WO1996031405A1

WO1996031405A1 - Containers and closures therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1996031405A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Terry Goodall
Original assignee: Goodall Donald T
Priority date: 1995-04-05
Filing date: 1996-04-04
Publication date: 1996-10-10
Also published as: AUPN218495A0

Abstract

The invention relates to container (2) and a removable closure (1) therefor, the container has an outlet (3) with an inner and outer surface (4, 5) terminating at one end in a rim (6). The outlet has two regions of different cross-sectional areas (7, 8) joined by an inclined surface (9) with the cross-sectional area of the region adjacent the rim being greater than the cross-sectional area of said region inwardly of said inclined surface. The closure having an inner and outer skirt (11, 12) connected at one end a disc (13) connecting said inner skirt (10) and thereby forming the closure. The inner and outer skirts (11, 12) defining between them a slot which when the closure is applied to the container receives the container rim (6), the inner skirt having a sealing zone (15) extending into said slot. The cross-sectional areas of said regions and the size of said sealing zone on said inner skirt (11) being such that when the closure is applied to the container, the inner surface of the inner skirt (11) engages the inner surface of said outlet to force the inner surface of the outlet (6) adjacent the rim into sealing engagement with the sealing zone (15) to seal the closure (1) to the container and means may be provided to lock the closure (1) to the container (2).

Description

CONTAINERSANDCLOSURESTHEREFOR

This invention relates to containers and closures therefor and is particularly suitable for use with containers made from plastics material e.g. polypropylene.

Containers and closures manufactured from material of this type have many minor surface imperfections caused by moulding operations and thermal contraction. These imperfections make it extremely difficult to effect a proper seal unless special precautions are taken and even when this is done the contents of the container sometimes leak which is highly undesirable where the container is used for pressurised fluids e.g. carbonated beverages, autoclaved and volatile fluids or body fluids used for pathological examination purposes.

In order to minimise this problem screw threaded containers and closures and sealing gaskets of various shapes have been used or complementary cone-shaped sealing surfaces for the container and closure with or without machine finish of the interengaging parts. Such sealing arrangements are costly. In some cases the closure requires considerable physical effort to lock it and unlock it from the container and as indicated even with the use of closures and containers of this type the contents of the container sometimes leak.

The present invention relates to a closure and a container which overcomes the problems previously encountered and provides a simple and inexpensive construction whereby the closure is effectively sealed and preferably locked to the container to effect a leak-proof seal with minimum effort.

Containers come in various shape and sizes, some have neck portions and some do not. It is to be understood however that the principles of the invention are applicable to both types of containers and the only qualification is that the container or neck thereof have the features herein referred to. For this reason whenever the word container is referred to hereafter it is to be understood as including the neck of a container.

The invention discloses a container and a removable closure therefor, said container having an outlet with an inner and outer surface terminating at one end in a rim, said outlet having at least two regions of different cross-sectional areas joined by an inclined surface with the cross-sectional area of said region adjacent the rim being greater than the cross-sectional area of said region inwardly of said inclined surface, said closure having an inner and outer skirt connected at an upper end thereof with an disc connecting said inner skirt and thereby forming said closure, said inner and outer skirts defining between them a slot which when the closure is applied to the container receives the container rim, the inner skirt having a sealing zone extending into said slot, the cross-sectional areas of said regions and the size of said sealing zone on said inner skirt being such that when the closure is applied to said container the outer surface of the inner skirt engages the inner surface of said outlet to force the inner surface of said outlet adjacent the rim into sealing engagement with said sealing zone to seal said closure to said container and means may be provided to lock the closure to the container.

In those cases where pressurised fluid is housed within the container it may be desirable to provide a venting arrangement to permit the controlled release of gas as the container is opened. To this end the inner skirt of said closure is stepped inwardly below said sealing zone to form a shoulder thereby providing a secondary sealing zone which when the closure is applied to a container seals against said inclined surface. As the closure is progressively removed from the container the respective sealing zones are progressively released thereby permitting a controlled release of gas from the container.

The means to lock the closure to the container in one form comprise a threaded section of the outer skirt which engages with a complimentary threaded section on the container.

Alternatively the locking of the closure to the container may be effected by a wedging action between the closure and the container. To this end the outer skirt of the closure is provided with a frusto-conical locking skirt extending circumferentially about the bottom edge thereof and movable between an unlocked and locked position said locking skirt in the unlocked position converging towards to the outer skirt and thus presenting a smooth inner surface to the outer wall of the container thereby permitting said closure to be freely applied and removed from said container. In the locked position the locking skirt diverges away from the outer skirt with the inner bottom edge of said locking skirt forming a locking bead at its junction with the outer skirt which tightly engages the container outer wall to lock said closure to said container. Preferably the locking bead seats in a circumferential locking slot on the outer wall of the container. In a further modification the closure and container is provided with a tamper evident structure. To this end the outer surface of the container is provided with a circumferentially outwardly extending collar positioned below the container rim, the collar having a circumferential slot in its edge thereby defining an upper and lower limb, the free end of the conical locking skirt having a tamper evident band secured thereto by a fracture line extending circumferentially around said locking skirt and having a hinge connection with said locking skirt at one side position thereof, which band in the unsecured position and in the unlocked position of said locking skirt is positioned above said collar enabling the closure to be freely applied to and removed from the container and in the locked position of said locking skirt said tamper evident sealing band seats in said slot, said tamper evident sealing band being provided with a finger tag which facilitates the fracturing of said fracturable portion and permits the cap to be pivoted about its hinge to open and close the container.

In a modification of the tamper evident structure just described, the outer surface of each side of the container is provided with two downwardly directed "V" shaped channels connected by a transverse section and positioned below and spaced from the transverse section is a transverse channel. The closure has a tamper evident skirt connected thereto by a fracture line and a lock member positioned on the inner surface of the closure and the tamper evident skirt is adapted to be accommodated in the respective transverse section and transverse channel to lock the closure to the container. Rotational movement of the closure relative to the container breaks the fracture line and permits the container to be opened and means may be provided on the container to permit the controlled release of gas from the container.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like parts are identified by the same reference numerals. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a closure in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container for use with the closure illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and container illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 with the closure partly applied to the container;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with the closure sealed and locked to the container; Figure 5 is a cross-secuonal view of the closure and container in the unsealed and unlocked position in accordance with a second embodiment of the invenuon;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and container illustrated in

Figure 5 in the sealed and locked condition; Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of a closure and container similar to those illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 but illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a closure partly applied to a container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invenuon;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and container illustrated in Figure 9 in a sealed and locked condition;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure illustrating a tamper evident structure in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a container for use with the closure illustrated in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and container illustrated in

Figures 11 and 12 with the closure sealed and locked to a container;

Figure 14 is a similar view to Figure 13 with the closure and container in an unlocked condmon;

Figure 15 is a similar view to Figure 14 with the closure and container in fully opened condmon;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of a container for use with a closure for use with a tamper proof structure in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is a cross sectional view of a closure for use with the container illustrated in Figure 16; Figure 18 is a cross sectional view of the container and closure illustrated in

Figures 16 and 17 with the closure sealed and locked to the container,

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the container and closure illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 with the closure partly removed from the container; and

Figure 20 is a similar view to Figure 19 with the closure rotated through an angle of 180° and almost removed from the container

Referring now to the drawings, and with particular reference to Figures 1 to 4 the container 2 (Figure 2) has an outlet formed by a wall 3 with inner and outer surfaces 4 and 5 terminating in a rim 6. The outlet has regions of different cross-sectional areas

7 and 8 connected by an inclined surface 9. As will be apparent from Figure 2, the cross-sectional area 8 is greater than the cross-sectional area 7 and the thickness of the wall 3 in the area 8 is less than the thickness of the wall in the area 7. The junction of the surface 4 with the inclined surface 9 forms a shoulder 10.

The closure (Figure 1) has an inner and outer skirt 11 and 12 connected at an upper end thereof with an annular disc 13 connecting said inner skirt and forming with said skirts 11 and 12 the closure 1. The inner and outer skirts defining between d em a circumferential slot 14 which when the closure is applied to the container, receives the container outlet.

The outer surface of the inner skirt 11 is stepped outwardly adjacent the annular disc 13 to provide a sealing zone or band 15. The relative diameters of the container, the inner and outer skirts 11 and 12 and the thickness of the container wall in the area

8 is such that when the closure 1 is applied to the container 2 with the inner skirt 11 in contact with the inner wall 4 and the closure 1 seated on the container rim 6, the inner wall 4 of the container adjacent the sealing band 15 is forced inwardly into tight sealing engagement with the wall 4 thereby effectively sealing the closure to the container.

The closure may be locked to the container in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 to 6. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 the container is provided with a circumferential slot 17 and the surface 5 above the slot is threaded as at 18.

The inner surface of the outer skirt 12 of the closure 1 has a threaded section 19 which is adapted to mate with the threaded section 18 on the container and the free end of the outer skirt 12 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 16 whereby the closure is secured and locked to the container as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. In this position the outer skirt 12 flexes outwardly thus permitting the flange 16 to lock into the circumferential slot 17.

The closure and container illustrated in Figures 1-4 is particularly suitable for accommodating pressurised fluids.

In those cases where pressurised fluid is housed within the container, the skirt 11 is forced outwardly below the inclined surface 9 into a tight secondary seal adjacent the shoulder 10 of the container, thereby relieving the closure of excess loading forces caused by pressure in the container, relieving the mated threaded sections of heavy loading which means that the closure can be applied to and locked to the container with minimum of effort and also permitting a controlled release of pressure from the container as it is opened. In certain cases a vent slot (not shown) passes through the threads to relieve gas pressure as the container is opened.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the closure and container of the embodiment are similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. In the case of Figure 5 and 6 embodiment the flange 16 on the skirt 12 and the circumferential slot 17 on the surface 5 of the container are omitted and the bottom edge 20 of the skirt 12 abuts against a collar 21 formed on the surface 5 of the container, thereby isolating the threads from any contact with water or other fluid in which the container may be immersed.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 10, Λese Figures illustrate an alternative system whereby the closure is locked to die container. To this end the outer skirt 12 is provided with a frusto-conical locking skirt 22 extending circumferentially about the bottom edge thereof, the locking skirt 22 is movable between an unlocked and locked position. In the unlocked position the locking skirt converges towards the skirt 12 thereby presenting a smooth inner surface to the surface 5 of the container and thereby permitting the closure to be applied to and removed from the container 2, however when the locking skirt 22 is forced downwardly and diverges away from the skirt 12, a locking bead 23 is generated at the junction of the skirt 12 and the locking skirt 22 which tightly engages the surface 5 of the container to lock the closure to the container as illustrated in Figure 8. With reference to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 and

10, it will be noted that the annular disc 13 connects the bottom edge of the inner skirt

10 rather than at the top thereof as illustrated in the previous embodiments.

It will be further noted from Figures 9 and 10 that a circumferential locking slot 24 is formed in surface 5 of the container to provide a seat which receives the bead 23 to assist in locking the closure to the container.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 to 15. The container is provided with a shoulder 25 and a circumferentially outwardly extending collar designated generally by the reference 26. The collar is provided with a circumferential inwardly directed slot 27 in its edge d ereby defining an upper limb 28 and a lower limb 29. The upper limb 28 being shorter than the lower limb 29. The free end of die frusto-conical locking skirt 22 on the closure has a tamper evident band 30 secured diereby by a fracture line 31 which extends circumferentially about the locking skirt 20 and which includes a hinge section 32. The lower edge of the tamper proof band 30 has an inwardly directed protuberance 33 which, when the band is applied to the container, seats in the slot 27 and a finger tag 34 is provided on the frusto-conical locking skirt 22, the purpose of which will be explained hereafter. With the closure applied to container with the conical locking skirt 22 in the upper or unlocked position as illustrated in Figure 14, the closure can be freely applied to and removed from the container, however, when the conical locking skirt 22 is in the locked position as illustrated in Figure 13, with the protuberance 33 entered into die slot 27, the closure is sealed and locked to the container as previously described, and the closure can now only be opened by breaking the fracture line 31. This action is facilitated by the use of the finger tag 34. When this happens the cap can be swung about hinge 32 to open the container as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 and whilst it is possible to re-seal and lock the closure to the container, it is not possible to reconnect the fracture line 31, and thus it is evident to die user that the container has been opened. By controlling the hinging movement of the closure it is possible to control the rate of release of gas from the container.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 17 to 20 in which the same reference numbers have been given to like parts illustrated in the previous embodiments. The closure 1 seals to the container 2 in the same manner as described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and for this reason no further description of the seal arrangement is necessary.

The surface 5 of each half of the container 2 is provided with two downwardly directed "V" shaped channels 35 and 36 having walls 37 and 38 and 39 and 40. The respective channels 35 and 36 are connected by a transverse section 41 having walls 42 and 43. Positioned below and spaced from me V-shaped channels 35 and 36 is a transverse channel 44 and the walls 42 and 43 of the transverse section 41 are inclined in the direction of die respective channels as illustrated in Figure 16 to facilitate the entry of lock members 47 and 48 on die closure 1 into the respective channels.

The closure 1 has a tamper evident skirt 45 extending downwardly from die outer skirt 12 and connected thereto by a fracture line 46. Located on die inner surface of the wall 12 is and inwardly directed projection or lock member 47 and located on the inner surface of the tamper evident skirt 45 is a similar lock member 48.

The spacing between the transverse section 41 of the "V" shaped channels 37 and 39 and the transverse channel 44 is such that when the lock members 47 and 48 are engaged in the respective channels as illustrated in Figure 18, the closure 1 is se∑ded and locked to the container with the tamper evident skirt secured to die outer skirt 12.

As the closure 1 is rotated relative to the container 2 the lock member 47 moves up eiti er of die channels 35 and 36 depending on which way the closure is rotated. This movement breaks the fracture line 46 which separates the tamper evident skirt from the closure as illustrated in Figure 19. The rotational movement normally causes a limited movement of the lock member 48 in the transverse channel 44 also as illustrated in Figure 19. In this condition it is clearly apparent that the closure has been or has been partly removed from die container. It may be desirable to provide for die controlled release of gas pressure from the container. For this purpose the walls 38 and 40 of die channels 35 and 36 are provided with cam surfaces 49 and 50 to which are engaged by the lock member 47 to facilitate the slow release of gas pressure from the container. Figure 20 illustrates the closure rotated through an angle of 180° relative to the container.

It will be appreciated tiiat the locking arrangement is repeated on opposite sides of the container. The invention has been described and illustrated with reference to circular containers. It will be apparent that the invention is not limited thereto and the teachings of the invention are equally applicable to containers which are non-circular.

Claims

1. A container and a removable closure therefor, said container having an outlet with an inner and outer surface terminating at one end in a rim, said outlet having two regions of different cross-sectional areas joined by an inclined surface with die cross- sectional area of said region adjacent the rim being greater than die cross-sectional area of said region inwardly of said inclined surface, said closure having an inner and outer skirt connected on upper end thereof with an annular disc connecting said inner skirt and thereby forming said closure, said inner and outer skirts defining between d em a slot which when the closure is applied to the container receives the container rim, the inner skirt having a sealing zone extending into said slot, die cross-sectional areas of said regions and the size of said sealing zone on said inner skirt being such that when die closure is applied to said container the outer surface of the inner skirt engages d e inner surface of said outlet to force the inner surface of said outlet adjacent the rim into sealing engagement with said sealing zone to seal said closure to said container.

2. A container and a removable closure therefor as claimed in claim 1 wherein die inner skirt is stepped inwardly adjacent its bottom edge to form a shoulder which engages with said inclined surfaces when the closure is applied to the container to constitute a secondary sealing area which as the closure is removed from the container effects a progressive release of the closure from the container to effect a controlled release of gas from said container.

3. A container and a removable closure therefor as claimed in claim 1 wherein primary lock means are provided on said container which co-operate with primary lock means on the closure to lock said closure to said container.

4. A container and a removable closure therefor as claimed in claim 3 wherein said primary lock means comprises a threaded section on the inner surface of the outer skirt of said closure which engages a corresponding threaded section on the outer surface of said container.

5. A container and a removable closure therefor as claimed in claim 1 wherein secondary lock means are provided on said container which co-operate with secondary lock means on the closure to lock said closure to said container.

6. A container and a removable closure d erefor as claimed in claim 5 wherein said secondary lock means comprises an inwardly directed flange on the outer skirt of said closure which engages a circumferential slot on die outer surface of said container to lock said closure to said container.

7. A container and a removable closure d erefor as claimed in claim 2 wherein primary lock means are provided on said container which co-operate with primary lock means on the closure to lock said closure to said container.

8. A container and a removable closure therefor as claimed in claim 7 wherein said primary lock means comprises a threaded section on the inner surface of the outer skirt of said closure which engages a corresponding threaded section on die outer surface of said container

9. A container and a closure therefor as claimed in claim 4 wherein the outer skirt of said closure seats on a collar formed on the outer surface of said container.

10. A container and a closure therefor as claimed in claim 3 wherein said primary lock means comprises a frusto-conical locking skirt which extends circumferenti-ally about the outer skirt of said closure from a bottom edge thereof, said locking skirt being movable between an unlocked and locked position, in d e unlocked position die locking skirt converges towards said outer skirt thereby permitting the closure to be applied to and removed from said container, in the locked position this locking skirt extends away from said outer skirt and a locking bead is generated at the junction of said conical skirt with said outer skirt which engages the outer surface of said container to lock the closure to said container.

11. A container and a closure dierefor as claimed in claim 10 wherein said locking bead seat in circumferential locking slot formed in the outer surface of said container.

12. A container and a closure dierefor as claimed in claim 3 wherein die outer surface of said container is provided with a shoulder below said rim with a circumferential outwardly extending collar located below said shoulder said collar being provided with a circumferential inwardly slot having an upper limb and a lower limb, the upper limb being shorter than the lower limb, said locking means comprising a frusto-conical locking skirt extending circumferentially about the outer skirt of said closure from a bottom edge diereof, said locking skirt being movable between an unlocked and locked position, in die unlocked position the locking skirt converges towards said outer skirt thereby permitting the closure to be applied to and removed from said container, in the locked position this locking skirt extends away from said outer skirt and a locking bead is generated at d e junction of said conical skirt with said outer skirt which on movement to a locking position seats below said shoulder to lock said closure to said container and tamper evident means on said locking skirt co-operating with said means on said container to indicate that the closure has been released from the container.

13. A container and closure therefor as claimed in claim 12 wherein said tamper evident means comprises a tamper evident band secured to said conical locking skirt by a fracture line which extends circumferentially about the locking skirt and includes a hinge portion,, said tamper evident band having an inwardly directed protuberance which seats in said slot and finger tag on said frusto-conical skirt to facilitate the breaking of said tamper evident band from said frusto-conical skirt.

14. A container and a closure therefore as claimed in claim 3 wherein die outer surface of each side of die container is provided with two "V" shaped channels which are downwardly directed when the container is seated on its base, said "V" shape of channels being connected by a transverse section, a transverse channel on the outer surface of the container and positioned below said transverse section, die outer skirt of said closure having a tamper evident skirt secured thereto by a fracture line and lock means on the inner surface of said outer skirt and said tamper evident skirt adapted to lock with said transverse section and said transverse channel to lock the closure to said container, rotational movement of the closure relative to die container fracturing this fracture line and diereby permitting die closure to be removed from the container.

15. A container and a closure dierefore as claimed inc claim 1 4 wherein means are provided on the closure which co-operate with means on the container to permit the controlled release of gas from the container.

16. A container and a closure therefor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.