EP0950613A1 - A cap - Google Patents
A cap Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0950613A1 EP0950613A1 EP99111144A EP99111144A EP0950613A1 EP 0950613 A1 EP0950613 A1 EP 0950613A1 EP 99111144 A EP99111144 A EP 99111144A EP 99111144 A EP99111144 A EP 99111144A EP 0950613 A1 EP0950613 A1 EP 0950613A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- skirt
- tabs
- tab
- neck
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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Images
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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
- B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
-
- 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
-
- 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/0087—Lower closure of the 47-type
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B65D2401/20—Frangible elements completely enclosed in closure skirt
-
- 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
- B65D2401/35—Vertical or axial lines of weakness
Definitions
- the invention relates to a cap.
- a known cap for a beer keg is described in EP 0652162.
- the document discloses a tamper evident cap for a keg spear comprising a flat, circular top and a depending skirt.
- the skirt includes a large number of apertures and from the base of each aperture a tooth extends inwardly and upwardly. Each tooth is substantially rectangular and elongate inwardly.
- the teeth are arranged to snap onto the neck of the keg spear and engage under the annular projection of the neck to retain the cap.
- a tamper evident ring is provided connected to the skirt by frangible tags.
- a beer keg cap comprising a continuous cup shaped member to receive the neck of the beer keg, and means for engaging the beer keg to retain the cap.
- cup shaped member is continuous, moisture and dirt cannot readily enter the cap to contaminate the keg unlike the known cap described above which has a large number of apertures in the skirt.
- the cup shaped member may comprise a top and a depending skirt and the skirt may include at least one line of weakness extending upwardly from its lower edge to provide tamper evidence by breaking.
- a beer keg cap comprising a cup shaped member comprising a top for the keg neck and a skirt depending from the top to lie around the neck in use, the skirt including at least one line of weakness extending upwardly from its lower edge to provide tamper evidence by breaking.
- the known cap includes a ring which is broken away from the main part of the cap on tampering, this is entirely different from the tamper evident arrangement of the present invention.
- the separation of the ring is inconvenient as the ring then remains on the keg while in the present invention tampering does not result in separation of the cap into two parts.
- the use of lines of weakness in the skirt is also significantly easier to manufacture.
- the lines of weakness are imperforate and may for example be score lines.
- the or at least one line of weakness may extend over the whole of the height of the skirt and preferably the or at least one line of weakness extends over the whole of the height of the skirt and continues over at least part of the top, preferably at least half of the top. Breaking of the cap along the or each line of weakness will assist in removal of the cap.
- the section between two lines of weakness includes means to enable the section to be pulled to thereby break the said two lines of weakness.
- the means may comprise a finger loop.
- the cap may include a plurality of inwardly directed tabs to engage under the neck of a beer keg, each tab being elongate in a circumferential direction.
- a beer keg cap including a skirt carrying a plurality of inwardly directed tabs to engage under the neck of a beer keg, each tab being elongate in the circumferential direction characterised in that the inner edge of each tab curves in a convex manner to where it meets the skirt.
- Circumferentially elongate tabs of this type are strongly resilient and also act to spread stresses on the cap.
- the tabs may be provided in a ring around the circumference and the edges of neighbouring tabs in the ring are preferably closely adjacent.
- each tab may be convex.
- Each tab may be substantially symmetrical about a chord of the cap.
- a cap for an undercut beer keg neck comprising a skirt carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs, the tabs extending inwards so far that when the cap is on the neck, the tabs resiliently engage the neck.
- the inner edges of the tabs may be arranged such as to lie on a notional circle of diameter at least 50mm.
- a cap for an undercut beer keg neck comprising a skirt carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs, a notional circle contacting the inner ends of the tabs having a diameter of at least 50mm.
- the notional circle preferably has a diameter of at least 51mm and suitably may have a diameter of at most of 53mm.
- the skirt includes at least one line of weakness extending upwardly from its lower edge.
- the line of weakness can thus provide evidence of tampering by breaking and/or aid removal of the cap when the keg is to be used. While the cap is difficult to remove because of the arrangement of the tabs, it is useful to provide evidence of tampering and see resilient engagement of the tabs with the neck mean that it is virtually impossible for the cap to be removed without breakage of the line of weakness.
