U.S. patent application number 17/268137 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-21 for locking bottle transport ring for a stopper.
The applicant listed for this patent is NOVEMBAL USA INC.. Invention is credited to Richard LAMOUREUX.
Application Number | 20210323740 17/268137 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005705081 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210323740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAMOUREUX; Richard |
October 21, 2021 |
LOCKING BOTTLE TRANSPORT RING FOR A STOPPER
Abstract
The present invention discloses a stopper affixed to a bottle.
The bottle comprises a bottle finish, a tamper evident ring, a
transport ring, a neck including an integrally formed locking
feature. The bottle finish is configured to receive a stopper
comprising a closure shell and a tamper band, where the closure
shell and the tamper band being separably connected. The transport
ring is located below the tamper evident ring and the tamper band
is configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and
the transport ring. The locking feature is configured to receive
and retain at least a portion of the closure shell between a bottom
surface of the transport ring and a bottom surface of the neck when
the closure shell is separated from the tamper band. Also, the
present invention discloses a method for locking a stopper onto a
bottle.
Inventors: |
LAMOUREUX; Richard; (Rawdon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOVEMBAL USA INC. |
Edison |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005705081 |
Appl. No.: |
17/268137 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
August 14, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2019/046587 |
371 Date: |
February 12, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/3423 20130101;
B65D 1/0246 20130101; B65D 55/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02; B65D 41/34 20060101
B65D041/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 14, 2018 |
US |
62718956 |
Claims
1. A bottle, comprising: a bottle finish having a tubular shape
configured to receive a stopper comprising a closure shell and a
tamper band, the closure shell and the tamper band being separably
connected; a tamper evident ring positioned peripherally on the
bottle finish; a transport ring having a bottom surface, the
transport ring positioned peripherally on the bottle finish and
located below the tamper evident ring, wherein the tamper band is
configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and the
transport ring; a neck located below the transport ring, the neck
comprising a bottom surface and a locking feature integrally formed
therein; and a shoulder located below the neck, wherein the locking
feature is configured to receive and retain at least a portion of
the closure shell between the bottom surface of the transport ring
and the bottom surface of the neck when the closure shell is
separated from the tamper band.
2. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature is
integrally formed into the neck during a preform molding
process.
3. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature is
integrally formed into the neck during a blow molding process.
4. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature
forms a continuous locking feature around the perimeter of the
neck.
5. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the neck comprises a
plurality of locking features each positioned below the transport
ring and distributed around the perimeter of the neck.
6. The bottle according to claim 1, the stopper further comprising
a strip configured to connect the closure shell and the tamper band
the closure shell is separated from the tamper band.
7. The bottle according to claim 1, wherein the locking feature is
dimensioned relative to the closure shell height, such that at
least a portion of the closure shell is received and retained by
the locking feature.
8. A method for locking a stopper onto a bottle having a neck,
comprising: providing the bottle having a stopper inserted onto a
neck of a bottle, the stopper comprising a tamper band and a
separably connected closure shell, wherein the tamper band is
secured between a tamper evident ring and a transport ring;
separating the closure shell from the tamper band; and inserting at
least a portion of closure shell into a locking feature positioned
between a bottom surface of a transport ring and a bottom surface
of the neck.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the locking feature is
integrally formed into the neck during a preform molding
process.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the locking feature is
integrally formed into the neck during a blow molding process.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the locking feature
forms a continuous locking feature around the perimeter of the
neck.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This present disclosure relates generally to closures for
containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
securing a closure to a portion of the plastic bottle neck.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the field of liquid packaging, it is very common to seal
the aperture of a container with a stopper, often made from a
plastic material. Such a container is usually a plastic bottle, but
other materials may be used as well.
[0003] The stopper typically has a tubular shape closed at its top
edge by a top wall. The stopper comprises a closure shell attached
to a tamper band through the implementation of bridges. Bridges are
distributed around the circumference of the closure shell and the
tamper band. Moreover, the bridges may be made when molding the
stopper or after through undergoing a cutting step during the
manufacturing process.
[0004] Usually the bottle neck finish comprises outer fixation
features, such as threads to receive a screw-type stopper. For
screw type stoppers, the closure shell typically comprises inner
thread(s) arranged on an inner side wall that are intended to
engage with outer thread(s) located on the bottle neck finish. Such
combinations of outer and inner thread(s) allow the stopper to be
screwed on a bottle neck finish to seal it and unscrewed for bottle
entirely opening.
[0005] Alternatively, the bottle neck finish comprises outer
fixation features, such as annular fixation rings to receive a
snap-type stopper that secures the stopper onto the bottle neck
finish. A snap-type stopper includes an inner annular area and the
bottle neck finish fixation feature includes an outer fixation
ring, in order secure (e.g., using a downward force) the stopper
onto the bottle neck finish. A snap type stopper comprises a
closure shell with a movable sealing roof from a closure position
to a part opening, and reversely. The roof may be separating upon
opening or may be connected with the closure shell.
[0006] In a sealing position of the stopper, the tamper band is
secured around the bottle neck finish through inner tamper band
retaining features or through the tamper band diameter being
smaller than a diameter of a tamper evident ring of the bottle neck
finish.
[0007] The closure shell is typically removable. During bottle
opening, the bridges form a weakness line and are torn apart from
the closure shell, so it can be separated from the bottle. The
weakness line is torn when user unscrews the closure shell of the
stopper or when user lifts the roof by tilting.
[0008] After opening, the closure shell can be completely removed
and discarded (e.g., dropped), preventing subsequent closure of the
bottle. Additionally, the removed closure can represent waste if
not recycled.
[0009] Previous solutions to prevent the closure shell from being
completely removed from the bottle have been considered. For
example, known systems attach the closure shell with the tamper
band, so the closure shell stays attached to the bottle neck via a
attachment portion after bottle opening. Other known systems
include a tethered stopper comprising a spiral strip formed within
stopper during the molding of the stopper. The attachment portion
and/or the spiral strip are typically made of the same plastic
material as the remaining portions of the stopper.
[0010] One problem with respect to the previous solutions are that
once the closure shell is removed from the bottle aperture after
opening, the elastic properties of the plastic attachment
portion(s) cause the plastic attachment portion(s) to attempt to
return to original configuration near the neck finish. As the
attachment portion(s) attempts to return to the original
configuration, the closure shell may interfere with the bottle
aperture at the neck finish, which can cause the closure shell to
interfere with the user during drinking or pouring.
SUMMARY
[0011] This invention relates to a method for locking a strip
tethered plastic stopper under a transport ring and into a shoulder
of a plastic bottle, so between the transport ring and into at
least a part of the shoulder.
[0012] To prevent the closure being completely removed from a
bottle while keeping the closure shell away from the bottle
aperture, a solution consists of connecting the closure shell with
the bottle, so the closure shell remains attached after the initial
opening of the bottle and securing the closure shell so as to move
the closure shell away from the bottle aperture.
[0013] An object of the present invention is a bottle tethered
stopper, having a closure shell that remains attached to a tamper
band which is secured on the neck of the bottle. Securing the
closure shell to the tamper band after the initial opening,
prevents a user from unintentionally misplacing or discarding the
closure shell. Additionally, securing the closure shell to the
tamper band, allows the user to secure and remove the closure shell
from the bottle finish (e.g., threading) of the bottle multiple
times, for example, during drinking.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is the bottle
tethered stopper is configured to position the closure shell away
from the bottle aperture after initial and subsequent openings.
Allowing the closure shell to be positioned away from the bottle
aperture after opening allows the user to position the closure
shell away from the user during use (e.g., positioning shell away
from user face during drinking).
[0015] According to the invention the stopper is affixed to a
bottle. The bottle comprises a bottle finish, a tamper evident
ring, a transport ring, a neck including an integrally formed
locking feature. The bottle finish is configured to receive a
stopper comprising a closure shell and a tamper band, the closure
shell and the tamper band being separably connected. The transport
ring is located below the tamper evident ring and the tamper band
is configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and
the transport ring. The locking feature is configured to receive
and retain at least a portion of the closure shell between a bottom
surface of the transport ring and a bottom surface of the neck when
the closure shell is separated from the tamper band.
[0016] In some embodiments, the locking feature is integrally
formed into the neck during a preform molding process. In other
embodiments, the locking feature is integrally formed into the neck
during a blow molding process.
[0017] In some embodiments, the locking feature is dimensioned
relative to the closure shell height allowing at least a portion of
the closure shell is received and retained by the locking
feature.
[0018] In some embodiments, the locking feature forms a continuous
locking feature around the perimeter of the neck. In other
embodiments, the neck comprises a plurality of locking features
each positioned below the transport ring and distributed around the
perimeter of the neck.
[0019] Also, according to the invention, a method for locking a
stopper onto a bottle is included. The method includes providing
the bottle having a stopper inserted onto a neck of a bottle, where
the stopper having a tamper band and a separably connected closure
shell, wherein the tamper band is secured between a tamper evident
ring and a transport ring. The method also includes separating the
closure shell from the tamper band and inserting at least a portion
of closure shell into a locking feature positioned between a bottom
surface of a transport ring and a bottom surface of the neck.
[0020] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the
art upon examination of the following figures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the accompanying claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features
may be exaggerated or minimized, such as to show details of
particular components. Emphasis is placed on illustrating the
principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different
views.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a tethered stopper locked
under a transport ring of a bottle into a hollow created in the
shoulder.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates is a cross-sectional view of the FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure
are disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely examples
that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and
combinations thereof. As used herein, for example, exemplary, and
similar terms, refer expansively to embodiments that serve as an
illustration, specimen, model or pattern.
[0025] In some instances, well-known components, systems, materials
or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid
obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present disclosure.
[0026] Phrasing such as `configured to` perform a function,
including in the claims, can include any or all of being sized,
shaped, positioned in the arrangement, and comprising material to
perform the function.
[0027] Terms indicating quantity, such as `first` or `second` are
used for exemplary and explanation purposes and are not intended to
dictate the specific ordering of a component with respect to other
components.
[0028] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed
herein. The described embodiments are merely exemplary
illustrations of implementations set for a clear understanding of
the principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and
combinations may be made to the described embodiments without
departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations,
modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of
this disclosure and the claims.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a screw stopper 102 in an open position
relative to a bottle finish 100. The bottle finish 100 includes a
sealing surface 120, an evident tamper ring 110, and a transport
ring 112. A bottle neck 118 is positioned between the transport
ring 112 and a shoulder 116.
[0030] Prior to opening, the stopper 102 includes a closure shell
104 connected to a tamper band 106. Once opened, the stopper 102
becomes disconnected from the tamper band (e.g., weakness lines or
bridges are broken in order to allow the closure shell to be
removed).
[0031] In some embodiments, the stopper 102 also includes a strip
(not illustrated) to allow the closure shell 104 to remain
connected with the tamper band 106 after opening. When opened, the
strip is attached at one end to the closure shell 104 at an
opposite end to the tamper band 106.
[0032] In some embodiments, the bottle finish 100 includes engaging
features (e.g., threads 108) meant to engage with complementary
engaging features (not illustrated) located on the inner surface of
the closure shell 104. In other embodiments, the bottle neck finish
does not include engaging features (e.g., threads), and the closure
shell 104 is secured onto the bottle finish 100 through other
securing means, such as snaps, clasps, or other mechanically
engaging features.
[0033] Before opening (e.g., during sealing), the stopper 102 is
positioned (e.g., forced in a downward motion) onto the bottle
finish 100 in such a way that the tamper band 106 is secured under
the tamper evident ring 112 of the bottle finish 100. For example,
the closure shell 104 is secured onto the bottle finish 110 by the
outer threads 110 engaging with inner threads of the closure shell
104 as the tamper band 106 is positioned below the tamper evident
ring 112. In some embodiments, the tamper band 106 comprises
retaining features, such as an inner collar (not illustrated) to
prevent the tamper band 106 from moving above the tamper evident
ring.
[0034] During opening, a user to alters the position of the stopper
102, for example by twisting the closure shell 104 (where threads
exist) or removing the closure shell 104 from a mechanically
securing feature. As the bottle is opened, the closure shell 104
can be removed from the tamper band 106. To prevent the user from
unintentionally misplacing or discarding the closure shell 104, the
bottle neck 114 is includes a locking feature 114.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the closure shell 104 may be
secured into the locking feature 114 of the bottle neck 118 located
between the transport ring 112 and the shoulder 116. Specifically,
the locking feature 114 allows the closure shell 114 to be in
contact with a bottom surface 122 of the transport ring 112 and a
bottom surface 128 formed within the bottle neck 118. The locking
feature 114 secures the closure shell 114 in place to prevent
movement. Advantageously, a user can store the closure shell 114
within the locking feature for subsequent uses (e.g., when closing
the bottle).
[0036] The bottle neck 118 has a length that is so dimensioned to
form the locking feature 114. The locking feature 114 is so
dimensioned such that the closure shell 102 may be received into
the locking feature 114. Specifically, the locking feature 114 has
a height that corresponds to receive the height of the closure
shell 104.
[0037] In some embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed
within a preform during a preform molding process. For example, the
locking feature 114 is formed within the preform using an injection
mold cavity configured to shape the preform with the locking
feature 114.
[0038] In some embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed
within a preform during a preform cooling process. For example, the
locking feature 114 is formed within the preform, which is warm
from molding, using a tool (not shown) configured to form and shape
the locking feature 114 such that the locking feature 114 will
receive the closure shell 114.
[0039] In some embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed as
the preform transforms into the bottle during a blow molding
process. For example, the locking feature 114 is formed by placing
a tool (not shown) adjacent a bottle molding cavity near the
transport ring 112. The tool could serve as a collar keeping a
portion of the preform that would traditionally be blow molded out
of the blow molding cavity. Alternatively, or additionally, the
tool can could shape the locking feature 114 as the bottle is
formed (e.g., using a stretch blow machine) within the bottle
molding cavity.
[0040] As another example, the locking feature 114 is formed by
placing or securing an insert (not shown) into the bottle mold
cavity so that the locking feature 114 is formed into the bottle
during blow molding.
[0041] In some embodiments, the preform has greater rigidity at an
area that will eventually become the bottle neck 118 when compared
to conventional preforms. For example, the area of the preform that
will eventually become the bottle neck 118 includes additional
material during the preform molding process.
[0042] The closure shell 104 can be locked under the transport ring
112 of the bottle finish 100. The closure shell 104 can be at least
partially locked into at least one of the locking features 114
formed into the shoulder 116 of the bottle.
[0043] In some embodiments, the locking feature 114 is a continuous
feature formed within the entire perimeter of the bottle neck 118,
thus forming one locking feature 114 around the circumference of
the bottle neck 118, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In other
embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed at specified
location on the bottle neck 118. In other embodiments, more than
one locking feature 114 is formed within the bottle neck 118. The
locking features 114 can be distributed around the bottle neck at
any predetermined spacing.
[0044] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
that are within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *