SINGLE ANCHOR CLOSURE

An apparatus and methods are provided for a container closure for sealing contents within an interior of a container. The container closure comprises a closure portion that is coupled to a tamper evidence band by a single anchor. The anchor is configured to keep the closure portion coupled with the tamper evidence band. The closure portion threadably engages with a finish portion of the container and seals contents in the interior of the container. The tamper evidence band remains engaged with the finish portion when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion. A multiplicity of thin connections between the tamper evidence band and the closure portion break apart when the closure portion is untightened from the finish portion. The anchor remains unbroken and allows the closure portion to be tilted away from the finish portion.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of plastic bottles and preforms. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for a container closure that includes a single anchor configured to keep the closure coupled with a plastic container after the closure has been unsealed to access contents within the container.

BACKGROUND

Plastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass or metal containers in the packaging of beverages for several decades. The most common plastic used in making beverage containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Containers made of PET are transparent, thin walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the force exerted on the walls of the container by their contents. Advantages of PET containers include lighter weight and decreased breakage as compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and transportation into account. PET resins are also reasonably priced and easy to process. PET containers are generally made by a process that includes the blow-molding of plastic preforms which have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.

Advantages of plastic containers include lighter weight and decreased breakage as compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and transportation into account. As such, there is a continuous interest in creating the lightest possible plastic container so as to maximize cost savings in both transportation and manufacturing by making and using containers that contain less plastic.

A PET container for storing liquid contents typically includes a base that extends up to a grip portion suitable for affixing a label, as well as providing a location for grasping the container. The grip portion generally transitions into a shoulder, which connects to a bell. The bell has a diameter that generally decreases as the bell extends upward from the shoulder to a neck and a finish portion. The finish portion is adapted to receive a closure, such as a bottle cap, to seal the contents within the interior of the plastic container.

In many instances, the closure includes a tamper evidence band that is disposed around the perimeter of the finish portion. The tamper evidence band generally remains positioned on the finish portion when an end-user loosens the closure to access the contents within the container. As such, the tamper evidence band and the finish portion cooperate to indicate to the end-user whether or not the closure has been previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.

One difficulty that may be associated with closures typically installed onto plastic containers is that once the closure is removed from the container, the closure is separable from the container. This may result in the closure being misplaced or lost after being removed from the container, thus hindering resealing unfinished liquid contents within the container. In some instances, misplaced or lost closures may contribute to plastic waste littering the environment. As such, there is a desire to attach or tether closures to plastic containers so as to reduce the environmental impact of misplaced closures while maintaining the convenience and enjoyment often associated with drinking beverages by way of plastic containers. Embodiments disclosed herein provide container closures that include anchors configured to keep the closures coupled with plastic containers after the closures have been unsealed to access contents within the containers.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for a container closure for sealing contents within an interior of a container. The container closure comprises a closure portion that is coupled to a tamper evidence band by a single anchor. The anchor is configured to keep the closure portion coupled with the tamper evidence band. The closure portion threadably engages with a finish portion of the container and seals contents in the interior of the container. The tamper evidence band remains engaged with the finish portion when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion. A multiplicity of thin connections between the tamper evidence band and the closure portion break apart when the closure portion is untightened from the finish portion. The anchor remains unbroken and allows the closure portion to be tilted away from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the tamper evidence band may further include a split that allows the tamper evidence band to snap into two portions that remain coupled to the closure portion only by way of the anchor. As such, the tamper evidence band, once broken and separated away from the closure portion, may provide an observational indication that the container closure has been unsealed from the finish portion after having been installed by a manufacturer.

In an exemplary embodiment, a closure for sealing contents within an interior of a container comprises: a closure portion for threadably engaging with a finish portion of the container; a tamper evidence band for engaging with the finish portion; and an anchor for keeping the closure portion attached to the tamper evidence band.

In another exemplary embodiment, a multiplicity of thin connections attach the tamper evidence band to closure portion and are configured to break apart when the closure portion is untightened from the finish portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the tamper evidence band is configured to remain engaged with the finish portion when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion, thereby causing the thin connections to break apart and allow the closure portion to separate from the tamper evidence band. In another exemplary embodiment, the anchor is configured such that only the thin connections break apart during loosening of the closure portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the anchor is formed during injection-molding by allowing material comprising the closure to remain disposed between a pair of adjacent thin connections.

In another exemplary embodiment, the anchor comprises a single piece of material that extends between the tamper evidence band and the closure portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the anchor is configured to keep the closure portion attached to the finish portion after the closure portion is unsealed from the finish portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the anchor is configured to flex when the closure portion is tilted with respect to the tamper evidence band. In another exemplary embodiment, the anchor comprises a relatively thick portion of plastic that is configured to resist breaking during tilting the closure portion away from the finish portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a closure to seal contents within an interior of a container comprises: configuring a closure portion for threadably engaging with a finish portion of the container; configuring a tamper evidence band for engaging with the finish portion; and joining the closure portion and the tamper evidence band by way of an anchor.

In another exemplary embodiment, joining includes configuring the anchor to keep the closure portion attached to the finish portion after the closure portion is unsealed from the finish portion. In another exemplary embodiment, joining includes configuring the anchor to flex when the closure portion is tilted with respect to the tamper evidence band. In another exemplary embodiment, joining includes extending a single piece of material comprising the anchor between the tamper evidence band and the closure portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, joining includes coupling the closure portion and the tamper evidence band by way of a multiplicity of thin connections configured to break apart when the closure portion is untightened from the finish portion. In another exemplary embodiment, joining includes configuring the anchor such that only the thin connections break apart during loosening of the closure portion. In another exemplary embodiment, configuring the anchor includes injection-molding such that material comprising the closure fills one or more spaces between adjacent thin connections.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a closure comprises: loosening a closure portion threaded onto a finish portion of the container; breaking a multiplicity of thin connections disposed between the closure portion and a tamper evidence band engaged with the finish portion; and bending an anchor that joins the closure portion and the tamper evidence band. In another exemplary embodiment, bending the anchor includes tilting the closure portion away from the finish portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first container,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first container” is different than a “second container.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

In general, there is a desire to attach or anchor closures to plastic containers so as to reduce the environmental impact of misplaced closures while maintaining the convenience and enjoyment often associated with drinking beverages by way of plastic containers. One difficulty typically associated with closures installed onto plastic containers is that once the closure is removed from the container, the closure may be misplaced or lost. Lost closures hinder resealing unfinished liquid contents within containers and may contribute to plastic waste littering the environment. Embodiments disclosed herein provide container closures that include anchors configured to keep the closures coupled with plastic containers after the closures have been unsealed to access contents within the containers.

FIG. 1illustrates a side view of an exemplary container100typically used for storing liquid contents, such as water, juice, and contents under pressure. The container100comprises a base104that extends up to a grip portion108. In some embodiments, the base104may be of the petaloid variety, although other configurations of the base may be incorporated into the container100, without limitation. The grip portion108comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs112(i.e., sidewall ribs). As illustrated inFIG. 1, the plurality of grip portion ribs112generally vary in depth, and swirl or angulate around the grip portion108. A label portion116is connected to the grip portion108and comprises one or more label panel ribs (not shown). The label panel portion116transitions into a shoulder124, which connects to a bell128.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the bell128comprises a plurality of design features132. In other embodiments, however, the bell128may include various other design features, or may be smooth and generally unornamented. The bell128connects to a neck136, which connects to a finish portion140. As shown inFIG. 1, the bell128comprises a diameter that generally decreases as the bell128extends upward from the shoulder124to the neck136and the finish portion140. The finish portion140is adapted to receive a closure, such as by way of non-limiting example, a container cap or closure144, so as to seal contents within the container100. The finish portion140generally defines an opening that leads to an interior of the container100for containing a beverage, or other contents, such as any of a variety of carbonated soft drinks. The finish portion140may be of a Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) variety or may be configured to receive closures suitable for sealing noncarbonated contents within the interior of the container100. Further, in some embodiments, the finish portion140may be configured to retain hot-filled contents with the container or may be configured to retain a gas, such as nitrogen gas (N2) within the interior of the container, without limitation.

As shown inFIG. 1, a tamper evidence closure144, such as a bottle cap, may be threadably engaged with the finish portion140. The closure144generally includes interior threads that are configured to engage with threads disposed on the finish portion140, as described herein. During tightening of the closure144onto the finish portion140, a plug seal of the closure144extends into the opening of the container100and enters into a pressed relationship with the finish portion140whereby contents may be sealed in the interior of the container100.

With continuing reference toFIG. 1, the closure144includes a tamper evidence band148to provide an indication of whether or not the closure144has been loosened after being installed by a manufacturer. In some embodiments, the tamper evidence band148may be attached to the closure144by a multiplicity of thin connections. The tamper evidence band148may include a cam that is configured to fixedly engage with a tamper evidence ledge disposed on the finish portion140during loosening of the closure144. Once the closure144is installed onto the finish portion140by a manufacturer and later an end-user loosens the closure144, the cam engages the tamper evidence ledge, breaking the thin connections between tamper evidence band148and the closure144. The tamper evidence band148remains positioned on the tamper evidence ledge after the closure144is removed from the container100. As such, the tamper evidence band148cooperates with the tamper evidence ledge to indicate to the end-user whether or not the closure144has been previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.

FIG. 2illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a finish portion164that is configured to rotatably engage with the closure144so as to seal contents within the interior of the container100. The finish portion164comprises a cylindrical body that begins at an opening172to an interior of the container100and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge176that is joined to a neck portion136of the container100. The finish portion164is further characterized by the presence of one or more threads180configured to provide a means to fasten a closure, such as the closure144ofFIG. 1, to the container100. As such, the threads180are configured to rotatably engage with similar threads disposed within the closure144so as to seal contents within the container100. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, each of the threads180generally extends along a section of the circumference of the finish portion164and approaches the tamper evidence ledge176. Thus, when the threads of the closure144are engaged with the threads180, and the closure144is rotated in a clockwise direction, the closure144advances toward the tamper evidence ledge176.

With continuing reference toFIG. 2, each of the one or more threads180begins at a thread start184and extends along an angular section of the finish portion164to a thread end188. The thread start184is configured to guide a thread comprising the closure144into a space, or a valley190, between adjacent threads180so as to threadably engage the closure144with the finish portion164. Further, the threads180generally are disposed adjacently to one another, separated by valleys190, and spaced uniformily around the circumference of the finish portion164. In some embodiments, wherein three threads180are disposed around the finish portion164, the thread starts184of adjacent threads180are spaced at substantially 120-degree intervals around the circumference of the finish portion164. As will be appreciated, however, more or less than three threads180may be incorporated into the finish portion164without deviating beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a single anchor container closure (hereinafter “closure”)200that may be threadably engaged with the finish portion164shown inFIG. 2. The illustrated embodiment of the closure200includes a closure portion204that is coupled with a tamper evidence band208by way of a single anchor212and a multiplicity of thin connections216. Upon the closure portion204being removed from the container100, the thin connections216break, allowing the tamper evidence band208to partially separate from the closure portion204while the anchor212keeps the tamper evidence band208attached to the closure portion204. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 3, the tamper evidence band208may further include a split220that allows the tamper evidence band208to snap into two portions that remain coupled to the closure portion204only by way of the anchor212. As such, the tamper evidence band208, once broken and separated away from the closure portion204, provides an observational indication that the closure200has been unsealed from the finish portion164after having been installed by a manufacturer.

With reference toFIG. 4, the closure200is configured to be threadably engaged with the finish portion164shown inFIG. 2. The closure200includes interior threads224that are configured to engage with the threads180of the finish portion164, as described herein. As such, the threads224extend into the valleys190extending around the finish portion164. During tightening of the closure200onto the finish portion164, a plug seal228of the closure200may extend into the opening172of the finish portion164and enter into a pressed relationship with the finish portion164whereby contents may be sealed in the interior of the container100. As shown inFIG. 3, a plurality of knurls232may be arranged on top of the closure portion204and configured to facilitate grasping the closure portion204during tightening and untightening the closure200on the finish portion164.

As mentioned above, the multiplicity of thin connections216may be configured to break apart when the closure portion204is untightened from the finish portion164, such as during opening the container100to access contents within the container100. As shown inFIGS. 3-4, the tamper evidence band208includes a cam236that interferes with a flat lower portion240of the tamper evidence ledge176(seeFIG. 2). The cam236generally comprises a ledge, or a similar structure, that extends around an inner circumference of the tamper evidence band208and is supported by a multiplicity of angled lower surfaces244configured to facilitate passing the tamper evidence band208over an upper rounded portion248(seeFIG. 2) of the tamper evidence ledge176during installation of the closure200onto the container100. As shown inFIG. 4, the cam236includes a relatively flat upper surface252that may be configured to interfere with the flat lower surface240(seeFIG. 2) of the tamper evidence ledge176and thus contributes to separating the tamper evidence band208and the closure portion204during loosening of the closure200on the finish portion164.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3-4, the tamper evidence band208includes a split220that comprises a break, or a separation, in the tamper evidence band208that is connected by only a cam bridge256and a thin bridge260. The cam bridge256and the thin bridge260maintain a connection between ends264of the tamper evidence band208, and thus impart continuity to the tamper evidence band208. As shown inFIG. 4, the cam bridge256and the thin bridge260have cross-sectional areas that are much smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tamper evidence band208. It is contemplated, therefore, that the cam bridge256and the thin bridge260are strong enough to remain intact during installation of the closure200onto the finish portion164while allowing the split220to separate during removal of the closure200from the container100.

FIG. 5illustrates an anchored configuration of an exemplary embodiment of a single anchor container closure280that may occur upon the container closure280being loosened from a container, such as the container100. The container closure280includes a closure portion284that is coupled with a tamper evidence band288by way of a single anchor292and a multiplicity of thin connections216. When the closure portion284is removed from the container100, the thin connections216break, allowing the tamper evidence band288to partially separate from the closure portion284while the anchor292keeps the tamper evidence band288attached to the closure portion284, as shown inFIG. 4. Unlike the tamper evidence band208, shown inFIG. 3, the tamper evidence band288ofFIG. 5comprises a continuous loop of plastic suited for coupling the closure portion284to the container100solely by way of the anchor292. It is contemplated that the anchor292comprises a relatively thick portion of plastic that is configured to resist breaking during tilting the closure portion284away from the finish portion164of the container100.

It is contemplated that, in general, the anchor292may be configured similarly to the tamper evidence band288, such that only the thin connections216break apart during loosening of the closure portion284. For example, in some embodiments wherein the container closure280is formed by way of injection-molding, the anchor292may be formed by allowing the material comprising the container closure280to remain disposed between a pair of adjacent thin connections216. In one exemplary embodiment, a mold for injection-molding the container closure280may be configured to allow the material comprising the container closure280to fill one or more spaces268(seeFIG. 3) between the thin connections216. As such, one or more protrusions comprising the mold that form the spaces268may be omitted in the location of the mold that forms the anchor292, as shown inFIG. 5. Further, in some embodiments wherein a knife or other type of blade is used to form the spaces268after injection-molding the container closure280, the blade may be configured to avoid cutting the container closure280at the location of the anchor292. It should be understood, therefore, that the anchor292is formed generally by leaving material comprising the container closure280intact within one or more spaces268between the thin connections216, and thus the anchor292may be formed by way of various diverse techniques without limitation, and without deviating beyond the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary-use environment wherein the container closure280has been installed onto a finish portion164(seeFIG. 2) of a container298and then subsequently untightened from the finish portion164of the container298. During installation of the container closure280onto the container298, the rounded upper portion248of the tamper evidence ledge176facilitates passing the tamper evidence band288over the tamper evidence ledge176. As described herein, the flat lower portion240of the tamper evidence ledge176retains the tamper evidence band288positioned below the tamper evidence ledge176during loosening of the closure portion284. As such, loosening the closure portion284on the finish portion164causes the thin connections216to break apart, thus causing the container closure280to assume the anchored configuration discussed in connection withFIG. 5.

As shown inFIG. 6, upon removing the closure portion284from the finish portion164, the anchor292bends and allows the closure portion284to be tilted with respect to the tamper evidence band288. As such, the anchor292keeps the closure portion284attached to the container298after the closure portion284is unsealed from the finish portion164to access the contents within the container298. It is contemplated that keeping the closure portion284coupled with the container298will substantially eliminate instances of misplacing the closure portion284, thereby encouraging the end-user to reengage the closure portion284with the finish portion164to store unfinished contents within the container298, as well as preventing the closure portion284from contributing to plastic waste being deposited into the environment.