U.S. patent application number 14/115594 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for container and closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to ABBOTT LABORATORIES. The applicant listed for this patent is Dennis V. Boruszewski, Christopher A. Cox, Kenneth M. Cramer, Mark D. Green, Thomas D. Loughrin, Terrence B. Mazer, James P. Perry, David C. Ulstad, Frank S. Walczak. Invention is credited to Dennis V. Boruszewski, Christopher A. Cox, Kenneth M. Cramer, Mark D. Green, Thomas D. Loughrin, Terrence B. Mazer, James P. Perry, David C. Ulstad, Frank S. Walczak.
Application Number | 20140158688 14/115594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46148980 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140158688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Loughrin; Thomas D. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
CONTAINER AND CLOSURE
Abstract
A closure for a container is described. The container has an
opening through which contents of the container are dispensed and a
holding member (255, 285, 295, 305, 315, 316, 317, 340, 350) for
cooperating with the closure to retain the closure on the
container. A sealing member (220) is configured to sealingly close
the container opening. The sealing member includes a retention
member (260, 275, 290, 300, 310, 325, 335, 345, 355) engageable
with the holding member of the container to retain the sealing
member in sealing engagement with the container. A cap member (225)
has a top rim and a sidewall depending from the top rim. The
sidewall includes an attachment member (160) for attachment to the
container and an engagement member (245) that operatively couples
the sealing member to the cap member upon placement of the cap
member on the container. The cap member is rotatable relative to
the container and relative to the sealing member.
Inventors: |
Loughrin; Thomas D.;
(Columbus, OH) ; Boruszewski; Dennis V.;
(Lancaster, OH) ; Ulstad; David C.; (Dublin,
OH) ; Cox; Christopher A.; (Westerville, OH) ;
Green; Mark D.; (Hilliard, OH) ; Mazer; Terrence
B.; (New Albany, OH) ; Walczak; Frank S.;
(Galena, OH) ; Cramer; Kenneth M.; (Gahanna,
OH) ; Perry; James P.; (Gahanna, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Loughrin; Thomas D.
Boruszewski; Dennis V.
Ulstad; David C.
Cox; Christopher A.
Green; Mark D.
Mazer; Terrence B.
Walczak; Frank S.
Cramer; Kenneth M.
Perry; James P. |
Columbus
Lancaster
Dublin
Westerville
Hilliard
New Albany
Galena
Gahanna
Gahanna |
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
ABBOTT PARK
IL
|
Family ID: |
46148980 |
Appl. No.: |
14/115594 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
May 9, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/037063 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61483948 |
May 9, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/304 ;
53/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/185 20130101;
B65D 51/145 20130101; B65D 41/0407 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/304 ;
53/490 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A closure for a container, the container having an opening
through which contents of the container are dispensed, and a
holding member for cooperating with the closure to retain the
closure on the container, the closure comprising: a sealing member
configured to sealingly close the container opening, the sealing
member including a retention member engageable with the holding
member of the container to retain the sealing member in sealing
engagement with the container, and a cap member having a top rim
and a sidewall depending from the top rim, the sidewall including
an attachment member for attachment to the container, and an
engagement member that operatively couples the sealing member to
the cap member upon placement of the cap member on the container,
the cap member being rotatable relative to the container and
relative to the sealing member.
17. The closure according to claim 16, wherein the holding member
of the container comprises a groove disposed in the container, the
retention member comprising an annular protrusion projecting
transversely of the sealing member.
18. The closure according to claim 16, wherein the retention member
of the sealing member imparts an axial force to the holding member
to hold the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container
upon placement of the sealing member on the container.
19. The closure according to claim 16, wherein the sealing member
comprises a gasket material disposed along a periphery of a first
surface of the sealing member.
20. The closure according to claim 19, wherein the attachment
member comprises one or more screw threads for threaded engagement
with the container.
21. A method of applying a closure to a container, the container
including at least one opening through which contents of the
container are dispensed, the method comprising: press-fitting a
sealing member onto the container over the container opening such
that a retention member of the sealing member engages a holding
member of the container, an axial force resulting from said
press-fitting retaining the sealing member in sealing engagement
with the container to sealingly close the container opening;
applying a cap member to the container at the sealed container
opening, the cap member including a top rim and a sidewall
depending therefrom, the sidewall including an attachment member
for engagement with the container, and an engagement member
coupling the sealing member to the cap member upon application of
the cap member to the container, the cap member being rotatable
relative to both the container and the sealing member; wherein the
press-fitting occurs in a sterile area of a capping zone and before
the screwing a cap member to the container occurs outside of the
sterile area.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the press-fitting
comprises applying a force to the sealing member parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the container until the retention member
engages with the holding member.
23. The closure according to claim 16, wherein the container
includes a neck and the holding member is disposed on an outer
periphery of the neck, the neck having a rim defining an opening to
the container.
24. The closure according to claim 23, wherein the cap member
further includes a tamper evident band frangibly connected to the
cap member, the tamper evident band comprising at least one ramp,
and the container further includes at least one locking projection,
the tamper evident band configured to be secured to the container
via a ratcheting engagement of the at least one ramp with the
locking projection of the container.
25. The closure according to claim 23, wherein the retention member
is an annular protrusion projecting radially inwardly and the
holding member is a groove.
26. The closure according to claim 23, wherein the sealing member
further includes a gasket material disposed on a first surface of
the sealing member, the gasket member configured for hermetic or
aseptic sealing of the sealing member to the rim of the
container.
27. The closure according to claim 23, wherein the sealing member
comprises at least one of an adhesive layer or a heat sealable
material.
28. A press-on, twist-off closure for a container, comprising: a
top wall; a substantially cylindrical sidewall that extends from an
outer circumference of the top wall, the sidewall including threads
configured for rotational engagement with a threaded neck of the
container; an annular lip that extends from a lower surface of the
top wall and is substantially parallel to the sidewall and spaced
apart from the sidewall such that a rim of the container is
sealable at the space between the annular lip and the sidewall;
wherein the sidewall is configured to flex radially outwardly upon
application of an axial force to the top wall such that the closure
is capable of being pressed onto the rim of the container, and
wherein the threads are configured to hold the space between the
annular lip and the sidewall in sealing engagement with the rim of
the container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/483,948, filed May 9, 2011, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to closures for
containers, such as plastic disposable containers and the like.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally to
closures for containers adapted to be press-fit to a container and
configured to be subsequently threadably removed therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Infant nutritionals, adult and medical nutritionals, sport
nutritionals, energy drinks, soft drinks, and the like often times
are provided in plastic bottles or other disposable containers. The
bottles are typically sealed after being filled with a product to
prevent product degradation and/or contamination of the product.
Foil seals may be particularly desirable for products that are
aseptically processed.
[0004] Sealing film, such as foil or plastic film, commonly
referred to as "seals," is generally considered the most robust
form of a sealing closure for plastic bottles. Some consumers,
however, prefer direct seal screw caps over seals because the seals
typically require multiple steps to open (i.e., removal of the
plastic cap, removal of the seal and disposal of the seal).
Additional steps may be required if the seal tears in an unexpected
manner during removal. Such unexpected and undesired tearing of the
seal can lead to frustration by the user, spilling of the contents
of the bottle or foil scrap entering the bottle and contaminating
the contents.
[0005] Screw caps are also used for sealing containers. However,
screw caps are difficult to install onto containers during the
manufacturing process, as compared to foil seals. Further, removal
of a screw cap may entail application of removal torque sufficient
to break a tamper evident seal, overcome the frictional forces of
the threads, and also the force required to break the seal of the
container. As such, screw caps may be difficult for elderly or
arthritic individuals due to requiring a high removal torque, such
as more than 15 inlbs, with many containers requiring 20 in*lbs of
removal torque to open. Other screw caps may also include a shrink
band that covers the cap for tamper evidence. However, such tamper
evident shrink bands may also be difficult for individuals to
remove, and require the additional step of removing and discarding
the shrink band before unscrewing the cap.
[0006] Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a convenient closure
that remedies existing issues with sealed bottles.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] The present disclosure is directed to closures for various
types of containers, including plastic, metal, composite and glass
containers. The closures described herein are capable of being
snap-fit (also interchangeably referred to herein as "press-fit")
to a container using a downward force, yet removed by unscrewing
the cap from the container. In some embodiments, the closures
described herein provide a hermetic seal for an aseptically filled
container. In some embodiments, the described closures are two
piece closures including a sealing member that is snap-fit to the
container independently of the cap member, such that the cap member
is capable of rotating independently of the sealing member.
[0008] In one aspect, a closure for a container is described. The
container has an opening through which contents of the container
are dispensed and a holding member for cooperating with the closure
to retain the closure on the container. A sealing member is
configured to sealingly close the container opening. The sealing
member includes a retention member engageable with the holding
member of the container to retain the sealing member in sealing
engagement with the container. A cap member has a top rim and a
sidewall depending from the top rim. The sidewall includes an
attachment member for attachment to the container and an engagement
member that operatively couples the sealing member to the cap
member upon placement of the cap member on the container. The cap
member is rotatable relative to the container and relative to the
sealing member.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of applying a closure to a
container is described. The container includes at least one opening
through which contents of the container are dispensed. The method
includes press-fitting a sealing member onto the container over the
container opening such that a retention member of the sealing
member engages a holding member of the container. An axial force
resulting from said press-fitting retains the sealing member in
sealing engagement with the container to sealingly close the
container opening. The method includes applying a cap member to the
container at the sealed container opening. The cap member includes
a top rim and a sidewall depending therefrom. The sidewall includes
an attachment member for engagement with the container and an
engagement member coupling the sealing member to the cap member
upon application of the cap member to the container. The cap member
being rotatable relative to both the container and the sealing
member.
[0010] In yet another aspect, a container includes a container body
having a neck and a holding member disposed on an outer periphery
of the neck. The neck has a rim defining an opening to the
container for dispensing contents of the container. A sealing
member is configured to seal the opening of the container. The
sealing member includes a retention member configured to engage the
holding member of the container. The retention member is configured
to hold the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container
by an axial force resulting from the press-fitting. A cap member
includes a top rim and a sidewall that extends downward from the
top rim. The sidewall includes an attachment member for engagement
with the neck of the container and an engagement member that
operatively couples the sealing member to the cap member upon
placement of the cap member on the container. The cap member is
rotatable relative to the container and relative to the sealing
member.
[0011] In yet another aspect, a press-on, twist-off closure for a
container includes a top wall and a substantially cylindrical
sidewall that extends from an outer circumference of the top wall.
The sidewall includes threads configured for rotational engagement
with a threaded neck of the container. An annular lip extends from
a lower surface of the top wall and is substantially parallel to
the sidewall and spaced apart from the sidewall such that a rim of
the container is sealable at the space between the annular lip and
the sidewall. The sidewall is configured to flex radially outwardly
upon application of an axial force to the top wall such that the
closure is capable of being pressed onto the rim of the container.
The threads are configured to hold the space between the annular
lip and the sidewall in sealing engagement with the rim of the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The objects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become more apparent from a reading of the
following description in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container
and closure assembly.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial section of the closure shown in FIG. 1
taken in the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial section of another embodiment of the
closure shown in FIG. 1 taken in the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3A is a magnified detail view of portion A of FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial section of an embodiment of a two piece
closure. FIG. 4A is a magnified detail view of portion A of FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial section of another embodiment of a two
piece closure.
[0018] FIG. 5A is a magnified detail view of portion A of FIG.
5.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a partial section of an embodiment of a sealing
member.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a partial section of another embodiment of a
sealing member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The present disclosure provides closures for various types
of bottles and containers. The closures described herein
substantially provide a hermetic seal for aseptically filled
containers by using a press-on sealing member and twist-off cap.
The present disclosure provides a solution to the longstanding
problem of removing a cap and seal of a container in a single step
without a high removal torque. The closures described herein
accomplish this by, for example, a pressed on sealing member that
hermetically seals the container, and a cap member that is twisted
on/off and which removes the sealing member when twisted off.
[0031] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to
embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the
same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the
scope of the claims is thereby intended, such alteration and
further modifications of the readings of the disclosure as
illustrated herein, being contemplated as would normally occur to
one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.
[0032] Articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to
more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object of the
article. By way of example, "an element" means at least one element
and can include more than one element.
[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
[0034] The present disclosure describes closures for containers
that may provide functionality to hermetically seal a container
using a sealing membrane and provide removal of the closure using a
low torque twist-off cap. The containers may be generally any
suitable packaging for containing substances including, without
limitation, glass, metal or plastic bottles, plastic containers,
bags or pouches constructed of films or other plastics, and other
suitable packaging.
[0035] The containers disclosed herein may be suitable for use with
nutritional substances. As used herein the term "substance" may
refer to a liquid product, a semi-liquid product, or powder
product. The term "liquid product" means a product that is a
flowable non-solid product including, for example but not limited
to, aqueous solutions, solutions having a determinable viscosity,
emulsions, colloids, pastes, gels, dispersions and other flowable
non-solid products so as to exclude solid products such as bars and
particulate products, such as powders.
[0036] Unless otherwise identified, like numerals in the Figures
indicate like parts.
[0037] FIGS. 1-3 show a container and closure assembly 100
according to a first embodiment. Closure 105 is adapted to close
container 110. Container 110 comprises a body 120 and a neck 130.
In one embodiment, neck 130 is generally cylindrical in shape, and
container 110 is symmetric about longitudinal axis C. In other
embodiments, container 110 may be non-symmetric, or symmetric about
one or more axis. Container 110 may be any shape that allows the
closures to function as described herein. Neck 130 includes a set
of threads 135 on an outer surface 140 thereof. As used herein, the
terms "inner" and "outer" may refer generally a radial direction of
container 100 and/or closure 105. Set of threads 135 may include
one or more threads that helically wrap at least partially around
outer surface 140. Neck 130 includes an inner surface 145 that
connects to outer surface 140 at a rim 150, which defines container
opening 155. Container 110 may contain a substance, such as a
liquid substance.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, closure 105 is a single
piece closure fitted to neck 130 of container 110 (FIG. 1). In the
exemplary embodiment, closure 105 includes threads 160 that couple
closure 105 to container 110 by threaded engagement with threads
135. In one embodiment, to provide anti-backoff or tamper evidence
for container 110, a tamper band 170 is connected to closure 105 by
one or more frangible bridges 175. Tamper band 170 includes one or
more ramps 180 that engage one or more locking projections 185
which are disposed on neck outer surface 140. In this embodiment,
ramps 180 are engaged with locking protrusion 185 to prevent
unintentional opening rotation of closure 105. Locking protrusion
185 may be rectangular, square, ramp shaped or the like for
uni-directional engagement with ramps 180.
[0039] As used herein, the terms "closing rotation" and "opening
rotation" refer to clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of one
element with respect to another element. In one non-limiting
example, for right-handed threads, closing rotation refers to
clockwise rotation and opening rotation refers to counterclockwise
rotation. In another non-limiting example, for left-handed threads,
closing rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation and opening
rotation refers to clockwise rotation. As one of skill in the art
will appreciate, the orientations of the threads in the embodiments
discussed herein can be switched if desired so long as the
relationships described herein are preserved, thus allowing the
closures to function as described herein.
[0040] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, closure 105 includes a top 190
and a substantially cylindrical sidewall 195. In one embodiment, an
annular lip 200 is provided on a lower surface of top 190. In order
to seal opening 155 of container 110, closure 105 is first placed
over opening 155 such that a center of closure 105 is substantially
aligned with central axis C. Closure 105 is then press-fit onto
neck 130 by applying a force to closure 105 in the longitudinal
(i.e., axial) direction of container 110 (FIG. 1) (e.g., the
downward direction when the container and closure are in the
upright position). As the closure 105 is pressed onto neck 130,
sidewall 195 is configured to flex radially outward such that ramps
180 pass over threads 135 and locking projection 185. Sidewall 195
also flexes to allow threads 160 to pass over threads 135. The
closure is pressed onto container 110 until a lower surface of top
190 contacts rim 150. At this point, closure 105 is considered to
be "snap-fit" onto container 110. The snap-fit may make a
"snapping" noise or other audible indication as one or more
elements of closure 105 pass over and engage with elements of
container 110. However, even if no audible indication occurs,
closure 105 is still considered to be snap-fit to container 110
when pressed thereon and sealed thereto. The closure is sized and
configured such that top 190 is in sealing engagement with rim 150
when fully pressed on, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. In one
suitable embodiment, closure 105 may be determined to be snap-fit
to container 110 by sensing a force applied to closure 105 or the
displacement of closure 105. For example, a sensor may measure and
compare the applied force to closure 105 to a predetermined force,
and when the applied force is within a certain range of the
predetermined force, the closure is determined to be snap-fit. In
another example, closure 105 may be determined to be snap-fit to
container 110 after the closure has moved longitudinally a
predetermined distance along neck 130. The distance closure 105
moves along neck 130 is measured and compared to a predetermined
distance, and if the measured distance is within a range of the
predetermined distance, the closure 105 is determined to be
snap-fit to container 110.
[0041] In order to remove closure 105 from neck 130 of container
110 (FIG. 1), a user applies a torque in an opening rotation
direction to closure 105. The torque in the opening direction
causes closure 105 to threadably move in the longitudinal direction
away from container 110, which breaks the sealing engagement of top
190 with rim 150. In embodiments wherein closure 105 is fitted with
tamper band 170, the applied torque in the opening rotation
direction causes frangible bridges 175 to break, indicating that
the closure has been opened. In one embodiment, closure 105 is
fabricated from plastic and may include a barrier layer 205
disposed on one or more of an outer surface or inner surface of top
190. In another embodiment, barrier layer 205 may be fabricated as
a layer within closure 105. Barrier layer 205 may be an oxygen
barrier or the like. In another embodiment, barrier layer 205 may
include a design or decorative label.
[0042] In one embodiment, closure 105 includes gasket material 210
disposed on a lower or inner surface of top 190. Gasket material
210 is disposed annularly around a perimeter of top 190 such that
it contacts rim 150. Gasket material 210 may be fabricated from a
single or multi-layer film, plastisol, rubber, thermoplastic
elastomer, foil, paper, plastic, laminate, other suitable sealing
material or combinations thereof that is used to seal a substance
within a container. In some embodiments, the gasket material 210
may be used to hermetically or aseptically seal container 110. In
yet other embodiments, gasket material 210 is an adhesive or
sealing compound, which may be activated/cured by one or more of
temperature, light or the like.
[0043] The closure 105 may also include a hole 215, for example as
illustrated in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, closure 105 does not
include a hole 215. Hole 215 may be used for cleaning, rinsing,
drying or inspection of threads 135 and 160 after filling of
container 110 (FIG. 1) and hermetic sealing has been created with
closure 105, so as to help ensure threads 135 and 160 are clean
when the container is later opened and consumed by the end
user.
[0044] FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate another embodiment of a suitable
single piece closure 105 similar to the closure 105 of FIG. 2. In
this embodiment, the closure 105 includes gasket material 210
disposed on a lower surface of the top 190 of closure 105. Gasket
material 210 is disposed annularly around a perimeter of the top
190 such that the gasket material 210 contacts the rim 150 when
closure 105 is sealed on neck 103 of container 110 (FIG. 1). In one
embodiment, gasket material 210 is also provided on annular
projection 200 to improve the seal of container 110. In one
particularly suitable embodiment, the annular projection 200
assists in alignment of the closure 105 on container 110 by guiding
the rim 150 between the space between the sidewall 235 and the
annular lip 200.
[0045] FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate another embodiment of a closure
105, which is a two piece closure. In this embodiment, closure 105
is a two piece closure, including a sealing member 220 and a cap
member 225 that is separate from the sealing member 220. The
sealing member 220 is configured to be press-fit onto rim 150 to
seal opening 155. Sealing member 220 may be fabricated from metal,
plastic, composites or combinations thereof. The sealing member 220
includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly around a perimeter
of a first surface (i.e., a lower or inner surface) of sealing
member 220 such that it contacts rim 150 when press-fit onto neck
130 of container 110 (FIG. 1).
[0046] In this embodiment, in order to seal container 110, sealing
member 220 is first placed over opening 155 such that the center of
sealing member 220 substantially aligns with the center of opening
155. Sealing member 220 is then press-fit down onto neck 130 by
applying a force to sealing member 220 in the longitudinal (i.e.,
axial) direction of container 110. As sealing member 220 is pressed
onto neck 130, outer wall 227 of sealing member 220 presses tightly
(e.g., snap-fit) against outer rim edge 230 to hold sealing member
220 in sealing engagement with rim 150. In one embodiment, sealing
member 220 is press-fit onto container 110 in a sterile zone of a
capping operation after container 110 has been aseptically filled
with a substance. Subsequent to sealing member 220 being press-fit
onto container 110, cap member 225 is fit over sealing member 220
and threadably coupled to container 110, either inside or outside
of the sterile zone. In the exemplary embodiment, cap member 225 is
substantially cylindrical and includes an upper ledge 230 and a
sidewall 235 extending downward from ledge 210. Sidewall 235
includes threads 160 disposed on an inner surface thereof for
threadable engagement with threads 135 of container 110.
[0047] In one suitable embodiment, cap member 225 is coupled to
container 110 (FIG. 1) by applying a torque to cap member 225
causing a closing rotation of cap member 225 with respect to
container 110. As such, cap member 225 is capable of rotating
independently of sealing member 220. As used herein, independent
rotation refers to the sealing member and the cap member being
configured such that the cap member may rotate, at least for a
partial turn, without causing rotation of the sealing member. Cap
member 225 is rotated in the closing direction until ledge 230 is
firmly pressed against upper edge 240 of sealing member 220. An
engagement member 245 passes over upper edge 240 of sealing member
220, and is positioned below and apart from sealing member 220 when
cap member 220 is fully seated (i.e., press-fit) on container 110.
In one embodiment, cap member 225 includes a tamper band 170. Cap
member 225 thus substantially ensures that sealing member 220
remains sealed on container 110 until desired opening of the
container.
[0048] In order to remove closure 105 from container 110, a user
applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member
225. The torque in the opening rotation direction causes closure
cap member 225 to rotate in the opening rotation direction
independently of sealing member 220 and threadably move in the
longitudinal direction away from container 110. As cap member 225
continues to move in the longitudinal direction, an engagement
member 245 presses against lower part 250 of outer wall 227 (i.e.,
in a longitudinal direction away from the center of container 110)
which breaks the sealing engagement of sealing member 220 with rim
150. The engagement member 245 also functions to couple sealing
member 220 to cap member 225 so that cap member 225 and sealing
member 220 may be removed conjointly in a single operation. In
embodiments wherein cap member 225 is fitted with tamper band 170,
the applied torque in the opening rotation direction causes
frangible bridges 175 to break, indicating that the closure has
been opened.
[0049] The removal torque necessary to remove closure 105 may be
reduced as compared to conventional closures. For example, upon
initiating removal of closure 105, a user need only impart a torque
necessary to overcome the frictional forces of threads 160 sliding
against threads 135, which in one embodiment may be approximately 5
inlbs. In embodiments wherein cap member 225 includes tamper band
170, a user must also initially impart enough torque to break
frangible bridges 175, which may be an additional approximately 5
inlbs. Thus, for example, if tamper band 170 is included, a user
would need to only impart approximately 10 inlbs of torque to cap
member 225 in the opening rotation direction to initiate removal of
closure 105. After the frangible bridges have broken the user no
longer is required to impart the torque necessary to break bridges
175, thus reducing the torque back down to approximately 5 inlbs.
As a user continues to rotate the cap member 225 in the opening
rotation direction, a user may encounter a slight increase in
torque needed to unseat sealing member 220 from rim 150. Due to the
helical shape of the threads 160 and 135, the sealing member 220 is
unseated in a helical manner (rather than all at once), which
reduces the torque necessary to unseat sealing member 220 from rim
150. Thus, in one embodiment, the torque necessary to unseat
sealing member 220 from rim 150 is approximately 5 inlbs. As such,
in some embodiments, a user may not be required to impart more than
approximately 10 inlbs for closure removal.
[0050] FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate another embodiment of a closure
105, which is a two piece closure including a sealing member 220
and a cap member 225 that is separate from the sealing member 220.
Sealing member 220 is configured to be press-fit onto rim 150 to
seal opening 155. Sealing member 220 may be fabricated from metal,
plastic, composites or combinations thereof. In one embodiment,
sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210 disposed annularly
around a perimeter of a first surface (i.e., a lower or inner
surface) of sealing member 220 such that it contacts rim 150 when
press-fit onto container 110 (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, rim 150
includes an annular bead portion 255 that projects radially inward
from an inner surface of rim 150.
[0051] In the exemplary embodiment, gasket material 210 includes an
annular groove 260 that corresponds to annular bead portion 255. In
this embodiment, in order to seal container 110, sealing member 220
is first placed over opening 155 such that a center of sealing
member 220 substantially aligns with a center of opening 155.
Sealing member 220 is then press-fit onto neck 130 by applying a
force to sealing member 220 in the longitudinal direction of
container 110. As sealing member 220 is pressed onto neck 130,
groove 260 of gasket material 210 engages with annular bead portion
255 to hold sealing member 220 in sealing engagement with rim 150.
Sealing member 220 is press-fit onto container 110 in a sterile
zone of a capping operation after container 110 has been
aseptically filled with a substance. In one embodiment, sealing
member 220 is sterilized in an aseptic area of a filling machine.
The sealing member 220 may be sterilized using one or more of
liquid hydrogen peroxide, vapor hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid,
electron beam radiation or other direct or indirect radiation or
the like. Subsequent to sealing member 220 being press-fit onto
container 110, cap member 225 is fit over sealing member 220.
[0052] In the exemplary embodiment, cap member 225 is substantially
cylindrical and includes an upper ledge 230 and a sidewall 235
extending downward from ledge 230. Sidewall 235 includes threads
160 disposed on an inner surface thereof for threadable engagement
with threads 135 of container 110. Cap member 225 is coupled to
container 110 by applying a torque to cap member 225 causing a
closing rotation of cap member 225 with respect to container 110.
As such, cap member 225 is capable of rotating independently of
sealing member 220. Cap member 225 is rotated in the closing
rotation direction until ledge 230 is firmly pressed against upper
edge 240 of sealing member 220. An engagement member 245 passes
over upper edge 240 of sealing member 220, and is positioned below
and apart from sealing member 220 when cap member 220 is fully
seated on container 110. In one embodiment, cap member 225 includes
a tamper band 170. In yet another embodiment, cap member 105
includes knurling 265 (shown also in FIG. 1).
[0053] In order to remove closure 105 from container 110, a user
applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member
225. The torque in the opening rotation direction causes cap member
225 to rotate in the opening rotation direction independently of
sealing member 220 and threadably move in the longitudinal
direction away from container 110. As cap member 225 continues to
move in the longitudinal direction, engagement member 245 presses
against lower part 270 of sealing member 220 which breaks the
sealing engagement of sealing member 220 with rim 150. The
engagement member 245 also functions to couple sealing member 220
to cap member 225 so that cap member 225 and sealing member 220 may
be removed conjointly in a single operation. In embodiments wherein
cap member 225 is fitted with tamper band 170, the applied torque
in the opening direction causes frangible bridges 175 to break,
indicating that the closure has been opened.
[0054] Although FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate cap member 225 including
sidewall threads as the attachment member for engagement with the
container 110 (FIG. 1), any suitable attachment member may be used
for engagement with the container, such that the container and
closure assembly functions as described herein. For example, the
cap member 225 may be engaged with the container by way of a
bayonet assembly, clip, pin, hook or other suitable attachment
means.
[0055] FIGS. 6-16 illustrate alternative embodiments of sealing
member 220. For ease of understanding, FIGS. 6-16 omit the cap
member 225. However, each of the closure embodiments FIGS. 6-16 may
include a cap member 225 as described above, and illustrated for
example in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a partial cross section of an embodiment of
sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 275
formed in sidewall 280 of sealing member 220. In this embodiment,
container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a negative retention groove 285
that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 275
such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150. In one
embodiment, sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210
disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of
sealing member 220, such that gasket material 220 seals against rim
150 when press-fit to container 110.
[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention member 290
formed in sidewall 280 of sealing member 220. In this embodiment,
container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a negative retention groove 295
that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead 290
such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim 150. In this
embodiment, positive retention bead 290 is fabricated by rolling
the lower edge of sidewall 280 such that it forms a positive
retention bead 290. Sealing member 220 includes gasket material 210
disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of
sealing member 220, such that gasket material 220 seals against rim
150 when press-fit to container 110.
[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a hook retention member 300
fabricated from gasket material 210. In this embodiment, container
110 (FIG. 1) includes an inner lip 305 that is sized and configured
to engage hook retention member 300 such that sealing member 220
maintains a seal with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes
additional gasket material 210 disposed annularly about the
periphery of a lower surface of sealing member 220, such that
gasket material 220 seals against rim 150 when press-fit to
container 110.
[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention member 305
formed by a substantially rectangular rolled edge 310 of sealing
member 220. In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a
ramped retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive
retention member 305 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal
with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket
material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower
surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 220 seals
against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
[0060] FIG. 10 illustrates a partial cross section of another
embodiment of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention
member 320 formed by a bent edge portion 325 of sealing member 220.
In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a ramped
retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive
retention member 320 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal
with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket
material 210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower
surface of sealing member 220, such that gasket material 220 seals
against rim 150 when press-fit to container 110.
[0061] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 330
formed by a rounded curled edge portion 335 of sealing member 220.
In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a negative
retention groove 340 that is sized and configured to retain
positive retention bead 330 such that sealing member 220 maintains
a seal with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes gasket material
210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of
sealing member 220, such that gasket material 220 seals against rim
150 when press-fit to container 110.
[0062] FIG. 12 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 345
formed by inwardly protruding bead portion of sealing member 220.
In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a negative
retention groove 350 that is sized and configured to retain
positive retention bead 345 such that sealing member 220 maintains
a seal with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes gasket material
210 disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of
sealing member 220, such that gasket material 210 seals against rim
150 when press-fit to container 110.
[0063] FIG. 13 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355
formed by a portion of gasket material 210 applied to sealing
member 220. In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a
ramped retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive
retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal
with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket
material forming hook retention member 300 formed fabricated from
gasket material 210. In this embodiment, container 110 includes an
inner lip 305 that is sized and configured to engage hook retention
member 300 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim
150. In this embodiment, lower edge 250 is curled radially inwardly
and substantially covers positive retention bead 355.
[0064] FIG. 14 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355
formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member
220. In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a
retention member 316 sized and configured to retain positive
retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal
with rim 150. Sealing member 220 includes additional gasket
material forming hook retention member 300 fabricated from gasket
material 210. In this embodiment, container 110 includes an inner
lip 305 that is sized and configured to engage hook retention
member 300 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal with rim
150. In this embodiment, lower edge 250 is curled radially
outwardly such that it does not substantially cover positive
retention bead 355.
[0065] FIG. 15 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355
formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member
220. In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a ramped
retention member 315 sized and configured to retain positive
retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal
with rim 150. This embodiment is substantially similar to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, but does not include additional
gasket material forming a hook retention member. In this
embodiment, lower edge 250 is curled radially inwardly and
substantially covers positive retention bead 355.
[0066] FIG. 16 illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment
of sealing member 220 that includes a positive retention bead 355
formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member
220. In this embodiment, container 110 (FIG. 1) includes a
retention member 317 sized and configured to retain positive
retention bead 355 such that sealing member 220 maintains a seal
with rim 150. This embodiment is substantially similar to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, but does not include additional
gasket material forming a hook retention member. In this
embodiment, lower edge 250 is curled radially outwardly such that
it does not substantially cover positive retention bead 355.
[0067] For each of the described embodiments, sealing member 220
may be press-fit onto container 110 and form a hermetic seal with
container 110 in a sterile zone of a capping operation, after
container 110 has been aseptically filled with a substance. After
sealing member 220 has been press-fit onto container 110, the
threads 135 and optionally other portions of container 110 may be
cleaned, rinsed and/or dried to ensure the threads 135, and other
portions of container 110, are clean before the bottle is opened.
Subsequent to sealing member 220 being press-fit onto container 110
and the threads 135 being cleaned, rinsed and dried, cap member 225
is fit over sealing member 220 and threadably coupled to container
110, either inside or outside of the sterile zone. The use of the
two piece closures described herein thus may reduce the complexity
of the sterile zone of a filling and capping operation because the
threaded cap member 225 may be applied outside of the sterile zone,
which may improve efficiency, downtime and maintenance, and thereby
reduce cost.
[0068] In another embodiment, closure 105 is fitted onto container
110 in a container filling and system utilizing one or more
sterilization processes such as, for example, heating, retort
processing, hot filling and high acid hot or cold filling of
container 110.
[0069] In yet other embodiments, sealing member 220 is press-fit
onto container 110 using a typical foil lid sealing system or snap
cap sealing system using the compression portion of the sealing
system to press-fit the sealing member 220. Such sealing system may
press-fit sealing member 220 onto container 110 with or without a
partial heat, conduction or induction heating function turned on to
allow for softening of gasket material 210 to assist with
press-fitting and sealing of sealing member 220 onto container 110.
In still other embodiments, sealing member 220 may be adhered to
container 110 using a contact adhesive layer or a heat sealable
layer in conjunction with, or as an alternative to gasket material
210. As used herein, the term heat sealable layer refers to a
material capable of forming a seal with container 110 upon
application of sufficient heat. Heat applied to sealing member 220
may soften gasket material 210 such that gasket material 210 and or
the adhesive layer at least partially melts to adhere the sealing
member 220 to container 110. In one suitable embodiment, the
additional adhesive layer is strong enough to adhere sealing member
220 to the container 110, yet does not provide significant
additional resistance when a user desires to remove the sealing
member 220 by applying a torque in an opening rotation direction to
cap member 225.
[0070] In some embodiments, one or more elements of closure 105 and
container 110 may be fabricated from plastic, such as a
substantially transparent plastic material allowing a user to view
the threads before opening to ensure cleanliness. In other
embodiments, one or more elements of closure 105 or container 110
are fabricated from substantially opaque materials, thus preventing
light from entering container 110, and possibly degrading a
substance contained therein. One or more elements of closure 105
and container 110 may be made from a suitable plastic, such as high
density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or
other suitable plastics, or may be made from other materials such
as metal, paper, various resiliently flexible laminates and other
suitable resiliently flexible materials without departing from the
scope of the present invention. High density polyethylene, for
example, can be formed to be suitably resiliently flexible and to
allow for generally resilient deformation when a pressure is
applied in a longitudinal direction. Container 110 can be molded,
such as by blow molding, injection molding or formed in other ways
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0071] In another embodiment, container 110 may be generally
resiliently deformable when a pressure is applied in a radially
inward direction (i.e., toward the axis C). By being resiliently
deformable, the container 110 resists denting and other physical
defects which may occur during shipping and storage. Moreover, a
user may more readily "squeeze" the container 110 with his or her
hand, causing the container to resiliently deform. In one
embodiment, the resiliency of the container facilitates easier
removal of the substance contained therein from the container upon
squeezing of container 110. Providing such resiliency of the
container 110 may also enhance the user's grip on the container.
When the user releases the container 110, the sidewall thereof will
substantially rebound to its original shape, without denting,
creasing, or other permanent and readily visible deformation.
[0072] In another suitable embodiment, sealing member 220 is
fabricated from metal, which allows for heating of the sealing
member 220 for sterilization, which may eliminate the need for
secondary sterilants, such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid or
electron beam sterilization.
[0073] The above described closure 105 may reduce the amount of a
liquid sterilant required to sterilize a container and closure
assembly as compared to a traditional screw cap due to a reduced
size, surface area and complexity of the closures described
herein.
[0074] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *