U.S. patent application number 17/050616 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for closure.
The applicant listed for this patent is OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND GMBH. Invention is credited to Claude BENOIT-GONIN, Lino DREYER, Graeme HOOD.
Application Number | 20210122532 17/050616 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005327044 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
![](/patent/app/20210122532/US20210122532A1-20210429\US20210122532A1-2021042)
United States Patent
Application |
20210122532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DREYER; Lino ; et
al. |
April 29, 2021 |
CLOSURE
Abstract
A tamper-evident closure (10) for a container mouth, comprising
a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the
closure on the container, the cap is separable from the ring, the
cap and ring are joined by a pair of arms (37, 39), the arms are
non-frangibly connected to a common root (40) at one end, the other
end (36) one of the arms is non-frangibly connected at a
circumferentially clockwise location from the root and the other
end (38) of the other arm is non-frangibly connected to a
circumferentially anticlockwise location from the root, whereby the
arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and assume a
generally V-form configuration when doing so and whereby the cap
remains tethered to the ring.
Inventors: |
DREYER; Lino; (REINACH,
CH) ; HOOD; Graeme; (London, GB) ;
BENOIT-GONIN; Claude; (Saint-Georges-de-Reneins,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND GMBH |
Reinach |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005327044 |
Appl. No.: |
17/050616 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
April 26, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2019/060830 |
371 Date: |
October 26, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20130101;
B65D 2401/30 20200501; B65D 41/3447 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/34 20060101
B65D041/34; B65D 55/16 20060101 B65D055/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2018 |
GB |
1806855.1 |
Oct 1, 2018 |
GB |
1816019.2 |
Dec 12, 2018 |
GB |
1820203.6 |
Claims
1-40. (canceled)
41. A tethered closure comprising a cap and a retaining ring, the
cap and ring being joined by a hinge area and two flexible links,
the ring is made by non-continuous slitting which leaves several
breakable bridges between the ring and the cap, the hinge area and
two flexible links are formed by first and second superposed
horizontal slittings, the first slitting defines breakable bridges
and also a wider sector creates one link that serves as a hinge
area at the opening of the cap, the second slitting defines the
flexible links which allow a deformation to help at the opening at
the opening of the closure.
42. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the second slitting
is a height of x from the first slitting and in which the x height
defines the flexibility of the links.
43. A closure as claimed in claim 1, comprising vertical slits to
create a flexible area which the stability of the cap one time
open.
44. A closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the vertical slits
define a dimension W which defines the thickness of the hinge
area.
45. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap is screw
threaded.
46. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining ring is
a tamper-evident band.
47. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap comprises a
top plate and a depending sidewall.
48. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure is a
flip-top closure.
49. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure is a
flip-top sportscap.
50. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a
container.
51. A combination as claimed in claim 10, in which the container is
a bottle
52. A combination as claimed in claim 10, in which the container
has a short neck finish.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a capping device comprising
means for preventing the complete separation of a container and of
the cap closing this container.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a tethered
closure cap and particularly, although not exclusively to a
tamper-evident tethered closure.
[0003] According to an aspect of the present invention there is
provided a tamper-evident closure for a container mouth, comprising
a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the
closure on the container, the cap is separable from the ring, the
cap and ring are joined by a pair of arms, the arms are
non-frangibly connected to a common root at one end, the other end
one of the arms is non-frangibly connected at a circumferentially
clockwise location from the root and the other end of the other arm
is non-frangibly connected to a circumferentially anticlockwise
location from the root, whereby the arms permit axial separation of
the cap from the ring and assume a generally V-form configuration
when doing so and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring.
[0004] An example of a closure of this type is shown in FIGS. 1 to
8.
[0005] The common root may be on the ring and the circumferentially
displaced locations are on the cap i.e. the arms extend
circumferentially away from the root. Alternatively the common root
may be on the cap and the displaced locations may be on the
ring.
[0006] In an unopened condition at least part of the arms may be
frangibly connected to the ring and/or the cap, for example by
frangible bridges. When the closure is opened the connected is
broken which can help with tamper evidence.
[0007] In some embodiments the cap can be removed from the
container mouth and can be docked with the container, whilst
remaining tethered to the ring.
[0008] The container mouth may be screw threaded and either or both
of the arms may be positioned below a screw thread to dock the cap.
See FIGS. 7 and 8, for example.
[0009] In some embodiments the cap must be rotated to dock with the
container. In doing so the arms may be plastically and/or
elastically deformed. See FIG. 8, for example.
[0010] In some embodiments the arms are approximately the same
length. The V-form tether may, therefore, be generally
symmetrical.
[0011] The arms may be arcs.
[0012] A further aspect provides a tamper-evident closure for a
container mouth, the closure comprising a cap and a retaining ring,
the cap and ring are connected by a tether, in which the tether
comprises a first arm which is non-frangibly connected to the cap
at one end, and a second arm which is non-frangibly connected to
the ring.
[0013] An example of a closure of this type is shown in FIGS. 9 to
12.
[0014] Together the arms may permit axial separation of the cap
from the ring and allow the cap to be removed from the container
mouth whilst remaining tethered to the ring.
[0015] The arms may be arcs.
[0016] In an unopened state the first and second arms may sit
concentrically. For example the arm which is connected to the ring
may sit concentrically inside of the arm which is connected to the
cap when the cap is screwed on.
[0017] The tether arms may be joined at an elbow (for example like
a V-form elbow).
[0018] The tether may permit the cap to be lifted away from the
ring the tether by plastic deformation and/or elastic deformation
of the elbow and/or the arms.
[0019] A further aspect provides a closure comprising a cap, a
lateral skirt of which is equipped with a means for engagement with
a container, it being possible for the cap, in one position, to be
placed over an opening of the container so as to close the
container and, in another position, to be released from the opening
so as to allow access to the inside of the container; a ring
engaged on the container to delimit said opening and held axially
thereon; and two arms in the form of an arc of a circle, each one
of which is connected to the cap by a film hinge, and a tongue
positioned between the hinges which, during tilting of the cap,
bears against the container and exerts a pulling force on the arms,
in which the diameter of the ring is larger than the diameter of
the cap skirt, whereby the hinges are inclined from the ring
towards the cap.
[0020] An example of a closure of this type is shown in FIG.
15.
[0021] The hinges may be generally square, trapezoidal or
rectangular.
[0022] A further aspect provides a closure comprising a cap, a
lateral skirt of which is equipped with a means for engagement with
a container, it being possible for the cap, in one position, to be
placed over an opening of the container so as to close the
container and, in another position, to be released from the opening
so as to allow access to the inside of the container; a ring
engaged on the container to delimit said opening and held axially
thereon; and two arms in the form of an arc of a circle, each one
of which is connected to the cap by a film hinge and a foldable
means, and to the ring, the arms being connected to the ring at
locations which are angularly distant with respect to the film
hinge; said foldable means allows pivoting of the arms between a
folded position, in which the arms are placed close to the ring and
in which the cap is axially close to the ring, and an unfolded
position, in which the arms are pivoted with respect to the film
hinge and to the ring and allow the cap to be brought into a
position which is axially remote from the ring, this position being
sufficient to make it possible to release said means for engaging
the cap with the container and to tilt said cap outwards with
respect to the container so as to bring the cap into the position
in which it is released from the opening of the container.
[0023] The cap may comprise a bearing means which, during said
tilting, bears against the container and exerts, a pulling on the
arms, the pulling being minimal in the positions of engagement of
the cap over the opening of the container and of total release of
the cap from the opening, but being maximal in the intermediate
position of the cap between these two positions.
[0024] The bearing means may include a tongue projecting axially
from the skirt of the cap, close to said film hinge.
[0025] over the opening of the container and of total release of
this cap from this opening, but being maximal in the intermediate
position of the cap between these two positions.
[0026] The aforesaid means, together with the possibility of
elastic expansion made possible by the arms, thus make it possible
to create a hard point midway through the tilting of the cap, so
that the device is of the "flip-top" type.
[0027] This flip-top characteristic makes it possible perfectly to
keep the cap in its tilted position, against the elastic return of
the synthetic material constituting the device; the user thus does
not have to hold the cap in the tilted position during flow of the
product contained in the container.
[0028] Moreover, this flip-top property makes the device appealing
to handle.
[0029] The said means may consist of a tongue projecting axially
from the skirt of the cap, close to the said film hinge.
[0030] The edge of the tongue bearing against the container is
advantageously rounded, to promote the rolling of this tongue along
the wall of the container.
[0031] The means allowing sufficient deformation of the device to
allow pivoting of the arms between the said folded and unfolded
positions may consist of one or more of the following means:
[0032] a material constituting the capping device, chosen from
materials, particularly polyethylene or polypropylene, which offer
a possibility of elastic expansion;
[0033] a clearance between the ring and the container in order to
allow, through the deformation of this ring, the relative
displacement, in the circumferential direction, of the ends of the
arms connected to this ring;
[0034] at least one slit or one notch made at the level of the film
hinge to allow the relative displacement, in the circumferential
direction, of the ends of the arms connected to this film
hinge;
[0035] arms included, in the folded position, in the thickness of
the ring and separated by recesses made in this thickness so that
the ring has, plumb with the arms, a height which is less than the
height it has in the other locations on its circumference, this
smaller height promoting its deformation during movement of the
arms.
[0036] Preferably, the ring and/or at least one arm is, before the
first opening of the container, connected to the cap and/or to the
film hinge by breakable bridges which are intended to be broken at
the time of this first opening.
[0037] These bridges not only constitute evidence that the
container has not been tampered with but also make it possible to
confer perfect structural homogeneity on the device.
[0038] Advantageously, the said means for the engagement of the cap
with the container are of the screw type and the ring is fitted
free in rotation on the container.
[0039] Unscrewing of the cap gives rise to the aforesaid movement
of the arms, and, as the case may be, the rupture of the bridges
constituting the evidence that the container has not been tampered
with.
[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention, the cap
comprises two film hinges made on either side of a tongue as
aforesaid, an arm being connected to each of these film hinges.
[0041] These two film hinges located on either side of the said
tongue allow stable movement of the arms and a stable tilting of
the cap with respect to the container.
[0042] A further aspect provides a threaded closure for a container
neck, the closure comprises a cap and a tamper-band ring, the
bottom end of the cap is connected to the ring by a strap hinge,
and the ring is connected to the bottom of the cap by frangible
bridges.
[0043] An example of a closure of this type is shown in FIGS. 18 to
24.
[0044] A further aspect provides a tamper-evident closure for a
container mouth, the closure comprising a cap and a tamper-evident
retaining ring, the cap and ring a joined by a tether, the tether
is an arc that is connected to the ring and connected to the cap,
the tether is located radially outside the cap and the ring.
[0045] An example of a closure of this type is shown in FIGS. 25 to
27.
[0046] The tether may be connected to the ring at both of its
ends.
[0047] The tether may be connected to the cap at a point
approximately mid-way between the tether ends.
[0048] The tether may be connected to the cap at both of its
ends.
[0049] The tether may be connected to the ring at a point
approximately mid-way between the tether ends.
[0050] Separation of the cap and ring may be achieved by plastic
and/or elastic deformation of the tether.
[0051] The tether may be generally U-shape.
[0052] A further aspect provides a tethered closure comprising a
cap and a retaining ring, the cap and ring being joined by a hinge
area and two flexible links.
[0053] An example of a closure of this type is shown in FIG. 16
and/or FIG. 17.
[0054] The closure may include both horizontal and vertical
cuts/gaps.
[0055] In some aspect and embodiments the diameter of the ring is
larger than the diameter of the cap.
[0056] In some aspects and embodiments separation of the cap and
ring is achieved by plastic and/or elastic deformation.
[0057] In some aspects and embodiments the container mouth is screw
threaded.
[0058] In some aspects and embodiments the container mouth includes
a bayonet-like formation for engaging a corresponding formation on
a closure. See for example FIG. 13.
[0059] In some aspects and embodiments the retaining ring is a
tamper-evident band.
[0060] In some aspects and embodiments the cap may comprise a top
plate and a depending sidewall.
