CA2585019C - Snap-top closure device - Google Patents
Snap-top closure device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2585019C CA2585019C CA002585019A CA2585019A CA2585019C CA 2585019 C CA2585019 C CA 2585019C CA 002585019 A CA002585019 A CA 002585019A CA 2585019 A CA2585019 A CA 2585019A CA 2585019 C CA2585019 C CA 2585019C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- closure
- top portion
- bottom portion
- tamper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/46—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
- B65D41/48—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/12—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
- B65D47/14—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures and closure-retaining means
- B65D47/147—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures and closure-retaining means for snap-on caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
Abstract
A tamper-evident, re-closable container is disclosed, comprising a container body, having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip and a closure having a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container, and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection. A breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connects the top portion of the container to the bottom portion of the container and connecting means connects the top portion to the bottom portion. Rotation of the closure around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section. A tamper-evident closure is also described for use with a re-closable container, having a top portion that can be rotated around a mouth of the container to cause a tamper-evident section to break.
Description
SNAP-TOP CLOSURE DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a closure device for use on containers, and in particular on disposable beverage containers.
BACKGROUND ART
In the field of food and beverage packaging, there is an increasingly high demand for quality assurance. More specifically, it is very import ant to provide means for ensuring that the product has not been tampered with at any stage between the initial packaging and final consumption by the user. A
variety o f tamper-evident closures have been developed to meet this need.
The current and most widely used closures for container s, such as beverage containers, tend to come completely off from the container when unscrewed and can be lost before the contents are consumed. Once lost, re-closure of the partially full container is no longer possible. Some closures have been developed as two part closures, with a lower portion that is connected to both the container and a top sealing portion, thereby preventing loss of the top port ion.
However, the lower portion, which is fixed to the container- proximate a mouth of the container, tends to be cumber some and can get in the way of the conoumers lips whern the beverage is being consumed.
To provide tamper evidence, closures are often sealed to the container by a sealing membrane which must be separately discarded once the container is opened. In the case of two part closures, the top portion is often sealed to the lower portion, the seal generally being breakable through the action of opening the container. However, in many cases, breaking the seal involves holding the lower portion in place while turning or flipping open the top portion, making it quite awkward to use. As well, proximity of the lower portion t the mouth of the container makes consumption difficult.
US 6,253,937 (Anderson) discloses a two-part snap-top closure that screws onto the neck of a bottle opening. There is no disclosure of sealing the lower portion to the top portion or ro t ating the entire cap to separate the lower portion fr m the upper portion.
As well, in the reference the tw parts of the closure are required to snap fit with each other. US
6,530,493 and US Application 2001/0035389 are related to the Anderson reference.
US 6,234,334 (Suarez) teaches a two part cap having an arrangement in which t he parts snap to each other rather than to a lip of the container. This device completely covers the mouth of the container and requires that an additional spout means be formed into the closure.
US 5,755,352 (Wojcik et. al) also teaches that the two parts of the cap snap to each other and there is no teaching of rotation of trie lower part to cause separation from the upper part. The lower part is engaged to the container neck, so that the upper part and lower part remain near the m.outh of the container when the beverage is consumed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a closure device for use on containers, and in particular on disposable beverage containers.
BACKGROUND ART
In the field of food and beverage packaging, there is an increasingly high demand for quality assurance. More specifically, it is very import ant to provide means for ensuring that the product has not been tampered with at any stage between the initial packaging and final consumption by the user. A
variety o f tamper-evident closures have been developed to meet this need.
The current and most widely used closures for container s, such as beverage containers, tend to come completely off from the container when unscrewed and can be lost before the contents are consumed. Once lost, re-closure of the partially full container is no longer possible. Some closures have been developed as two part closures, with a lower portion that is connected to both the container and a top sealing portion, thereby preventing loss of the top port ion.
However, the lower portion, which is fixed to the container- proximate a mouth of the container, tends to be cumber some and can get in the way of the conoumers lips whern the beverage is being consumed.
To provide tamper evidence, closures are often sealed to the container by a sealing membrane which must be separately discarded once the container is opened. In the case of two part closures, the top portion is often sealed to the lower portion, the seal generally being breakable through the action of opening the container. However, in many cases, breaking the seal involves holding the lower portion in place while turning or flipping open the top portion, making it quite awkward to use. As well, proximity of the lower portion t the mouth of the container makes consumption difficult.
