Composite Cap With Pull-out Panel

Abstract

A composite cap is disclosed which has an inner metal cover for sealing a container having a beaded mouth and which is adapted to receive an outer cap-like resealing plastic cover which snaps over the metal cover. The metal cap shell has a depending skirt which is fastened to the container bead. A tear-out panel is provided for removing the central portion of the metal cover. The tear-out panel is defined by a rip tab which encircles the closure cover along a generally circular line at the container rim so that the tear-out panel leaves an opening providing full access to the contents of the container. The rip tab includes portions on a recessed center panel as well as on the raised edge of the cap shell and extends along an inclined connecting ramp between the two levels.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to closures for large mouth containers and more particularly to a composite closure particularly adapted for sealing thin walled containers having beaded rims where the container is opened using a tear-out panel in an inner metal cap and may be resealed utilizing a snap-on plastic cover.

Such closures are now in wide use for food products such as puddings, roasted nuts and meat products. A tear-out closure in accordance with the invention has the advantage of being easily opened requiring no strength or tools and for this reason has received consumer preference over screw- off or pried-off caps which either require removal implements or require a large removal torque. Closure caps of the tear-off varety which are presently known either provide for relatively small openings or they are completely destroyed when removed preventing their being used for resealing.

The closure cap of the present invention is easily applied in the first instance by the packer and when opened by the consumer exposes the entire mouth of the container. The outer plastic cover permits the subsequent resealing of the package during use.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an easily sealed and easily opened container such as a large mouth glass or plastic container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved closure for sealing large mouth glass or plastic containers which is easily opened by a tear-off operation and which may be thereafter resealed during use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved closure cap having a large tear-out portion which is removed without exposing the consumer to raw metal edges.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and more easily applied closure having a large pull-out panel.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved structure for a tear-out closure where the score line is applied to differing levels of the cap shell.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated on the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a container sealed with the metal portion of the closure cap and illustrating the plastic outer cover positioned for application;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating successive stages of the cap opening operation as the center panel is pulled out;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an opened container with the plastic outer cap and the pull-out panel removed;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the composite closure applied to a container taken along line 5--5 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the metal cap portion of the closure cap;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 5 with the plastic cover and the pull-out panel removed;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of the closure cap showing a pressed-on metal inner cap;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of a closure cap in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the closure cap of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the composite closure cap 1 in accordance with the present invention has an inner metal closure 2 formed of aluminum or steel plate with a cover 3 and a depending skirt 4 for attaching the metal closure 2 to a container 5. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 has a crimped or rolled-in lower skirt edge 6 (FIG. 5) for gripping a container bead 7 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. Another embodiment of the metal closure shown at 8 in FIG. 8 has a resilient gasket 9 on the cap skirt 10 for engaging a container 11 as will be further described below.

Both embodiments of the closure cap have a similar cover and tear-out panel. The cap cover 3 is seen to have a depressed central portion which provides a nest or depression for a separate ring-like finger grip 14 which is attached at the center of the cap 1 by means of a rivet 15. The tear-out panel 13 which is removed by the consumer using the finger grip 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is defined by a pair of weakened or scored lines 16 and 17 which extend radially outwardly from the area of the rivet 15 as seen in FIG. 6, and which then extend circumferentially of the cap cover as generally parallel arcuate lines extending around the circumference of the cap cover 3.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated, a ramp-like raised portion 18 of the cover 3 is seen to extend radially outwardly from the area of the rivet 15 in the portion occupied by the scored lines 16 and 17 to facilitate the tearing action of the tear strip 19 from the depressed central portion of the panel to the area of the container rim.

In the manufacture of caps utilizing score lines in the manner described above, the pair of ramps or a single ramp of the type described facilitate the formation of the score lines in a closure forming press. The inclined positioning of the ramps with respect to the cap cover and the generally wedge-like arrangement of the ramps provides for precise positioning of the score lines and score line depth control by preventing tool movement on the cap shell.

Additionally, this structure also facilitates the tear-out action by permitting the scoring of the closure cap to be done on two planes such as the inner recessed portions of the cap covers, and the raised outer portions of the cap covers and provides a smooth transitional connecting area for the portions of the score lines formed on these differing planes.

The inner score line 17 terminates at a point 22 leaving the tear strip 19 connected to the panel 13 so that they are removed as a unit. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the positioning of the outermost scored line 16 for the tear-out strip 19 adjacent to the closure cap sealing gasket 20 and immediately above the top portion 21 of the container finish places the edge of the torn metal adjacent the protective and smooth inner edges of the container rim 21 and of the gasket 20 to protect the package user from the remaining portion of the closure cap. This outward positioning of the remaining exposed edge of the metal closure cap 2 also provides for full access to the package contents which is important for products such as pastes or jellies or other products which may be spooned or scooped from the package during use.

The above described inner metal closure 2 may be used by itself for a variety of packages, however, it is particularly adapted for use as a composite or resealing type of closure cap in combination with a plastic outer cover 23 of the form best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. The preferred form of the plastic cover includes a top 24 with a container stacking rib 25 proportioned to form a stacking panel to receive the bottom of similar containers. A depending skirt 26 is molded integrally with the top 24 extending downwardly to cover the metal cap skirt 4. It is provided with an inwardly projecting bead 27 having a flat upper surface 28 for removably engaging the lower edge 6 of the cap skirt 4. The plastic outer cover 23 is preferably provided with a relatively thick top 24 and skirt 26 so that it may be applied to the package during the initial sealing operation and so that it will remain in place during shipping and package display until snapped off by the consumer.

The resilient nature of the plastic such as polyethylene permits the plastic cover 23 to be readily snapped off by the consumer prior to the opening of the package by the removal of the closure 2 pull-out panel 13. The package is then readily resealed by the reapplication of the plastic cover 23 to the remaining skirt portion 4 of the metal cap 2. The remaining cap skirt portion 4 tightly engages the container finish and remains in place to accept the plastic cover 23 and to thereby provide a tight reseal.

In the preferred embodiment of the metal cap cover 3, one or more upwardly projecting detents 30 are provided to space the finger ring 14 from the cap cover to facilitate the easy gripping and lifting of the ring 14 by the consumer.

FIG. 8 illustrates at 8 a second embodiment of the closure cap which is adapted for being pressed onto the container 11 and which in certain sealing operations permits the composite cap to be pressed onto the container as a unit. This embodiment of the cap 8 has a cover portion 31 similar to that described above for the crimped-on cap 2 but it has a differing skirt portion 10. The preferred embodiment of the skirt 10 for this cap 8 includes a resilient cut ring gasket 9 positioned between a step 32 formed in the upper portion of the cap skirt 10 and an inwardly turned bead 33 formed at the lower edge of the cap skirt 10. The gasket 9 performs a dual function of simultaneously sealing the container 11 and holding the closure cap 8 tightly in position on the container bead 34. To insure a tight retention of the cap 8 on the container 11, the preferred container bead 34 is seen to include a gasket receiving groove 35 at about its central portion beneath a downwardly flared gasket guiding portion 36. In this embodiment of the cap, the gasket 9 and the groove 35 are proportioned to provide for a tight gripping or retentive force between the cap 8 and the container 11 since this portion of the cap is not removed after the initial sealing as the consumer has easy access to the package contents by the removal of the above described pull-out panel 13.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a closure cap in accordance with the present invention. This cap 40 is of the press-on and snap-off type where the closure cap includes a series of container engaging lugs 41 formed at spaced positions around the cap skirt 42 and adapted to snap under a bead 43 at the container 44 rim 45. These lugs 41 tightly engage the container bead 43 to hold a sealing gasket 46 in sealing relationship with the container 44. In the embodiment of the cap illustrated, the flowed-in gasket 46 provides a top edge and side seal with the container rim. The lug and skirt portion of this cap may be formed, for example, in accordance with the skirt and lug formation described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,155,261 dated Nov. 3, 1964 and issued to Acton et al.

The cover portion 47 of the closure cap includes a tear-out panel 48 generally similar to that already described. The tear-out panel 48 is seen to comprise a recessed central portion having a tear-off ring 49 fastened to the panel 48 at 50 within the end of a tear strip 51. The tear strip 51 is defined by a pair of score lines 52 and 53 which extend outwardly of the cap cover 47 up an inclined ramp 54 of the form already described. The score lines 52 and 53 then extend along generally parallel arcuate paths around the outer portion of the cap cover 47 so that removal of the tear strip 51 completely removes the tear-out panel 48 from the closure cap.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the outer score line 53 is positioned over the top of the container rim 45 adjacent to the innermost portion of the cap gasket 46 so that the outer portion of the closure cap 40 remaining on the container will not be in a position to expose the container user to possible injury. This arrangement provides complete access to the contents of the container in addition to providing a safe opened package.

It will be seen that an improved metal closure cap has been described having an easy opening pull-out panel. The improved metal closure is adapted both for easy application and easy opening and is particularly suited for use on wide mouth glass or other containers having beaded rims and such as are widely used for a variety of products including puddings, roasted nuts and meat products as well as a variety of other products. The improved cap is adapted for use with or without an outer removable plastic cover as a composite and resealing type of closure. It is also adaptable for high speed application during a product packaging operation both as a crimped or rolled cap or as a pressed-on cap with or without the plastic outer cover.

The improved pull-out panel also provides a large product opening as well as a safe opening which protects the user from contact with raw or torn metal edges formed during the panel pull-out operation. The improved closure shell also permits the use of a tear tab on two levels and provides for improved tear tab scoring by limiting scoring tool movement on the closure shell.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

I claim:

1. A metal closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of a cover, a depending skirt at the outer edge of said cover, means on said skirt for engaging the container rim, a tear-out panel on said cover, a rip-tab encircling said tear-out panel, said rip-tab being defined by a pair of generally weakened lines having curving portions outwardly of said tear-out panel, the curving portion of the outermost weakened line being positioned adjacent to the inner edge of the container rim, a depressed central portion in the cap cover, a gripping means fastened to the depressed portion, said weakened lines extending inwardly from the curving portions and around the fastening means for the gripping means, an upwardly inclined and generally straight ramp portion on said cover extending between said means for fastening the gripping means and the outer edge of the cover, and said inwardly extending portions of said weakened lines being positioned on said ramp portion.

2. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a second ramp extending between said portions and spaced from said first ramp.

3. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a plurality of ramps extending between said portions and spaced from one another and from said first named ramp.

4. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a second ramp extending between said portions and having at least a part diametrically opposed to said first named ramp for engaging and steadying a scoring tool.

5. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises the curving portion of said outermost weakened line being positioned radially outwardly of the inner edge of the container rim.

6. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a resilient sealing gasket on the under-side of said cover outwardly of said outermost weakened line.

7. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 in which said container engaging means comprises a resilient gasket on the inside of said skirt.

8. The closure cap as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises an outer cup-like plastic cover for being applied over said closure cap and having an inwardly projecting bead on its lower edge releasably engaging the lower edge of said cap skirt.

9. The closure cap as claimed in claim 8 in which said plastic cover includes a container stacking panel.

10. A sealed package comprising the combination of a container having a beaded rim, a metal closure cap for sealing the container comprising a cover, a depending skirt at the outer edge of said cover, means on said skirt for engaging the container rim, a tear-out panel on said cover, a rip-tab encircling said tear-out panel, said rip-tab being defined by a pair of generally weakened lines having curving portions outwardly of said tear-out panel, the curving portion of the outermost weakened line being positioned adjacent to the inner edge of the container rim, a depressed central portion in the cap cover, a gripping means fastened to the depressed portion, and said weakened lines extending around the fastening means for the gripping means and running outwardly to the said curving portions, a ramp on said cover extending between said depressed portion and the outer portion of the cover, and said outwardly running portions of said weakened lines being positioned on said ramp.

11. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10 which further comprises the curving portion of said outer-most weakened line being radially outwardly of the inner edge of the container rim.

12. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10 which further comprises a resilient sealing gasket on the underside of said cover outwardly of said outermost weakened line.

13. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10 which further comprises an outer cup-like plastic cover applied over said closure cap and having an inwardly projecting bead on its lower edge releasably engaging the lower edge of said cap skirt.

14. The sealed package as claimed in claim 13 in which said plastic cover includes a container stacking panel.

15. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10 which further comprises a second ramp extending between said depressed portion and said outer portion of the cover.

16. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10 which further comprises a plurality of ramps extending between said portions and spaced from one another and from said first named ramp.

17. A metal closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of a cover, a depending skirt at the outer edge of said cover, means on said skirt for engaging the container rim, a tear-out panel on said cover, a rip-tab encircling said tear-out panel, said rip-tab being defined by a pair of generally weakened lines having curving portions outwardly of said tear-out panel, the curving portion of the outermost weakened line being positioned outwardly of the inner edge of the container rim, a depressed central portion in the cap cover, a gripping means fastened to the depressed portion at about the central portion of said cover, said weakened lines extending inwardly from the curving portions and around the fastening means for the gripping means, an upwardly inclined and generally straight ramp portion on said cover extending over a major portion of the cover between said means for fastening the gripping means and the outer edge of the cover, and said inwardly extending portions of said weakened lines being positioned on said ramp portion.

18. A metal closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of a cover, a depending skirt at the outer edge of said cover, means on said skirt for engaging the container rim, a tear-out panel on said cover, a rip-tab encircling said tear-out panel, said rip-tab being defined by a pair of generally weakened lines having portions outwardly of the inner edge of the container rim, a depressed central portion in the cap cover, a rip-tab gripping means fastened to the depressed portion, said weakened lines extending inwardly from the outermost portions and around the fastening means for the gripping means, an upwardly inclined and generally straight ramp portion on said cover extending for a major portion of the distance between said means for fastening the gripping means and the outer edge of the cover, and said inwardly extending portions of said weakened lines being positioned on said ramp portion.