US3907158A

US3907158A - Vacuum package with improved closure

Info

Publication number: US3907158A
Application number: US351132A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry E Frankenberg
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1973-04-16
Filing date: 1973-04-16
Publication date: 1975-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-23
Also published as: DE2405939A1; JPS556360Y2; GB1470585A; JPS49147257U; CA1023298A

Abstract

A vacuum package utilizes a novel composite closure cap which includes a plastic fitment or overcap retaining a gasketed rigid closure lid and adapted for high speed machine press-on application and convenient pull-off removal with respect to a container, the top opening of which provides an annular top seal finish. The plastic fitment has lid-engaging lugs which, upon lifting of a pull tab which is an integral part of the plastic fitment, lifts the closure lid, thereby breaking the vacuum. The hinge line of the pull tab is located at the end of a radius on the end panel of the plastic fitment, which radius is shorter than the radius to the lid-engaging lug. The lid-engaging lug in the region of the tab is thus biased radially inwardly against the circumference of the lid, thereby enhancing the operation of the plastic fitment to break the vacuum within the container when the pull tab is pulled axially.

Description

United States atent Frankenberg Sept. 23, 1975 VACUUM PACKAGE WITH IMPROVED Primary Examiner-William l. Price CLOSURE Assisranl Examiner-Stcven M. Pollard Inventor Henry E iFrankenberg Himdule m Attorney. Agent. or FirmL0ckwood, Dewey. Zickert & Alex [73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

New York. NY. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: 16, 1973 A vacuum package utilizes a novel composite closure cap which includes a plastic fitment or overcap retainl l pp 351,132 ing a gasketed rigid closure lid and adapted for high speed machine press-0n application and convenient 52 US. Cl 220/352; 215/40 Pull-Off removal with respect m a Container, the tOP 51 Int. ci. B65D 43/10 Opening 9 Which PYOVidFS P t0P finish- [58] Field of Search 220/60 R, 55 R, 55 D. 47. T P fitment has l fi lugs P 220/352: 215/40 41\ 46 R lifting of a pull tab which is an integral part of the plastic fitment, lifts the closure lid, thereby breaking [56] References Cited the vacuum. The hinge line of the pull tab is located at the end of a radius on the end panel of the plastic fit- UNITED STATES PATENTS ment, which radius is shorter than the radius to the 2.893.456 7/l959 Wallace i. 320/60 R lid cngaging lug The lid engaging lug in the region f g i the tab is thus biased radially inwardly against the cir- 1 gg f 67 R X cumference 0f the lid. thereby enhancing the operation of the plastic fitment to break the vacuum within the container when the pull tab is pulled axially.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975

Sheet 1 0f 2 US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,907,158

1 VACUUM PACKAGE WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE This invention relates generally to innovations and improvements in composite press-on pull-off closure caps of the general type disclosed in Powalowski et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,460,70l and 3,656,648 and Westphal et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,499. v v v v More specifically, in composite closure caps in accordance with the present invention, one of the important improvements and innovations is in having the plastic fitment or overcap provided with a pull tab which is hinged to the end panel of the plastic fitment radially inwardly of an adjacent lid-engaging lug, whereby, upon axial pulling of the pull tab the lidengaging lug adjacent the tab is biased radially inwardly against the closure lid, thereby better assuring positive engagement of the lid during axial movement of the plastic fitment for the purpose of breaking the vacuum within the vacuum package. Another innovation and improvement is in providing a vacuum package having a cooperating body-closure configuration in which the top curl of the container includes a seal region formed by the wall material of the container being smoothly folded back along itself, and in which, in a radially outbody which provide a plurality of barriers against the I introduction or transfer of noxious debris into the container when the vacuum seal is broken.

Generally speaking, a major advantage of the container of the type to which this invention is directed is the fact that there is a smoothand safe top edge resulting upon opening and removalof the closure, and full opening of the body can be provided. Because of this highly desirable feature, there is no danger of the consumer cutting his mouth or fingers when using the containers of packages according to the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum package utilizing composite closure caps for application by high speed press-on machines and easy pull-off removal, by hand, incorporating the above mentioned innovations and improvements which be economically mass-produced with a high degree of uniformity in conformance to the specification. I

It is an important object of, the present inventionto provide a composite closure comprising a plastie fit ment or overcap retaining a gasket closure lid, which plastic fitment includes a tamper-proof lift tab which is integrally hinged to the fitment, at a locationon th e fitment such that actualpulling of the lideap generates positive radially inwardly engagingbia between lidengaging lug on the fitmentwhich is djacentthe l;

tab, and the gasket of-the closure V It is another object of thepresent inventi't I vide a particularly satisfaetorystruct whereby a reliable vacuum-seal is achieved which seal has good resistance to shock.

. (all between a metal body and compos closure cap,

These and other objects whic h willlie apparent here- I inafter are all achieved in accordance with thelprese nt invention, which is described hereinbelow in connee-j,

tion with a particularly preferred embodiment, and

with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which FlG l is'aipergpectiyewiew of an improyed vacuum package in accordance with the present invention. I

FIG. 2 is a bottorn or interior plan view of the removable composite closureof the package shown in FIG.

' FIG/3 an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken approximately along the lines 3 -3 of FIG. l, except that the pulltab shown inFIG. 3 is in the pull position. H a FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional elevational views of closures not in accordance with the present invention, taken approximately as in FIG. 3. l FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional elevational views of closures in accordance with the present invention, taken approximately as shown in FIG. 3. V I I Referring'to the drawings, a vacuum package is generally indicated at 10, and comprises a composite closure cap generally indieatedat IZ. Composite closure cap 12 comprises a plastic fitment or overcap 14 which retains therein agasketed closure 16. I l Plastic fitment 14 may beiinjection molded in multiple cavity molds in large quantities from anysuitable plastie material such. as polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. High density polyethylene is a particularlysatisfactory material. It will be understood that the plastic material will be selected so as to have the approp riate physical properties, including the ability to withstand such handling and processing conditions and temperatures as may be required in connection with applying the composite closure cap-'12 to produce a product filled with various or 'other contents. It is essen tial, in accordance with the present invention, that 'the plastic material from which caps 12 are made, be stiffly resilient. y i t The fitment 1 4 has atop portion or lid-retaining end, generally'inclicated by the numeral 17 which includes an outer annular section 18 and an inner lift ring or tab 20. Aige'nerally eyl indrical sk irt portion 22 integrally depends from the' periphery of the outer annular sectionlfil, Included inendpanel 17 are a plurality ram gible tam persign al connecting spokes24', 26 which extend between annular section 18 and the lift tab 20. Lift tab ZOandJannuIar section 18 are also connected by wide strong hinged strap portion 24. It is to be understood that in thepreferred illustrated embodiment the' hinge is of the typeknown as an integral hinge and it islo cated alo ng the imaginary line designated 26 as a consequence of the of the flexible, but stiffly resilient material from which overcap l4'is'made. Reentrants 27,27 located in either side of strap 24, in m nular portion 18 help prevent tearing of annular portion 18, thus stabilizing the position of hinge line 26.

Thus hinge region 26 occurs along the line transverse strap 24 at which strap 24 is integrally connected to annular end portion 18, that is,'between the bottoms of recntrants 27,27. It isapproximately along this line that the plastic material will be most severely bent when tab Depending skirt 22 of the overcap or plastic fitment 16 is provided on the interior thereof with a plurality of eircumferentially extending radially inwardly protruding upper tier lid-engaging lugs or

bosses

32,32, and a lower tier of lower circumferentially extending radially inwardly protruding body-

engaging lugs

34,34.

The rigid closure lid 16 includes a continuous center panel portion 36, and also includes an annular groove surrounding the center panel 35 and this provides an integral downwardly opening gasket-lined recess 40. It will be seen that, in cross section, that the recess 40' has a generally inverted U-shaped, and is lined with a gas ket or sealant 42 of conventional composition and is positioned to be aligned with, and to form a hermetic seal with, the top seal finish 28 on the rim 44 of the container body generally indicated by numeral 33.

The rigid closure lid 16 may be produced in known manner as by stamping from enameled or lacquered sheet metal, after which the gasket 42 may be suitably introduced and cured or baked as required.

The container 30 as shown is formed of metal, but it will be understood that it could also be formed of glass or plastic. Preferably, the container has a circumferential bead 46 formed directly below the top opening or rim 44 and the dimension of the bead 46 is such that it extends radially outwardly beyond the outer surface 22 of closure cap 12. Accordingly, when the capped containers are placed sidewise against one another such as in packing a plurality thereof on a common level into larger containers, beads 46 will engage each other and absorb sidewise blows, thereby protecting skirt 22 of the closure gaps 12 from sidewise blows that might tend to dislodge closure lid 16, and break the seal provided thereby.

In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the lower portion 48 of skirt 22 engages the outer surface 50 of beads 46, thus providing a first level of barrier protection against penetration of noxious material such as insect infiltration, for example into the package 10 when the vacuum is broken.

Rim 44 includes an end seal region in which the body material is folded or smoothly curved as to reverse direction, in portion 56 thereof, and in a portion below that, the material is shaped to provide an outwardly smooth curving loop portion on bead 58. Lugs 34 are positioned on inner surface 52 for engaging bead 58. It is apparent from consideration of FIG. 3 that the loop portion 58 contacts inner surface 52 of skirt 22 around its entire periphery, thereby providing a second level of barrier protection against foreign debris penetration, particularly during the breaking of the vacuum.

Throughout the specification and in the claims appended hereto, the terms axially aligned are used to describe the structural relationships of certain elements, such as hinge region 62, with certain other elements, such as, for example, with lugs 32 or top seal finish 28. The axially aligned terms are intended to be interpreted in a strictly geometrical sense, as well as in a functional sense. Hence, the center radius of the strap 24 being axially aligned with a center radius of lug 32 is intended to include the generally upward vertical positioning of strap 24 above lug 32 whether directly vertical or not, wherein the pulling of strap 24 axially causes the tucking-in of skirt 22 in a region wherein lug 32 is positioned and is thereby biased radially against lid 16.

Composite closures 12 are pre-assembled by the seating of gasketed closure lids 16 within skirts 22 axially inwardly of lid-engaging lugs 32. It is apparent that it is highly desirable that the lugs 32 be relatively short, that is, extend only a short distance radially inwardly from inner surface 52 thereof to facilitate the passing of thin rigid lids 16 past lugs 32. It is essential that lids 16 not be subjected to localized forces of sufficient magnitude to kink, permanently warp, or otherwise alter the substantially simple planar annular configurations which are essential for the formation of a proper vacuum seal. On the other hand, lid-engaging lugs 32 are intended to engage the peripheral portion 54 of lid 16 during axial pulling of tab 20, and it is essential that the engagement be sufficiently secure to lock portion 54 against lugs 32, whereby lid 16, and more particularly gasket 42, is lifted from top seal surface 28 thereby breaking the vacuum in the package. It is in this respect that the operation of the closure of the present invention is particularly advantageous, that is, because the actual pulling of the tab 20 biases the lug 32 which is adjacent to, or aligned with the strap 24, radially inwardly against peripheral portion 54. Hence lug 32 can be quite small, that is, extend only a short distance radially inwardly from the surface 52. The thin rigid gasketed closure lid 16 can be readily assembled, in accordance with the present invention, into the plastic fitment or overcap 14, to provide composite closure 12. The composite closures 12 may be applied with commercially available capping machines. Filled containers 30 can be processed at high rates of speed, preferably by introducing steam into a small head space of the filled containers. It is noted that when closure 12 is placed over the body 30 prior to or during vacuum sealing, lugs 34 maintain lid 16 in position, and particularly sealant 42, against end seal 28. When the steam condenses in the head spaces with the closure cap 16 in place against top seal surface 28, the ensuing vacuum perfects the resulting hermetic seal, and firmly retains the closure cap 16 in place against inadvertent or unintentional displacement or removal. In the capping process, the closure caps 16 are pressed down on the filled containers, allowing capping speeds on the order of l,000 or more containers per minute in one machine.

OPERATION The particular advantages of the improved vacuumseal package in accordance with the present invention may be better illustrated by its comparison with a closure in which the pull tab is axially aligned with the skirt.

Such a closure is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and it is to be understood that the closure 60 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is not in accordance with the present invention. Closure 60 is only superficially similar to the closure 12 in accordance with the present invention. Closure 60 includes an outer fitment generally indicated by the numeral 62 and rigid gasketed lid 64. Outer fitment 62 includes annular end panel 65, skirt 66 depending from the periphery thereof, and strap or pull tab 68 joined to end panel in alignment with skirt 66. That is, hinge line 67 occurs at skirt 66. Although this closure provided an important advance in the art, it has been only recently appreciated that pulling tab 68 axially as indicated by the arrow designated by the letter A" in FIG. 5, tends to cause the adjacent dependent region of skirt 66 to bow outwardly as indicated by the arrow designated by the letter 13", thereby causing the engagement between lid-engaging lug 70 and periphery 72 of the lid 64 to diminish. Hence, in such closures 60 lugs 70 were necessarily ,of substantial size to insure reliable locking of lugs 70 against periphery 72 while strap 68 was being pulled axially. It was further appreciated that with increasing magnitude of lugs 70, the tendency for thin, rigid lids 64 to be damaged during the seating of lids 64 within the skirt 66, and more particularly, axially inwardly of lugs 70, was also increased.

The operation of a closure 80 in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, closure 80 includes plastic fitment generally indicated at 82, and thin rigid sealing lid 84. Plastic fitment 82 also includes an annular end panel portion 85, and integral skirt 86 depend ing from the periphery of annular portion 85. However, in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is clear that strap or tab 88 is con nected to end panel portion 85 at a hinge region designated by the numeral 90, which is axially aligned with that portion 92 of lid 84 at which the sealing seated on the container (not shown but identical to container 30 shown in FIG. 3). It is clear that strap 88 is not axially aligned with the skirt 86. When strap or tab 88 is pulled axially as indicated by the arrow identified by the letter C in FIG. 7, the adjacent portion of annular section 85 tends to raise as indicated by the arrow identified by the letter F in FIG. 7, and the adjacent defending skirt portion 86 tucks radially inwardly as indicated by the arrow identified by the letter H in FIG. 7. Se vcral possible explanations for this phenomena are suggested hereinbelow, but it is to be understood that, regardless of whatever theory or explanation one may subscribe to, the fact is that the outward bowing showing in FIG. 5 does not take place, and the tucking-in indicated by the arrow H in FIG. 7 does take place. Thus, lug 94 is biased radially inwardly against periphery 96 of lid 84, when strap 88 is urged along arrow C, thereby enhancing the locking engagement of lug 94 against periphery 96 and better assuring the breaking of the vacuum within the container due to lifting of lid 84 upon axial pulling of tab or strap 88.

Hence, the invention is not founded on a particular theory, but on the fact that it works. Nonetheless as a possible explanation of the tucking phenomena indicated by the arrow H, it is apparent that the stiffly resilient closure 82 may act as a bell crank in the region of the strap 88, when the configuration in accordance with the present invention is provided. That portion 98 of end panel 85 positioned between hinge region 90 at which strap 88 is secured thereto, and the periphery 102 of annular section 85 can be considered as one arm of a bell crank, and that portion 100 of the skirt between the top edge I02 of skirt 86, and in fact the entire of skirt 86 which is axially aligned with portion 98, can be regarded as a second arm of a bell crank which pivots around edge 102, which is flexibly continuous with the adjacent portions of fitment 82. This explana tion accounts for the tucking-in indicated by the arrow H. Another possible explanation which would explain the improved locking engagement between lugs 94 and periphery 96 would be that the forces exerted by the actual pulling of strap 88 as indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 7 can be viewed as being applied to the end of a first lever arm extending in a line between region 90 and lug 94, with the contact between lug 94 and periphery 96 of lid 84 being the fulcrum, with the lower portion 103 of skirt 86 being the second lever arm. Also,

forces exerted along the imaginary line between and 94 manifestly brings lug 94 radially inwardly, although biased axially towards strap 88, and against periphery 96.

It is noted that the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower tier body-engaging lugs 34 shown in FIG. 3 are not provided on skirt 86. In the embodiment shown in'FIGS. 6 and 7, therefore, the outwardly curving portion 58 can be omitted from container 30.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, it is not essential that closures 12 be pro-assembled, and it is not essential that lugs 34 be present or be used during vacumizing to hold the lid 16 in place. The foregoing examples are for illustration only and the invention is not to be unduly limited thereby.

I claim:

1. The composite closure for press-on application and pull-off removal with respect to a container having a top opening with an annular top seal finish, said composite closure comprising an outer integrally-formed plastic fitment and a gasketed closure lid carried within said fitment, said fitment having a top portion which includes an outer annular section and an inner lift tab, and a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending from the periphery of said outer annular section, said depending skirt having a plurality of lid-engaging lugs extending radially inwardly therefrom positioned to engage and retain the periphery of said gasketed closure lid, said inner lift tab being hinged to said annular section at a portion thereof which has a smaller radius than the radius to said lugs, and being hinged at a portion thereof which is axially aligned with a radius of one of said lugs.

2. The composite closure of claim 1 in which the tab is hinged to said annular section at a region thereon which is aligned axially with a portion of the closure lid at which the vacuum seal is destined to be formed.

3. A vacuum package comprising: a container body; and a composite closure adapted for press-on application and pulloff removal with respect to said container body; said composite closure having a plastic overcap and a rigid closure lid, retained within the overcap; said overcap having a top portion which includes an outer annular section, an inner lift ring; said overcap also including a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending from the periphery of said outer annular section, said depending skirt portion having a plurality of lugs extending radially inwardly therefrom and positioned to engage and retain the periphery of said gasketed closure lid within said overcap; said inner lift tab being connected to said annular section at a portion thereof which is radially inwardly of a line extending axially from the radially inward extreme of said lug; said top seal finish in said container body being formed by a smoothly curving surface defined at a rim of the container whercat the material of the container body reverscs direction, and extends downwardly to provide an annular downwardly extending outer portion having an outwardly curving portion and inwardly rounded end portion; and wherein said cylindrical skirt portion is positioned to reside against said annular downwardly extending portion.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the dependant skirt portion includes body-engaging lugs extending radially inwardly from said skirt at a position at which said lugs engage the inwardly rounded end portion of said annular downwardly extending portion.

5. The package of claim 3, wherein said body includes a radially outwardly extending annular bead portion positioned below said closure rim, and wherein said dependant skirt engages said bead,

6. The package of claim 3, wherein said dependant skirt includes radially inwardly extending lugs positioned to engage said downwardly extending portion, and wherein said body includes a radially outwardly extending bead adjacent said rim, and wherein said skirt engages said bead.

7. The package of claim 3, wherein said tab is hinged to said outer annular section of said fitment by means of a strap which extends radially when positioned adjacent said closure lid, and wherein the center radius of one of the lid-engaging lugs is axially aligned with the center radius of said strap.

8. A reclosable vacuum package comprising: a container body and a composite closure; said composite closure being adapted for press-on application and pull-off removal with respect to said container body; said body having a top opening with an annular top seal finish; said composite closure comprising an outer integrally-formed plastic fitment and a gasketed closure lid carried within said fitment and secured therein by a plurality of lid-engaging and retaining lugs on said fitment, and having an arcuate line of contact between said lugs and said lid; said fitment having a top portion which includes an outer annular section and an inner lift tab, and having a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending from the periphery of said outer annular section; said inner lift tab being integrally hinged to said outer annular section at a position thereon along a line which is transverse to a first radius, said first radius being shorter than a radius of said line of contact between one of said lugs and said lid, the center of said hinged region being axially aligned with a radius to said one of said lugs.

9. A vacuum package comprising: a container body and a composite closure for press-on application and pull-off removal with respect to said container body; said container body having an annular top seal finish and a smoothly outwardly curving first bead adjacent said top seal finish; said composite closure comprising an outer integrally-formed plastic fitment and a separate rigid gasketed closure lid carried within said fit ment; said fitment having a top portion which includes an outer annular end section and an inner lift tab and a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending from the periphery of the outer annular section; said skirt portion having a lower tier of radially inwardly extending lug means for engaging said first bead, and an upper tier of radially inwardly extending lug means for engaging and retaining the periphery of said rigid closure lid; said inner lift tab being hinged to said outer annular portion of said fitment along a line which has a smaller radius than the radius to the inner extreme of said lid retaining lugs, and which is axially aligned with a radius of one of said lid-retaining lugs.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein said tab means is hinged to said outer annular portion of said fitment along a line which is axially aligned with the portion of the lid which is destined to form the sealing engagement with said top seal.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. I 3 907 15 DATED September 23, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Henry E. Frankenb'erg It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 55, "a line extending axially" should be deleted.

Column 6, line 56, "from" should be deleted.

Column 6, line 56, after "of" insert --one of-.

Column 6, line 56, "lug" should be deleted.

Column 6, line 56, after "said" (first occurrence) insert -lugs aligned therewith-.

Signed and Bealcd this A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oflarents and Trademarks

Claims

3. A vacuum package comprising: a container body; and a composite closure adapted for press-on application and pull-off removal with respect to said container body; said composite closure having a plastic overcap and a rigid closure lid, retained within the overcap; said overcap having a top portion which includes an outer annular section, an inner lift ring; said overcap also including a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending from the periphery of said outer annular section, said depending skirt portion having a plurality of lugs extending radially inwardly therefrom and positioned to engage and retain the periphery of said gasketed closure lid within said overcap; said inner lift tab being connected to said annular section at a portion thereof which is radially inwardly of a line extending axially from the radially inward extreme of said lug; said top seal finish in said container body being formed by a smoothly curving surface defined at a rim of the container whereat the material of the container body reverses direction, and extends downwardly to provide an annular downwardly extending outer portion having an outwardly curving portion and inwardly rounded end portion; and wherein said cylindrical skirt portion is positioned to reside against said annular downwardly extending portion.

5. The package of claim 3, wherein said body includes a radially outwardly extending annular bead portion positioned below said closure rim, and wherein said dependant skirt engages said bead.

9. A vacuum package comprising: a container body and a composite closure for press-on application and pull-off removal with respect to said container body; said container body having an annular top seal finish and a smoothly outwardly curving first bead adjacent said top seal finish; said composite closure comprising an outer integrally-formed plastic fitment and a separate rigid gasketed closure lid carried within said fitment; said fitment having a top portion which includes an outer annular end section and an inner lift tab and a generally cylindrical skirt portion depending from the periphery of the outer annular section; said skirt portion having a lower tier of radially inwardly extending lug means for engaging said first bead, and an upper tier of radially inwardly extending lug means for engaging and retaining the periphery of said rigid closure lid; said inner lift tab being hinged to said outer annular portion of said fitment along a line which has a smaller radius than the radius to the inner extreme of said lid retaining lugs, and which is axially aligned with a radius of one of said lid-retaining lugs.