US 6,253,937 (Anderson) discloses a two-part snap-top closure that screws onto the neck of a bottle opening. There is no disclosure of sealing the lower portion to the top portion or ro t ating the entire cap to separate the lower portion fr m the upper portion.
As well, in the reference the tw parts of the closure are required to snap fit with each other. US
6,530,493 and US Application 2001/0035389 are related to the Anderson reference.
US 6,234,334 (Suarez) teaches a two part cap having an arrangement in which t he parts snap to each other rather than to a lip of the container. This device completely covers the mouth of the container and requires that an additional spout means be formed into the closure.
US 5,755,352 (Wojcik et. al) also teaches that the two parts of the cap snap to each other and there is no teaching of rotation of trie lower part to cause separation from the upper part. The lower part is engaged to the container neck, so that the upper part and lower part remain near the m.outh of the container when the beverage is consumed.
US 4,856,667 discloses a neck sealing arrangement, but it does not specifically relate to a two-part cap.
US 5,813,553 discloses a multiple-part cap but is principally concerned with a tamper-evident construction and does not provide means by which the closure can remain connected to the container, to prevent loss of the closure.
Finally, British Patent 2,367,802 discloses a device for carrying a bottle and consists of two parts that snap-fit together.
It is therefore greatly desired to develop a closure device for a container that is tamper-evident, while also connecting the closure to the container and allowing the closure device to be moved sufficiently out of the way to allow the users mouth to engage the container.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a tamper-evident, re-closable container that comprises a container body, having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip and a closure having a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container, and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection. A breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connects the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure and connecting means connects the top portion to the bottom portion. Rotation of the closure around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
The present invention also provides a tamper-evident closure for use with a container having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip. The closure comprises a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection.
A breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connects the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure and connecting means connect the top portion to the bottom portion. Rotation of the top portion around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
For the purposes of the present invention, the term "lip" is used to mean a slightly flared or projecting portion extending from the mouth of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
Fig. 1A is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device in a closed position;
Fig. lB is a view equivalent to that of Fig. 1A, but with a partial cut out;
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in a closed position;
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the device of the Fig. 1 in a closed position;
Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in an open position;
US 5,813,553 discloses a multiple-part cap but is principally concerned with a tamper-evident construction and does not provide means by which the closure can remain connected to the container, to prevent loss of the closure.
Finally, British Patent 2,367,802 discloses a device for carrying a bottle and consists of two parts that snap-fit together.
It is therefore greatly desired to develop a closure device for a container that is tamper-evident, while also connecting the closure to the container and allowing the closure device to be moved sufficiently out of the way to allow the users mouth to engage the container.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a tamper-evident, re-closable container that comprises a container body, having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip and a closure having a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container, and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection. A breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connects the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure and connecting means connects the top portion to the bottom portion. Rotation of the closure around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
The present invention also provides a tamper-evident closure for use with a container having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip. The closure comprises a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection.
A breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connects the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure and connecting means connect the top portion to the bottom portion. Rotation of the top portion around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
For the purposes of the present invention, the term "lip" is used to mean a slightly flared or projecting portion extending from the mouth of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
Fig. 1A is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device in a closed position;
Fig. lB is a view equivalent to that of Fig. 1A, but with a partial cut out;
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in a closed position;
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the device of the Fig. 1 in a closed position;
Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in an open position;
5 Fig. 5 is a second front pe rspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in an open position;
Fig. 6a is a cross-sectiona.l view of an alternative embodiment of the device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6b is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the device of Fig. 1.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention comprise s a one-piece container closure, having a top portlon designed to snap around the mouth of a container and that is attached by a connecting means and a tamper-evident section to a bottom portion.
To open the container, the user twists the closure causing separation at the tamper-evident section, so that the top p rtion can now be snapped open and remains attached to the bottom portion by the connecting means. The top portion can be snapped back onto the container to re-close the container or alternatively the top portion can be removed from the container for recycling pu rposes, after consumption of the contents of the container.
With reference to Fig. 1, a closure is provided, made of a top portion 2 and a bottom portion 3, which are initially attached to one another by a breakable, tamper-evident section 1 that runs circumferentially.
A bead groove 4 is formed in the top portion 2 of the closure. The bead groove 4 is designed to snap around a bead or lip 5 at a mouth of the container.. The bottom portion 3 of the closure is formed to mate with a corresponding cammed projection 6 on a neck of the container. The bottom portion 3 is otherwise unconnected to the container, and is held in place just below the mouth of the container only by its connection to the top portion, through the tamper-evident section.
The top portion 2 and bottom portion 3 are connected to one another by connecting means, for example a hinged section, as illustrated in Fig. 2 . In this figure, two vertically running slits 8 and 9 are formed in the bottom portion 3 of the closure to provide a hinged section 10 that interrupts the breakable, tamper-e-\aident section 1.
More preferably, a flexible joint 11 in the bottom portion 3 is shown in Fig. 3 that can run between slits 8 and 9 and act as a hinge to allow the top portion 2 to be disengaged from the container, but remain connected to the bottom portion 3. This is configuration is shown in Fig. S. The hinged section 10 also includes a breakable section 13 that can be easily fractured or torn so that the top portion 2 of the closure can be removed from the container for recycling purposes.
In an alternate embodiment, a flexible, thin C-shaped strip can be used to connect the top portion 2 to the bottom portion 3.
An optional thumb lever 12 provides traction for unsnapping the top portion 2 of the closure from the container mouth once the tamper-evident section 1 has been fractured by twisting the closure.
Fig. 6a is a cross-sectiona.l view of an alternative embodiment of the device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6b is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the device of Fig. 1.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention comprise s a one-piece container closure, having a top portlon designed to snap around the mouth of a container and that is attached by a connecting means and a tamper-evident section to a bottom portion.
To open the container, the user twists the closure causing separation at the tamper-evident section, so that the top p rtion can now be snapped open and remains attached to the bottom portion by the connecting means. The top portion can be snapped back onto the container to re-close the container or alternatively the top portion can be removed from the container for recycling pu rposes, after consumption of the contents of the container.
With reference to Fig. 1, a closure is provided, made of a top portion 2 and a bottom portion 3, which are initially attached to one another by a breakable, tamper-evident section 1 that runs circumferentially.
A bead groove 4 is formed in the top portion 2 of the closure. The bead groove 4 is designed to snap around a bead or lip 5 at a mouth of the container.. The bottom portion 3 of the closure is formed to mate with a corresponding cammed projection 6 on a neck of the container. The bottom portion 3 is otherwise unconnected to the container, and is held in place just below the mouth of the container only by its connection to the top portion, through the tamper-evident section.
The top portion 2 and bottom portion 3 are connected to one another by connecting means, for example a hinged section, as illustrated in Fig. 2 . In this figure, two vertically running slits 8 and 9 are formed in the bottom portion 3 of the closure to provide a hinged section 10 that interrupts the breakable, tamper-e-\aident section 1.
More preferably, a flexible joint 11 in the bottom portion 3 is shown in Fig. 3 that can run between slits 8 and 9 and act as a hinge to allow the top portion 2 to be disengaged from the container, but remain connected to the bottom portion 3. This is configuration is shown in Fig. S. The hinged section 10 also includes a breakable section 13 that can be easily fractured or torn so that the top portion 2 of the closure can be removed from the container for recycling purposes.
In an alternate embodiment, a flexible, thin C-shaped strip can be used to connect the top portion 2 to the bottom portion 3.
An optional thumb lever 12 provides traction for unsnapping the top portion 2 of the closure from the container mouth once the tamper-evident section 1 has been fractured by twisting the closure.
The c i osure can be applied to the container by a number of means, and are not limited to those discussed below, which serve only to illustrate options for application. In one embodiment, the closure is formed of two pieces. The first piece comprises the cam-mating formation and can be placed on the underside of the cam on the container. The second piece comprises the bead groove 4 and can be slid over the lip 5 and the cammed projection 6 and locked onto the first piece by a one way locking feature or can be glued to the first piece.
In another embodiment, one-way flexibLe threads can be formed on the bottom portion 3 of the closure, which flex outwardly when the closure is pushed onto the container, to slip over the cammed projection 6.
The thread s then springs back, thereby preventing the closure from being pulled off without opening the closed container.
.
Any suitable and well known anti-backi.ng off measure can be applied to the present invention to prevent the closure from being removed from the container without breaking the tamper evidant section 1. In one illustrative example of such anti-backing off ineasurre, the threads or the cammed projection 6 on the container have ratcheted surfaces that mate with opposing ratcheted surface in the closure when the closure is initially applied to the container. The mated rat cheted portions prevent the closuxe from being scrawed off if twisted in an opposite direction.
The device of the present invention operates by first twisting the closure. As the closure is twisted, the cammed projection 6 causes the bottom portion 3 to move further down towards the base of the container while the top portion 2 of the closure remains at a constant level on the mouth of the contai ner. This action puts a high level of stress on the tamper-evident section 1, causing it to fracture.
The top portion 2 of the closure can then be unsnapped from the lip 5 on the mouth of the container, thus opening the container. In a preferred embodiment, the thumb lever 12 can then be used for unsnapping the closure. Since the bottom portion 3 is no t fixed to the container, the entire closure tends to fall down the ne ck of the container after opening, as seen in Fig. 4.
The term "cammed projection" is used throughout the de scription of the present invention, however it is to be understood that embodiments such as, for example, a threaded section encircling the neck of the container, thread segments, or an undulated sinusoidal wave form around the neck of the container, are encompassed by this term. The cammed projection is formed so that the number of rotations required to fracture the tamper-evident section 1 is minimized, and is preferably from l0 to 4 rotations.
The top portion 2, which remains attached to the bottorn portion 3 by the hinged section 10, can also be slid down towards the base of the container so that the mouth of the container is kept free from obstruction while the contents are being consumed.
The c 1 osure can then be snapped back onto the conta z.ner, thus re-closing the container if the contents are not consumed in one sitting_ Preferably, flutes, ribs or other geometric features 14 can be added to the bottom portion 3 to provide a gripping surface between a user's hand and the closure, to aid in twisting the closure.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 6A
and 6B, the optional thumb lever 12 may be shaped to allow the user to break the tampe r-evident section and open the closure using one hand. Zn this case, the container is held in one hand and the thumb of the same hand is used to push on the thumb lever causing rotation of the top portion 2 of the closure using the thumb lever 12. The thumb lever 12 provides a leverage structure so that a sufficient amount of force can be comfortably generated by a person to rotate the closure on the containe r, thus causing the tamper evident section to break. In further embodiments (not shown) , the thumb lever can be formed in the bottom portion 3 of the closure to facilitate rotation of the closure, or on each of the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3 to faci.litate both rotation of the closure and snapping off of the top portion.
In a further embodiment, the bottom portion 3 of the closure can be formed to mate with a lowermost thread of any conventional threaded plastic beverage container. In this embodiment, the top portion 2 of the closure can be formed to engage the mouth of the container by, for example, making the inside diameter of the top portion 2 nominally sma ller than the outside diameter of the mouth of the container so that the top portion 2 squeezingly engages the mouth. This latter embodiment would preferably apply to low carbonation or non-carbonated beve rage applications.
In a further optional ernbodiment, a compound may be added to the bead groove 4 of the top portion 2 to ensure a snug mating with the lip 5. This embodiment is particularly useful in packaging carbonated 5 beverages, in which gas can easily escape from the container. The addition of a compound acts to fill any gaps between the lip 5 and the bead groove 4 that may occur due to surface defects on the bead groove 4 or lip 5 and which could allow for gasses to escape.
In another embodiment, one-way flexibLe threads can be formed on the bottom portion 3 of the closure, which flex outwardly when the closure is pushed onto the container, to slip over the cammed projection 6.
The thread s then springs back, thereby preventing the closure from being pulled off without opening the closed container.
.
Any suitable and well known anti-backi.ng off measure can be applied to the present invention to prevent the closure from being removed from the container without breaking the tamper evidant section 1. In one illustrative example of such anti-backing off ineasurre, the threads or the cammed projection 6 on the container have ratcheted surfaces that mate with opposing ratcheted surface in the closure when the closure is initially applied to the container. The mated rat cheted portions prevent the closuxe from being scrawed off if twisted in an opposite direction.
The device of the present invention operates by first twisting the closure. As the closure is twisted, the cammed projection 6 causes the bottom portion 3 to move further down towards the base of the container while the top portion 2 of the closure remains at a constant level on the mouth of the contai ner. This action puts a high level of stress on the tamper-evident section 1, causing it to fracture.
The top portion 2 of the closure can then be unsnapped from the lip 5 on the mouth of the container, thus opening the container. In a preferred embodiment, the thumb lever 12 can then be used for unsnapping the closure. Since the bottom portion 3 is no t fixed to the container, the entire closure tends to fall down the ne ck of the container after opening, as seen in Fig. 4.
The term "cammed projection" is used throughout the de scription of the present invention, however it is to be understood that embodiments such as, for example, a threaded section encircling the neck of the container, thread segments, or an undulated sinusoidal wave form around the neck of the container, are encompassed by this term. The cammed projection is formed so that the number of rotations required to fracture the tamper-evident section 1 is minimized, and is preferably from l0 to 4 rotations.
The top portion 2, which remains attached to the bottorn portion 3 by the hinged section 10, can also be slid down towards the base of the container so that the mouth of the container is kept free from obstruction while the contents are being consumed.
The c 1 osure can then be snapped back onto the conta z.ner, thus re-closing the container if the contents are not consumed in one sitting_ Preferably, flutes, ribs or other geometric features 14 can be added to the bottom portion 3 to provide a gripping surface between a user's hand and the closure, to aid in twisting the closure.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 6A
and 6B, the optional thumb lever 12 may be shaped to allow the user to break the tampe r-evident section and open the closure using one hand. Zn this case, the container is held in one hand and the thumb of the same hand is used to push on the thumb lever causing rotation of the top portion 2 of the closure using the thumb lever 12. The thumb lever 12 provides a leverage structure so that a sufficient amount of force can be comfortably generated by a person to rotate the closure on the containe r, thus causing the tamper evident section to break. In further embodiments (not shown) , the thumb lever can be formed in the bottom portion 3 of the closure to facilitate rotation of the closure, or on each of the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 3 to faci.litate both rotation of the closure and snapping off of the top portion.
In a further embodiment, the bottom portion 3 of the closure can be formed to mate with a lowermost thread of any conventional threaded plastic beverage container. In this embodiment, the top portion 2 of the closure can be formed to engage the mouth of the container by, for example, making the inside diameter of the top portion 2 nominally sma ller than the outside diameter of the mouth of the container so that the top portion 2 squeezingly engages the mouth. This latter embodiment would preferably apply to low carbonation or non-carbonated beve rage applications.
In a further optional ernbodiment, a compound may be added to the bead groove 4 of the top portion 2 to ensure a snug mating with the lip 5. This embodiment is particularly useful in packaging carbonated 5 beverages, in which gas can easily escape from the container. The addition of a compound acts to fill any gaps between the lip 5 and the bead groove 4 that may occur due to surface defects on the bead groove 4 or lip 5 and which could allow for gasses to escape.
10 The compound can be similar to those used in crowns or plastic closures used on be-~rerage containers. The actual composition and form of the compound will depend upon the substance held within the container.
This detailed description of the methods and products is used to illustra te the prime embodiment of the present invention. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that vari ous modifications can be made in the present device and that various alternative embodiments can be utilized. Therefore, it will be recognized that vari ous modifications can be made in the products of the present invention and in the applications to which the products are applied without departing from the S cope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
This detailed description of the methods and products is used to illustra te the prime embodiment of the present invention. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that vari ous modifications can be made in the present device and that various alternative embodiments can be utilized. Therefore, it will be recognized that vari ous modifications can be made in the products of the present invention and in the applications to which the products are applied without departing from the S cope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
Claims (26)
1. A tamper-evident, re-closable container, comprising:
a. a container body, having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip;
b. a closure having a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container, and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection;
c. a breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connecting the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure; and d. connecting means connecting the top portion to the bottom portion;
whereby rotation of the closure around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
a. a container body, having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip;
b. a closure having a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container, and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection;
c. a breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connecting the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure; and d. connecting means connecting the top portion to the bottom portion;
whereby rotation of the closure around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a thumb lever, projecting from the top portion, engagable by a user's thumb to snap the top portion off of the mouth of the container.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the thumb lever is contoured to facilitate rotation of the closure and corresponding breakage of the tamper-evident section, by applying pressure thereon.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the cammed projection comprises a threaded section encircling the neck of the container.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the cammed projection comprises thread segments formed around the neck of the container.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the cammed projection comprises an undulated sinusoidal wave formed around the neck of the container.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising flutes or ribs formed on the bottom portion to provide a gripping surface between a user's hand and the closure.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprises a hinged section interrupting the tamper-evident section and movably connecting the top portion to the bottom portion.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the hinged section further comprises a flexible joint, located in the bottom portion that allows the top portion to be disengaged from the container, while remaining connected to the bottom portion.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the hinged section further comprises a breakable section that can be fractured, thereby permitting the top portion of the closure to be separated from the container for recycling purposes.
11. The container of claim 1 wherein the connecting means comprises a thin C-shaped strip, movably connecting the top portion to the bottom portion.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion and the cammed projection are formed such that the tamper-evident section breaks when the closure is rotated around the mouth of the container between 1/4 to 4 rotations.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein a compound is added to the groove of the top portion to enhance sealing against the lip of the container.
14. A tamper-evident closure for use with a container having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip, said closure comprising;
a. a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container;
b. a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection;
c. a breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connecting the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure;
and d. connecting means connecting the top portion to the bottom portion;
whereby rotation of the top portion around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
a. a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container;
b. a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection;
c. a breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connecting the top portion of the closure to the bottom portion of the closure;
and d. connecting means connecting the top portion to the bottom portion;
whereby rotation of the top portion around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section.
15. The closure of claim 14, further comprising a thumb lever projecting from said top portion, engagable by a user's thumb to snap the top portion off of the mouth of the container.
16. The closure of claim 15, wherein the thumb lever is contoured to facilitate rotation of the top portion and corresponding breakage of the tamper-evident section, by applying pressure thereon.
17. The closure of claim 14, wherein the cammed projection comprises a threaded section encircling the neck of the container.
18. The closure of claim 14, wherein the cammed projection comprises thread segments formed around the neck of the container.
19. The closure of claim 14, wherein the cammed projection comprises an undulated sinusoidal wave formed around the neck of the container.
20. The closure of claim 14, further comprising flutes or ribs formed on the bottom portion to provide a gripping surface between a user's hand and the closure.
21. The closure of claim 14, wherein the connecting means comprises a hinged section interrupting the tamper-evident section and movably connecting the top portion to the bottom portion.
22.The closure of claim 21, wherein the hinged section further comprises a flexible joint, located in the bottom portion that allows the top portion to be disengaged from the container, while remaining connected to the bottom portion.
23.The closure of claim 22, wherein the hinged section further comprises a breakable section that can be fractured thereby permitting the top portion of the closure to be separated from the container for recycling purposes.
24.The closure of claim 14, wherein the connecting means comprises a thin C-shaped strip, movably connecting the top portion to the bottom portion.
25.The closure of claim 14, wherein the bottom portion and the cammed projection are formed such that the tamper-evident section breaks when the closure is rotated around the mouth of the container between 1/4 to 4 rotations.
26.The closure of claim 14, wherein a compound is added to the groove of the top portion to enhance sealing against the lip of the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/977,228 | 2004-10-29 | ||
| US10/977,228 US7789254B2 (en) | 2004-10-29 | 2004-10-29 | Snap-top closure device |
| PCT/CA2005/001649 WO2006045196A1 (en) | 2004-10-29 | 2005-10-27 | Snap-top closure device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2585019A1 CA2585019A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
| CA2585019C true CA2585019C (en) | 2009-01-20 |
Family
ID=36226964
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002585019A Expired - Fee Related CA2585019C (en) | 2004-10-29 | 2005-10-27 | Snap-top closure device |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US7789254B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1807316A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2008517843A (en) |
| BR (1) | BRPI0518074A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2585019C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006045196A1 (en) |
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| US7717284B2 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2010-05-18 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Flip top cap |
| US7546931B2 (en) * | 2005-07-08 | 2009-06-16 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Flip top cap |
| US7377304B2 (en) * | 2005-07-12 | 2008-05-27 | Alcoa Inc. | Method of unidirectional solidification of castings and associated apparatus |
| US20070278232A1 (en) * | 2006-05-02 | 2007-12-06 | Cuddihy William J | Container head with drip-less seal and method for producing the same |
| DE202006016478U1 (en) * | 2006-10-24 | 2008-03-06 | Shb Gmbh & Co. Kg | Plastic element, in particular for a cosmetic bottle |
| DE102006051939A1 (en) * | 2006-11-01 | 2008-05-08 | Packster Gmbh Entwicklung, Design, Konstruktion, Beratung | Closure for a container, in particular beverage bottle and container |
| CA2692905A1 (en) * | 2007-07-12 | 2009-01-15 | Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging, Inc. | Child resistant snap on closure having improved opening features |
| BRPI0819034B1 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2019-01-29 | Unilever Nv | lid for a container |
| FR2928351B1 (en) * | 2008-03-05 | 2011-01-21 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | DEVICE FOR CLOSING A RECIPIENT COLLAR. |
| US8448690B1 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2013-05-28 | Alcoa Inc. | Method for producing ingot with variable composition using planar solidification |
| USD655166S1 (en) | 2010-11-02 | 2012-03-06 | The J. M. Smucker Company | Container |
| US9630752B2 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2017-04-25 | Christianna Mikhal Kooney | Pliable variable diameter sealing lid |
| USD738732S1 (en) | 2011-11-30 | 2015-09-15 | Tc Heartland Llc | Bottle with cap |
| USD720622S1 (en) | 2011-11-30 | 2015-01-06 | Tc Heartland Llc | Bottle with cap |
| TWI589498B (en) * | 2015-04-02 | 2017-07-01 | 邁可約瑟夫 麥奎爾 | Cap used for container |
| EP3081505B1 (en) * | 2015-04-16 | 2022-11-23 | Airnov, Inc. | Tamper-evident closure and assembly of tamper-evident closure and container assembly |
| NL2018648B1 (en) * | 2017-04-04 | 2018-10-11 | Buster Holding B V | Chewing gum container with used gum basket inside |
| CN109289958B (en) * | 2017-07-24 | 2023-10-31 | 郑州威瑞生物技术有限公司 | Flip formula cap and flip formula test tube assembly |
| HUE064391T2 (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2024-03-28 | Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd | Closure cap for a container |
| EP3877279A4 (en) * | 2018-11-04 | 2022-09-28 | NOVEMBAL USA Inc. | Tethered plastic screw stopper |
| CA3111594A1 (en) * | 2018-11-04 | 2020-05-07 | Novembal Usa Inc. | Tethered plastic screw stopper |
| EP4058372A4 (en) * | 2019-11-16 | 2023-12-06 | NOVEMBAL USA Inc. | Stopper having a tamper-evident feature |
| WO2023183837A2 (en) * | 2022-03-23 | 2023-09-28 | Seed Health Inc. | Container with feedback |
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| CA2490350A1 (en) | 2002-06-25 | 2003-12-31 | Stull Technologies | Tamper-evident quick twist closure |
| US7040499B1 (en) * | 2003-04-02 | 2006-05-09 | Reif Michael Y | Container with primary closure and a secondary closure |
-
2004
- 2004-10-29 US US10/977,228 patent/US7789254B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2005
- 2005-10-27 WO PCT/CA2005/001649 patent/WO2006045196A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-10-27 JP JP2007538224A patent/JP2008517843A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-10-27 CA CA002585019A patent/CA2585019C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-10-27 BR BRPI0518074-0A patent/BRPI0518074A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-10-27 EP EP05806743A patent/EP1807316A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20060091100A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
| JP2008517843A (en) | 2008-05-29 |
| US7789254B2 (en) | 2010-09-07 |
| CA2585019A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
| WO2006045196A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
| EP1807316A1 (en) | 2007-07-18 |
| BRPI0518074A (en) | 2008-11-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |