead 55 which has a lower engagement surface 57 to
engage co-operatively with engagement surface 124 on closure 100
(FIG. 3.); and
[0065] neck wall surface 58 which joins engagement surface 57 and
preferably immediately or at least within 11.0 mm of said joining
point said neck wall surface 58 commences to slope or curve towards
the axis of the container neck at an angle averaging along the
whole surface until it returns at least to parallel to the axis of
the container neck said angle being greater than 1 degree and less
than 70 degrees and preferably about 20 degrees.
[0066] FIG. 2A is perspective elevation of a portion of a container
neck 50 being of a type suitable to accept closures of the type
shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3 said closures having one or more of
the sealing means and engagement means and tamper band means as
shown FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, 6 and 7 and providing advantages as to
co-operation between a container neck and corresponding closure
tamper evidence means. Said neck 50 having similar features as
listed in FIG. 2. above and additionally having beneath tamper bead
55
[0067] more than one engagement means 80 having:
[0068] engagement faces 78 which referring to the normal position
of said container neck are oriented in a horizontal plane at least
radially and preferably at less than 90 degrees angle to the normal
direction of removal engagement of tamper evident engagement tabs
122 in FIG. 3 and said engagement faces 78 are also oriented
vertically with the axis of the said container neck and said
engagement faces 78 co-operating upon removal rotation of a
corresponding closure to engage with corresponding free edges 122Q
(referring to FIG. 3) of tabs 122 on tamper band 110 so as to
restrain rotational movement of said tamper band 110 and sever
frangible ribs 116 thereby giving clear evidence of opening
immediately upon removal rotation; and
[0069] joining edges 79A which are formed by the abutment said
engagement faces 78 with ramped and/or sloped and/or curved surface
79. Said joining edges 79A may be linear and/or curved but
referring to the entire length of said joining edge 79A shall have
an average angle of greater than 1 degree and preferably at least
15 degrees towards the axis of the said closure; and
[0070] ramped surface 79 which allows free edges 124A of tamper
band tabs 122 (referring to FIG. 2) to pass over said engagement
means 80 and said ramped surfaces 79 having a shape in a vertical
direction considering the normal orientation of the said closure
and indicated by the joining edges 79A sloping downwards and
inwards towards the axis of the closure such that when tamper band
110 is severed from the body of closure the sloped surface
following slope 79A of ramped surface 79 will promote the said
tamper band 110 to move downwards away from tamper bead 55 of
container neck 50 thereby ensuring the creation of a visible gap
between tamper band and closure body as is described also in the
description to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0071] FIG. 2B shows the area `D` in FIG. 2 circled in dotted lines
and showing 3 alternate embodiments of the present invention
showing surfaces 78 and 79 as revealed by joining edge 79A. In each
of these embodiments engagement face 78 and ramped and/or sloped
and/or curved surface 79 remains in the orientation to the axis of
and radially to the said neck and the normal position of the said
neck described in FIG. 2A.
[0072] Embodiment 1 has joining edge 79A1 as a sloped curved shape
with a convex curve viewed from `AA` and
[0073] Embodiment 2 has joining edge 79A2 as a linear sloped
surface and
[0074] Embodiment 3 has joining edge 79A3 as a sloped curved shape
with a concave curve viewed from `AA` and
[0075] In yet another embodiment 4 curved wall 58 between each
engagement means 80 continues as indicated by dotted line 58A
intersecting the upper surface of tamper bead 55 at edge 56 and
creating an extension to engagement face 78 represented by hatched
area 78A. Said curved wall 58 may have a compound curve having a
varying radius at various points.
[0076] In yet another embodiment said wall 58 may be a linear
surface not curved.
[0077] In yet another embodiment 5 the upper outer edge of
engagement faces 78 may abut the lower surface 57 of said tamper
bead 55 at a point radially inwards towards the axis of the said
container neck for example at joining point 82 and leaving at least
adjacent to engagement means 80 a portion of tamper bead lower
surface 57 adjoining tamper bead upper surface 55A to engage at
least with closures relying on contact between closure tamper
evidence means and said lower surface 57 to promote separation of
tamper evidence means from the body of said closures and for
example (referring to FIG. 2C) the joining point of said outer
edges of said engagement faces 78 with said lower surface 57 being
represented by line 79A5 abutting said tamper bead lower surface 57
at said joining point 82 and the width of said portion of tamper
bead lower surface 57 being represented for example by the distance
between dotted lines `X` and `Y`.
[0078] In yet another embodiment 6 (not shown) which (referring to
FIG. 2B) relies on engagement faces 78A which may of course be made
larger by varying the radius and positioning of curved or sloped
wall 58 and whereby the tamper bead 55 (referring to FIG. 2A and
FIG. 8) at least between engagement means 80 is much reduced or
absent thus saving in material required to manufacture such a
container neck.
[0079] FIG. 2C shows the area `D` in FIG. 2 circled in dotted lines
and showing yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein
the joining surface 79A4 is a combination of curved surface 79A41
and linear surface 79A42. Such combination of surfaces may of
course include variations other than that shown.
[0080] FIG. 3 shows a tamper evident closure 100 similar to the
tamper evident closure shown in FIG. 1 and having an alternate and
preferred arrangement of tamper evident engagement tabs 122 having
free edges 124A aligned radially or at an acute angle to the axis
of the said closure and a first engagement surface 124 to engage
with a co-operating surface 57 (referring to FIG. 2) on a
corresponding container and said tabs shaped to provide a second
engagement surface here shown as a notch or gap 122R in one or more
said tabs. Said notch 122R having free edges 122P and 122Q and said
free edge 122Q being disposed so that upon application to a
container neck such as those disclosed at FIG. 2A, 2B, 2C, FIG. 8
and FIG. 9 said engagement tabs 122 lie between engagement faces 78
(referring to FIG. 2A, 2B, 2C and FIG. 8) and engagement faces 122Q
are disposed in close proximity to said engagement faces 78 on the
neck of a corresponding container so that upon removal rotation of
less than 25 degrees and preferably 15 degrees said tamper band
engagement faces 122Q and said closure engagement faces 78 engage
whereby the tamper band 110 is restrained from rotating with the
rest of the closure and frangible ribs 116 are severed thereby
separating the said tamper band 110 from the body of closure 100
and one or more of said frangible ribs 116 as may be formed in
moulding the said closure may after moulding be severed by a
secondary process so as to reduce the number of said frangible ribs
and thus reduce the force necessary to sever the remaining said
frangible ribs 116 In another embodiment (not shown) frangible
slots 118 are formed not during moulding but in a secondary process
of slitting by known means after moulding at which time ribs 116
are formed in the required size and number. Other shapes of said
engagement tabs 122 (not shown) may also be formed which will
achieve the same purpose of providing one or more engagement
surfaces to engage co-operatively with corresponding engagement
surfaces on a container neck to restrain either axial and/or
rotational movement of a closure tamper band so as to promote the
severing of said frangible ribs to separate the said tamper band
from the said closure body.
[0081] FIG. 3A shows a tamper evident closure 100 similar to the
tamper evident closure shown in FIG. 3 and having:
[0082] joining elements 122T which join at least 2 adjacent
engagement tabs 122 and assist in retaining said tabs 122 in
(referring to FIG. 6) operating position `C` and;
[0083] one or more spacing elements 110E which (referring to FIG.
6) serve to keep at least one of said tabs 122 adjacent to said
spacing element 110E in operating position `C` by preventing said
tab 122 from being folded back against annular wall 120 of tamper
band 110
[0084] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation of area `W` circled
with interrupted line (referring to FIG. 3) which has improved
sealing arrangements for a closure 100 having a top annular wall or
disc 102 and
[0085] annular inner or bore-seal 130 and bore sealing surface 132
which seals against inside neck surface of a corresponding
container (not shown) and
[0086] sealing surface 145 which seals against the top neck surface
of a corresponding container. Said sealing surface 145 may have one
or more projections which as well as sealing will raise the annular
seal 140 closer to the top of a corresponding container neck
and
[0087] skirt wall 104 depending from said top disc and
[0088] at least one helical thread means 106 to engage with
corresponding thread means on a container neck and
[0089] annular seal 140 having
[0090] lower surface 140A which is located so that when the closure
is fully applied to a corresponding container said lower surface
140A is preferably above but at least in close proximity to the
lower extremity of an the annular sealing surface formed on the
upper portion of the outside surface of a corresponding container
neck where an outside annular sealing surface is generally formed
without mould parting lines and which outside annular sealing
surface is typically at least 11.0 mm in vertical height at least
on containers used for carbonated contents but including other
products and
[0091] lower wall joining point 140B which is preferably formed as
a radius of less than 3.5 mm and preferably 0.5 mm and
[0092] wall 140C which may be linear or formed as a radius or
compound curve but in any case having on average and angle to the
axis of the closure of between 85 degrees and 5 degrees and
preferably 45 degrees and the angle formed by the dotted lines `J`
and `L` where dotted line `L` representing the orientation of at
least the major portion of said wall 140C and dotted line `J`
representing the orientation of at least the major portion of said
lower surface 140A and where dotted line `J` is disposed
approximately at 90 degrees to the axis of the closure and the
angle formed by the intersection of dotted lines `J` and `L` is
therefore between 95 degrees and 175 degrees and preferably 135
degrees and
[0093] upper wall joining point 140D which is preferably formed as
a radius and if as a radius less than 3.5 mm radius but otherwise
may be linear by extending walls 140D and 140E and the various
features of annular seal 140 which is located at a point
sufficiently lower than top sealing surface 145 which when closure
is fully applied to a container said sealing surface 145 abuts top
of neck sealing surface 68 of container neck 50 (referring to FIG.
2) such that said annular seal 140 remains in sealing engagement
with annular sealing surface 69 (referring to FIG. 2) on a
corresponding container neck 50 even in the event that the said
closure 100 backs off from a fully applied position on said
container neck thereby reducing losses experienced with top or
wedge seal closures backing off and allowing leakage from or into
said container. However, preferred container neck embodiments
referred to at 2A, 2B, and 2C are designed to at least restrict
back off and
[0094] vertical distance between dotted lines `K` and `M` is less
than the vertical height of an the annular sealing surface 69
(referring to FIG. 2) formed on the upper portion of the outside
surface of a corresponding container neck 50 where an outside
annular sealing surface is generally formed without mould parting
lines and which outside annular sealing surface is typically at
least 11.0 mm in vertical height at least on containers used for
carbonated contents but including other products and
[0095] vertical distance between dotted lines `M` and `J` is
greater than 0.2 mm and less than about 3.0 mm and preferably 0.5
mm and
[0096] vertical distance between dotted lines `K` and `J` is
preferably such that the sum of said vertical distance between
dotted lines `K` and `J`+ the vertical height of any sealing
projections depending from sealing surface 145 is less than the
vertical height of the annular sealing surface formed on the upper
portion of the outside surface of a corresponding container neck.
Said outside annular sealing surface is typically formed without
mould parting lines and which outside annular sealing surface is
typically at least 11.0 mm in vertical height at least on
containers used for carbonated contents but including other
products.
[0097] FIG. 4A is another embodiment of cross sectional elevation
of area `W` circled with interrupted line (referring to FIG. 3)
which has improved sealing arrangements whereby a closure is in
sealing contact at least on both the inside or the upper inside
portion of a container neck and the outside or upper outside
portion of a container neck for a closure 100 having a
[0098] top wall or disc 102 and
[0099] annular inner or bore-seal 130 and bore sealing surface 132
which seals against inside neck surface of a corresponding
container (not shown) and
[0100] surface 145 which in the absence of projections 146 may
slope or curve downwards to a level sealing surface 145A (not
shown) parallel to the tips of projections 146 and said sealing
surface 145A seals against the top neck surface of a corresponding
container thereby preserving the relative position of annular seal
140 in respect of (referring to FIG. 2) outside sealing surfaces
68A and 69 of neck 50. Said surface 145 may have one or more
sealing projections 146 which as well as sealing against the top
neck surface of a corresponding container will preserve the
relative position of annular seal 140 in respect of (referring to
FIG. 2) outside sealing surfaces 68A and 69 of neck 50 and
[0101] lower top wall surface 147 which is disposed at
approximately 90 degrees to the axis of the closure said lower top
wall surface 147 located at a vertical distance from dotted line J1
or the extension thereof which is greater than the vertical
distance from dotted line J1 or the extension thereto to sealing
surfaces 146 or 145A such that the distance between annular seal
140 and the lower top wall surface 147 is increased allowing a
larger radius on the surface 148 joining said lower top wall
surface 147 and upper wall 140G and allowing the angle between said
upper wall 140G and lower surface 140A to be greater than is
possible in prior art closures where the lower surface of top wall
102 typically abuts the upper surface of the container neck and
thereby assisting in ejection of annular seal 140 from a mould and
allowing more space into which annular seal 140 can deform towards
said surface 147 upon application of the closure to a container
and
[0102] skirt wall 104 depending from said top disc and
[0103] at least one continuous or segmented helical thread means
106 to engage with corresponding thread means on a container neck
and
[0104] annular seal 140 having
[0105] lower surface 140A disposed or oriented to the axis of the
closure as indicated by the dotted line J1 being at more than 45
degrees and less than 135 degrees and preferably 90 degrees to the
axis of the closure and said lower surface 140A adapted so that
when the closure is fully applied to a corresponding container said
lower surface 140A is preferably above the lower extremity of an
the annular sealing surface formed on the upper portion of the
outside surface of a corresponding container neck where on said
container neck an outside annular sealing surface is generally
formed without mould parting lines and which outside annular
sealing surface is typically up to 11.0 mm in vertical height at
least on containers used for carbonated contents but including
other products neck arrangements and
[0106] curved surface 140F which may be linear or formed as a
radius or compound curve and if as a radius less than 1.0 mm radius
and preferably 0.1 mm radius and
[0107] upper wall 140G which may be linear or curved and having a
surface disposed or oriented in relation to the axis of the closure
as indicated by the dotted line J2 whereby the angle formed by the
at the intersection of the dotted lines J1 and J2 is less than 75
degrees and preferably approximately 20 degrees
[0108] said annular seal 140 is located at a point sufficiently
lower than top sealing surface 145 which when closure is fully
applied to a container said sealing surface 145 abuts top of neck
sealing surface 68 of container neck 50 (referring to FIG. 2) such
that said annular seal 140 remains in sealing engagement with
annular sealing surface 69 (referring to FIG. 2) on a corresponding
container neck 50 even in the event that the said closure 100 backs
off from a fully applied position on said container neck thereby
reducing losses experienced with top or wedge seal closures backing
off and allowing leakage of product from or contaminants into said
container and said annular seal 140 having relationships including
said 140F being located (referring to FIG. 2):
[0109] on a diameter less than the diameter of container neck
outside annular sealing surface 69; and
[0110] preferably on a diameter equal to the diameter of the distal
edge of top of neck sealing surface 68. However, preferred
embodiments referred to at 2A, 2B, and 2C are designed to at least
restrict back off and
[0111] vertical distance between dotted lines `J1` and `J3` where
`J3` should taken to be at the closure fully applied to container
position at which stage sealing projections 146 are compressed, is
less than the vertical height of an the annular sealing surface 69
(referring to FIG. 2) formed on the upper portion of the outside
surface of a corresponding container neck 50 where an outside
annular sealing surface is generally formed without mould parting
lines and which outside annular sealing surface is typically at
least 1.0 mm in vertical height at least on containers used for
carbonated contents but including other products and neck
arrangements.
[0112] FIG. 4B is another embodiment of the closure 100 and closure
sealing means shown in FIG. 4A. In this embodiment, annular seal
140 extends partially from skirt wall 104 and partially from lower
top wall surface 147 or in the alternative (not shown) said annular
seal 140 extends from lower top wall surface 147 and;
[0113] surface 146A is arranged to make contact with (referring to
FIG. 2) top of neck sealing surface 68 and said surface 146A is
separate from annular seal 140; and
[0114] said lower top wall surface 147 being spaced apart from
sealing surface 146A as for example shown by the space between
dotted lines J4 and J4A thereby creating space 148 into which
annular seal 140 may deform into upon application of said closure
to a container neck.
[0115] FIG. 5 discloses a section through a the closure 100 of the
type shown in FIG. 1 and co-operating container neck 50 showing the
position of the tamper evidence band 110 after removal of the
closure from the container and subsequent replacement of the
closure to re-seal the container. The operation of removal has
after bringing into engagement surfaces 124 on the tabs 122 on
tamper band 110 and lower surface 57 of tamper bead 55 on said
container neck 50 and by movement of the closure 100 in direction
`Y` whilst tamper band 110 is prevented from such movement in
direction `Y` by said engagement between said engagement surfaces
124 and said lower surface 57 and which movement in direction `Y`
therefore causes frangible ribs 116 to separate from lower surface
112 of skirt 104 thereby opening a visible gap which may be as
large as desired to provide good visual evidence of separation
between tamper said band 110 and said lower surface 112.
[0116] Upon separation of tamper band 110 from skirt 104 tabs 122
which are exerting a pressure in direction `X` against surface 58
of container neck 50 by the tendency of said tabs 122 urged by the
tendency of the joining members 123 (shown in FIG. 7) and the
natural tendency of a moulded plastic part to return towards its as
moulded position and or to return to a neutral position from a
compressed or stretched position said stretched position of said
joining members 123 corresponding to position `C` in FIG. 6 and
said tabs 122 are therefore urged downwards by the sloping surface
58 of container neck 50 so that by selection of an appropriate
arced or sloped shape for said surface 58 an easily discerned
visual gap becomes apparent between closure body and tamper
evidence band and said visual gap is formed contemporaneously with
removal of the closure such that a person opening a container can
see the operation of the tamper evidence means rather than rely on
the feel or sound of ribs 116 separating as is the case with prior
art tamper bands. The slope of surface 58 and the action of the
tabs also makes difficult or impossible to replace the tamper band
into close proximity to simulate an un-opened container. Said
sloping surface 58 is formed such that the preferable initial slope
represented by the dotted line `F1` is between 1 degree and 70
degrees and preferably about 20 degrees relative to dotted line
`G1` (`G1` being parallel to the axis of the closure) and when said
sloping surface 58 is formed as a radius then such radius is
preferably greater than 1.0 mm and less than 20.0 mm. Said sloping
surface 58 may be a compound slope having a varying radius at
various points.
[0117] Sealing members 130 and 140 and sealing surface 145 are
shown in sealing engagement with the corresponding sealing surfaces
on container neck 50
[0118] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional elevation of closure 100 and a
co-operating container neck 50 showing:
[0119] various approximate positions of tabs 122 including Position
`A` being the as moulded position and position `B` being the
corresponding neutral position when said tabs 122 are folded
towards the operating position prior to sorting and application to
a container and when at said neutral point `B` said tabs 122 are at
an acute angle to annular wall 120 said neutral point `B` is also
defined as being the point at which the angle formed by dotted
lines `D` and `E` (dotted line `E` being parallel to the axis of
closure 100) is equal to the angle formed by dotted lines `E` and
`F` and said neutral position `B` is the point at which gaps 122c
have parallel sides and flap joining members 123 are in a neutral
position being neither under tension or compression save for the
said force exerted by the propensity of deformed hinge plastic
material to return towards an as moulded position. Position `C` is
the position of tabs 122 when fully applied to container and prior
to commencement of removal. Position `A` is the as moulded position
of said tabs 122; and
[0120] annular neck projection 51 which reduces the clearance gap
between tabs 122 and container neck 50 and thereby assisting in
prevention of tampering with tabs 122 in operating position
`C`.
[0121] FIG. 7 illustrates a means of overcoming the tendency of
tabs 122 of closure 100 shown in FIG. 1 to return towards the as
moulded position and provide another benefit by urging tabs 122 to
grip more tightly onto a container neck. The view is divided by
dotted line into half `A` and half `B` and shows the arrangement of
tabs 122 viewed from beneath 2 different closures in normal
orientation. Said tabs 122 are joined in pairs by a small joining
member 123. Said tabs 122 in closure half `A` are in the as moulded
position with adjacent sides of said tabs forming parallel sided
gaps 122C and said gaps 122C between unjoined tabs having an
arcuate end formed by the annular surface of wall 120 adjacent
hinge 125 (shown in referring to FIG. 1) and an open end and said
gaps 122C between joined tabs become a closed gap with 2 parallel
sides an arcuate end formed by the annular surface of wall 120
adjacent hinge 125 and a fourth side formed by one edge of joining
member 123 which may be arcuate or linear.
[0122] Said tabs 122 in a separate closure half `B` are shown in a
position at 90 degrees to the axis of the closure and at this point
the gaps 122C at edges of said tabs 122 adjacent engagement faces
124 would be narrower because engagement faces 124 are now located
on a smaller diameter that the position shown in half `A` thereby
causing joining members 123 to be compressed and some of this
compression will be relieved by the free edges of each pair of
joined tabs deforming radially as indicated by arrows `J` which
will cause the wall 120 (shown in FIG. 1) to deform (said
deformation not shown) between points `K` and `L`. Upon further
folding of said tabs into the said closure 100 (refer to FIG. 6
position `B`) the said joining members 123 will return to an
uncompressed state when the engagement ends 124 are located on a
diameter equal to the diameter shown for tabs 122 in Half `A` (this
diameter being the referred to in FIG. 6. as diameter `B`) and said
tabs 122 having reached said position `B` (referring to FIG. 6)
will tend to remain in this neutral position because the force
exerted by the tendency of the hinge 125 to return to an as moulded
position will not overcome the resistance to compression in said
joining members 123. Upon application of closure to a container
tabs 122 will be urged into position by the neck of the container
such that the engagement ends 124 will locate on a larger diameter
than the said diameter `B` and joining members 123 with be placed
under tension again causing deformation of at least wall 120
between points `K` and `L` and urging the said tabs 122 to exert a
force against the neck surface 58 of container neck 50 greater than
that force exerted by the arrangement of tabs 122 referred to in
FIG. 3 thereby reducing the possibility that tabs 122 (shown in
FIG. 5) may be urged past lower surface 57 of tamper bead 55 on
container neck 50 upon removal of closure from container neck
failing to break frangible ribs 116 tamper band 110 thereby
defeating the tamper evidence means.
[0123] Tabs 122 when in position shown in half `A` corresponding to
position `B` in FIG. 6 are subject to a residual force exerted to
urge the said tabs 122 to return towards the as moulded position
`A` (as moulded position `A` in FIG. 6) this force results from the
propensity of a moulded plastic part when deformed from its as
moulded position to return towards the as moulded position.
[0124] FIG. 8 is a sectional plan of container neck 50 view from
direction `KK` taken through (referring to FIG. 2A) dotted line `H`
`H` and said dotted line `H` `H` passing through the joining of
engagement means 80 and the lower surface 57 of tamper bead 55 and
showing by arrow `Q` the direction of removal rotation of a closure
and also showing by arrow `O` the direction of application rotation
of a closure which may be affixed to said container neck 50 and
said container neck having:
[0125] top sealing surface 68; and
[0126] engagement means 80 located on the lower surface of tamper
bead 55 (shown with dotted line) and having:
[0127] engagement surfaces 78 which are radially oriented to the
axis of the container neck or in another embodiment aligned at an
acute angle for example shown by dotted line `R`; and
[0128] ramped surface 79 which may be linear or curved and upon
application rotation of a corresponding closure such as shown in
FIG. 3 allows free edges 124A of tabs 122 of tamper band 110 to
easily pass over said ramped surfaces79; and
[0129] joining edges 79A at the join between said ramped surfaces
79 and engagement surfaces 78.
[0130] FIG. 9 is a sectional plan of container neck 50 view from
direction `KK` and taken through (referring to FIG. 2A) dotted line
`J` `J` passing through the joining of the neck and tamper bead 55
and showing by arrow `Q` the direction of removal rotation and also
showing by arrow `O` the direction of application rotation of a
closure which may be affixed to said container neck 50. This shows
the arrangement described at embodiment 4 in the description to
FIG. 2B and said container neck having
[0131] top sealing surface 68; and
[0132] engagement means 80 located on the lower surface of tamper
bead 55 and having: engagement surfaces 78 and 78A which are
radially oriented at 90 degrees to the axis of the container neck
and vertically oriented to the axis of the neck; and
[0133] ramped surface 79 which may be linear or curved and which
upon application rotation of a corresponding closure such as shown
in FIG. 3 allows free edges 124A of tabs 122 of tamper band 110 to
easily pass over said ramped surfaces 79 and said closure when
fully applied to said container neck the said free edges 124A of
tabs 122 will lie in a position to engage at least with engagement
faces 78A upon removal rotation of said closure. Said closure 100
being so designed that upon full application the said engagement
faces 124A will lie in close proximity to said engagement faces
78A; and
[0134] joining edges 79A at the join between said ramped surface
79; and engagement surfaces 78, 78A; and
[0135] edge point 56 corresponding to edge point 56 in FIG. 2B;
and
[0136] neck surface intersection point 59 being at the lower end of
curved section 58 (referring to FIG. 2B).
[0137] FIG. 10 discloses a dispensing closure 100 and tamper
evident sealing cover cap 200. Typically, the closure is a
one-piece moulded construction.
[0138] The dispensing closure 100 includes
[0139] a dispensing portion 102 having annular and/or
frusto-conical wall 110 having one or more thread and/or annular
projection or clip means 116 to co-operate with corresponding
thread and/or annular clip means 215 on said cover cap to secure
and/or resecure said cover cap to said dispensing closure after
initial removal and
[0140] having annular projection 115 which co-operates with a
corresponding projection 205 on said cover cap tamper band 220 such
that upon removal of the said cover cap the frangible connections
210 between tamper band and lower portion of cover cap wall 212 are
severed allowing tamper band 220 to drop away from said lower
portion of cover cap wall 212
[0141] and connected thereto
[0142] a downwardly extending skirt 104
[0143] having a helically threaded section 106 located on the
internal face 108 of the said skirt which is adapted to engage with
the corresponding helically threaded section on the external
surface of the neck of a container.
[0144] Tamper evidence may also be present on or in the dispensing
closure body such as by means of foil induction removably welded to
the mouth of a container or by a closure tamper band frangibly
connected to the lower portion of (referring to FIG. 1.) wall 104
the dispensing closure 100. Said closure and closure tamper band is
of the type and may be manufactured as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,640,988 and 6,491,175 which are by reference incorporated
herein.
[0145] The tamper evident sealing cover cap 200 includes
[0146] top wall 202 and depending therefrom annular sealing
projection 225 which co-operates with annular sealing feature 120
at the orifice of the said dispensing closure to provide a seal to
retain the contents of the container and annular side wall 212 and
thread or annular clip means 215 and frangible connections 210 and
tamper band 220 having annular or interrupted annular projection
205.
[0147] FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of areas `A` and `B`
of FIG. 10. Enlarged section `A` shows
[0148] Annular or interrupted annular projection 118 on closure 100
which co-operates with one or more of projections 218 on annular
side wall 212 of sealing cover 200 when the said sealing cover is
applied or re-applied to the said closure to provide a retention
means to retain the said sealing cover in a fully engaged position
on the said dispensing closure. Said retention means being such
that it can be easily disengaged during normal removal and
re-application of the said sealing cover from or to the said
dispensing closure
[0149] inner wall 208 of cover cap tamper band 220 is angled such
that the said wall adjacent to frangible connections 210 is further
from the axis of the cover cap than the said wall 208 at the end
adjacent to projection 205. The said angle `C` of wall 208 to the
axis of the closure is more than 1 degree and less than 90 degrees
and preferably 15 degrees. This arrangement allows or promotes the
said tamper band 220 to move downwards after separation from
frangible connections 210 opening up a visible gap between the
lower extremity of said annular side wall 212 of sealing cover 200
so that a person viewing the said sealing cover can easily discern
that the said sealing cover has been opened.
[0150] In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown)
there is a distinct clearance gap between said wall 208 and
projection 115 on the dispensing closure body and projection 205
extends further from the axis of the cover cap. The wall 208 then
has a smaller angle to or is parallel to the axis of the closure.
This arrangement allows the said tamper band 220 to move downwards
after separation from frangible connections 210 opening up a
visible gap between the lower extremity of said annular side wall
212 of sealing cover 200 so that a person viewing the said sealing
cover can easily discern that the said sealing cover has been
opened.
[0151] In yet another embodiment of the present invention (not
shown) there is interference between said wall 208 and projection
115 on the dispensing closure body such that upon severing of the
frangible connections 210 tamper band 220 is forced downwards by
the co-operating angled surfaces of wall 208 and projection 115
opening up a visible gap between the lower extremity of said
annular side wall 212 of sealing cover 200 so that a person viewing
the said sealing cover can easily discern that the said sealing
cover has been opened.
[0152] In yet another embodiment or additional feature of the
present invention wall 121 of dispensing closure may have an angle
`D` in respect of the axis of the cover cap which ensures clearance
between projection 205 on tamper band 220 and said wall 121 as said
tamper band fall or is driven downwards after severing of the said
frangible connections opening up a visible gap between the lower
extremity of said annular side wall 212 of sealing cover 200 so
that a person viewing the said sealing cover can easily discern
that the said sealing cover has been opened. The said angle `D` of
wall 121 to the axis of the closure is more than 1 degree and less
than 45 degrees and preferably 10 degrees.
[0153] Section `B` shows
[0154] the tamper band 220 having dropped into annular channel 119
after frangible connections 210 are severed and by the gap between
the lower portion of cover cap wall 212 and tamper band 220 provide
clear evidence that the cover cap has been removed.
[0155] FIG. 12. is a cross sectional elevation of a dispensing
closure 100 with a tamper evident sealing cover 200 in sealing
engagement and with the closure threadingly engaged on the open end
of a container neck 600. The general arrangement of these elements
are similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but changes to and adjacent to
the dispensing orifice have been made in the area circled with a
dotted line and marked as `D` and more fully described in FIG.
13.
[0156] FIG. 13 is a an enlarged cross sectional elevation view of
the main elements contained in the circled section `D` in FIG. 3
showing the sealing elements of sealing cover 200 in closure
proximity to but not sealingly engaged with dispensing closure 100.
Dispensing closure 100 having
[0157] frusto-conical wall 110 having a
[0158] wall with lead in surface 128 which co-operates with outside
surface 225A of to assist in directing annular sealing projection
225 into sealing engagement with said dispensing closure 100;
[0159] annular or frusto conical sealing surface 120 and
[0160] inner surface 110A and connected thereto disc 105 having
[0161] in at least one and preferably 3 locations disc supports
105C are formed between outside wall 105A of said disc 105 and
surface 110A of said wall 110 and
[0162] upper surface 105B may be angled below horizontal in the
normal position such that any contents which remain undispensed on
said upper surface 105B with in the area adjacent to dispensing
orifice 125 will be urged under gravity to return to the container
when the container and dispensing closure is in the normal
position.
[0163] Sealing cover 200 has outside surface 225A of annular
sealing projection 225 which as it is moved towards and enters into
sealing abutment with annular sealing feature 120 of dispensing
closure 100 acts to push any product remaining attached to at least
portion of lead in surface 128 and said annular sealing wall 120 at
least towards the upper surfaces of disc 105 and or into the
container through orifice 125 or the said product being sealed from
atmosphere by the said sealing cover is prevented from drying out
and caking or forming a crust and the said product is therefore
able to be re-dispensed at the next use.
[0164] Said orifice 125 may be of any suitable shape or combination
of shapes including circular and/or rectangular and/or ellipsoid
and/or curved or irregular. This arrangement allows the provision
of dispensing closures with various dispensing orifice shapes and
sizes but which can all be sealed with a common sealing
overcap.
[0165] The arrangement of the said orifice 125 includes the concept
shown at FIG. 16 whereby at least part of disc 105 being thin and
having at least one and preferably 8 fine slits radially spaced
outwards so that the segments formed between the radially spaced
slits may flex and displaced more easily so that products which may
flow too freely through a larger orifice will be restrained to flow
less freely through the small central orifice and said slits but if
a larger flow is desired and the container is able to be squeezed
to apply pressure to dispense product then the segments formed
between the radially spaced slits may flex outwards under said
pressure and cause at least the central orifice and adjacent
portion of said radially spaced slits to expand and allow product
to flow more freely.
[0166] FIG. 14 is yet another embodiment of the present invention
showing a cross sectional elevation of a dispensing closure 100
with a tamper evident sealing cover 200 in sealing engagement and
with the closure threadingly engaged on the open end of a container
neck 600. The general arrangement of these elements are similar to
that shown in FIG. 10 but this embodiment contains at least one
means of controlling or shutting off the dispensing flow of product
by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied when squeezing the
flexible container to dispense product. The first of said means of
controlling or shutting off the flow is shown in the area circled
with a dotted line and marked as `G` and this is described in
detail in FIG. 15.
[0167] The second of said means of controlling or shutting off the
flow is an annular disc of any suitable material such as foamed
plastic flexible liner 700 is inserted into the closure and upon
application of the closure is compressed to form a seal between
closure and container neck. Said annular disc of foamed plastic
flexible liner 700 has one or more shaped cuts or slits 705 which
upon a user squeezing or compressing walls of the container and
causing an increase in internal pressure and promoting part of the
said annular disc of foamed plastic flexible liner 700 at the free
edges of slits 705 and especially at intersection point 706 to
deform outward thereby creating an opening to allow product to be
dispensed. Upon cessation of squeezing a reduction occurs in the
internal pressure allowing the deformed portion of said annular
disc of foamed plastic flexible liner 700 to return under the
influence of the propensity of deformed plastic to tend to return
to its original state upon removal of the deforming stress and also
the influence of an increase in the volume of the container as it
returns to its pre compressed state lowers internal pressure
relative such that the pressure is greater on the outside surface
of the outwardly deformed part of the said annular disc of foamed
plastic flexible liner 700 whereby the said deformed part of the
said annular disc of foamed plastic flexible liner 700 is urged to
return to its original undeformed position or shape. Said shaped
slits cuts 705 forming free edges are preferably in the form of 2
or more intersecting slits as shown in FIG. 16.
[0168] FIG. 15. is a sectional view of that portion of dispensing
closure 100 circled and marked `G` in FIG. 14. The arrangement of
sealing cover 200 and dispensing closure 100 is similar to that
shown in FIG. 13 but orifice 125 is absent and instead part of disc
105 is formed as a thin flexible membrane 126 said membrane
preferably having a progressively thinner wall section and having
the thinnest wall section at the centre. Said membrane may be also
be formed with radial slits or have said radial slits added after
moulding as shown in FIG. 16. Said membrane 126 may be formed of
the same material comprising dispensing closure 100 or be formed
from another more suitable material by injection of said other more
suitable material into a mould arrangement (not shown) that allows
moulding of one art in one material and then the moulding of the
rest of the part from another material of another material. Said
membrane may be of any suitable shape or arrangement including a
concave or convex shape including a combination curved and linear
shapes as shown in FIG. 9.
[0169] FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view from below cut through the
line `F` `F` and viewed in direction `Q` of that portion of
dispensing closure shown in FIG. 15 and having wall 110 with inner
surface 110A connected to membrane disc 126 and membrane disc
supports 105C. Membrane disc 126 has slits 126A which intersect at
point 126B and which arrangement operates such that upon a user
squeezing or compressing walls of the container and causing an
increase in internal pressure and promoting part of the said
membrane disc 126 at the free edges of slits 126A and especially at
intersection point 126B to deform outward thereby creating an
opening to allow product to be dispensed. Upon cessation of
squeezing a reduction occurs in the internal pressure allowing the
deformed portion of said membrane disc 126 to return under the
influence of the propensity of deformed plastic to tend to return
to its original state upon removal of the deforming stress and also
the influence of an increase in the volume of the container as it
returns to its pre compressed state lowers internal pressure
relative such that the pressure is greater on the outside surface
of the outwardly deformed part of the said membrane disc 126
whereby the said deformed part of the said membrane disc 126 is
urged to return to its original undeformed position or shape
thereby shutting of or at least substantially reducing flow of
product from the dispensing orifice.
[0170] FIG. 17 is a plan view of (referring to FIG. 14) disc 700
having slits 705. Preferably there are at least 2 slits creating
free edges 705 intersecting at point 706. FIG. 18 is a plan
sectional view from below of that portion of dispensing closure 100
above the dotted line E in FIG. 12. and showing wall 110 with inner
surface 110A connected to disc 105 and disc supports 105C. Disc 105
has orifice 125. Said orifice 125 or (referring to FIG. 15)
membrane disc 126 may be easily varied in shape and dimension by
the use of interchangeable inserts in the plastic injection mould
assembly (not shown) to enable a variety of dispensing closure to
be produced with orifice arrangements suitable for controlled
dispensing of a wide range of products of different viscosities and
containing particulate matter of various sizes.
[0171] FIG. 19 is a plan view from above lead in surface 128 of
dispensing closure 100 (referring to FIG. 13) and showing wall 110
connected to lead in surface 128 connected to sealing surface 120
connected to disc 105 which has orifice 125.
[0172] FIG. 20 is another enlargement of a view similar to the view
in FIG. 13 and showing yet another embodiment of the present
invention in which (referring to FIG. 13) disc 105 with orificel25
has been replaced with a snap-in sealing orifice assembly having at
least one portion similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,363
which is by reference incorporated in this application. Said
sealing orifice assembly 300 consisting of
[0173] annular body 305 having depending skirt wall 307 which has
any known retention means such as clip/projections 318 and 319
[0174] said projection 318 co-operates with closure wall recess
130A and projection 130 to retain said assembly in place within
closure 100 and provide a sealing means to prevent the contents of
a container escaping between said assembly 300 and closure loop and
having annular recess 309 to receive a corresponding projection of
annular valve insert 310 which is preferably made of a flexible
material such as silicon rubber and having at least one slit 312
(referring to FIG. 21.) which is normally closed but when a
corresponding container (not shown) is squeezed the internal
pressure increase causes the centre of said annular valve insert to
move forward in direction `Q` and this movement together with the
increased internal pressure caused by squeezing the container urges
slit 312 to open at least partially and sufficiently to allow fluid
product to be dispensed through said open slits 312 in said annular
valve insert 310 and
[0175] valve retention disc 315 which lockingly engages with
retention means 319 to retain annular valve insert in position with
said projecting portion of said annular valve insert located in
recess 109.
[0176] FIG. 21 shows an enlarged view of sealing assembly 300 as
viewed from direction `Q` and showing annular body 305 and
clip/projection 318 and annular valve insert 310 having slits 312
said annular valve insert having a concave shape in the normal
position being orifice closed and when contents of a corresponding
container is placed under pressure said annular valve insert
changes shape and assumes a reverse shape being convex and the free
edges of said slits especially at an intersection of said slits 312
are then forced open thereby allowing product to be dispensed
through an opening formed by the said forcing apart of the walls of
the said slits 312.
[0177] FIG. 22 shows yet another embodiment of the present
invention showing an alternate arrangement of enlarged sectional
view of the area `D` and adjacent area shown in FIG. 12 which has
sealing cover 200 in sealing engagement with dispensing closure
100. This view shows invention whereby the sealing orifice assembly
300 (referring to FIG. 20) is replaced with a shaped annular valve
insert 310 formed of a flexible and resilient material such a
silicon rubber which is retained in place by annular retention
projection 142 from closure wall 110. Said retention projection 142
is formed such that point 142A is further from closure wall 110
than point 142B. Annular valve insert 310 is formed so that it
follows the shape between closure wall 110 and retention projection
142. Said annular valve insert may advantageously may be shaped to
have curved walls being concave when viewed from outside the
container and convex or a combination of convex and linear shapes
as shown by linear or flat section 328 and having at least one slit
312 (referring to FIG. 21) which is normally closed but when a
corresponding container (not shown) is squeezed the internal
pressure increase causes the centre of said annular valve insert to
move forward in direction `Q` and this movement together with the
increased internal pressure caused by squeezing the container urges
slits 312 to open at least partially and sufficiently to allow
fluid product to be dispensed through said open slits 312 in said
annular valve insert 310. Said linear or flat section 328 in
combination with the convex and concave shapes of forms movable
diaphragm 327 which contains said slits 312. Said combination of
shapes and slits forming said movable diaphragm is arranged so as
to promote the return to a normal slits closed position cutting of
the flow of product upon cessation of squeezing the container to
dispense product.
[0178] Should additional retention means be required additional
projections or annular ring projection 143 may be formed on inner
wall 110A. The position of said projections 143 may be as shown to
allow (not shown) an annular disc to be inserted past said
projections so that said annular disc is held in position firmly
compressing and holding wall 325 of annular valve insert 310 in
position. Said annular disc would have an orifice of diameter at
least equivalent to the concave section of annular valve insert 310
so as to allow passage of product to be dispensed. Said projections
or annular ring projection 143 may be of different shape and size
and also be located to abut and hold in position wall 325 of
annular valve insert 310.
[0179] In yet another embodiment sealing cover 200 may be
absent.
[0180] FIG. 23 shows a cross sectional view through the axis of a
closure 100 having:
[0181] a top wall 102 and depending therefrom;
[0182] an integrally moulded structure 120 consisting of one or
more thin walled annular structures 121 separated by gaps 124. The
walls of said thin walled annular structures have a large surface
area and contain an oxygen scavenging or moisture scavenging or
scavenger of taint causing contaminant material, said scavenging
material including ferrous carbonate, silica dessicant materials
and glucose or dextrose or dextrins or their derivatives whether
organic or synthetically produced.
[0183] FIG. 24 shows a cross sectional view through the axis of a
closure 100 having:
[0184] annular or interrupted annular clip means 105 which act to
retain within the closure for example a receptacle insert 126
containing for example an oxygen scavenging material in the form of
granules or powder or liquid. Said receptacle may have a sealing
cover (not shown) so as to retain said oxygen scavenger
material.
[0185] Materials or blends of materials have been used to reduce or
limit the adverse affect of oxygen or moisture or other
contaminants that may spoil or contaminate the contents of a
container including food contents or otherwise disaffect its
flavour or shelf life of food products in containers.
[0186] Methods have been devised for reducing the amount of oxygen
which is transported through the container or is contained in the
unfilled head space in a container.
[0187] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,202,052 and 5,364,555 describe polymeric
material carriers containing oxygen scavenging material whereby the
oxygen scavenging material is activated by contact with water or
water vapor. However these materials may be activated prematurely
from atmospheric moisture and oxygen surrounding the material prior
to use and thus lose effectiveness.
[0188] U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,022 which is by reference incorporated
herein discloses a polymer blend especially well-suited for coating
paperboard substrates used in food packaging.
[0189] U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,027 which is also by reference included
herein discloses an improved method of initiating oxygen scavenging
by compositions which comprise compounding oxidizable organic
compounds and transition metal catalysts to form a composition
suitable for forming into films or articles for packaging of oxygen
sensitive products is disclosed. The method requires the addition
of small amounts of a base to the oxygen scavenging composition as
it is being compounded to improve the initiation properties and
subjecting the film or article formed from the composition to
actinic or electron beam radiation.
[0190] Limiting adverse affects of oxygen on the contents of a
container may for example be by means of a container closure having
affixed to the underside of the top wall a disc or other shaped
item consisting of an oxygen scavenging material combined with a
polymeric material or alternatively affixing to the underside of
the top wall of the said container closure a receptacle containing
an oxygen scavenging material or oxygen scavenging material blended
with one or more substances to enhance effectiveness of or initiate
operation of the oxygen scavenging and said receptacle having a
sealing means which retains the said oxygen scavenging material
within the receptacle and separate from the contents of the
container but said sealing means permitting the passage of at least
oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or moisture containing or having
an acidic nature into the receptacle from the container and/or out
of the receptacle into the container. The space inside the diameter
of the walls of the plug or bore-seal may also be utilised as a
receptacle which may be sealed by known sealing means.
[0191] More particularly the said closure may be of a type that
incorporates one or more of the following annular sealing means
such as a wedge-seal or ring-seal respectively sealingly engaging
on the top inside edge/top surface of the container neck opening or
a plug-seal or bore-seal sealingly engaging the inner surface of
the container neck or an outer neck ring seal sealingly engaging
the upper outside surface of the container neck and in such
closures the said disc or other shaped item is affixed to the
underside of the top wall of the closure inside the diameter of the
said annular seals.
[0192] The means of affixing the said disc or other shaped item is
for example but not limited to by means of adhesive material such
as a hot melt glue or by retaining the said disc or other shaped
item into a moulded co-operating retention means on the closure by
means of an interference fit between the said retention means and
the said disc or other shaped item. Advantageously the shape of and
the means of affixing the said disc or other shaped item may
enhance the total surface area exposed to the contents of the
container and/or the air in the unfilled headspace above the level
of the filled product in the container so as to enhance the oxygen
scavenging or absorbing process by exposing a greater surface area
of the said polymeric material containing oxygen scavenging
material.
[0193] Alternatively the closure itself may be moulded from a
polymer containing scavenging material thus avoiding the need for
other manufacturing operations to create a disc or receptacle
containing scavenger material and/or a disc/receptacle
assembly.
[0194] Advantageously quantities of the closures and/or said disc
or other shaped item consisting of an oxygen scavenging material
combined with a polymeric material may when the oxygen scavenging
material is active or may become active through exposure to ambient
atmosphere be stored in packaging which excludes atmosphere and
said packaging is only opened at about the time the closure is
required to be affixed to the filled container.
[0195] The said oxygen scavenging material combined with a
polymeric material for example may consist of a polymer such as low
density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer
(EVOH) or any other polymeric material and, mixed therein, from
about 0.1% to about 80% by weight of a scavenger material such
as
[0196] an acid-activatable oxygen scavenger such as ferrous
carbonate. The oxygen scavenger becomes activated when the
polymeric material containing the oxygen scavenger is contacted
with an acid-containing liquid or foodstuff or
[0197] an oxygen scavenging composition comprising an oxidizable
organic compound, a transition metal catalyst, optionally a
polymeric diluent, and a basic substance and to a method which
comprises compounding the basic substance with the remaining
components of the composition prior to exposing the composition to
radiation, e.g. actinic or an electron beam. Said radiation
including UVA and/or UVB promotes the activation of the oxygen
scavenger.
[0198] FIG. 25 shows a cross sectional elevation of closure 100
which is similar to that shown in FIG. 24 but absent receptacle
insert 126.
[0199] FIG. 26 is a cross sectional plan view of said moulded
structure 120 in closure 100 in FIG. 1 taken at dotted lone AA and
looking in direction X and showing annular walls 121 separated by
gaps 124.
[0200] FIG. 27 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 26 showing
some alternate shapes of walls 121 which serve to increase surface
area of said walls thereby allowing more interaction between the
contents of a container or the atmosphere in the head space of a
container and scavenging material contained within said walls. FIG.
28 is a cross sectional elevation through the axis of a closure and
container neck. The closure 100 having a top wall 101 and depending
therefrom
[0201] an annular sealing ring 141 which is also connected to the
skirt 105 and which seals against the top and or outside of an
annular container neck 200 an annular bore-seal 140 which seals on
the inside wall of said container neck 200
[0202] an annular or interrupted annular retention means 151 to
retain a disc or other shaped object 160 consisting of a polymeric
material or a polymeric material containing and acid activated
oxygen absorbing material
[0203] a depending skirt 105. The skirt having
[0204] on its inner wall 106 segmented or continuous helical
threads 107 which co-operate with corresponding threads on a
container neck (200 in FIG. 2) to secure the closure to the
container. Advantageously the helical thread has at in excess of
1.625 turns of thread engagement and preferably 2 full turns of
thread engagement (not shown) with the said container to ensure
that the annular bore seal remains in correct orientation to the
neck of the container when the said container is under substantial
pressure such as for carbonated contents and
[0205] depending from said skirt are frangible bridges 110
connecting tamper evidence means 115 to the said skirt.
Advantageously the said bridges must be constructed to as to resist
the forces involved when folding the flaps 120 from the as moulded
position into an operating position. Thickening the said frangible
bridges to resist stress of the folding process is one solution but
it has the undesirable effect of making the bridges less frangible
and therefore requiring excessive force to cause operation of the
tamper evidence means. A more advantageous solution is to design
the frangible bridges having a taper in excess of 1 degree and
preferably 5 degrees or greater and tapering from the smallest
cross sectional area which is immediately adjacent the lower edge
of the skirt 105A and increasing according to the taper angle in
cross section progressively to the largest cross sectional area
which is in the area connecting to the tamper evidence means 115.
Preferably the cross sectional shape is in the form approximating a
semi-circular shape or at least a shape with radii between
adjoining flat sides which sides are disposed to the adjoining
sides at an angle exceeding 90 degrees when referring to the side
disposed closest to and approximately parallel or tangent to the
outside of the closure and the 2 adjoining sides. Upon commencement
of the ejection movement of the bridges from the mould the shape of
the bridges tends to urge the said bridges from the mould in a more
effective manner than would otherwise be the case with bridges of
constant cross section.
[0206] Depending from frangible bridges 110 is tamper evidence
means 115 with wall 112 and hinge portion 116 which is connected to
flaps 120 (shown in an as moulded position) which when folded
inwards so that inner walls 122 are in close proximity to the inner
surface 113 of wall 112 the free ends 125 are in position to engage
with a tamper bead on a container neck 205 (FIG. 2) thus upon
removal rotation causing stress on the frangible bridges severing
the said bridges and tamper band 115 from the body of the closure
Advantageously the mould which produces the said closure is
constructed so as to retain in position the lower edge (105A in
FIG. 2.) and at least the immediately adjacent outside surface
(105B in FIG. 2) of the said skirt wall105 so as to prevent the
lateral movement of this portion of the closure during stripping of
the closure from the mould. Lateral movement of this area will
place stress on the said frangible bridges that may fracture either
on ejection from the mould or later after cooling. Alternatively
the said bridges must be increased in dimension so as to resist
said stress. Making the said bridges thicker to resist stress of
the ejection process is one solution but this has the undesirable
effect of making the bridges less frangible and therefore require
more force to cause operation of the tamper evidence means. It is
important for this type of tamper evidence means using discrete
flaps to engage the tamper bead on the container that a minimal
force is used to sever the said frangible bridges so as to reduce
the possibility of the flaps being so deformed by the force
required to sever the bridges that the said flaps 120 roll-over and
slip past the said tamper bead 205 on the container neck.
[0207] FIG. 29 is a partial sectional elevation of a tamper evident
closure 100 and some of the mould elements required to produce said
closure. Single piece tamper evident closures of a similar type to
said closure loop are shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 23,
24, 25 and 28 and the moulds to produce said closures are disclosed
in PCT application AU2004/001035, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,551,093,
6,626,310 and 6,640,988 the subject matter of which is by reference
hereby incorporated herein. The moulds to produce said tamper
evident closures are expensive and, although there are standard
neck diameters and thread configurations, there are many variations
of sealing arrangements required on container necks to meet sealing
requirements of different products and container/closure
combinations. It is expensive to make a closure mould for each
sealing configuration of closure and container neck and it is an
object of the present invention remove the need to construct a new
mould for each different sealing configuration required for the
same thread configuration and instead to replace a small portion of
the mould.
[0208] Typically, the said closure is a one-piece construction
moulded from thermoplastic and includes:
[0209] a top wall 102 and connected thereto a downwardly extending
skirt 104 having a helically threaded section 106 located on the
internal face 108 of the said skirt said helically threaded section
106 adapted to engage with the corresponding helically threaded
section on the external surface of the neck of a container;
[0210] annular seal 140 and;
[0211] annular sealing member 130 and;
[0212] sealing surface 145 which seals against the top neck surface
of a corresponding container. Said sealing surface 145 may have one
or more projections and;
[0213] depending from lower surface 112 of the skirt 104 is
tamper-evident means consisting of tamper band 110 which is
connected to a said lower surface 112 by a frangible section 114
and said tamper-evident band 110 has an annular wall 120 from which
extends more than one discretely spaced tabs 122. The tabs 122 are
connected to the lower surface of the annular wall 120 by means of
a hinged section 125. Initially, the tabs 122 extend radially
inwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the annular wall 120 to
facilitate removal from the mould and said tabs are depicted in
this position.
[0214] The mould to produce said closure 100 includes:
[0215] mould element 800 which forms the inner surface of closure
100 including threads 106 and the lower portion of annular seal 140
and;
[0216] mould element 880 which forms the upper surface of annular
seal 140 and sealing surface 145 and the outer surface including
the sealing surface of sealing member 130 and;
[0217] interlocking threaded section 890 whereby mould elements 800
and 880 are preferably threadingly engaged or engaged and retained
together by known means whereby said mould element 880 may be
removed preferably when the mould is normally fully open and
replaced with different mould element 880s to produce a closures
having different sealing arrangements to annular seals 140 and
130.
[0218] The various aspects of the present invention described above
may be combined with any one or more of the following:
[0219] (i) Various child resistant features, such as is disclosed
in Australian patent 43435/85 (Patent No. 550878) the disclosures
of which are hereby incorporated in this application and one of
said features may be of the type whereby it is necessary to exert
downward force either on the top of the closure or on the top of an
over-cap which fits over the top of the closure, such that the
downward force overcomes resistance thereby allowing engagement
means between the over-cap and the closure to enable removal
rotation of the closure to operate the tamper-evident feature and
remove the closure from the neck of the container.
[0220] (ii) child-resistant tamper-evident closures, including a
"squeeze dropper" type dispensing closure.
[0221] (iii) Dispensing closures for liquids, such as oils.
[0222] (iv) Dispensing closures for particulate matters, such as
granular powders and the like.
[0223] (v) The moulding of the closure from more than one type of
material.
[0224] For example, it would assist recycling if the closure
tamper-evident band was moulded in the same material as the
container. In another example a different colour or type of
material may be used to mould the tamper band promoting visual
difference between closure body and tamper band or physical
performance of the tamper band.
[0225] (vi) Various dispensing means such as, but not limited to, a
perforated or partially perforated closure with flip top cover, a
flexible membrane with cruciform or other pattern slits or openings
to thereby permit the dispensing of container contents or a pump
action dispenser or a push/pull valve closing/opening feature.
[0226] (vii) A closure applied by axial rather than rotational
motion and closures with more than one thread means.
[0227] (viii) A closure with a cooperating ratchet or engagement
means between the tamper-evident band and features on the neck of
the container such that cooperation between the said engagement
means or any of them upon removal rotation of the threaded closure
tends to promote severing of the frangible ribs connecting the
tamper-evident band to the skirt of the closure. Said engagement
means having ramped surfaces which cooperate during application of
said closure to said container neck to reduce rotational force on
the tamper-evident band during application reducing the possibility
of severing the frangible ribs connecting the tamper-evident band
to the skirt of the closure.
[0228] (ix) Various means of employing an additional foil seal to
ensure freshness of the contents of a container and which may
include a means to pierce the foil.
[0229] (x) Closures made of metal or plastic materials, or a
combination of metal and plastic materials as may be useful in hot
fill or retorted or vacuum seal packages.
[0230] (xi) Containers made of plastic, metal and glass
materials.
[0231] Although the various aspects of this invention have been
described with reference to specific examples it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be
embodied in many other forms.
* * * * *