Modified Sidewall of Tethered Closure

A closure includes a cap having a top wall and a skirt perpendicular to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall to a lower edge. The skirt includes an inner surface having a sealing formation. A band is concentric with and attached to the lower edge of the skirt by a plurality of frangible members. A tab is formed at a hinge location from the band and extending from the lower edge of the skirt to one or more lines of weakness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a container closure having a hinged configuration that allows the closure to remain coupled to a container after the closure is opened. Specifically, whereas traditional closure plug designs are configured to permanently detach from the container after being opened, the design and configuration of the closure having a hinged configuration illustrated and described herein allows a closure to remain coupled to the container after being opened. As a result, there is a decreased likelihood that the closure may be littered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a closure. The closure includes a top panel including an upper surface and a lower surface, a rotational axis about which the top panel is centered, a cylindrical wall extending from the lower surface of the top panel, a retention band, a first line of separation, a second line of separation, and a tether. The retention band is coupled to the cylindrical wall. The retention band is attached to a bottom edge of the cylindrical wall by a plurality of frangible connections, and provides a visual indication, when broken, that the closure has been opened. The first line of separation separates the cylindrical wall and the retention band and extends circumferentially around the closure from a first end to a second end. The plurality of frangible connections extend across the first line of separation and connect the cylindrical wall and the retention band. The bottom edge of the cylindrical wall defines a first thickness. The second line of separation extends from a first end to a second end. The first tether couples the retention band and the cylindrical wall after the plurality of frangible connections are broken. The first tether extends circumferentially around the closure between the first line of separation and the second line of separation. The first tether extends from a first end coupled to the cylindrical wall to an opposing second end coupled to the retention band. The tether defines a second thickness at one-half of the distance from the first end of the first line of separation to the second line of separation in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, and the second thickness is at least 15% thicker than the first thickness.

In a specific embodiment, the first tether defines an average thickness along a line that extends from the first end of the first line of separation to the second line of separation in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, and the average thickness is at least 10% thicker than the first thickness. In a specific embodiment, the first tether defines an average thickness along a line that extends from the first end of the second line of separation to the first line of separation in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, and the average thickness is at least 10% thicker than the first thickness.

In a specific embodiment, the first tether defines a third thickness at a lower edge of the tether, and the third thickness is at least 15% thicker than the first thickness. In a specific embodiment, the first tether defines a fourth thickness at one-third of the distance from the first end of the first line of separation to the second line of separation in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, and the fourth thickness is at least 15% thicker than the first thickness. In a specific embodiment, the first tether defines a fifth thickness at a location two-thirds of the distance from a first end of the first line of separation to the second line of separation in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, and the fifth thickness is at least 15% thicker than the first thickness.

In a specific embodiment, the first and second ends of the second line of separation are further from the top panel than the first and second ends of the first line of separation. In a specific embodiment, the first line of separation is distinct from the second line of separation. In a specific embodiment, the first line of separation extends circumferentially more than 180 degrees around the closure. In a specific embodiment, the first line of separation extends circumferentially more than 270 degrees around the closure. In a specific embodiment, the second line of separation extends circumferentially less than 180 degrees around the closure. In a specific embodiment, the second line of separation extends circumferentially less than 90 degrees around the closure.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure. The closure includes a top panel including an upper surface and a lower surface, a rotational axis about which the top panel is centered, a cylindrical wall extending from the lower surface of the top panel, a retention band, a first line of separation, a second line of separation, and a first tether. The retention band is coupled to the cylindrical wall. The retention band is attached to a bottom edge of the cylindrical wall by a plurality of frangible connections, the frangible connections providing a visual indication, when broken, that the closure has been opened. The first line of separation separates the cylindrical wall and the retention band and extends circumferentially around the closure from a first end to a second end. The plurality of frangible connections extend across the first line of separation and connect the cylindrical wall and the retention band. The a second line of separation extends from a first end to a second end. The first tether couples the retention band and the cylindrical wall after the plurality of frangible connections are broken. The first tether extends between the first line of separation and the second line of separation. The first tether extends from a first end coupled to the cylindrical wall to an opposing second end coupled to the retention band. The first tether extends vertically from a first edge at the first line of separation to an opposing second edge at the second line of separation. The first tether defines a first thickness at the first edge of the first tether, and a second thickness at the second edge of the first tether, and the second thickness is at least 15% thicker than the first thickness.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure. The closure includes a top panel including an upper surface and a lower surface, a rotational axis about which the top panel is centered, a cylindrical wall extending from the lower surface of the top panel, an inner surface of the cylindrical wall facing towards the rotational axis, a retention band, a first line of separation, a second line of separation, and a first tether. The retention band is coupled to the cylindrical wall. The retention band is attached to a bottom edge of the cylindrical wall by a plurality of frangible connections. The frangible connections provide a visual indication, when broken, that the closure has been opened. The first line of separation separates the cylindrical wall and the retention band and extends circumferentially around the closure from a first end to a second end. The plurality of frangible connections extend across the first line of separation and connect the cylindrical wall and the retention band. The bottom edge of the cylindrical wall defines a first thickness. The second line of separation extends from a first end to a second end. The first tether couples the retention band and the cylindrical wall after the plurality of frangible connections are broken. The first tether extends between the first line of separation and the second line of separation. The first tether extends from a first end coupled to the cylindrical wall to an opposing second end coupled to the retention band. The tether defines a second thickness that is a maximum thickness of the tether between the first line of separation and the second line of separation, and the second thickness is at least 15% thicker than the first thickness.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various aspects of a closure are shown. Closures are used to enclose storage compartments of containers, such as bottles for drinkable liquids. Many closures include a tamper band that remains permanently or semi-permanently coupled to the container neck. During some manufacturing processes, the tamper band is separated from the main body of the closure by cutting or slitting the closure. According to some embodiments, the closure has a reduced thickness at one or more of the locations where the closure is being slit compared to non-slit portions of the closure. In a specific embodiment, a tether maintaining a coupling between the tamper band and the closure body is thicker than a portion of the closure being slit. Applicant has observed that it is easier to cut slits in closures where the wall is thinner. However, such thinner walls can be less strong compared to tethers formed from thicker portions of the closure sidewalls. Accordingly, Applicant has developed one or more closures where the closure has a thinner wall portion where a slit is formed as compared to the tether.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a closure10for closing a container according to an embodiment is shown. The closure10includes a top panel12and a cylindrical wall, shown as skirt20. The skirt20extends downwardly from a lower surface16of an outer periphery18of top wall12to lower edge22of skirt20. In a specific embodiment, skirt20is perpendicular to top panel12. In a specific embodiment, an inner surface of the skirt20faces towards the rotational axis and includes one or more coupling components, such as threads, that couple the closure10to a container neck. The skirt extends away from opposing upper surface14of top wall12. In a specific embodiment, one or more of skirt20and top panel12are centered on an axis, shown as rotational axis8.

A first line of separation, such as an upper weakened section, shown as a first slit50, extends circumferentially around closure10from first end52to second end54. In a specific embodiment, first slit50is an upper slit because it is above the other major slit in closure10(e.g., slit60). In a various embodiments, first slit50includes one or more frangible connections24that extend across first slit50to couple body26to retaining band36. In various embodiments, body26comprises skirt20and top panel12. When closure10is initially opened, frangible connections24break, thus providing a visual indication that closure10has been opened. First slit50separates body26of closure10from retaining band36.

A second line of separation, such as a lower weakened section, shown as second slit60, extends circumferentially around closure10. Second slit60extends circumferentially around closure10from first end62to second end64. In a specific embodiment, second slit60is a lower slit because it is below the other major slit in closure10(e.g., slit50).

In a specific embodiment, second slit60is distinct from first slit50. In a specific embodiment, second slit60includes one or more frangible connections that break when closure10is opened for the first time. In a specific embodiment, second slit60includes no frangible connections that break when closure10is opened for the first time. In a specific embodiment, the second line of weakness is formed via a molding process (e.g., the closure10is formed with the second line of weakness so that the second line of weakness does not need to be cut or slit).

In a specific embodiment, first slit50extends circumferentially more than 180 degrees around closure10, and more specifically first slit50extends more than 270 degrees around closure10. In a specific embodiment, second slit60extends circumferentially less than 180 degrees around closure10, and more specifically second slit60extends less than 120 degrees around closure10, and more specifically second slit60extends less than 90 degrees around closure10.

One or more connecting portions, shown as tethers40, extend along closure10(e.g., circumferentially) between first slit50and second slit60. In various embodiments, upper edge42of tether40is defined at least in part by first slit50, and lower edge44of tether40is defined at least in part by second slit60. In a specific embodiment, the entirety of upper edge42of tether40is defined by first slit50. In a specific embodiment, the entirety of lower edge44of tether40is defined by second slit60. In a specific embodiment, closure10includes two tethers40that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the front of closure10.

In various embodiments, the one or more tethers40retain a coupling between body26(e.g., skirt20) and retention band36even after frangible connections24are broken. In various embodiments, first end46of tether40extends from skirt20of body26, and second end48of tether40extends from retention band36.

In use, a person twists closure10relative to the container. As closure10is opened, the interaction between the threading moves closure10slowly upward away from the body of the container. An interfacing portion of closure10, shown as interference band98, interfaces with a portion of the container neck to bias interference band98from continuing to move upward, exerting a stretching force on frangible connections24until they break. After frangible connections24break, retention band36remains coupled to the container neck, and body26of closure10remains coupled to the retention band36via the one or more tethers40.

Gripping elements, shown as knurls38, project radially outward from skirt20with respect to axis8, except for at a front of closure10. In a specific embodiment, knurls38project outwardly from skirt20above first slit50from first end52to second end54of first slit50.

Referring toFIGS. 3-4, various aspects are shown of closure10are shown from top views.FIGS. 3-4identify various cross-sections shown inFIGS. 5-7.

As will be described in detail below, Applicant has observed that it can be easier to cut slits into thinner portions of closures. Applicant has also observed that tethers between closure bodies and closure retention bands have an improved performance when they are not (entirely) formed from the thinner walls where the slit is cut into the closure. Accordingly, Applicant has developed one or more closures where the closure has a thinner wall portion where a slit is formed as compared to the tether.

As will be described in more detail below, in various embodiments one or more slits are formed from a portion of closure10that is thinner than some or all of tethers40. In a specific embodiment, closure10is slit at a portion of closure10that is between 30% and 95% of the thickness of the portion of closure10that forms some or all of tether40. More specifically, one or more slits are formed from portions of closure10between 50% and 85% of the thickness of some or all of tether, and more specifically between 60% and 75%, and more specifically between 65% and 70%.

Referring toFIG. 5, various aspects of a cross-section along front28of closure10are shown. The upper lateral portions of second slit60extends circumferentially around closure10at height66above bottom of closure10. First slit50extends circumferentially around closure10at distance58above bottom of closure10.

The sidewall of closure10defines a varying thickness at several different heights of closure10. Several different locations to measure thickness of closure10sidewalls will first be identified. Then, relationships between the thinner and thicker portions will be described in more detail.

For example, closure10defines thickness84at one-third of the distance from first end52of first slit50to second slit60in downward direction56, which is parallel to rotational axis8. Closure10defines thickness86at two-thirds of the distance from first end52of first slit50to second slit60in downward direction56. Closure10defines thickness82at one-half of the distance from first end52of first slit50to second slit60in downward direction56, which is parallel to rotational axis8. Closure10defines thickness80at one-third the distance58from first end52of first slit50to bottom of closure10.

In a specific embodiment, tether40defines an average thickness along line94that extends from the first end52of first slit50to the second slit60in a direction56parallel to the rotational axis. In a specific embodiment, the average thickness is at least 10% thicker than thickness72where first slit50is formed. For example, the cross-section of closure10seen inFIG. 5and/orFIG. 6depicts an exemplary varying thickness of tether40, the average of which is 10% thicker than thickness72where first slit50is formed. In various embodiments, thickness of sidewalls, including tether40, of closure10is constant at different circumferential positions around closure10at a given height, but thickness of sidewalls varies at different heights along closure10.

Referring toFIG. 6, closure10defines thickness90at one-third of the distance from first end62of second slit60to first slit50in upward direction68, which is parallel to rotational axis8. Closure10defines thickness92at two-thirds of the distance from first end62of second slit60to first slit50in upward direction68. Closure10defines thickness88at one-half of the distance from first end62of second slit60to first slit50in upward direction68, which is parallel to rotational axis8. Closure10defines thickness76at top edge42of tether40. Closure10defines thickness78at bottom edge44of tether40. Although thickness90,92,88is shown inFIG. 6at a position slightly adjacent to first end62of second slit60, it will be understood that thickness90,92,88is the same above first end62in various embodiments.

In a specific embodiment, tether40defines an average thickness along line96that extends from the first end62of second slit60to the first slit50in a direction68parallel to the rotational axis. In a specific embodiment, the average thickness is at least 10% thicker than thickness72at bottom of skirt20(e.g., where slit50is formed).

In various embodiments, the thinner portions of closure10from which first slit50is formed are one or more of a bottom of skirt20(having thickness72), a top37of retention band36(having thickness74) adjacent first slit50, and a top of tether40(having thickness76). In a various embodiments, the thinner portions of closure (e.g, thickness72,74,76) are less than 85% the thickness of a maximum thickness of tether40.

In various embodiments, the thicker portions of closure10forming some or all of tether40are one-third of the distance from first end52of first slit50to second slit60(having thickness84), one-half of the distance from first end52of first slit50to second slit60(having thickness82), two-thirds of the distance from first end52of first slit50to second slit60(having thickness86), one-third of the distance from first end62of second slit60to first slit50(having thickness90), one-half of the distance from first end62of second slit60to first slit50(having thickness88), and two-thirds of the distance from first end62of second slit60to first slit50(having thickness92).

In a specific embodiment, the thicker portion is at least 10% thicker than the thinner portion, and more specifically at least 15% thicker, and more specifically at least 30% thicker, and more specifically at least 45% thicker. In a specific embodiment, the thicker portions of closure10, such as those forming all or more of tethers40, have a thickness of 0.035 mm, and the portions of closure10that are slit, such as where first slit50is formed, have a thickness of 0.024 mm.

In a specific embodiment, most of tether40is formed from the thicker portions of closure10as identified above, such as 51% or more of tether40, or more specifically 70% or more, or more specifically 80% or more of tether40.

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.