[0061] In some aspects and embodiments the closure may be a
flip-top closure.
[0062] In some aspects and embodiments the closure may be a
flip-top sportscap.
[0063] The present invention also provides a closure as described
herein in combination with a container.
[0064] The container may have a short neck finish.
[0065] Some aspects and embodiments relate to and/or are in
combination with a short neck finish. For the purposes of this
specification, a "short" neck finish can be defined as anything
having a ratio, when calculated as the finish height (measured
between the underneath of a transfer bead and the top of the finish
refering to "D" dimension according to technical bottle neck
drawing nomenclature in use within the beverage industry) divided
by the diameter of the thread crest referring to "T" dimension
according to technical bottle neck drawing nomenclature in use
within the beverage industry, of 0.35 or below.
[0066] Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be
used separately or together.
[0067] Further particular and preferred aspects of the present
invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent
claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the
features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in
combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each
aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in
combination with one or more of the other aspects.
[0068] The present invention will now be more particularly
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0069] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail
to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and
implement the systems and processes herein described. It is
important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many
alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the
examples set forth herein.
[0070] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various
ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments
thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as
examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms
disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should
be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently
denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and
detailed description where appropriate.
[0071] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary
in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common
usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant
art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0072] In the following description, all orientational terms, such
as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the
drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the
invention.
[0073] Referring first to FIG. 1 to 6 there is shown a closure 10
formed in according with the present invention.
[0074] The closure 10 comprises a cup-shape cap 15 including a top
plate 20 and a depending side skirt 25, and a retaining ring/band
30 at the free end/bottom of the skirt.
[0075] In general terms there is provided a threaded closure where
the shell bottom end remains connected on two attached sectors
located in the top end of the tamper band ring. Wherein the tamper
band ring has two flexible arms attached on their intersection on
the said tamper band ring. Allowing as such during the unscrewing
that the closure can lift vertically along the thread helix, to
allow freedom to get access to drink, while still remaining
tethered with the bottle
[0076] Formed in the ring (in this embodiment) is a V-form tether
35. The tether 35 comprises two arc-form arms 37, 39 which extend
in opposite directions from a central root portion 40 on the ring.
At the other end 36, 38 each of the arms is non-frangibly connected
to the skirt. This means that when the closure is unscrewed the
arms deform to a generally V-form as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6.
[0077] Further, after the cap is removed from the container mouth
the length of the arms is such that the cap can be rotated; in
doing so the arms twist and one of the arms can be located under a
screw thread on the container neck, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7A and
as illustrated in the sequence of FIGS. 8A to 8C.
[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 12 there is shown a "twin
tether" version of a closure 110 formed in accordance with the
present invention.
[0079] In general terms a threaded closure where a double tether is
connected each side of the peripheral area of the shell bottom end.
Wherein this double tether is as well connected each side on the
peripheral area of tamper band ring. Allowing as such during the
unscrewing that the closure can lift vertically along the thread
helix, to allow freedom to get access to drink, while still
remaining tethered with the bottle. Additionally by flipping the
closure over the neck a parking position can be reached under the
neck support ledge of the bottle neck.
[0080] The closure 110 comprises a cup-shape cap 115 including a
top plate 120 and a depending side skirt 125, and a retaining
ring/band 130 at the free end/bottom of the skirt.
[0081] In this embodiment a tether 150 is in the form of a first
arm 155 and a second arm 160. The arms are both arcs. In the
unopened/closed position the first arm 155 sits in the ring and the
second arm 160 sits radially outside the first arm. The arms are
joined at an elbow 165.
[0082] The first arm 155 is non-frangibly connected to the ring and
the arm 160 is non-frangibly connected to the cap.
[0083] This means that when the cap is unscrewed the tether is
deformed as shown best in FIGS. 10 and 12B. The arms are pulled
apart at the elbow.
[0084] When the cap is removed from the container mouth the length
of the tether is such that the cap can be docked under the
container neck support ring/transport ring 170--see FIGS. 11 and
12C.
[0085] FIG. 13 shows a closure 210 formed according to a further
aspect. The closure has a tethered tamper-evident band; a hinged
tamper-evident band with two connecting arms. The band has a folded
annular flap with a cut out in a hinge area and moulded bridges.
This closure allows for safe venting of carbonated packages before
opening. In this embodiment a bayonet mechanism with a cam
formation may be used to attached the closure to the neck.
[0086] FIG. 14 shows a tethered closure 381. The closure is
designed with a butterfly hinge and two flexible links.
[0087] The closure 381 comprises an annular tamper-evident ring
retaining part 383, two arms 384a, 384b, two film hinges 385a, 385b
and an annular cap retaining part 386, the entire assembly being
moulded in a single piece from synthetic material, such as
polyethylene.
[0088] Each arm 384a, 384b has the shape of an arc of a circle and
is connected to the part 186 on the one hand, at the level of one
of the film hinges 385a, 385b, and to the ring part 383 on the
other hand. Along the upper and lower edge of the arms there are
frangible bridges 387.
[0089] Each arm 384a, 384b is connected to the ring part 383 at a
location which is angularly distant with respect to the film hinges
385a, 385b to which it is connected, the angle formed by this
location and this film hinge being, in the example shown, of the
order of 45 to 50 degrees.
[0090] The film hinges 385a, 385b consist of walls of reduced
thickness, of trapezoidal/triangular shape, connected to the wall
of the cap part 386 on the one hand and to respective arms 384a,
384b on the other hand.
[0091] The flexibility which allows the tilting of the closure cap
in use is obtained partly by means of this hinge shape and by the
arrangement in the cap part 386.
[0092] The cap part 386 also comprises a tongue 391 depending
axially between the two inclined film hinges 385a, 385b. The hinges
385a, 385b are symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the
tongue 391.
[0093] The closure cap 396 comprises a skirt 396a provided with
helical screw thread which compliment those of the container
neck.
[0094] This tongue 381 has a length such that, during tilting of
the cap 396 it bears against the container 382 and exerts, via this
bearing, a pulling on the arms 384a, 384b. This pulling is
non-existent in the positions of engagement of the cap 396 over the
opening of the container and of full release of this cap 396 beyond
this opening, but is maximal, the tongue 381 then being flexed, in
the intermediate position of the cap 396 between these two
positions.
[0095] In practice, the closure placed on the container 382 by
simple screwing (or the device may be added after capping). During
the first unscrewing, the cap and this the cap part 186
progressively leaves its position which is axially close to the
ring 383 until it reaches the position which is axially remote from
this ring 383, in which the helical threads of the container and of
the cap 396 are out of engagement. The frangible bridges 387
rupture during this movement and the arms 384a, 384b pass from
their folded position to the unfolded position shown in by
pivoting.
[0096] The cap 396 may be tilted by virtue of the film hinges 385a,
385b and by rolling and deformation of the tongue 381 against the
neck.
[0097] The shell can be removed and replaced. The tongue, arms and
hinge of the device effectively allows the cap 396 to be of the
"flip-top" type.
[0098] FIG. 15 shows a tethered closure 481 comprising an annular
tamper-evident ring retaining 483, two arms 484a, 484b, two film
hinges 485a, 485b and an annular cap 486, the entire assembly being
moulded in a single piece from synthetic material, such as
polyethylene.
[0099] Each arm 484a, 484b has the shape of an arc of a circle and
is connected to the part 186 on the one hand, at the level of one
of the film hinges 485a, 485b, and to the ring part 483 on the
other hand. Along the upper and lower edge of the arms there are
frangible bridges 487.
[0100] Each arm 484a, 484b is connected to the ring part 483 at a
location which is angularly distant with respect to the film hinges
485a, 485b to which it is connected, the angle formed by this
location and this film hinge being, in the example shown, of the
order of 45 to 50 degrees.
[0101] The film hinges 485a, 485b consist of walls of reduced
thickness, of trapezoidal/triangular shape, connected to the wall
of the cap part 186 on the one hand and to respective arms 484a,
484b on the other hand. Because the ring has a larger diameter than
the closure the hinges are inclined.
[0102] The flexibility which allows the tilting of the closure cap
in use is obtained partly by means of this hinge shape and by the
arrangement in the cap 486.
[0103] The cap 486 also comprises a tongue 491 depending axially
between the two inclined film hinges 485a, 485b. The hinges 485a,
485b are symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the tongue
491.
[0104] The closure cap 496 comprises a skirt 496a provided with
helical screw thread which compliment those of the container
neck.
[0105] This tongue 481 has a length such that, during tilting of
the cap 496 it bears against the container 482 and exerts, via this
bearing, a pulling on the arms 484a, 484b. This pulling is
non-existent in the positions of engagement of the cap 496 over the
opening of the container and of full release of this cap 496 beyond
this opening, but is maximal, the tongue 481 then being flexed, in
the intermediate position of the cap 496 between these two
positions.
[0106] In practice, the cap 496 is placed on the container 482 by
simple screwing. During the first unscrewing, the cap and this the
cap 486 progressively leaves its position which is axially close to
the ring 483 until it reaches the position which is axially remote
from this ring 483, in which the helical threads of the container
and of the cap 496 are out of engagement. The frangible bridges 487
rupture during this movement and the arms 484a, 484b pass from
their folded position to the unfolded position shown in by
pivoting.
[0107] The cap 496 may be tilted by virtue of the film hinges 485a,
485b and by rolling and deformation of the tongue 481 against the
neck.
[0108] The shell can be removed and replaced. The tongue, arms and
hinge of the device effectively allows the cap 496 to be of the
"flip-top" type.
[0109] FIGS. 16 and 17--see description of the closures 510, 610 in
the Figures.
[0110] In FIGS. 18 to 20 a closure 710 formed according to an
alternative embodiment is provided.
[0111] There is shown a threaded closure 710 a corresponding
beverage container neck 702. The bottom end of the shell 703 is
connected to a strap hinge 704. The strap hinge 704 is also
connected to the below-located tamper band ring 705. The tamper
band ring 705 is connected to the shell bottom end with frangible
bridges 706.
[0112] On first opening the frangible bridges 706 get broken and
the closure will lift up on the thread helix of the container neck
while still remaining attached to the tamper band ring thanks to
the strap hinge. The length (L) of the "strap hinge" required is
dependant on the vertical displacement needed for the closure shell
to get sufficient disengagement to allow access to drink.
[0113] In FIGS. 21 and 22 a closure 810 formed according to a
further embodiment is shown. There is shown a threaded closure (1)
a corresponding beverage container neck (2). The closure (1) is
connected on the bottom end of the shell (3) to a strap hinge (4).
The strap hinge (4) is also connected to the below-located tamper
band ring (5). The tamper band ring (5) is connected to the shell
bottom end with frangible bridges (6).
[0114] On first opening the frangible bridges (6) get broken and
the closure will lift up on the thread helix of the container neck
while still remaining attached to the tamper band ring thanks to
the strap hinge. The length (L) of the "strap hinge" required is
dependant on the vertical displacement needed for the closure shell
to get sufficient disengagement to allow access to drink.
[0115] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate two different examples of methods
that could be used to manufacture the closure 810.
[0116] FIGS. 25 to 27 show a closure 910 comprising a cap 901 and a
tamper-evident retaining ring 902, the cap and ring a joined by a
tether 903, the tether is an arc that is connected to the ring and
connected to the cap, the tether is located radially outside the
cap and the ring.
[0117] The tether is connected to the ring at both of its ends.
[0118] The tether is connected to the cap at a point approximately
mid-way between the tether ends.
[0119] Separation of the cap and ring is achieved by plastic and/or
elastic deformation of the tether.
[0120] The tether is generally U-shape.
[0121] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the
precise embodiments shown and that various changes and
modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0122] FIGS. 7A & 7B:
[0123] It's possible, for example, to reach a stable position after
opening. This is achieved in this embodiment by blocking one of the
attaching straps below the neck finish. To reach this position the
consumer must twist the closure after opening so that it is placed
parallel to the neck finish. By doing so, one of the connecting
strands is positioned below the neck thread segments and blocks the
closure in position.
[0124] FIG. 15:
[0125] This embodiment relates to a closure for a shorter neck
finish. One feature of this embodiment is the position of the
flexible area designed between the two thread start.
[0126] In the case of a standard cap that should dtay attached at
the bottle after opening. The existing concept, using links between
the lip cap 1 and the base/the tamper evident band 2, and a
vertical hinge area, is well known.
[0127] The tilting of the hinge and the extension of these links is
done when the cap passed over the neck finish during the opening.
This movement could be easier by a rotation of the cap around a
rigid and prominent finger on the lid cap, which serves as a
support on the neck finish to star stable at the opening.
[0128] The cost of the packaging requires shorter neck, the well
known initial design are not compatible with the shorter neck.
[0129] Concept Improvement:
[0130] Creation of flexible area 3, squared, trapezoidal or
rectangular, which could bend at the opening, characterised by the
position of this flexible area: [0131] Inclined following an angle
.alpha. created by the difference between the diameter of the lip
cap and the tamper-evident band diameter. This configuration gives
us enough length to guarantee the bending. [0132] Positioned wisely
after the thread start or between two threads starts or in an area
of interruption of the thread. [0133] Positioned as high as
possible inside the lid cap. [0134] Positioned higher than the
position of the thread start.
[0135] FIG. 16:
[0136] Objective: Have a tethered cap to the bottle after opening
it.
[0137] The TE band, which stay on the neck of the bottle, is made
by a non-continuous cutting (slitting) plastic, which leaves
several breakable elements (bridges) between the TE band and the
cap.
[0138] Proposed solution: Creation of a "hinge area"+two flexible
links by a two superposed slitting
[0139] Create a connection between the cap and the tamper-evident
band at the time of slitting.
[0140] The slitting operation of the TE band is done by two
superposed blades: [0141] A first blade will slit to create
breakable elements (bridges) and also a wider sector create one
links that serves as a hinge area at the opening of the cap [0142]
A second blade will slit at a height of x to create a flexible link
which can allow the a deformation to help at the opening at the
opening of the closure.
[0143] The x height will define the flexibility of the links, that
allow the link between the TE band and the lid.
[0144] FIG. 17:
[0145] Objective: Have a tethered cap to the bottle after opening
it.
[0146] The TE band, which stay on the neck of the bottle, is made
by a non-continuous cutting (slitting) plastic, which leaves
several breakable elements (bridges) between the TE band and the
cap.
[0147] Proposed solution: Creation of a "hinge area"+two flexible
links, by a superposed & vertical slitting process
[0148] Create a connection between the cap and the tamper-evident
band at the time of slitting.
[0149] The slitting operation of the TE band is done by two
superimposed blades: [0150] A first blade will slit to create
breakable elements (bridges) and also a wider sector create one
links that serves as a hinge area at the opening of the cap [0151]
A second blade will slit at a height of x to create a flexible link
which can allow the a deformation to help at the opening at the
opening of the closure. [0152] A vertical slitting is added to
create a flexible area which the stability of the cap one time
open.
[0153] The W dimension will define the thickness of the links.
[0154] The X dimension will define the thickness of the hinge
area.
[0155] The Y will define the flexibility of the link that allow the
link between the TE band and the lid.
[0156] The dimension Z will define the flexibility of the link at
the opening of the lid, that allow the stability of the one at
xxx.degree..
[0157] FIG. 21 & FIG. 22
[0158] A threaded closure (1) and a corresponding beverage
container neck (2). Said closure (I) is connected on his shell
bottom end (3) to a "strap hinge" (4). Said "strap hinge" (4) is as
well connected to the below located tamper band ring (5) of the
shell bottom end (3). Wherein said tamper band ring (5) is
connected to the shell bottom end with frangible bridges (6).
[0159] Info's:
[0160] At first opening the frangible bridges get broken and
closure will lift up along the thread helix of the container neck
while still remaining attached to the tamper band ring thanks to
the "strap hinge". Length (L) of the "strap hinge" varies in
dependence of vertical displacement needed for the closure shell to
get sufficient disengagement to allow access to drink.
* * * * *