- the skirt is continuous.
- the cap includes a top and the top and skirt comprise a continuous, cup-shaped member. This prevents moisture and dirt from entering the cap to contaminate the keg.
- the fact that the tabs are long and resilient means that this cap can in fact be moulded in a two-part tool. Previously, it has been necessary to use a tool in at least three parts to mould a cap with a continuous skirt, because previously the tabs have always pointed upwards, as in EP 0652162, at a pronounced angle.
- the tabs of the present invention can point substantially radially inwardly, or even downwardly as they are likely to do as a result of removable of the cap from the mould, but the resilience of the tabs will mean that they are pushed in the correct direction by engagement with the undercut keg neck and will securely attach the cap to the keg neck.
- the two parts of the mould thus approach axially and the tabs will resiliently resume their position once the cap has been rejected from the mould.
- the cap preferably includes a pull element to assist in removal of the cap, and the pull element may be connected to the skirt at or towards the top and at or towards the base of the skirt.
- a beer keg cap comprising a top and a depending skirt and a pull element on the skirt, the skirt being arranged to break on lifting of the pull element, characterised in that the pull element is connected to the skirt at or towards the top and at or towards the base of the skirt.
- the pull element can pivot at or adjacent the top providing leverage to the position at or adjacent the base of the skirt to assist in breaking of the skirt while providing a strong connection to the skirt.
- the pull element may be connected at spaced positions to the skirt, but preferably is connected to the skirt over an elongate region from at or towards the top to at or towards the base of the skirt.
- the skirt preferably includes at least one line of weakening at or adjacent the pull element which is arranged to break on lifting of the pull element.
- the pull element is connected to the skirt in two circumferentially spaced positions to form a finger loop. The user thus does not have to grasp the pull element but can simply put his finger through the loop and pull.
- the pull element may be of any suitable shape. Conveniently the profile of the underside of the pull element may slope upwardly away from the skirt. In use, the keg is moved to engage the cap, which is held at an angle so that engagement of the front edge of the keg with the rear inner surface of the skirt causes the cap to fall over the keg neck with the skirt around the keg neck. By sloping the underside of the pull element in this way, the keg cannot engage the pull element if for some reason it does not engage the skirt.
- a beer keg cap comprising a top and a depending skirt characterised in that formations are provided at or adjacent the junction of the top and depending skirt at spaced positions around the cap to locate the neck of a beer keg.
- the formations may take any suitable form and may comprise ribs.
- the formations are preferably equally spaced around the cap.
- a beer keg cap comprising a top, a depending skirt and a plurality of inwardly directed tabs to engage under the neck of a beer keg, characterised in that line of connection of each tab to the skirt does not lie in a single plane.
- the line of connection is a single smooth curve.
- the line is curved upwardly. This lifts the tabs into the cap to reduce the chance of accidental damage or premature contact with the keg neck.
- the cap 10 of the embodiment comprises a planar circular top 12 and a depending skirt 14.
- the skirt 14 includes a slight flare to be frusto-conical in shape.
- a circumferential ring of inwardly directed tabs 16 project from the inner surface of the skirt 14.
- the tabs 16 are each elongate in the circumferential direction and are substantially symmetrical about a chord of the skirt 14 parallel to the top 12.
- the tabs 16 extend from the skirt 14 at about one-third of the height of the skirt 14 from the lower edge 18 of the skirt 14.
- Each line of weakness 20 is parallel to the axis of the cap 10 and intersects the small gap between two neighbouring tabs 16.
- the lines of weakness 20 are provided in two opposite pairs.
- Each line of weakness 20 continues for a short distance into the top 12 radially and then extends in a circumferential direction around the top 12 and includes a further short radial section to connect to the more distant neighbouring line of weakness 20.
- a finger loop 28 is provided and each end of the loop 28 is connected to the lower edge 18 of the skirt 14 immediately adjacent a line of weakness 20 such that the loop 28 is connected to a section between two closely spaced lines of weakness 20.
- the finger loop 28 is symmetrical and each arm 32 of the loop 28 extends radially outwardly initially and then circumferentially before curving upwards and then linking with the other arm to form a U-shape such that the loop 28 is substantially the same height as the skirt 14.
- the cap may be injection moulded from polypropylene, high temperature polyethylene or polystyrene.
- the cap 10 In use, the cap 10 is forced over the annular projection 32 on the neck 34 of a beer keg. In this action, the tabs 16 are bent upwardly and engage under the annular projection 32 to retain the cap 10 on the beer keg neck 34. The tabs 16 will be resiliently bent in this position. If someone should attempt to tamper with the beer keg, attempted removal of the cap will lead to splitting of the skirt 14 along one of the lines of weakness 20 which provides evidence of tampering. Dirt and moisture are prevented from entering the keg as the top 12 and skirt 14 of the cap 10 are continuous. When it is desired to open the keg, the cap 10 is removed by inserting a finger through the finger loop 28 and pulling upwardly. The cap 10 will break along the lines of weakness 20 adjacent the loop 28 and further pulling of the tab 28 will cause the top 12 of the cap 10 to be broken along the lines of weakness therein such that the cap 10 can be pulled off the beer keg neck 34.
- two additional lines of weakness 20 are provided in the remaining two positions between adjacent tabs 16.
- the part of the line of weakness 20 which extends circumferentially in the top 12 of the cap 10 does not meet up with another line of weakness but terminates after a distance of no less than one sixth of the circumference of the cap 10. In removal, the cap can be broken across the top 12 to at least half way across, the remainder of the cap 10 will flex sufficiently for the cap 10 to be removed.
- the second embodiment is shown in Figs 6, 7 and 8.
- the cap 10 of the embodiment is similar to the cap of the first embodiment and only the differences between the caps will be described.
- the same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.
- the slim uniform thickness finger loop 28 of the first embodiment is replaced in the second embodiment by a tall pull ring 50.
- the pull ring 50 is part circular in plan and, like the finger loop 28, is connected to the skirt 14 just inside the lines of weakness 20.
- Each side of the pull ring 50 is connected to the skirt 14 from the base of the skirt 14 up to close to the top 12 along a line parallel to the axis of the cap 10.
- the top surface 52 of the pull ring 50 slopes downwards in a shallow manner while the underneath surface 54 of the pull ring 50 curves upwardly and outwardly in a more pronounced fashion.
- a plurality of equispaced triangular ribs 56 is provided around the edge of the top 12 at the junction between the top 12 and the skirt 14. These provide extra strength but also serve to locate the cap 10 centrally on a keg neck.
- the tall pull ring 50 is very strong and exerts leverage about a fulcrum point near the tip of the skirt 14 to break the skirt 14 at the base or the lines of weakness 20 adjacent the pull ring 50.
- the pull ring 50 is then easier to use and more reliable than the finger loop 28.
- the cap 10 of the third embodiment is similar to the cap 10 of the second embodiment and only the differences will be described.
- the same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features.
- the third embodiment there are twice as many tabs 16.
- the tabs 16 are half the length but of the same inwards extent and smoothly curved symmetrical shape.
- the breaks between the tabs 16 correspond to the lines of weakness 20 as in the other embodiments.
- the line of connection of each tab 16 to the skirt 14 was in a single plane and straight in horizontal elevation in the third embodiment the line of connection 58 is a convex upwards curve. This adds strength to the tabs 16 and also raises them up into the cap 10.
Abstract
A beer keg cap 10 comprises a continuous cup shaped member to receive
the neck of the beer keg. The cup shaped member comprises a top 12 and
a depending skirt 14. The skirt 14 includes lines of weakness 20
extending upwardly from its lower edge to provide tamper evidence by
breaking. The cap 10 further includes a plurality of inwardly directed tabs
16, to engage under the neck of a beer keg. The tabs 16 are elongate in
the circumferential direction.
Description
- The invention relates to a cap.
- A known cap for a beer keg is described in EP 0652162. The document discloses a tamper evident cap for a keg spear comprising a flat, circular top and a depending skirt. The skirt includes a large number of apertures and from the base of each aperture a tooth extends inwardly and upwardly. Each tooth is substantially rectangular and elongate inwardly. The teeth are arranged to snap onto the neck of the keg spear and engage under the annular projection of the neck to retain the cap. There are axial slots spaced around the skirt and a radial tab is defined in the top of the cap between a pair of parallel lines of weakness which terminate at two adjacent slots in the skirt. A tamper evident ring is provided connected to the skirt by frangible tags.
- According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a beer keg cap comprising a continuous cup shaped member to receive the neck of the beer keg, and means for engaging the beer keg to retain the cap.
- As the cup shaped member is continuous, moisture and dirt cannot readily enter the cap to contaminate the keg unlike the known cap described above which has a large number of apertures in the skirt.
- The cup shaped member may comprise a top and a depending skirt and the skirt may include at least one line of weakness extending upwardly from its lower edge to provide tamper evidence by breaking.
- Indeed, according to another aspect of the invention there is provided a beer keg cap comprising a cup shaped member comprising a top for the keg neck and a skirt depending from the top to lie around the neck in use, the skirt including at least one line of weakness extending upwardly from its lower edge to provide tamper evidence by breaking.
- While the known cap includes a ring which is broken away from the main part of the cap on tampering, this is entirely different from the tamper evident arrangement of the present invention. The separation of the ring is inconvenient as the ring then remains on the keg while in the present invention tampering does not result in separation of the cap into two parts. The use of lines of weakness in the skirt is also significantly easier to manufacture.
- Preferably the lines of weakness are imperforate and may for example be score lines.
- Preferably, there are at least two lines of weakness extending upwardly from the lower edge of the skirt and at least four lines of weakness may be provided. Preferably, at least two opposite lines of weakness are provided.
- The or at least one line of weakness may extend over the whole of the height of the skirt and preferably the or at least one line of weakness extends over the whole of the height of the skirt and continues over at least part of the top, preferably at least half of the top. Breaking of the cap along the or each line of weakness will assist in removal of the cap. Preferably, the section between two lines of weakness includes means to enable the section to be pulled to thereby break the said two lines of weakness. The means may comprise a finger loop.
- The cap may include a plurality of inwardly directed tabs to engage under the neck of a beer keg, each tab being elongate in a circumferential direction.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a beer keg cap including a skirt carrying a plurality of inwardly directed tabs to engage under the neck of a beer keg, each tab being elongate in the circumferential direction characterised in that the inner edge of each tab curves in a convex manner to where it meets the skirt.
- Circumferentially elongate tabs of this type are strongly resilient and also act to spread stresses on the cap.
- The tabs may be provided in a ring around the circumference and the edges of neighbouring tabs in the ring are preferably closely adjacent.
- The entire inner edge of each tab may be convex. Each tab may be substantially symmetrical about a chord of the cap.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cap for an undercut beer keg neck, the cap comprising a skirt carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs, the tabs extending inwards so far that when the cap is on the neck, the tabs resiliently engage the neck.
- As the tabs are forced against the neck and resiliently deformed, when the cap is on the neck, any attempt to remove the cap will tend to increase the deformation of the tabs and therefore be resisted by them. This is quite different from the arrangement of EP 0652162, for example, where the internal teeth from the skirt snap-engage over the neck but then sit clear of the neck when the cap is on the neck.
- The inner edges of the tabs may be arranged such as to lie on a notional circle of diameter at least 50mm.
- Indeed, according to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cap for an undercut beer keg neck, the cap comprising a skirt carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs, a notional circle contacting the inner ends of the tabs having a diameter of at least 50mm.
- This will ensure that, on a standard beer keg neck, the tabs will remain deformed when pushed over the undercut neck to resist removal.
- The notional circle preferably has a diameter of at least 51mm and suitably may have a diameter of at most of 53mm.
- Preferably, the skirt includes at least one line of weakness extending upwardly from its lower edge. The line of weakness can thus provide evidence of tampering by breaking and/or aid removal of the cap when the keg is to be used. While the cap is difficult to remove because of the arrangement of the tabs, it is useful to provide evidence of tampering and see resilient engagement of the tabs with the neck mean that it is virtually impossible for the cap to be removed without breakage of the line of weakness.
- In a preferred embodiment, the skirt is continuous. Preferably, the cap includes a top and the top and skirt comprise a continuous, cup-shaped member. This prevents moisture and dirt from entering the cap to contaminate the keg. The fact that the tabs are long and resilient means that this cap can in fact be moulded in a two-part tool. Previously, it has been necessary to use a tool in at least three parts to mould a cap with a continuous skirt, because previously the tabs have always pointed upwards, as in EP 0652162, at a pronounced angle. The tabs of the present invention can point substantially radially inwardly, or even downwardly as they are likely to do as a result of removable of the cap from the mould, but the resilience of the tabs will mean that they are pushed in the correct direction by engagement with the undercut keg neck and will securely attach the cap to the keg neck. The two parts of the mould thus approach axially and the tabs will resiliently resume their position once the cap has been rejected from the mould.
- The cap preferably includes a pull element to assist in removal of the cap, and the pull element may be connected to the skirt at or towards the top and at or towards the base of the skirt.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a beer keg cap comprising a top and a depending skirt and a pull element on the skirt, the skirt being arranged to break on lifting of the pull element, characterised in that the pull element is connected to the skirt at or towards the top and at or towards the base of the skirt.
- In this way, the pull element can pivot at or adjacent the top providing leverage to the position at or adjacent the base of the skirt to assist in breaking of the skirt while providing a strong connection to the skirt.
- The pull element may be connected at spaced positions to the skirt, but preferably is connected to the skirt over an elongate region from at or towards the top to at or towards the base of the skirt.
- The skirt preferably includes at least one line of weakening at or adjacent the pull element which is arranged to break on lifting of the pull element.
- In a preferred embodiment the pull element is connected to the skirt in two circumferentially spaced positions to form a finger loop. The user thus does not have to grasp the pull element but can simply put his finger through the loop and pull.
- The pull element may be of any suitable shape. Conveniently the profile of the underside of the pull element may slope upwardly away from the skirt. In use, the keg is moved to engage the cap, which is held at an angle so that engagement of the front edge of the keg with the rear inner surface of the skirt causes the cap to fall over the keg neck with the skirt around the keg neck. By sloping the underside of the pull element in this way, the keg cannot engage the pull element if for some reason it does not engage the skirt.
- According to further aspect of the invention there is provided a beer keg cap comprising a top and a depending skirt characterised in that formations are provided at or adjacent the junction of the top and depending skirt at spaced positions around the cap to locate the neck of a beer keg.
- The formations may take any suitable form and may comprise ribs. The formations are preferably equally spaced around the cap.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a beer keg cap comprising a top, a depending skirt and a plurality of inwardly directed tabs to engage under the neck of a beer keg, characterised in that line of connection of each tab to the skirt does not lie in a single plane.
- This adds strength to the tab.
- Preferably the line of connection is a single smooth curve. Preferably the line is curved upwardly. This lifts the tabs into the cap to reduce the chance of accidental damage or premature contact with the keg neck.
- Four embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the cap of the first embodiment;
- Fig. 2 is an underneath plan view of the cap of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a view of Fig. 2 with the tabs not shown;
- Fig. 4 is a side elevation in cross-section at A-A of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 5 is the view of Fig. 4 with the cap fitted onto a beer keg;
- Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the cap of the second embodiment;
- Fig. 7 is an underneath plan view of the cap of Fig. 6;
- Fig. 8 is a side elevation in cross-section at B-B of Fig. 7;
- Fig. 9 is an underneath plan view of the cap of the third embodiment;
- Fig. 10 is a side elevation in cross section at C-C of the cap of Fig. 9; and,
- Fig. 11 is an underneath plan view of the cap of the fourth embodiment.
-
- The
cap 10 of the embodiment comprises a planar circular top 12 and a dependingskirt 14. Theskirt 14 includes a slight flare to be frusto-conical in shape. A circumferential ring of inwardly directedtabs 16 project from the inner surface of theskirt 14. Thetabs 16 are each elongate in the circumferential direction and are substantially symmetrical about a chord of theskirt 14 parallel to the top 12. There are sixtabs 16. Thetabs 16 extend from theskirt 14 at about one-third of the height of theskirt 14 from thelower edge 18 of theskirt 14. - Four lines of
weakness 20 are provided in theskirt 14. Each line ofweakness 20 is parallel to the axis of thecap 10 and intersects the small gap between twoneighbouring tabs 16. The lines ofweakness 20 are provided in two opposite pairs. Each line ofweakness 20 continues for a short distance into the top 12 radially and then extends in a circumferential direction around the top 12 and includes a further short radial section to connect to the more distant neighbouring line ofweakness 20. - A
finger loop 28 is provided and each end of theloop 28 is connected to thelower edge 18 of theskirt 14 immediately adjacent a line ofweakness 20 such that theloop 28 is connected to a section between two closely spaced lines ofweakness 20. Thefinger loop 28 is symmetrical and eacharm 32 of theloop 28 extends radially outwardly initially and then circumferentially before curving upwards and then linking with the other arm to form a U-shape such that theloop 28 is substantially the same height as theskirt 14. - The cap may be injection moulded from polypropylene, high temperature polyethylene or polystyrene.
- In use, the
cap 10 is forced over theannular projection 32 on the neck 34 of a beer keg. In this action, thetabs 16 are bent upwardly and engage under theannular projection 32 to retain thecap 10 on the beer keg neck 34. Thetabs 16 will be resiliently bent in this position. If someone should attempt to tamper with the beer keg, attempted removal of the cap will lead to splitting of theskirt 14 along one of the lines ofweakness 20 which provides evidence of tampering. Dirt and moisture are prevented from entering the keg as the top 12 andskirt 14 of thecap 10 are continuous. When it is desired to open the keg, thecap 10 is removed by inserting a finger through thefinger loop 28 and pulling upwardly. Thecap 10 will break along the lines ofweakness 20 adjacent theloop 28 and further pulling of thetab 28 will cause the top 12 of thecap 10 to be broken along the lines of weakness therein such that thecap 10 can be pulled off the beer keg neck 34. - In a further embodiment, two additional lines of
weakness 20 are provided in the remaining two positions betweenadjacent tabs 16. - In another embodiment, the part of the line of
weakness 20 which extends circumferentially in the top 12 of thecap 10 does not meet up with another line of weakness but terminates after a distance of no less than one sixth of the circumference of thecap 10. In removal, the cap can be broken across the top 12 to at least half way across, the remainder of thecap 10 will flex sufficiently for thecap 10 to be removed. - The second embodiment is shown in Figs 6, 7 and 8. The
cap 10 of the embodiment is similar to the cap of the first embodiment and only the differences between the caps will be described. The same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features. - The slim uniform
thickness finger loop 28 of the first embodiment is replaced in the second embodiment by atall pull ring 50. Thepull ring 50 is part circular in plan and, like thefinger loop 28, is connected to theskirt 14 just inside the lines ofweakness 20. Each side of thepull ring 50 is connected to theskirt 14 from the base of theskirt 14 up to close to the top 12 along a line parallel to the axis of thecap 10. Thetop surface 52 of thepull ring 50 slopes downwards in a shallow manner while theunderneath surface 54 of thepull ring 50 curves upwardly and outwardly in a more pronounced fashion. - A plurality of equispaced
triangular ribs 56 is provided around the edge of the top 12 at the junction between the top 12 and the skirt 14.These provide extra strength but also serve to locate thecap 10 centrally on a keg neck. - In use, the
tall pull ring 50 is very strong and exerts leverage about a fulcrum point near the tip of theskirt 14 to break theskirt 14 at the base or the lines ofweakness 20 adjacent thepull ring 50. Thepull ring 50 is then easier to use and more reliable than thefinger loop 28. - The
cap 10 of the third embodiment is similar to thecap 10 of the second embodiment and only the differences will be described. The same reference numerals will be used for equivalent features. - In the
cap 10 the third embodiment there are twice asmany tabs 16. Thetabs 16 are half the length but of the same inwards extent and smoothly curved symmetrical shape. The breaks between thetabs 16 correspond to the lines ofweakness 20 as in the other embodiments. Where, in the other embodiments, the line of connection of eachtab 16 to theskirt 14 was in a single plane and straight in horizontal elevation in the third embodiment the line ofconnection 58 is a convex upwards curve. This adds strength to thetabs 16 and also raises them up into thecap 10.
Claims (22)
- A cap including a plurality of tabs (16) for engagement, the tabs (16) extending from a portion of the cap, each tab (16) being elongate in the circumferential direction characterised in that the free edge of each tab (16) curves in a convex manner to where it meets the portion.
- A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tabs (16) are provided in a ring around the circumference.
- A cap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the edges of neighbouring tabs (16) are closely adjacent.
- A cap as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the entire edge of each tab (16) is convex.
- A cap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each tab (16) is substantially symmetrical about a chord of the cap.
- A cap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the line of connection of each tab (16) to the portion does not lie in a single plane.
- A cap comprising a top (12), a depending skirt (14) and a plurality of tabs (16) for engagement, characterised in that the line of connection of each tab (16) to the skirt (14) does not lie in a single plane.
- A cap comprising a top (12), a depending skirt (14) and a plurality of tabs (16) for engagement, characterised in that the line of connection of each tab (16) to the skirt (14) is convex.
- A cap as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the line of connection is a single smooth curve.
- A cap as claimed in claim 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the line of connection is convex upwardly.
- A beer keg cap including a plurality of inwardly directed tabs (16) to engage under the neck of a beer keg, the tabs (16) extending from a skirt (14), each tab (16) being elongate in the circumferential direction characterised in that the inner edge of each tab (16) curves in a convex manner to where it meets the skirt (14).
- A beer keg cap comprising a top (12), a depending skirt (14) and a plurality of inwardly directed tabs (16) to engage under the neck of a beer keg, characterised in that the line of connection of each tab (16) to the skirt (14) does not lie in a single plane.
- A beer keg cap comprising a top (12) and a depending skirt (14) and a pull element (28) on the skirt (14), the skirt (14) being arranged to break on lifting of the pull element (28), characterised in that the pull element (28) is connected to the skirt (14) at or towards the top and at or towards the base of the skirt (14).
- A cap as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pull element (28) is connected to the skirt (14) over an elongate region from at or towards the top to at or towards the base of the skirt (14).
- A cap as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the skirt (14) includes at least one line of weakening (20) at or adjacent the pull element (28) which is arranged to break on lifting of the pull element (28).
- A cap as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the pull element (28) is connected to the skirt (14) in two circumferentially spaced positions to form a finger loop (28).
- A cap as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the profile of the underside of the pull element (28) slopes upwardly away from the skirt (14).
- A cap on an undercut beer keg neck, the cap comprising a skirt (14) carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs (16), the tabs (16) extending inwards so far that the inner part of each tab (16) resiliently deforms to curve in an upwardly convex manner to engage the underside of the neck.
- A cap for an undercut beer keg neck, the cap comprising a skirt (14) carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs (16), a notional circle contacting the inner ends of the tabs having a diameter of at least 50mm.
- A cap for an undercut beer keg neck, the cap comprising a skirt (14) carrying a plurality of inwardly directed resilient tabs (16), a notional circle contacting the inner ends of the tabs having a diameter of at most 53mm.
- A cap as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the notional circle has a diameter of at least 51mm.
- A method of making a cap, the cap comprising a top (12) and a depending skirt (14), the skirt (14) carrying a plurality of resilient tabs (16), the tabs (16) being directed substantially radially or downwardly, the method comprising moulding the cap in a two part tool, the two parts moving axially.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP99111144A EP0950613A1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A cap |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP96305871 | 1996-08-09 | ||
EP96305871A EP0823384A1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1996-08-09 | Beer keg cap |
EP99111144A EP0950613A1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A cap |
EP97305805 | 1997-08-01 | ||
EP97305805A EP0823385B1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A beer keg cap |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97305805A Division EP0823385B1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A beer keg cap |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0950613A1 true EP0950613A1 (en) | 1999-10-20 |
Family
ID=8225045
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96305871A Withdrawn EP0823384A1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1996-08-09 | Beer keg cap |
EP97305805A Expired - Lifetime EP0823385B1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A beer keg cap |
EP99111144A Withdrawn EP0950613A1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A cap |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96305871A Withdrawn EP0823384A1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1996-08-09 | Beer keg cap |
EP97305805A Expired - Lifetime EP0823385B1 (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-08-01 | A beer keg cap |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (3) | EP0823384A1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE191694T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69701656T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0823385T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2146957T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL1014952C2 (en) * | 2000-04-14 | 2001-10-16 | Dispense Systems Internat B V | Stop valve for a pressure container. |
DE10216103A1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2003-10-23 | Hueck Folien Gmbh & Co Kg | Cover for an upper part of the piercing body |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1646765A (en) * | 1924-09-18 | 1927-10-25 | Anchor Cap & Closure Corp | Spring-lock cap |
FR1555543A (en) * | 1967-06-29 | 1969-01-31 | ||
US3462035A (en) * | 1967-07-28 | 1969-08-19 | Jean Grussen | Plastic bottle cap with integral handle |
FR2077521A2 (en) * | 1968-08-05 | 1971-10-29 | Continental Can Co | |
LU66661A1 (en) * | 1971-12-15 | 1973-02-14 | ||
DE3408814C1 (en) * | 1984-03-10 | 1985-06-05 | Peter 6054 Rodgau Dallwitz | Protective device for closure caps of bottles and jars |
US4589561A (en) * | 1985-01-11 | 1986-05-20 | Northern Engineering And Plastics Corp. | Tamper-proof closure for containers |
DE3742858A1 (en) * | 1986-12-19 | 1988-06-30 | Arlco Pty Ltd | Beer keg cap |
GB2222399A (en) * | 1988-08-31 | 1990-03-07 | Mauser Werke Gmbh | A closure for a container |
US4911324A (en) * | 1987-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | Alfatechnic Ag | Plastic snap hinge closure |
WO1991002686A1 (en) * | 1989-08-15 | 1991-03-07 | Australian Stamping Foils Pty. Ltd. | A container cap |
EP0725013A1 (en) * | 1993-11-06 | 1996-08-07 | Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd. | Tamper-evident cap for a keg spear |
-
1996
- 1996-08-09 EP EP96305871A patent/EP0823384A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1997
- 1997-08-01 ES ES97305805T patent/ES2146957T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-08-01 DK DK97305805T patent/DK0823385T3/en active
- 1997-08-01 DE DE69701656T patent/DE69701656T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-08-01 EP EP97305805A patent/EP0823385B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-08-01 AT AT97305805T patent/ATE191694T1/en active
- 1997-08-01 EP EP99111144A patent/EP0950613A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1646765A (en) * | 1924-09-18 | 1927-10-25 | Anchor Cap & Closure Corp | Spring-lock cap |
FR1555543A (en) * | 1967-06-29 | 1969-01-31 | ||
US3462035A (en) * | 1967-07-28 | 1969-08-19 | Jean Grussen | Plastic bottle cap with integral handle |
FR2077521A2 (en) * | 1968-08-05 | 1971-10-29 | Continental Can Co | |
LU66661A1 (en) * | 1971-12-15 | 1973-02-14 | ||
DE3408814C1 (en) * | 1984-03-10 | 1985-06-05 | Peter 6054 Rodgau Dallwitz | Protective device for closure caps of bottles and jars |
US4589561A (en) * | 1985-01-11 | 1986-05-20 | Northern Engineering And Plastics Corp. | Tamper-proof closure for containers |
DE3742858A1 (en) * | 1986-12-19 | 1988-06-30 | Arlco Pty Ltd | Beer keg cap |
US4911324A (en) * | 1987-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | Alfatechnic Ag | Plastic snap hinge closure |
GB2222399A (en) * | 1988-08-31 | 1990-03-07 | Mauser Werke Gmbh | A closure for a container |
WO1991002686A1 (en) * | 1989-08-15 | 1991-03-07 | Australian Stamping Foils Pty. Ltd. | A container cap |
EP0725013A1 (en) * | 1993-11-06 | 1996-08-07 | Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd. | Tamper-evident cap for a keg spear |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK0823385T3 (en) | 2000-09-04 |
EP0823385A1 (en) | 1998-02-11 |
ES2146957T3 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
EP0823385B1 (en) | 2000-04-12 |
DE69701656T2 (en) | 2000-08-31 |
DE69701656D1 (en) | 2000-05-18 |
ATE191694T1 (en) | 2000-04-15 |
EP0823384A1 (en) | 1998-02-11 |
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