U.S. patent application number 10/599085 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for container with securement for a cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to DUBOIS LIMITED. Invention is credited to Peter Antony Farrar, Anthony Henry Joseph Fraser.
Application Number | 20080257849 10/599085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34962991 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farrar; Peter Antony ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
Container with Securement for a Cap
Abstract
A beverage container (1a, 1b) comprises a container body
including an opening, wherein the interior of the container body
includes at least one securement means by which a cap (3) may be
releasably secured to the container body to close the opening.
Inventors: |
Farrar; Peter Antony;
(Leeds, GB) ; Fraser; Anthony Henry Joseph;
(Rutland, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION;Attn: Ivette Reyes
299 PARK AVENUE, 13TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10171
US
|
Assignee: |
DUBOIS LIMITED
Corby, Northants
GB
|
Family ID: |
34962991 |
Appl. No.: |
10/599085 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 25, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2005/001093 |
371 Date: |
September 25, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/222 ;
215/329; 215/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/1688 20130101;
B65D 43/0281 20130101; B65D 2401/30 20200501; B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 2543/00518 20130101; B65D 39/08 20130101; B65D
2543/0099 20130101; B65D 2251/023 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; B65D 39/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/222 ;
215/329; 215/44 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/06 20060101
B65D041/06; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04; B65B 7/28 20060101
B65B007/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 2004 |
GB |
0406497.8 |
Jun 23, 2004 |
GB |
0414067.9 |
Claims
1. A container, comprising a container body including an opening,
wherein the interior of the container body includes at least one
securement means by which a cap may be releasably secured to the
container body to close the opening.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the, or each,
securement means is provided on an internal surface of the
container body.
3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, including the
cap.
4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the cap includes at
least one securement means by which the cap may be secured to the
container body, by engagement with the securement means of the
container body.
5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the, or each,
securement means of the cap is provided on a circumferential
exterior surface of the cap.
6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the circumferential
exterior surface of the cap comprises a plug portion of the
cap.
7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the, or
each, securement means of the container body and/or the cap is a
thread.
8. A container according to claim 7, wherein each thread is a screw
thread.
9. A container according to claim 7, wherein each thread is a
bayonet thread.
10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the bayonet thread
comprises a substantially circumferentially-extending part and a
substantially axially-extending part.
11. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap
and the container body include engagement means to secure the cap
on the container body by substantially preventing rotation of the
cap with respect to the container body under the influence of a
force acting in a direction emerging from the container body
substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the opening
lies.
12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the engagement means
prevent the initiation of such rotation of the cap with respect to
the container body, when the cap is fully secured on the container
body.
13. A container according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the
engagement means comprise part of the threaded engagement between
the cap and the container body.
14. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the
opening is a narrow-mouth opening.
15. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the
opening is a wide-mouth opening.
16. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the
container body has no thread or thread segments on its
exterior.
17. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap
and the container body are constructed and arranged to provide a
vent for venting gas from the container body when the cap is in an
intermediate position between fully secured and fully released.
18. A container according to any preceding claim, including at
least one sealing member to form a seal between the cap and the
container body when the cap is secured thereon.
19. A container according to claim 18, wherein at least one sealing
member comprises a membrane seal.
20. A beverage container substantially as described herein and/or
as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to containers, and
particularly relates to containers for supplying beverages to
consumers. The invention has particular utility for the storage and
supply of carbonated and other sparkling drinks, but is also
suitable for use with other types of drinks.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] For many years there has been a desire among drinks
suppliers and container manufacturers to provide practical
wide-mouth beverage supply containers which consumers may drink
from comfortably in the same manner as from a drinks glass or other
drinking vessel. Despite the tremendous advantages that such a
beverage container would provide for drinks suppliers, container
manufacturers and consumers alike, no successful beverage container
that fulfils these aims has yet been produced. Consequently,
bottles and ring-pull cans currently remain the main practical
beverage supply containers for consumers. This is because there are
significant technical problems associated with wide-mouth
containers to overcome, and no practical solution to the problems
has successfully been devised.
[0003] One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a
practical beverage container.
[0004] Another aim is to provide a container with a closure which
seals the opening of the container yet can be removed relatively
easily by hand.
[0005] The invention has particular utility as a wide-mouth
beverage container. However, at least some aspects and embodiments
of the invention need not be a wide-mouth container, but can
instead be a narrow-mouth container (as explained herein).
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a container
comprising a container body including an opening, preferably a
wide-mouth opening, wherein the interior of the container body
includes at least one securement means by which a cap may be
releasably secured to the container body to close the opening.
[0007] The (or each) securement means preferably is provided on an
internal surface of the container body. The container body does not
therefore need securement means projecting from its external
surface so may be formed with a smooth external surface (beneath
any lip provided around its opening).
[0008] The beverage container preferably includes the cap that may
be releasably secured to the container body to close the opening.
The cap preferably includes at least one securement means by which
the cap may be secured to the container body, by engagement with
the securement means of the container body. The (or each)
securement means of the cap preferably is provided externally on
the cap, especially on a circumferential exterior surface of the
cap (e.g. a bore seal or other plug portion of the cap which fits
within the interior of the container body). Preferably, the cap
also extends across the rim of the container opening and has a
skirt portion which extends down over the exterior of the
container, e.g. over a lip of the container.
[0009] The cap is releasably securable to the container body
preferably by means of a threaded engagement with the container
body. Consequently, the (or each) securement means of the container
body and/or the cap preferably is a thread. The threaded engagement
may, for example, comprise a bayonet-style engagement or
alternatively a screw-threaded engagement. The term "thread" as
used herein includes (at least in the broadest aspects of the
invention) continuous and discontinuous threads, (e.g. continuous
and discontinuous screw threads), and bayonet-style threads, for
example. Threads used in relation to the invention may, for
example, comprise a plurality of segments (each thread segment
comprising a said securement means), in which case the thread may
either be discontinuous, or it may be substantially continuous
because the effect is that of a substantially continuous screw
thread pattern. One or more threads used in the invention may have
a single helix angle, or a plurality of differing helix angles. The
thread may comprise projections on the internal surface of the
container which engage with grooves formed on the cap or vice
versa.
[0010] The opening of the container body may be a narrow-mouth
opening, e.g. a bottle-type opening. Such an opening may have a
diameter of less then 40 mm, for example. Conventional standard
bottle mouth sizes include diameters of 28 mm and 38 mm, and the
opening of the container body of some embodiments of the present
invention may have such a diameter.
[0011] Alternatively, the opening of the container body may be a
wide-mouth opening. By a "wide-mouth opening" is meant (at least in
its broadest sense) an opening of a size suitable for a person to
drink from the container in the same manner as from a drinks glass
or similar drinking vessel. That is, in its broadest sense, the
wide-mouth opening of the container (for embodiments of the
invention having a wide-mouth opening) generally renders the
container suitable as a drinking vessel from which a beverage
supplied in the container may be conveniently drunk (in contrast to
conventional narrow-necked bottles and ring-pull cans which
generally are not regarded as comfortable drinking vessels). In
practice, this requirement means that the diameter of the
wide-mouth opening of the container will normally need to be at
least 40 mm, preferably at least 45 mm, and more preferably at
least 50 mm. Additionally, an excessively wide opening is generally
difficult for the consumer to drink from, and thus the wide-mouth
opening preferably has a diameter no greater than 150 mm, more
preferably no greater than 100 mm, and especially no greater than
80 mm. A particularly preferred diameter range for the wide-mouth
opening is 50 to 80 mm, and examples of particular preferred
diameters included 53 mm and 63 mm.
[0012] The container body preferably has no thread or thread
segments on its exterior. Consequently, the container body
preferably is comfortable for a consumer to drink directly from the
container body.
[0013] A wide variety of thread forms for securing the cap to the
container body, is possible. As indicated at the beginning of this
specification, at least some embodiments of the invention are
intended for the storage and supply of carbonated and other
sparkling drinks, for example beers, ciders, sparkling wines
(including champagne), other fizzy alcoholic beverages, and
non-alcoholic fizzy and sparkling beverages, including sparkling
water and carbonated soft drinks. For such beverages, it is
preferred for the engagement between the cap and the container body
to include provision for gas venting upon partial removal of the
cap from the container body, to prevent so-called "missiling" of
the cap whereby the cap is violently ejected from the container
body as the container is opened, by the gas pressure of the
contents of the container.
[0014] Advantageously, therefore, the container body and the cap
may include means, preferably engageable elements, to block or
restrict removal of the cap from the container body beyond an
intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released)
when the cap is under an axial pressure in a direction emerging
from the container body. Such blocking or restricting means (e.g.
engageable elements) may comprise parts of the thread on the cap
and the container body. Additionally or alternatively, the means to
block or restrict removal of the cap from the container body may
comprise one or more tethers linking the cap directly or indirectly
to the container body. For example, one or more such tethers may
link the cap to a tamper-evident band or other part attached to the
container body.
[0015] Preferably the cap and the container body are constructed
and arranged to provide a vent for venting gas from the container
body at least when the cap is in an intermediate position (between
fully secured and fully released).
[0016] Examples of suitable thread constructions and arrangements
are known (only for threads provided on the exterior of container
bodies), e.g. from international patent applications WO 95/05322,
WO 97/21602, WO99/19228 and WO 03/045805, the entire disclosures of
which documents are incorporated herein by reference.
[0017] Documents WO 97/21602 and WO 03/045805 each disclose screw
threads having regions of differing helix angles (incorrectly
referred to in those documents as the "pitch" of the screw
threads). Screw threads of these types may, in some embodiments, be
used for the container body and/or cap of the present
invention.
[0018] Preferably, the thread of the container body or the cap
comprises a plurality of first thread segments. The thread of the
other of the cap or the container body preferably comprises a
plurality of second thread segments. The second thread segments
preferably have lower thread surfaces, the helix angle of the lower
second thread surface being relatively low, at least in a first
region. Preferably the helix angle of the lower second thread
surface is relatively high in a second region displaced from the
first region in an unscrewing direction. Such a thread arrangement
may combine the advantages of conventional helical screw threads
and bayonet-style threads. This is because the use of a screw
thread has the advantage that, in comparison to a bayonet-style
thread, only a relatively small axial force is required to secure
the cap on the container body, but the transition to a relatively
low helix angle region of the thread (from a higher helix angle
region) as the cap is screwed onto the container body means that
this region can provide greater security (akin to a bayonet
fitting) against accidental unscrewing of the cap from the
container body under an axial force from pressurized contents of
the container than could be the case with a conventional helical
screw thread having a single helix angle.
[0019] The differing helix angle screw thread embodiments described
above may also include the means (e.g. engageable elements) to
block or restrict removal of the cap from the container body beyond
an intermediate position when the cap is under an axial pressure in
a direction emerging from the container body, as also described
above. The engageable elements preferably comprise a step or recess
formed in the lower second thread surface to provide a first
abutment surface, and a second abutment surface on a first thread
segment against which the step or recess may abut. Preferably the
helix angle of the lower second thread surface is relatively low in
a third region adjacent to the step or recess in the lower second
thread surface.
[0020] By "lower thread surface" is meant the thread surface that
prevents the axial separation of engaging threads under axial
forces directed to cause such separation. For example, in relation
to a thread on the container body, the "lower thread surface" is
the surface of the thread further from the wide-mouth opening. For
embodiments of the invention in which the cap includes a bore plug
carrying a thread for engagement with the container body, the
"lower thread surface" of the thread is the surface further from
the bottom (open end) of the bore plug.
[0021] Preferably the thread regions of relatively low helix angle
have a helix angle of no greater than 10 degrees (with respect to a
plane in which the opening lies). More preferably the helix angle
of the low helix angle regions is no greater than 7 degrees,
especially no greater than 6 degrees. Preferably the helix angle of
the thread regions of relatively high helix angle is greater than
10 degrees, for example in the range 12 to 20 degrees.
[0022] The screw threads by which the cap and the container body
mutually engage preferably each comprise a plurality of segments.
The segments of the thread on the container body preferably are
shorter than the segments of the thread on the cap, but the
converse may instead be the case. The shorter thread segments
preferably each extend no more than 30 degrees, more preferably no
more than 15 degrees, especially no more than 10 degrees of arc
around the internal circumference of the container body (or
alternatively around the external circumference of the cap). The
threads on the cap and the container body which secure the cap and
the container body together preferably may, in some embodiments, be
substantially as disclosed in WO 03/045805 (except that in that
document the threads on the container body are exterior threads,
and those on the cap are interior threads, whereas in the present
invention the converse is the case).
[0023] As mentioned above, in some preferred embodiments of the
invention, the threaded engagement between the cap and the
container body may advantageously be a bayonet-style engagement.
The (or each) bayonet thread preferably comprises a substantially
circumferentially-extending part and a substantially
axially-extending part. The substantially
circumferentially-extending part of the thread provides the
securement of the cap to the container body, by preventing axial
movement between the cap and the container body; it may include a
slight incline such that it extends over a small axial distance
along its circumferential length. The substantially
axially-extending part of the thread enables a protrusion
engageable with the thread to become engaged therewith and/or
disengaged therefrom.
[0024] Preferably a plurality of bayonet threads is provided. Thus,
the number of bayonet threads preferably is at least two, more
preferably at least four, even more preferably at east six, e.g.
eight or more. The bayonet threads preferably are substantially
evenly spaced around the circumference of the cap or container
body.
[0025] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the cap and
the container body include engagement means to secure the cap on
the container body by substantially preventing rotation of the cap
with respect to the container body under the influence of a force
acting in a direction emerging from the container body
substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the wide-mouth
opening lies. In particular, the engagement means preferably
prevent the initiation of such rotation of the cap with respect to
the container body, when the cap is fully secured on the container
body. The engagement means may, for example, comprise one or more
protruding and/or recessed members of the cap and the container
body. The engagement means may comprise part of the threaded
engagement between the cap and the container body (i.e. part of
their threads). Alternatively, the engagement means may be spaced
apart from the threaded engagement. For example, the engagement
means on the container body may be below the thread, on the
opposite side of the thread from the opening. The engagement means
on the cap may be lower on a bore plug of the cap than the thread
of the cap. The engagement means are arranged to prevent accidental
"backing off" (i.e. unscrewing) of the cap from its fully closing
and sealing position on the container body. Examples of some forms
of such engagement means are disclosed in WO 91/18799, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The
engagement means disclosed in that document are provided on the
exterior of the container body and on the interior of the cap,
whereas in the present invention the converse may be the case.
[0026] The (or each) engagement means of a bayonet thread may for
example comprise a stop member, e.g. a step, ledge, obstruction or
projecting member of the bayonet thread over which a respective
protrusion (engaged with the bayonet thread) must pass in order to
disengage the protrusion from the bayonet thread. Most preferably,
the (or each) stop member of the bayonet thread comprises a step
between two axially differing levels of the bayonet thread (the
axis being an axis of the circumferentially-extending thread, and
being the same as the axis extending through the opening of the
container body when the cap is secured to the container body).
[0027] The cap preferably includes tamper-evident means, for
example a tamper-evident band or ring. The tamper-evident means
provides an indication that the cap has previously been released
from the container body. The tamper-evident means is advantageously
provided on the exterior of the cap.
[0028] The container preferably includes at least one sealing
member to form a seal between the cap and the container body when
the cap is secured thereon. The (or each) sealing member may, for
example, form part of the cap and/or the container body, or it may
be a separate member. Preferred sealing members include sealing
flanges and/or other sealing members, for example gaskets and the
like. Another possible sealing member is a membrane seal, for
example comprising a metal foil seal (e.g. formed from aluminium
foil), which may optionally be provided with one or more polymer
layers on one or both major surfaces thereof. The foil seal may
provide an excellent gas barrier, for example. Advantageously, the
use of a metal foil seal may enable the formation of a seal by
induction heating, e.g. by bonding one or more polymer layers to
the container body and/or to the cap. The foil seal or other
membrane seal may be provided on the cap and/or the container body
and/or separately.
[0029] The container and its components may be made from any
suitable material, including metal and/or glass and/or polymer
material. Polymer materials are generally preferred for the cap,
especially polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene. The
container body preferably is formed from glass or polymer material,
especially a polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The
polymeric components preferably are formed by moulding, especially
injection moulding and/or blow moulding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows two beverage container embodiments of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a detail of one of the embodiments of FIG. 1,
with the cap separated from the container body;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows the same detail as FIG. 2, with the cap secured
to the container body;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows the detail of FIG. 2 in cross-section;
[0035] FIG. 5 shows the detail of FIG. 3 in cross-section;
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a detail of the second embodiment of FIG. 1,
with the cap separated from the container body;
[0037] FIG. 7 shows the detail of FIG. 6 in cross-section;
[0038] FIG. 8 shows the detail of FIG. 7 with the cap secured to
the container body;
[0039] FIG. 9 shows, schematically, three views of another
embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 10 shows in detail a further embodiment of the
invention;
[0041] FIG. 11 shows, schematically, three views of another
embodiment of the invention; and
[0042] FIG. 12 shows three views of a further embodiment of the
invention.
BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
[0043] FIG. 1 shows two containers, 1a and 1b, according to the
invention. Each container 1 comprises a container body 2 and a cap
3 secured to the container body to close a wide-mouth opening
provided in the container body. The container bodies are
transparent, showing internal screw thread arrangements indicated
generally by reference numeral 17, which are shown in greater
detail in subsequent drawings, and described below. Threads are
provided on the interior of the container body 2 and on an external
surface of the cap 3.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a detail of embodiment 1a of FIG. 1, with the
cap 3 separated from the container body 2. The cap 3 is releasably
securable to the container body 2 by means of the threaded
engagement 17. Additionally, as supplied by the drinks supplier
(with a beverage contained in the container) the cap 3 includes a
tamper-evident band 19 on a skirt portion 3a thereof. Breakable
connections (not shown) between the tamper-evident band 19 and the
remainder of the cap 3 must be broken in order to remove the cap 3
from the container body 2. (The detail shown in FIG. 2 is prior to
initial securing of the cap to the container body by the drinks
supplier, hence the tamper-evident band is attached to the cap
despite the cap being separated from the container body.) The screw
threads on the container body 2 and cap 3 each comprise a plurality
of thread segments (referred to more generally herein as
"securement means"). As shown in FIG. 2, the threads are
"eight-start" threads (i.e. there are eight start positions for the
thread around the circumference of the container body/cap). The
eight first thread segments 21 on the container body are short in
length, each extending approximately 10-15 mm around the internal
circumference of the container body. The lower thread surface of
the first thread segments has a helix angle of approximately 6
degrees (i.e. a low helix angle), and the upper thread surface has
a helix angle of approximately 13.5 degrees (i.e. an intermediate
helix angle). As explained earlier in this specification, the
"lower thread surface" in this context is the surface of the thread
on the container body that is further from the wide-mouth opening,
and the "upper thread surface" is the surface closer to the
wide-mouth opening.
[0045] The eight second thread segments 23 on the cap 3 are
provided on a bore plug 25 of the cap 3, which is received within
the container body when the cap is secured thereto. The second
thread segments 23 on the bore plug 25 of the cap 3 each have a
lower thread surface 27 and an upper thread surface 29. The "lower
thread surface" in this context is the surface of the thread on the
cap 3 that is further from the end of the bore plug 25 of the cap
that extends the furthest into the container body. The upper and
lower second thread surfaces define a substantially continuous
generally helical path 31 between axially adjacent thread segments.
The lower thread surface 27 of each second thread segment comprises
a relatively low helix angle first region 33, a relatively high
helix angle adjacent second region 35 (in an unscrewing direction)
and a further relatively low helix angle adjacent third region 37
(in an unscrewing direction). The first and third regions each have
a helix angle of approximately 6 degrees, and the second region has
a helix angle of approximately 25 degrees. The average helix angle
of the lower thread surfaces of the second thread segments is
approximately 13 degrees.
[0046] The first and second thread segments also include provision
for gas venting upon partial removal of the cap from the container
body, to prevent "missiling" of the cap whereby the cap is
violently ejected from the container body as the container is
opened by the consumer, due to the gas pressure of the contents of
the container, when the container holds a carbonated beverage. This
gas venting provision takes the form of engageable elements on the
first and second thread segments to block or restrict removal of
the cap beyond an intermediate position when the cap is under an
axial pressure in a direction emerging from the container body, and
gas vents to allow the escape of gas from the container between the
thread segments when the cap is in its intermediate position. The
engageable elements of the thread segments comprise a step 39 on
each of the second thread segments, and a leading edge 41 (leading
in the unscrewing direction) of each of the first thread segments.
The gas vents comprise gaps 43 between second thread segments 23
and spaced apart extensions 42 of the second thread segments, as
well as gaps between the axially adjacent thread segments in the
helical paths 31.
[0047] When the cap 3 is fully screwed onto the container body 2 as
shown in FIG. 3, the lower thread surface of each first thread
segment 21 is engaged with the relatively low helix angle first
region 33 of the lower surface of a respective second thread
segment 23. In this fully screwed-on position, a leading edge 44
(leading in the screwing-on direction) of the first thread segment
21 buts against a longitudinally-oriented edge 46 of the extension
42 of a respective second thread segment 23. The low helix angle of
the first thread segment 21 and the first region 33 of the second
thread segment means that there is little tendency for any internal
gas pressure (due to carbonated contents of the container) acting
on the cap and the container body to be converted into rotational
motion causing the cap to unscrew from the container body. However,
in order to ensure that there is no tendency for the cap to unscrew
from the container body, the cap and the container body may include
engagement means that substantially prevent such an "accidental"
unscrewing motion. The engagement means may, for example, comprise
protruding and/or recessed members 45 of the cap and the container
body, and they may be spaced apart from the screw threads, as shown
in FIG. 2. (Alternatively, the engagement means may comprise
protruding and/or recessed members of the screw threads
themselves.)
[0048] In order to unscrew the cap 3 from the container body, a
minimum initial unscrewing torque to overcoming the resistance of
the engagement means 45 and the friction of the engaging thread
segments is required. Subsequently, if the container contains a
carbonated (or otherwise fizzy) beverage, the gas pressure in the
container will tend to force the cap to unscrew until it reaches
the intermediate position whereby the first thread segments 21 abut
against respective steps 39 provided on the second thread segments.
Once sufficient gas has vented from the container, the cap may be
pushed back towards the container body slightly to enable the first
thread segments to clear the steps 39 and thus to release the cap
from its engagement with the container body.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and mentioned above, the cap 3
preferably includes a tamper-evident band or ring 19 that is
severed from the remainder of the cap 3 when the cap is removed
from the container body 2 for the first time. The tamper-evident
band 19 is severed from the remainder of the cap 3 on removal of
the cap from the container body 2, by virtue of a peripheral
retaining lip 47 provided on the container body, which retains the
band 19 on the container body.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows the detail of FIG. 2 in cross-section, and FIG.
5 shows the detail of FIG. 3 in cross-section. As can be seen most
clearly in these figures, the end of the bore plug 25 that extends
furthest into the container body 2 when the cap 3 is secured
thereto, includes a sealing member 5 to form a seal between the cap
and the container body. As drawn, the sealing member comprises a
resiliently flexible fin that is integrally formed with the cap.
(However, alternative sealing members and sealing arrangements are
possible, including separate sealing members placed between the cap
and the container body, for example at the wide-mouth opening of
the container body.) The sealing member 5 seals against an internal
flange 7 provided inside the container body beneath the thread
segments 21 and members 45, against which the end of the bore plug
25 seats when the cap is fully secured to the container body, as
shown in FIG. 5.
[0051] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are equivalent to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, except
they show embodiment 1b rather than embodiment 1a. Embodiment 1b is
substantially identical to embodiment 1a, except that the cap 3 of
embodiment 1b includes a large external skirt portion 9 that
extends over the outer periphery of the container body 2 when the
cap 3 is secured thereto. Consequently, the lip 47 provided on the
periphery of the container body 2 to retain the tamper evident band
is spaced further from the wide-mouth opening in the 1b embodiment
than in the 1a embodiment. Additionally, the bore plug 25 of the 1b
embodiment extends further into the container body than does the
bore plug of the 1a embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 9 shows a beverage container 51 for containing a
gas-pressurized beverage, comprising a container body 53 including
a wide-mouth opening 54, a cap 55 to close the opening, a tether 57
by which the cap is indirectly attachable to the container body,
and a retaining device 59 in the form of a tamper-evident band that
is directly attachable to the container body. The cap 55 is
arranged to close the wide-mouth opening 54 by means of a threaded
engagement with the container body 53. In particular, the container
body 53 includes a screw thread 511 on its internal surface (rather
than the external surface), and a plug portion 513 of the cap 55
includes a screw thread 515 on its external surface (rather than on
an internal surface of a skirt portion of the cap). Consequently,
the exterior of the container body is free from screw threads and
thus presents a consumer-friendly vessel from which consumers may
comfortably drink the beverage supplied in the container.
[0053] Adjacent to the wide-mouth opening 54 of the container body
53 is a radially-outwardly projecting rim 517 of the container
body. When the beverage-containing container is supplied to the
consumer, the cap 55 and tamper-evident band 59 are secured to the
container body, with the cap fully engaged to the container body by
means of its threaded engagement, and the tamper-evident band
trapped beneath the rim 517 on the exterior of the container body.
In this closed configuration, which is shown in FIG. 9(a), a
sealing leading-edge 519 of the plug portion forms a seal with a
corresponding sealing surface 521 provided on the interior of the
container body at a position further from the opening 54 than the
screw thread 511. Consequently, the container is tightly sealed by
its cap 55. The tamper-evident band 59 is connected to the cap 55
via severable webs 523, and via at least one substantially
non-severable tether 57. The (or each) tether 57 is flexible, and
has a greater length than each of the webs 523. The tether is in a
generally "diagonal" configuration before the webs are severed,
when the cap is fully engaged with the container body, as indicated
in FIG. 9(a). The diagonal configuration is due to the opposite
ends of the tether, respectively where it joins the cap and the
tamper-evident band, being off-set (i.e. out of alignment) with
respect to each other. This is to allow relative movement between
the cap and the tamper-evident band in the direction in which the
cap is to be unscrewed (to open the container).
[0054] FIG. 9(b) shows the container after an initial unscrewing
movement of the cap 55 has been effected, sufficient merely to
sever the webs 523 between the cap and the tamper-evident band 59.
Consequently, this initial unscrewing movement is sufficient to
provide tamper-evidence. The amount of unscrewing movement is
indicated in the figure by the movement of the thread segment 511
of the container body, with respect to the screw thread of the cap.
Because of the (small) relative movement between the cap and the
tamper-evident band 59, the tether 57 is now in a "folded"
configuration, because the opposite ends of the tether are in
approximate alignment with each other, but the cap has yet to move
axially with respect to the tamper-evident band. The cap has not
moved axially because this initial movement of the cap is defined
by a first region A of the thread 515 of the cap, which has a
substantially horizontal orientation, i.e. a helix angle of
substantially zero degrees.
[0055] The tamper-evident band 59 has been held in place on the
circumference of the container body 53 while the cap 55 has been
rotated with respect to the container body and the tamper-evident
band, because a radially-inwardly directed protrusion 525 of the
tamper-evident band is located with a radially-outwardly directed
stop feature 527 provided on the exterior surface of the container
body below the rim 517. This is indicated in the top view of FIG.
9(a), which is a cross-sectional view of the container body on a
horizontal cross-sectional plane through the container body
immediately below the rim 517.
[0056] Once the components of the container are arranged in the
configuration shown in the side view and the side cross-sectional
view of FIG. 9(b), with the tether 57 in its folded configuration,
the resilience of the tether then pushes the tamper-evident band 59
downwardly, away from the cap and the rim 517. The relative
dimensions of the stop feature 527 and the tether 57 are chosen
such that this downward movement of the tamper-evident band moves
the tamper-evident band clear of the stop feature (i.e. below it).
Consequently, the cap and the tamper-evident band are now able to
rotate together upon further unscrewing of the cap from the
container body. The top view of FIG. 9(b) actually shows the
configuration after the tamper-evident band has moved clear of the
stop feature and has rotated slightly with respect to the container
body, such that the protrusion 525 now lies on the opposite side of
the stop feature 527.
[0057] Once the configuration shown in FIG. 9(b) has been reached,
the cap 55 is forced away from the container body 53 and the
tamper-evident band 59, along a second region B of the thread 515
of the cap. This second region B of the thread 515 of the cap has a
steep helix angle, for example in the range 30-90 degrees (e.g.
approximately 45 degrees as drawn). The cap 55 is forced along this
second region of the thread by the gas-pressurization of the
beverage contained in the container, and the cap is prevented from
being ejected from the container body by the tether 57 and the
tamper-evident band 59. The tamper evident band 59 is retained on
the container body 53 by the rim 517, and thus the cap 55 is
indirectly retained on the container body by the tether 57, which
is attached to the tamper-evident band. The length of the tether 57
is such that at the maximum extension of the tether, as shown in
the middle view of FIG. 9(c), gas from the interior of the
container is able to vent between the container body and the cap,
via the wide-mouth 54 of the container.
[0058] Once the gas from the interior of the container 51 has
safely vented to the atmosphere without the cap 55 being ejected
forcefully from the container body, the cap can be unscrewed
further, such that the thread segments 511 on the interior of the
container body move along respective third regions C of the thread
515 of the cap. The third regions C have a substantially zero helix
angle, similarly to the first regions A. (In some embodiments (see
for example FIGS. 10 and 11), the third regions C may be omitted,
such that the thread 515 of the cap comprises only first and second
regions A and B. In such embodiments, the cap is retained on the
container body during venting only by the tamper-evident band and
the tether(s).) Because the protrusion 525 on the tamper-evident
band is now clear of the stop feature 527, the tamper-evident band
9 rotates with the cap 55. This rotation of the tamper-evident band
59 causes the protrusion 525 to be forced along a ramp-shaped
"lead-out" profile 529 arranged to bring the protrusion into radial
alignment with the radially outer surface of the rim 517.
Consequently, the tamper-evident band 59 can now be released from
the container body 53 together with the cap 55. The removal of the
cap 55 and the tamper-evident band 59 from the container body
allows the consumer to drink the beverage directly from the
container body via its wide-mouth 54.
[0059] FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of a beverage container
according to the invention, comprising a container body 53 having a
wide-mouth opening 54 and a cap 55 (shown part cut away) to close
the opening. The container body 53 includes an internal thread 511
(i.e. a thread on its internal surface below the opening 54)
comprising individual spaced-apart discrete thread segments. The
cap 55 includes a thread 515 on the circumferential external
surface of a plug portion 513 of the cap. The thread 515 shown in
FIG. 10 is similar to the thread 515 shown in FIG. 9, but with the
third regions C omitted, such that the thread 515 of the cap
comprises only first and second regions A and B. In this
embodiment, therefore, the thread 515 is substantially a bayonet
thread comprising an inclined axially-extending region B and a
circumferentially-extending region A. The
circumferentially-extending region A of the thread 515 provides the
securement of the cap to the container body, by preventing axial
movement between the cap and the container body. (The
circumferentially-extending region A may, at least in some
versions, include a slight incline such that it extends over a
small axial distance along its circumferential length.) The
inclined axially-extending region B of the thread 515 enables a
thread segment or protrusion 511 on the interior of the container
body to become engaged with and/or disengaged from the thread 515.
The cap 55 preferably includes (as shown) a tamper-evident band 55
and tethers 57, the functions of which are as described above with
reference to FIG. 9. The container body 53 preferably includes
protrusions 531 arranged periodically around its exterior
circumference below a circumferential outwardly projecting rim or
lip 517 (which defines the opening 54). The protrusions 531
preferably prevent the tamper-evident band 55 from rotating when
the cap is rotated with respect to the container body, to release
the cap.
[0060] FIG. 11 shows three views (a) to (c) similar to those of
FIG. 9, for another embodiment of a beverage container according to
the invention. This embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 9,
with the exception that the external thread 515 on the plug portion
513 of the cap 55 comprises only a substantially axially-extending
region B and a substantially circumferentially-extending region A.
Thus, the third region C of the FIG. 9 embodiment is omitted.
Consequently, the thread 515 shown in FIG. 11 is a bayonet-style
thread, in which the substantially circumferentially-extending
region A of the thread 515 provides the securement of the cap to
the container body, by preventing axial movement between the cap
and the container body. (The substantially
circumferentially-extending region A may, at least in some
versions, include a slight incline such that it extends over a
small axial distance along its circumferential length.) The
substantially axially-extending region B of the thread 515 enables
a thread segment or protrusion 511 on the interior of the container
body to become engaged with and/or disengaged from the thread
515.
[0061] FIG. 12 (views (a) to (c)) shows a container 51 according to
a further embodiment of the invention. (In FIG. 12, items similar
to respective items of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 have
the corresponding reference numerals.) FIG. 12(a) shows a cap 55
and tamper-evident band 59 in the process of being engaged with a
container body 53, in order to close and seal a wide-mouth opening
54 of the container body. The thread 515 on the plug portion 513 of
the cap has a single non-zero helix angle and engages with a thread
(not shown) provided on an internal surface of the container body
53.
* * * * *