Patent ID: 6681475
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: A61J,B65B,B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of sealing a container with a plastic closure, said container having an open end, a radial rim portion surrounding said open end, a reduced diameter neck portion adjacent said rim portion and an enclosed container portion adjacent said neck portion, said method comprising:forming a plastic closure of a polymer alloy comprising a relatively malleable soft polymer and a relatively rigid polymer, said plastic closure being sufficiently malleable to permit radial deformation, yet sufficiently rigid to retain its shape following deformation, and sufficiently resistant to creep to maintain a seal between the container and the plastic closure following radial deformation, said plastic closure including a generally cylindrical tubular collar portion having an internal diameter generally equal to or slightly greater than an outside diameter of said rim portion of said container and an integral radial rim portion; telescopically disposing said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion of said plastic closure over said rim portion of said container with said radial rim portion of said plastic closure overlying said rim portion of said container and said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion surrounding said rim of said container having a free end surrounding said reduced diameter neck portion of said container; radially deforming said free end of said generally cylindrical tubular collar portion of said plastic closure into said reduced diameter neck portion of said container beneath said rim portion, said free end of said plastic closure retaining its shape beneath said radial rim portion of said container following deformation to permanently retain said plastic closure on said container and sealing said container open end; and deforming said free end of said tubular portion of said plastic closure into said reduced diameter neck portion of said container using a crimping tool having an inclined surface, said method including relatively rotating said crimping tool and said container with said plastic closure assembled thereon, simultaneously driving said inclined surface against said tubular portion of said closure adjacent said free end, simultaneously cold forming said free end gradually into said reduced diameter neck portion and against said rim portion of said container, permanently deforming said free end into said reduced diameter neck portion and against said rim portion of said container.