U.S. patent application number 15/566883 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for tamper-evident closure and tamper-evident closure and container assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Clariant Production (France) S.A.S.. Invention is credited to Dominique Bois, Valere Logel.
Application Number | 20180118423 15/566883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52991661 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180118423 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bois; Dominique ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURE AND TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURE AND CONTAINER
ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A tamper-evident closure for the attachment to a container body
includes a cap portion which includes a top wall and a peripheral
wall extending downwardly from the top wall, an attachment portion,
a tamper-proof element arranged and integrally formed between the
cap portion and the attachment portion, and a hinge portion
including at least one wall section which is integrally formed with
the peripheral wall and the attachment portion and connects the cap
portion and the attachment portion. The at least one wall section
of the hinge portion is formed between at least two cut outs, does
not extend beyond an envelope defined by an outer surface of the
peripheral wall and an outer surface of the attachment portion and
has a substantially constant wall thickness which is essentially
the same as the wall thickness of the peripheral wall.
Inventors: |
Bois; Dominique; (Montreuil
aux Lions, FR) ; Logel; Valere; (Levallois Perret,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clariant Production (France) S.A.S. |
Choisy le Roi |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
52991661 |
Appl. No.: |
15/566883 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 13, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/058093 |
371 Date: |
October 16, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2401/30 20200501;
B65D 51/30 20130101; B65D 2401/15 20200501; B65D 47/0809
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08; B65D 51/30 20060101 B65D051/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 16, 2015 |
EP |
15305573.6 |
Claims
1. A tamper-evident closure for the attachment to a container body,
comprising: a cap portion comprising a top wall and a peripheral
wall extending downwardly from the top wall); an attachment
portion; a tamper-proof element arranged and integrally formed
between the cap portion and the attachment portion; and a hinge
portion comprising at least one wall section which is integrally
formed with the peripheral wall and the attachment portion and
connects the cap portion and the attachment portion; wherein the at
least one wall section of the hinge portion is formed between at
least two cut outs; the at least one wall section of the hinge
portion does not extend beyond an envelope defined by an outer
surface of the peripheral wall and an outer surface of the
attachment portion; and the at least one wall section of the hinge
portion has a constant wall thickness and in a horizontal plane
section follows an outer curvature of the peripheral wall of the
cap portion.
2. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
attachment portion is shaped to be attached to a tubular wall of
the container body.
3. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the at
least two cut outs comprise a U-shaped cut out delimiting a
blocking portion extending downwards from the cap portion, said
blocking portion being dimensioned to hold the cap portion in an
opened position by interacting with at least one sidewall of the
container body.
4. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
tamper-proof element comprises a plurality of frangible bridges
between the peripheral wall of the cap portion and the attachment
portion.
5. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
tamper-proof element comprises a tearable band between the cap
portion and the attachment portion, or between the peripheral wall
and the attachment portion.
6. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
hinge portion consists of a single wall section which is formed
between two vertical cut outs.
7. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
hinge portion consists of two wall sections formed between vertical
cut outs.
8. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 7, wherein a cut
out between the two wall sections comprises an opening in the hinge
portion, the width of the opening in a horizontal direction having
preferably at least twice the width of the two wall sections.
9. Tamper evident The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1,
wherein the cap portion comprises an element for generating or
maintaining a controlled atmosphere.
10. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, being
integrally moulded from plastic material.
11. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
cap portion further comprises a sealing skirt which provides
air-tightness when the cap portion is in a closed position.
12. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, characterized
in that the peripheral wall comprises an outer wall which is
arranged outside of a sealing skirt of the cap portion forming a
gap of predetermined width between the sealing skirt and the outer
wall.
13. A tamper-evident closure and container assembly for receiving
loosely stored products, comprising: a container comprising a
bottom element; and at least one sidewall integrally formed with
the bottom element at a lower end of the at least one sidewall and
extending perpendicularly from the bottom element, and forming an
opening opposed to the bottom element; wherein the at least one
sidewall having an upper end to which the tamper-evident closure
according to claim 1 is attached and closes the opening of the
container in an air-tight manner.
14. The tamper-evident closure and container assembly according to
claim 13, wherein the container further comprises a tubular
sidewall.
15. The tamper-evident closure and container assembly according to
claim 14, wherein the cap portion comprises a sealing skirt being
suitable to provide air-tightness when the cap portion is in a
closed position, and wherein the sealing skirt cooperates with an
inner surface of the sidewall of the container.
16. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 9, wherein the
element for generating or maintaining a controlled atmosphere
comprises an adsorbent.
17. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 10, wherein the
plastic material comprises polyolefin based polymers.
18. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
cap portion forms a flip-top closure.
19. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
attachment portion is aligned with the peripheral wall.
20. The tamper-evident closure according to claim 1, wherein the
constant wall thickness of the at least one wall section of the
hinge portion is the same as the wall thickness of the peripheral
wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a tamper-evident closure for the
attachment to a container body, and a tamper-evident closure and
container assembly for receiving loosely stored products, such as
drugs, pills, tablets, test strips, granulate and even powder. Such
containers should be moisture tight.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Closure caps for containers are known and common to the
skilled person.
[0003] Often, flip-top closures are used for the attachment to
sidewalls of a container which define an opening of the
container.
[0004] Closures for containers are typically manufactured or
moulded separately from the container body. The closures are then
connected to the container body after the products to be stored, in
particular pills, tablets or test strips have been introduced into
the container body. The container body is typically a cylindrical
tube having an opening at one end face and being closed at the
opposite end face. After the loosely stored products have been
introduced into the respective container body, the closure cap is
attached to the container body.
[0005] Previously known closure caps may comprise a ring part which
snaps over a bead around the opening of the container body and
which connects the closure firmly to the container body by a
positive lock.
[0006] The closure usually comprises a cap portion hinged to a ring
part of the closure.
[0007] Generally, there are two basic types of hinges used.
[0008] A first basic possibility is the use of two-part hinges with
two separate parts on the closure element and ring part, which can
be snapped into each other and allow a relative rotation in order
to open and close the cap element. An example of such hinge is
given in US 2007/084735. Such hinges are disadvantageous in that
they cannot be manufactured in one piece. Further, the axis of
rotation usually radially exceeds the size of the cover part and
the ring part.
[0009] A second basic concept uses a film hinge, for example as
used in US 2008/0251573 A1.
[0010] Film hinges have a localized decrease in the thickness that
function as a bending point for opening and closing of the
container. Due to a largely reduced wall thickness of the film
hinge connecting a cap portion to the ring part for attachment to
the container body, the position of the pivot axis is well defined.
However, film hinges are sometimes prone to breaking along the
pivot line because the film part of the hinge easily breaks when
the closure and container assembly inadvertently drops on a hard
surface, or even in regular use after a high number of opening and
closure movements.
[0011] US 2007/0272646 A1 discloses a relatively rigid hinge which
is formed from two film hinges spaced from each other, making the
connection between the cap element and the attachment ring rigid.
Also in this type of hinge, the axis of rotation is well defined.
Further, the hinge radially exceeds the size of the cover part and
the ring part.
[0012] Another type of film hinge does not radially project beyond
the size of the cover part and the ring part, but forms a
depression on the outer surface of the ring part with a concave
shape, for example as used in US 2011/062176. At the position where
the wall thickness is smallest, there is the pivot axis of the
hinge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is the object of the invention to propose a
tamper-evident closure for attachment to a tube which can be made
in one piece and which has a robust hinge with a high
endurance.
[0014] This object is solved by a tamper-evident closure for
attachment to a container body with the features of claim 1, and a
tamper-evident closure and container assembly with the features of
claim 13. Preferred embodiments follow from the other claims.
[0015] According to the invention, a tamper-evident closure for the
attachment to a container body comprises a cap portion comprising a
top wall, a peripheral wall extending from the top wall, an
attachment portion preferably aligned with the peripheral wall, a
tamper proof means arranged and integrally formed between the cap
portion and the attachment portion, and a hinge portion comprising
at least one wall section which is integrally formed with the
peripheral wall and the attachment portion and connects the cap
portion and the attachment portion. Further, the at least one wall
section of the hinge portion is formed between at least two cut
outs, the at least one wall section of the hinge portion does not
extend beyond an envelope defined by an outer surface of the
peripheral wall and an outer surface of the attachment portion, and
the at least one wall section of the hinge portion has a
substantially constant wall thickness and in a horizontal plane
section follows the outer curvature of the peripheral wall of the
cap portion. Preferably, the wall thickness of the hinge portion is
essentially the same as the wall thickness of the peripheral
wall.
[0016] As used in this specification, geometrical terms like "top",
"bottom", "vertical", "horizontal" and others relate to a
tamper-evident closure and container assembly with closed cap
standing upright on its bottom element on a horizontal surface. The
separate tamper-evident closure for the attachment to such a
container body is also described in such a position.
[0017] The inventive type of closure introduces a completely new
concept. Since the at least one wall section of the hinge portion
has a substantially constant wall thickness, there is no defined
vertical position of the rotational axis provided by the hinge
portion. Accordingly, the closure according to the invention has no
film hinge. Nevertheless, it is made in one piece in closed
position. This is important in order to form a tamper-evident
means. The hinge according to the present invention has the further
advantage that it does not radially exceed the size of the cap
portion and cover portion, nor is there a concave depression on the
outer side in order to define the position of the rotational axis.
According to the invention it is possible to provide a
tamper-evident closure with a hinge portion, the wall section of
which is essentially aligned with an outer surface of the
peripheral wall extending downwardly from the top wall of the cap
portion, and the attachment portion adjacent to the hinge portion.
Accordingly, the inventive closure has a superior aesthetical
appearance.
[0018] It is possible to design the closure such that no part of
the closure extends beyond the outer dimensions of the container
body. This makes it possible to densely pack a high number of
closure and container assemblies together without the need to take
care of any protruding parts between adjacent containers.
[0019] The inventive tamper-evident closure and container assembly
for receiving loosely stored products comprises a container
comprising a bottom element and at least one sidewall integrally
formed with the bottom element at a lower end of the at least one
sidewall and extending perpendicularly from the bottom element and
forming an opening opposed to the bottom element. The at least one
sidewall has an upper end to which a tamper-evident closure
according to the invention is attached, for example by means of a
rib formed on the sidewall of the container that interact with a
corresponding part of the attachment portion of the closure.
[0020] A basic advantage of the inventive closure is that there is
no longer a defined position of the axis of rotation. It is the at
least one wall section of the hinge portion as such which deforms
in order to allow the opening movement of the cap portion relative
to the attachment portion. This reduces the high stresses suffered
by the film hinges in the prior art and reduces the risk of an
inadvertent breaking of the hinge leading to a higher
endurance.
[0021] When using film hinges, there is a defined position with the
highest strain. According to the invention, the strain does not
concentrate in a small zone. This increases the endurance of the
closure and the elasticity of the hinge is maintained over an
extended period of time as compared to a film hinge made of the
same material.
[0022] Further, the inventive closure is easier to manufacture
using an injection moulding process. In order to provide the
tamper-evident characteristics of the closure, it has to be moulded
in the closed position. A film hinge with a small cross-sectional
area impedes the flow of molten plastic material. In order to
overcome this, a higher pressure has to be applied which, because
of increased shear forces, also causes a temperature increase. The
inventive closure with a substantially constant wall thickness of
the hinge portion between the attachment portion and the peripheral
wall of the cap portion allows for an improved flow of material and
reduces the moulding cycle time.
[0023] Another advantage of the inventive closure resides in the
fact that the hinge allows to increase the distance between the
moveable cap portion and the attachment portion, when the cap
portion is opened. In such a way, an opening angle of more than
180.degree., even up to 270.degree., can be realized which improves
the access to the products inside the container.
[0024] Finally, the opening and closing motions are not a
rotational motion. Such complex opening and closing movements is
advantageous when engaging or disengaging the sealing skirt with
the sidewall of a container.
[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
attachment portion is shaped to be attached to a tubular wall of a
container body. This is the most frequently used geometry of the
container bodies and the description of preferred embodiments will
also focus on a tubular wall of a container body. However, it
should be appreciated that the tamper-evident closure according to
the invention can also have a different shape and might be attached
to e.g. a container body with a rectangular or ovoidal cross
section.
[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at
least two cut outs include an essentially U-shaped cut out
delimiting a blocking portion extending downwards from the cap
portion, said blocking portion being dimensioned to hold the cap
portion in an opened position by interacting with at least one
sidewall of the container body. The function of such blocking
portion will be explained in more detail by reference to a specific
embodiment of the invention. The provision and suitable
dimensioning of such blocking portion makes it possible to interact
with the at least one sidewall of a corresponding container, once
the closure has been attached to the container. The blocking
portion acts like a deflectable tongue which is slightly deflected
and slides over the top of the sidewall of the container. In
another embodiment, it slides over a supplemental bead provided on
the upper part of the sidewall of the container. After that, the
blocking portion snaps back into its relaxed position and forms a
positive lock at the outer surface of the wall of the container.
This keeps the cap portion in its open position until a user closes
the cap which again deflects the blocking portion in a radially
outward direction followed by its movement over the top edge or the
bead of the at least one sidewall of the container.
[0027] Preferably, the tamper-evident means comprises a plurality
of frangible bridges between the peripheral wall of the cap portion
and the attachment portion. Such structure is easy to manufacture
in one piece and also contributes to an aesthetically pleasing
appearance of the closure because the peripheral wall of the cap
portion and the attachment portion as well as the at least one wall
section of the hinge portion can be provided such that their outer
surfaces form one vertical straight surface which is only
interrupted by the at least two cut outs of the hinge portion and
the slots between the frangible bridges of the tamper-evident
means. Further, the provision of the frangible bridges at the side
of the closure is easy to see so that a user will notice in case
the closure has been opened before its intended first use.
[0028] As an alternative preferred embodiment, the tamper-evident
means can comprise a tearable band between the cap portion and the
attachment portion, preferably between the peripheral wall and the
attachment portion. Also in this case, the closure can be provided
with an aesthetically pleasing outer appearance and, at the same
time, the tamper-evident means gives a clear indication to the user
once the closure has been opened for the first time.
[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge portion
consists of a single wall section which is formed between two cut
outs, which are preferably vertical. In such a case, a single wall
section forms the hinge element.
[0030] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the hinge
portion consists of two separate wall sections formed between
vertical cut outs, respectively. In this case, there are two
separate wall sections forming hinge elements. The provision of two
separate wall sections can be advantageous in that the movement of
the cap portion relative to the attachment portion is more defined
because the two wall sections acting as a hinge are at a distance
to each other.
[0031] In case of the preferred embodiment in which the hinge
portion consists of two separate wall sections formed between
vertical cut outs, a cut out between the two separate wall sections
consists of an opening in the hinge portion, the width of the
opening in a horizontal direction being preferably at least twice
the width of the two individual separate wall sections. In this
way, the two individual separate wall sections are provided
sufficiently spaced from one another to provide for a defined
opening movement and an even distribution of the bending forces
between the two separate wall sections.
[0032] The cut outs can be provided in the peripheral wall of the
cap portion and/or in the attachment portion. Preferably, the cut
outs are formed in the peripheral wall of the cap portion because
the holding of the attachment portion on a container is not
impeded.
[0033] Preferably, the cover comprises a means for generating or
maintaining a controlled atmosphere, preferably an adsorbent means.
The adsorbent means can be a desiccant means, especially a
desiccant chamber filled with a suitable desiccant material, like
zeolites. Likewise, the adsorbent means can be provided with
scavengers which reduce the oxygen contents inside the closed
container.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the end sections of the cut outs
are rounded. This avoids the formation at cracks at the position of
sharp edges.
[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the closure is
integrally molded from plastic material, preferably polyolefin
based polymers.
[0036] Preferably, the cap portion comprises a sealing skirt being
suitable to provide air-tightness when the cap portion is in a
closed position. Such a sealing skirt of the cap portion is shaped
and arranged so that, in a closed position of the cap portion on a
corresponding container, it comes into sealing abutment with the at
least one sidewall of the container close to its opening and
prevents the ingress of air and especially moisture. Especially
when the tamper-evident closure and container assembly is for
receiving products like effervescent tablets, moisture sensitive
drug products or diagnostic test strips, the provision of
air-tightness is of high importance.
[0037] In order to further increase the tightness of the closure
and container assembly, the peripheral wall can be arranged outside
of the sealing skirt forming a gap of predetermined width between
the sealing skirt and the outer wall. In such a way, a tight
pressing contact between the at least one sidewall of the container
and the sealing skirt is provided. Since the upper end of the at
least on sidewall of the container enters the gap between the
sealing skirt and the outer wall, it is fixed in this position in
which the sealing skirt provides a sealing abutment to the inner
surface of the at least one sidewall of the container.
[0038] Preferably, the container has one tubular sidewall.
[0039] In case that the container has one tubular sidewall and the
hinge portion of the closure consists of a single wall section
which is formed between two vertical cut outs, the distance between
the two cut outs is preferably about 8% to 53% of the diameter of
the cap portion. In other words, the angle between the two cuts is
between 10.degree. and 60.degree..
[0040] In another embodiment, the width of the hinge/the distance
between the two cuts (not necessarily vertical) is sufficient to
provide a spring effect to the hinge due to the curvature of the
hinge portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] In the following, specific embodiments of the invention will
be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
closure according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the closure according to FIG.
1;
[0044] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure according to
FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a closure according to a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a closure in three dimensional view according
to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a side view of the closure according to FIG.
5;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a further side view of the closure according to
FIG. 5 as shown from the side according to the paper plane of FIG.
6;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the closure according to
the embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0050] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the closure according to
the line A-A of FIG. 7;
[0051] FIG. 10 is a closure according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention;
[0052] FIG. 11 is a side view of the closure according to FIG.
10;
[0053] FIG. 12 is a closure and container assembly exemplified by
the embodiment of the closure according to FIG. 10;
[0054] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and
container assembly according to FIG. 12;
[0055] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 15 shows a three dimensional view of the closure
according to another embodiment of the invention with a different
tamper-evident means; and
[0057] FIGS. 16 and 17 are side views of the closure according to
FIG. 15.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0058] Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted
by the same reference numerals.
[0059] In FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The
tamper-evident closure 1 as shown therein is a flip-top closure for
attachment to a tube of a container. The tamper-evident flip-top
closure 1 can be moulded in one piece from plastic material and
generally comprises a cover part 3 which, as will be explained in
more detail later, can provide for an air-tight sealing engagement
with the tubular sidewall around the opening of a container. The
cover part 3 has a top wall 2 and a peripheral wall 7 extending
downwardly from the top wall 2 which is essentially horizontally
arranged. Preferably, the peripheral wall 7 extends perpendicularly
downwardly from the top wall and, therefore, extends in a vertical
direction.
[0060] As outlined above, references to geometrical positions have
to be understood in the context of a closure and container assembly
with closed cover part 3 and with the container standing with its
bottom on a horizontal surface.
[0061] In the different embodiments as shown, the top wall 2 is
additionally provided with a tab which allows a user to grip the
tab 8 in order to lift it up to open the cover part 3. The tab 8
does not extend beyond the periphery of the top wall of the cover
part 3 (and beyond an envelope defined by an outer surface of the
attachment portion 4). This tab 8 is provided by a brim above a
recess formed by an interruption of the vertical peripheral wall 7
on the front of the cover part (see FIG. 12). Although such tab 8
is shown throughout the embodiments, it is not a limiting feature
and the closure could be provided without a tab. Likewise, a tab
could be provided which is displaceable into a position in which it
protrudes beyond the periphery of the top wall so that it can be
gripped. Such a displaceable tab further provides child resistance
properties to the closure. Further, the tab could be provided at
the peripheral wall 7.
[0062] The closure 1 is further provided with an attachment portion
4 for the attachment to a container. The attachment portion, once
attached to the container, maintains its position relative to the
container, whereas the cap portion 3 can be moved relative to the
attachment portion when opening the cover part 3. The attachment
portion comprises a ring part 4. The outer surface of the ring part
4 is aligned with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 7 of the
cover part 3. The attachment portion also comprises a snap portion
41 on the inner surface of the ring part formed by a recess fitting
to a corresponding rib 26 on the outer surface of the sidewall of
the container.
[0063] Further, the closure is provided with a means for generating
or maintaining a controlled atmosphere. Such means 5 can be an
adsorption means. The adsorption means is a desiccant chamber
formed by a cylindrical wall 54, in which a desiccant is provided,
and closed by a permeable cardboard 56. The breathable cardboard 56
is conventionally attached to the wall of the desiccant chamber,
here by means of heat for crimping the lower end of the wall of the
desiccant chamber.
[0064] Between the ring part 4 and the peripheral wall, there are
several frangible bridges 6 serving as a tamper proof means placed
between the cover part 3 and the ring part 4. Upon first opening of
the cover part 3, the frangible bridges 6 break as an indication
that the closure has been opened. Between the frangible bridges, a
gap 9 is formed which extends around most of the radial extension
of the closure.
[0065] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hinge portion 10 is formed by
a wall section 11 which is integrally formed with the peripheral
wall 7 and the ring part 4. The wall section 11 of the hinge
portion 10 is formed between two cut outs 12. The distance between
the two cut outs 12 is preferably 8% to 53% of the outer diameter
of the peripheral wall 7. The cut outs run essentially in a
vertical direction and are essentially parallel to each other. The
cut outs 12 start at the gap 9 and extend in an upwards direction
towards the top wall 2 of the closure. Accordingly, the cut outs
extend over a part of the height of the peripheral wall 7. The wall
section 11 of the hinge portion 10 has the same wall thickness as
the peripheral wall 7 and the ring part 4. Further, the wall
section 11 of the hinge portion 10 does not extend beyond an
envelope defined by an outer surface of the peripheral wall 7 and
an outer surface of the ring part 4 of the attachment portion.
Further, the wall thickness of the wall section 11 in a vertical
section plane is constant. Accordingly, there is no pre-defined
axis of rotation of the hinge portion 10.
[0066] The constant wall thickness of the wall section 11 can also
be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.
[0067] In. FIG. 2, it can be seen that the wall section 11 is flush
with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 7 and the ring part
4.
[0068] Turning now to FIG. 3 which is a cross-sectional view of the
closure according to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the wall section
11 of the hinge portion does not extend beyond an envelope defined
by an outer surface of the peripheral wall 7 and an outer surface
of the attachment portion 4. Further, it can be seen that there is
no defined weakening of the wall section 11 forming a hinge
portion. Instead, the whole wall section 11 serves as the hinge
without a defined axis of rotation. Further it can be seen in FIG.
8, that there is a chamber 52 inside the adsorption means 5 for
receiving an adsorbent material.
[0069] The embodiment of FIG. 4 is identical to that as described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 except for the shape of the cut outs
12 which generate a wall section 11 of varying length in a
circumferential direction of the closure. At the position with the
smallest length, there is the preferred position of the wall
section 11 which will bend most when the cap portion will be
opened.
[0070] Turning now to FIGS. 5 to 9, a further embodiment of the
invention is shown. The embodiment is identical to that as shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 except for the geometry of the hinge portion 10.
Accordingly, the description of the other elements is omitted and
reference can be made to the description of the embodiment as shown
in FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0071] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the hinge portion comprises two
wall sections 11a and 11b. Further, there is an opening 13 in the
hinge portion acting as a common cut out between the wall sections
11a, 11b. The cut outs 12 are similar to those as shown in the
first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, the
first wall section 11a is formed between the first cut out 12
starting from gap 9 and the opening 13 in the hinge portion 10. The
wall section 11b of the hinge portion is formed between the second
cut out 12 also starting from the gap 9 and the opening 13 in the
hinge portion. The width of the opening 13 in a horizontal
direction is at least twice the width of the two individual
separate wall sections 11a, 11b.
[0072] In this embodiment, the provision of two separate wall
sections 11, 11b of the hinge portion which are at a distance to
each other being at least twice the individual width of each wall
section provides for a well-defined opening movement of the cover
part when opening the closure 1.
[0073] Like in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the two
wall sections 11a, 11b have a constant wall thickness when
considered in a vertical section plane. The wall thickness
corresponds to the wall thickness of the peripheral wall 7 as well
as the ring part 4. Further, the outer surface of the wall sections
11a, 11b, the peripheral wall 7 in the region of the hinge and the
ring part in the region of the hinge are flush with each other such
that an envelope defined by an outer surface of the peripheral
wall, the ring part and the wall sections is a curved plane with a
curvature only in a horizontal direction, whereas the vertical
direction of the envelope is straight.
[0074] From FIG. 9, which is a cross-sectional view according to
A-A in FIG. 7, it can be derived that the wall sections 11a, 11b
are arranged so as to form an angle a between their remotest
positions. The angle .alpha. preferably ranges from 10.degree. to
60.degree..
[0075] With regard to the other aspects, the embodiment according
to FIGS. 5 to 9 is identical to that which was explained with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0076] FIGS. 10 to 13 show a further embodiment of the invention.
Again, it distinguishes from the above-described embodiments only
with respect to the geometry of the hinge section such that the
description of the other parts can be omitted and reference can be
made to the detailed description of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to
3.
[0077] The embodiment according to FIG. 10 is similar to that as
shown in. FIG. 5 in that the hinge portion comprises two wall
sections 11a and 11b. However, there is a difference in that the
cut outs 12 starting from the gap 9 between the peripheral wall 7
and the ring part 4 do not extend vertically upwards from the gap 9
into the wall of the peripheral wall 7, but extend in a downwards
direction starting from gap 9. In other words, the cut outs 12
extend into the wall of the ring part 4.
[0078] Instead of the opening 13 according to the embodiment of
FIGS. 4 to 7, a U-shaped cut out 14 is provided. The U-shaped cut
out 14 is formed such that the basis 15 of the "U" is horizontally
arranged essentially at the lower end of the cut outs 12, whereas
the two side pieces 16 of the "U" extend vertically upwards from
the basis 15 of the "U" and vertically upwards therefrom. As a
result of this, the first wall section 11a is formed between cut
out 12 and the adjacent side pieces 16 of the U-shaped cut out 14,
whereas the second wall section 11b is formed between its adjacent
cut out 12 and the adjacent, second side piece 16 of the U-shaped
cut out 14. Also in this embodiment, the two wall sections 11a, 11b
form hinges identical to that as explained in more detail with
reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.
[0079] In contrast to the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9,
there is no opening 13 of an essential rectangular shape in the
hinge portion, but a blocking portion 18 which is integrally formed
with the peripheral wall 7 and depends downwardly from the
peripheral wall 7. The blocking portion 18 is surrounded by the
U-shaped cut out 14. The blocking portion has the function to
cooperate, once the closure 1 according to the embodiment of FIGS.
8 and 9 has been attached to a container body, as a means for
maintaining the cover part 3 of the closure in an open
position.
[0080] A closure and container assembly is shown in FIG. 12. The
container 20 has a sidewall 22 which is integrally formed with the
bottom element 24. The tubular sidewall 22 extends perpendicularly
from the bottom element and forms an opening 26 opposed to the
bottom element 24. The tamper-evident closure is attached to the
sidewall 22 close to the opening 26 and is held in place by a rib
28 on the sidewall 22 (best shown in FIG. 13). Further, the closure
according to this embodiment of the invention is also provided with
a receiving structure for a means 5 for generating or maintaining a
controlled atmosphere. It can be a conventional stopper element
which is provided with desiccant but also other types of active
agent like oxygen scavengers are contemplated.
[0081] When the closure according to FIGS. 10 and 11 is attached to
the body of the container, and the cover part 3 is opened into the
position as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the cover part 3 is kept in
the opened position. This is achieved by means of the blocking
portion 18 which extends downwards from the cover part 3 and is
dimensioned and shaped such that it holds the cover part 3 in an
opened position by interacting with the upper end of the sidewall
22 of the container body.
[0082] To this end, the blocking portion 18 is dimensioned such
that it slightly bends in a radially inwards direction during the
opening of the cover part 3. When bent in an inwards direction, the
blocking portion 18 can slip over the upper end of the sidewall 22.
When further pivoting the cover part 3, the blocking portion 18
snaps back into its relaxed position and form a form lock by
extending over the outer surface of the sidewall of the container
body. Since a certain bending force acting on the blocking portion
18 is required to close the cover part 3 again, the cover part 3 is
kept in the opened position and does not fall back into the closed
position even in case that a means 5 for generating or maintaining
a controlled atmosphere is provided with a certain weight.
Accordingly, the blocking portion 18 serves for further convenience
to a user of the closure and container assembly.
[0083] FIGS. 15 to 17 show another embodiment similar to that
according to FIGS. 10 and 11. The only difference lies in the
provision of a tear band 67 as a tamper-evident means. The tear
band 67 is provided with an extension 68 to conveniently grip and
remove the band when opening the container for the first time.
[0084] The inventive closure and closure and container assembly has
the advantage that the closure can be made in one piece and
comprises a hinge that is an alternative to the previously known
hinges. It can be manufactured in one piece in closed position in
order to include the tamper-evident means and is provided with a
hinge without a considerable weakening of the material and without
a pre-defined position of the rotational axis. In such a way, the
hinge will not easily become worn-out and is less prone to
breaking.
[0085] In all embodiments of the invention, provisions can be made
to provide an air-tight sealing of the cover part 3 on the
container. Such sealing can be effected either by means of a single
sealing structure using a sealing skirt providing air-tightness of
the container when the cover is in the closed position. The sealing
skirt 32 can be best seen in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3
and 8. It is provided with an outwardly protruding, convex
projection 34 which serves to abut against the inner surface of the
sidewall 22 when the closure 1 is correctly positioned on top of
the sidewall of the container body. Such structure provides a
sealing contact surface consisting a small contact surface formed
by the apex of the convex projection 34 in contact with the inner
circumferential surface of the sidewall 22. Such small contact
surface has superior sealing properties because the deformation of
the convex projection compensates surface irregularities. Such
sealing structure with one sealing element or two cooperating
sealing elements can be provided in all embodiments as described
above, but also together with a closure and container assembly of a
different geometry, e.g. with a plurality of sidewalls and of a
rectangular cross-sectional shape.
* * * * *