A CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER AND A CONTAINER AND CLOSURE

A closure for a container is provided. The container has a side surface and a rim. The rim defines an opening and an opening axis perpendicular to the opening. The closure has a top portion for covering the opening; and a skirt portion, connected to the top portion, that surrounds a region of the side surface when the closure is connected to the container. The skirt portion has thread portions that cooperate with thread portions on the side surface to define movement of the closure relative the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container. The closure includes a liner extend across the top portion of the closure and at least partway across the skirt portion away from the top portion. The liner seals the opening of a container when the closure is connected to the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a container and a closure for the container. Such a container may be used to house a beverage or other liquid or fluid. A container may be of a variety of sizes and may, for example, be a wide-mouth container or it may be a bottle. In some cases, it may be designed for containing a carbonated beverage. The disclosure also relates to the container separately, a closure for use therewith, the manufacture of such a container and closure, the use of such a container and closure and a method of filling such a container and closure with a beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers and closures for wide-mouth containers and bottles are known such as those described in the applicant's earlier applications, for example WO2006/000774, WO2011/151630, WO2014/006418, WO2017/109463, WO2017/017415 and WO2019/141973. These seek to provide a closure capable of securely closing a container, the contents of which may be at an elevated pressure, for example during transportation and/or when subject to elevated temperatures, whilst remaining relatively easy for a consumer to remove.

A wide-mouthed container may be used both to store a beverage (or other contents) and as a drinking vessel once the closure has been removed. In some cases, the closure may also be designed so it can be used to re-close and/or to re-seal the container. A typical wide-mouth container may have a mouth with a diameter or width in the range 55 to 65 mm, although the term may also apply to containers having a mouth with a diameter or width in the range 40 to 90 mm.

A bottle is typically used to store a beverage (or other contents) prior to pouring it into a drinking vessel. Commonly used bottles, such as those used to store beer and other beverages, typically have a mouth with a diameter of around 28 mm.

Whilst the closures described in the above documents are satisfactory in many cases, the present disclosure seeks to provide improvements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a closure for a container, the container having a side surface and a rim that defines an opening and an opening axis that is perpendicular to the opening, the closure comprising: a top portion configured to cover the opening of the container; and a skirt portion, connected to the top portion and configured to surround an upper region of the side surface of a container when the closure is connected to the container; wherein the skirt portion comprises one or more thread portions configured to cooperate with one or more thread portions provided on the side surface of a container to define movement of the closure relative to the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container; the closure further comprises a liner that extends across the surface of the top portion of the closure and at least partway across the skirt portion away from the top portion; and the liner is configured to seal the opening of a container when the closure is connected to the container.

In an arrangement, the liner includes a seal region configured such that, when the closure is connected to a container, the seal region forms a fluid-tight seal between the side surface of the container and the skirt portion of the closure.

In an arrangement, the liner is configured such that, when the closure is connected to a container the seal region of the liner is not in contact with the rim of the container.

In an arrangement, the closure is configured such that, when the closure is connected to a container, the part of the liner extending across the surface of the top portion of the closure forms a liquid-tight seal against the rim of the container.

In an arrangement, the liner is integrally formed as a single component.

In an arrangement, the liner is formed from a cross-linked rubber.

In an arrangement, the closure further comprises a lubricant provided between the liner and at least one of the top portion and the skirt portion of the closure.

In an arrangement, the lubricant comprises an antibacterial material.

In an arrangement, the closure comprises an antibacterial material provided between the liner and at least one of the top portion and the skirt portion of the closure.

In an arrangement, the material used to form the liner comprises at least one of a slip agent and an antibacterial material.

In an arrangement, the closure further comprises a hand-engagement region on an outer surface of the closure that is configured to have a higher static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand than an inner surface of the closure.

In an arrangement, the hand-engagement region comprises a layer of material having a higher static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand than the material used to form the top portion and/or the skirt portion of the closure.

In an arrangement, the hand-engagement region comprises a textured surface provided on at least part of the top portion and/or the skirt portion of the closure.

In an arrangement, the top portion and skirt portion are formed of a non-metallic material, optionally a plastic material.

In an arrangement, the top portion and the skirt portion are formed of metal.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a container for use with a closure according to any one of the above aspects or arrangements.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided container and a closure comprising a closure according to any one of the above aspects or arrangements.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of filling a container with a beverage, comprising filling the container with a beverage and connecting a closure to an opening of the container, wherein the closure is a closure according to any one of the above aspects or arrangements.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of using a container and a closure according to any of the above aspects for containing a beverage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A container and a closure for the container are provided. Such a container may be used to house a beverage or other liquid or fluid. A container may be of a variety of sizes and may, for example, be a wide-mouth container or it may be a bottle. In some cases, it may be designed for containing a carbonated beverage. The disclosure also relates to the container separately, a closure for use therewith, the manufacture of such a container and closure, the use of such a container and closure and a method of filling such a container and closure with a beverage.

FIGS.1and2depict a closure10according to the present disclosure, with views from above/outside and below/inside, respectively.

As shown, the closure10includes a top portion11for covering an opening of a container, surrounded by a skirt12that extends from the top portion11. The skirt12includes thread portions13that are configured to engage with thread portions of the container in order to define movement of the closure10relative to a container to which it is to be attached.

FIGS.3and4depict an example of a container20to be used with the closure10depicted inFIGS.1and2. The container20includes an external side surface21and a rim22that defines an opening23. The rim22also defines an opening axis A that extends perpendicularly to the plane within which the opening23lies. The container20includes another section24, having a primary purpose to contain a beverage or liquid, and an upper portion25, having a primary function to engage with a closure10.

The container20includes thread portions26, configured to engage with the thread portions13of the closure10in order to define the movement of the closure10relative to the container20while the closure10is being attached to the container20and/or while the closure10is being removed from the container20.

As shown in the arrangement depicted inFIG.2, the closure10may include a seal14, secured to an inner surface of the closure10. The closure10, seal14and container20may be configured such that, when the closure10is attached to the container20, the seal14provides a fluid-tight seal between the closure10and the container20.

In an arrangement, the seal14may be formed from a different material from the closure10. This may enable materials to be selected for each that have beneficial properties for their respective function. For example, it may be desirable for the seal14to be formed from a material that is more resilient than the material used to form the closure10. In an example, the closure10may therefore be formed from a metal, which may not be suitable to form the seal14.

As shown in the arrangement depicted inFIGS.1and2, the seal14may be retained within a recess or gland15formed within the skirt12of the closure10. The recess or gland15may be configured such that, as the closure10is advanced onto the container20in a direction parallel to the opening axis A, the position of the seal14relative to the closure10in that direction is substantially fixed, subject to small movements that may be caused by compression of the seal14and/or by manufacturing tolerances.

Accordingly, as the closure10moves relative to the container20in a direction parallel to the opening axis A, the seal14also moves in the same direction relative to the container20. In an arrangement, the seal14is caused to move across three regions31,32,33of the side surface21of the container during the process of attaching the closure10to the container20and/or removing the closure10from the container20.

In a first region31, the arrangement of the closure10and the container20may be configured such that, as the seal14is moved across the first region31by the movement of the closure10relative to the container20, the seal can be switched between states of compression. In one state, the seal14is compressed between respective surfaces of the closure10and the container20. In an arrangement, the seal14may be compressed between the side surface21of the container and a surface of the recess or gland15within which the seal14is fitted. In another state, the seal14is not compressed, or not significantly compressed, namely not compressed to an extent that the seal14may be used in order to provide a fluid-tight seal.

In an arrangement, the closure10and container20may be configured such that in the process of attaching the closure10to the container20, the seal14is caused to traverse the first region31of the side surface of the container20in a manner that results in the seal transitioning from an uncompressed state to a state in which it is compressed between the side surface21of the container20and an inner surface of the closure10.

Conversely, in a process of detaching the closure10from the container20, the movement of the closure10relative to the container20may cause the seal14to traverse the first region31of the side surface21of the container in such a way that the seal transitions from a compressed state to an uncompressed state.

As shown inFIG.4, in the first region31of the side surface21of the container20, the surface28may be inclined relative to the opening axis A. In an arrangement in which the opening23is circular, the inclined surface28may be frusto-conical. As the seal14traverses the region31including the inclined surface28, the separation between the side surface21of the container20and the surface of the closure10against which the seal14is retained decreases. Consequently, as the seal14traverses the first region31of the side surface21, the seal14is compressed.

In an arrangement, the angle of the inclined surface28relative to the opening axis A is in a range of 5 to 30°, optionally in a range of 10 to 20°.

In the arrangement depicted inFIGS.3and4, in the second region32of the side surface21of the container20, a plurality of grooves27are provided at locations spread around the side surface21. When the seal14is positioned adjacent the second region32of the side surface21of the container20, the grooves27permit fluid to bypass the seal14, even if it is in a compressed state. This may permit, for example, high pressure gas to vent while the closure10is partially attached to the container20. In an arrangement in which the closure10and container20are configured such that the seal14is in a compressed state when in contact with the second region32of the side surface21of the container20, the venting of high pressure gases through the grooves27rather than between the rim22of the container20and the seal14may prevent the seal from moving rapidly causing a popping noise that may disturb the user.

It should be appreciated that any number of grooves27may be provided and the grooves27need not be evenly spaced around the side surface21of the container20. Optionally, a single groove27may be provided. In an alternative arrangement, not depicted in the Figures, one or more ridges may be provided on the side surface21of the container20in the second region32. Such ridges may disrupt the seal14from forming a fluid-tight seal against the side surface21of the container20. In particular, venting paths bypassing the seal14may be provided on either side of such ridges.

In the third region33of the top part25of the container20, the side surface may be configured such that the seal14may form a fluid-tight seal between the container20and the closure10, thereby containing a fluid, such as a beverage, within the combination of the container20and closure10.

In an arrangement, the side surface21of the container20in the third region33may be cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, arranged about the opening axis A. The same may apply in the second region32of the side surface21of the container20, excluding any grooves and/or ridges used to form a bypass path for fluid around the seal.

Such an arrangement may ensure that, at any position of the seal14within the second and/or third region32,33of the side surface21of the container20, the separation between the side surface21of the container and the surface of the closure10adjacent the seal is substantially the same. This may ensure consistent compression of the seal14, ensuring a fluid-tight seal, excepting any bypass path within the second region32.

In an arrangement, the side surface21of the container20in the second and/or third region32,33may be at a small angle relative to the opening axis A. This may assist in the release of the top section25of the container20from a mould used in the forming process. In such an arrangement, the third region33of the side surface21of the container20may be configured such that a line within the surface is at an angle to the opening axis A of less than 5°, optionally less than 3°. The second region32of the side surface21of the container20may be configured such that a line within the surface is at an angle to the opening axis A of less than 10°, optionally in a range of 2 to 10°. The line may be the line at which a tangent plane contacts the curved surface of the side surface21of the container20in the second and/or third region32,33.

In an arrangement in which the side surface21of the container20in the second and/or third region32,33is slightly inclined, it should be appreciated that the change in separation between the side surface21and the surface of the closure10adjacent the seal14may be sufficiently small across the second and/or third regions32,33that the change in the extent of the compression of the seal14is not significant.

In an arrangement, the side surface21of the container20may be less inclined in the third region33than in the second region. This may enable a gradual transition from the third region33with least or no angle relative to the opening axis A, through the second region32, to the first region31which, as above, may include an inclined surface28used to compress the seal14when the closure10is attached to the container20. This may result in an improved sensation for the user. Alternatively or additionally, the side surface21of the container20may be less inclined in the second region32than in the first region. Again, this may result in an improved sensation for the user.

FIGS.5to11schematically depict the engagement of the thread portions13,26on the closure10and container20, respectively, during the process of removing a closure10from a container20. In the images shown, the container20and its side surface21and a thread portion26are shown in a fixed position. For clarity, the closure10itself is not shown but the relative position of a thread portion13of the closure10and seal14, both of which have a substantially fixed position relative to the remainder closure10, are shown.

In the depiction, as the closure10rotates about the opening axis A relative to the container20, the depicted thread portion13gradually becomes not visible. However, the seal14which surrounds the closure10remains visible in all of the Figures. It should be appreciated that, in practice, a closure10may have multiple sets of thread portions13such that, as one becomes not visible as it rotates around the opening axis A, another would become visible. However, for the clarity of this depiction, only a single thread portion13is depicted.

As shown inFIG.5, in a fully closed position, a first part41of the thread portion13of the closure10is initially held beneath a thread portion26of the container20. In this position, the seal14is located within the third region33of the side surface21of the container20. Accordingly, a fluid-tight seal may be maintained.

As shown inFIG.6, when the closure10is rotated about the opening axis A relative to the container20, for an initial angle of rotation, the first part41of the thread portion13of the closure10remains below the thread portion26of the container20. This maintains the position of the closure10relative to the container20in a direction parallel to the opening axis A. Accordingly, the seal14remains within the third region33of the side surface21of the container20, maintaining a fluid-tight seal.

As shown inFIG.7, as the closure10is rotated about the opening axis A relative to the container20further, the engagement between the thread portion26of the container20and the thread portion13of the closure10moves to a second part42of the thread portion13of the closure10. The second part42of the thread portion13of the closure10is inclined relative to the first part41, such that, as the closure10rotates, it also moves in a direction parallel to the opening axis A. This motion moves the seal14from the third region33to the second region32of the side surface21of the container20. As discussed above, when the seal14is in contact with the second region32of the side surface21of the container20, high pressure fluid, such as gas from a carbonated beverage, may be vented by bypassing the seal14through grooves27.

As discussed above, in an arrangement, when the seal14is in contact with both the second and third regions32,33of the side surface21of the container20, the seal may remain in a compressed state. In such an arrangement, returning the seal14from the second region32to the third region33does not require compression of the seal14. In such an arrangement, a user may easily move a closure10from a position in which the seal14is in contact with the second region32to a position in which the seal14is in contact with the third region33of the side surface21of the container20.

This may be beneficial if a user experiences excessive venting when first opening the closure10, for example if the beverage within the container20is a carbonated beverage. In such an instance, the user may easily rotate the closure10relative to the container20in the opposite direction to the opening direction, returning the seal14to the third region33, in which it forms a fluid-tight seal, stopping the flow of fluid through the venting grooves27.

As shown inFIG.8, where the closure10continues to be rotated relative to the container20, it may reach a position in which a third part43of the thread portion13of the closure10engages with the thread portion26of the container20to prevent further movement of the closure10relative to the container20in a direction parallel to the opening axis A in a direction resulting in the removal of the closure10from the container20.

A fourth part44of the thread portion13of the closure may be configured to initially restrict the closure10from rotating further relative to the container20about the opening axis A, as shown inFIG.8. The closure10and container20may be configured such that, in this position, the seal14remains in the second region32of the side surface21of the container20. This may assist in completing the venting of any high pressure fluid before the closure10is fully removed from the container20.

In such an arrangement, a user may be required to push the closure10back towards the container20in a direction parallel to the opening axis A at the same time as rotating the closure10about the opening axis A in order for the fourth part44of the thread portion13of the closure10to clear the thread portion26of the container20, as shown inFIG.9.

As shown inFIG.10, on further rotation of the closure10relative to the container20about the opening axis A, engagement of the fourth part44of the thread portion13of the closure10with the thread portion26of the container20results in the seal14traversing the first region31of the side surface21of the closure20. As discussed above, as the seal traverses the first region31, the seal14transitions from a compressed state to an uncompressed state.

Upon further rotation, the thread portion13of the closure10disengages with the thread portion26of the container20, with the result that the closure10may be completely removed from the container20, as shown inFIG.11.

It will be appreciated that in order to connect a closure10to a container20, the above steps are reversed and the closure10is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the container20about the opening axis A. During such a closure process, the seal14is compressed as it traverses the first region31of the side surface21of the container20. Thereafter, the seal14may remain compressed as it traverses the second region32, in which venting may take place by relatively high pressure fluids bypassing the seal14through grooves27. After further rotation, the seal14transfers to the third region33of the side surface21of the container20, in which it may form a fluid-tight seal between the closure10and the container20.

In an arrangement that differs from the arrangement discussed above, one or more of the grooves27may extend into the first region31of the side surface21of the container20. In such an arrangement, venting may take place while the seal14is being compressed or released from compression as a closure10is being attached to, or removed from, respectively, a container20.

In the above described arrangements, the seal14is described as being compressed during the process of attaching a closure10to a container20. The seal14may be made from a resilient material. In an arrangement, the seal14may be formed from an O-ring, namely a gasket formed from a loop of material with a round cross-section. Alternative sealing arrangements may be used, for example gaskets having a different cross-section, including an D-ring, a U-ring, V-ring or a square-ring. Other known compressible seals may also be used.

Such seals14, compressed between a side surface of the container20and the skirt12of the closure10, rather than merely forming a compression seal on, for example, the rim22of the container20may provide a very reliable seal, especially for pressurised contents within the container20, such as carbonated beverages. In such a scenario, it should be appreciated that a pressure difference is established between the contents of the container20and the environment surrounding the container20. This pressure difference acts across the seal14. However, the pressure difference across the seal14, in a direction that promotes leakage from the container20, results in the seal14deforming, for example from the gland or recess in which it sits, into the gap between the container20and the closure10, more firmly filling the gap. This increases the ability of the seal14to resist leakage. As a result, the greater the pressure of the contents of the container20, the better the seal14performs at resisting leakage.

As explained above, when the closure10is secured on the container20, the seal14engages with the side surface of the container20at a location set apart from the rim22of the container. For example, the seal14may be positioned below the grooves27in the arrangement shown inFIG.4. The thread portions26of the container20, that are configured to engage with the thread portions13provided on the skirt12of the closure10, are provided below this region. Accordingly, the thread portions26of the container20may be separated from the rim22of the container20. For example, the space between the thread portions26of the container20and the rim22of the container may be at least two or three times the space occupied by the thread portions26on the surface of the container20. In an arrangement, this separation of the thread portions26on the container20from the rim22of the container may be configured to provide sufficient space that, when a user drinks from the container20, their lips do not touch the thread portions26of the container20. This may enhance the user's satisfaction of drinking from the container20.

One or both of the closure10and container20may be formed from a metal. Alternatively or additionally, one or both of the closure10and container20may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a plastic material.

It should be appreciated that, although the above description relates to an arrangement in which the seal14of the closure10engages with the external side surface21of the container20, in an arrangement, the seal14of the closure10may engage with the inner side surface of the container20. In such an arrangement, the closure10may include an inner skirt configured such that, in a closed position, the skirt extends inside the opening of the container20. In such an arrangement, the seal may form a fluid-tight seal between the inner skirt closure10and the inner side surface of the container20. In such an arrangement, the closure10may have an outer skirt having thread portions that engage corresponding thread portions provided on the exterior side surface of the container20.

FIGS.12and13schematically depict a closure10having a variation of the sealing arrangement discussed above. As shown, in addition to the first seal14, that may provide a gas-tight seal between the closure10and the container20and that acts against the side surface21of the container, the closure may include a second seal50. The second seal50may form a compression seal or a flexing seal against the rim22of the container20.

As shown in the arrangement depicted inFIGS.12and13, the second seal50may act against the uppermost surface of the rim22of the container20. In an arrangement, the second seal50may alternatively or additionally act against an inner and/or outer surface of the rim22of the container, for example in a region slightly below the uppermost surface of the rim22. In an arrangement, the second seal50may act against a tapered inner or outer surface of the rim22.

In an arrangement, the first seal14may provide the primary gas-tight seal when the closure10is attached to the container20, for example providing a sufficient seal to maintain the condition of a carbonated beverage. The second seal50may function to prevent any liquid from within the container20passing over the rim22to a position in which it rests on top of the first seal14.

In an arrangement, the second seal50may not be sufficient to provide a gas-tight seal. Accordingly, the gas pressure in a region51between the first seal14and the second seal50may equalise with the gas pressure within the main body of the container20. However, the second seal50may be sufficient to prevent liquid passing over the rim22of the container20. Preventing or minimising the presence of liquid above the first seal14, namely in the space51between the first seal14and the second seal22may prevent an undesirable leakage of liquid during removal of the closure10from the container20, which may be particularly problematic for liquids stored under pressure.

In an arrangement, the first seal14and the second seal50may be integrally formed, namely formed at the same time from the same material. In an arrangement, as depicted inFIGS.12and13, the first seal14and the second seal50may be connected by a relatively thin web52, which facilitates forming the first seal14and the second seal50at the same time and/or may facilitate mounting the seals14,50within the closure10. In an arrangement, the first seal14, the connecting web52and the second seal50may be integrally formed as a single component.

In an arrangement, at least one of the first seal14and the second seal50may be co-moulded to the closure10. In such a process, also referred to as over-moulding, the main body of the closure10, including the top portion11that covers the opening of the container20and the skirt12that extends from the top portion11may be formed first by any suitable process, depending on the material to be used. Subsequently, at least one seal14,50may be formed within the closure10such that the already-formed closure10forms part of the mould within which the at least one seal14,50is formed. For an arrangement such as that depicted inFIG.12, the first seal14, web52and second seal50may be formed in a single injection moulding process in which the main body of the closure10provides part of the mould.

Such a process may be beneficial because the co-moulding process may result in at least one of the first and second seals14,50adhering to the main body of the closure10. This may result in a closure10that is more robust to handling, namely less likely for either of the seals to become detached from the remainder of the closure10. Alternatively or additionally, by co-moulding at least one of the seals14,50to the main body of the closure10, it may be possible to reduce or eliminate the possibility of voids being present between the seals14,50and the main body of the closure10. Such voids may be undesirable, for example for a container20and closure10to be used to hold liquids such as beverages because such voids may be difficult to clean and/or may provide spaces in which undesirable microbial activity may occur.

Although at least one of the first seal14and the second seal50may be co-moulded to the main body of the closure10, in an arrangement at least one of the first seal14and the second seal50may be formed separately from the main body of the closure10and subsequently attached to the remainder of the closure10. In such an arrangement, a seal14,50may, as discussed above, fit within a suitably sized gland or recess15, which may be sufficient to hold the seal14,50in place. In an arrangement, at least one of the seals14,50may be attached to the main body of the closure10by an adhesive.

FIGS.14and15depict a variation of the arrangement shown inFIGS.12and13. Much of the arrangement depicted inFIGS.14and15corresponds to that shown inFIGS.12and13and the description thereof will not be repeated. It should also be appreciated that the variations to the arrangements shown inFIGS.12and13discussed above also apply to the arrangement depicted inFIGS.14and15.

As is shown inFIG.14, the difference between the arrangements is that inFIG.14the first seal60is a U-ring or V-ring rather than the D-ring shown in FIG.12. As is shown inFIG.14, the U-ring60may be arranged to include a first limb61that may fit within the recess or gland15within the skirt12of the closure10. The U-ring60may also include a second limb62that at one end is connected to the first limb61but at the other end is separated from the first limb61by a space63. The second limb62may project towards the centre of the closure62, namely towards the opening axis A. As shown inFIG.15, when the closure10is attached to the container20, the first limb62of the U-ring60may deform to move closer to the first limb61, reducing the size of the separation63between them.

Although as shown inFIGS.14and15, the second limb62of the U-ring60projects generally inwards and upwards in the usual configuration of the closure10, it should be appreciated that this may be reversed and the second limb62may generally project inwards and downwards.

As discussed above, at least one of the first seal14and the second seal50may be formed from a resilient material. In an arrangement, at least one of the first seal14and the second seal50may be formed from a cross-linked rubber. Such a material may beneficially provide a better seal, namely one that is more resistant to gradual release of gas stored under pressure than other choices of seal material such as synthetic elastomers including thermoplastic elastomers (commonly referred to as TPEs). The use of a cross-linked rubber may also be beneficial because it can be deformed to a greater extent during the process of removing it from a mould and still return to the desired shape. This may facilitate the formation of a seal60such as that depicted inFIGS.14and15.

FIGS.16and17depict a variation of the arrangement shown inFIGS.14and15. Much of the arrangement depicted inFIGS.16and17corresponds to that shown inFIGS.12to15and the description thereof will not be repeated. It should also be appreciated that the variations to the arrangements shown inFIGS.12to15discussed above also apply to the arrangement depicted inFIGS.16and17.

In the arrangement depicted inFIGS.16and17, the seals may be replaced with a liner90provided within the closure10that may perform the sealing function. The liner may be provided within the closure10, namely positioned such that, when the closure10is connected to the container20, the liner90is positioned between the closure10and the container20.

As shown inFIGS.16and17, the liner90may include a first part91that extends across the surface of the top portion11of the closure10and a second part92extending part-way down the skirt portion12of the closure, away from the top portion11. In an arrangement, the second portion92of the liner90may be configured such that it does not extend sufficiently far down the skirt portion12of the closure that it reaches the thread portions13provided on the skirt portion12of the closure10.

Provision of such a liner90within the remainder of the closure10provides a component that encapsulates the opening23of the container10and extends part way down the side surface21of container20and may therefore improve the containment of a liquid held within the container20.

In an arrangement, the liner90includes a seal region93that is configured to be compressed between the skirt section12of the closure10and the side surface21of the container20when the closure10is connected to the container20. In such an arrangement, the seal region93may form a fluid-tight seal between the side surface21of the container20and the skirt portion12of the closure10.

It will be appreciated that the seal region93of the liner90may perform the same function as the seals discussed above that engage with the side surface21of the container20. Variations of such seals discussed above may apply equally to the seal region93of liner90. It will further be appreciated that the liner90may be configured such that, when the closure10is connected to the container20, the seal region93is positioned on the side surface21of the container at a location set apart from the rim22of the container20, namely such that the seal region93is not in contact with the rim22.

In an arrangement, the closure10may be configured such that, when the closure10is connected to the container20, the first part91of the liner90, which extends across the surface of the top portion11of the closure10, engages with the rim22of the container20to form a liquid-tight seal against the rim22of the container20. An arrangement of a liner90having a seal region93forming a fluid-tight seal between the side surface21of the container20and the skirt portion12of the closure10, and a first portion91forming a liquid-tight seal against the rim22of the container20may provide similar benefits to those discussed above in relation to the arrangements depicted inFIGS.12to15. For example, the provision of a high quality fluid-tight seal that is capable of maintaining the condition of a carbonated beverage in conjunction with a second seal against the rim22of the container10that may prevent liquid from the container20from becoming trapped outside of the side wall21of the container20, above the seal region93.

Furthermore, the provision of a liner90within the volume defined by the top portion11and the skirt portion12of the closure10, that encapsulates the opening23of the container20and includes at least one integrally formed seal, may greatly reduce the likelihood of fluid from the container20leaking to a position between a seal fitted within a closure10and the remainder of the closure. This may improve its food-hygiene performance.

In an arrangement, the liner90may be integrally formed as a single component, for example in a single process. This may reduce the manufacturing costs and may also reduce the likelihood of leakage through the liner. The liner90may be formed separately from the remainder of the closure10, namely the top portion11and the skirt portion12and then assembled into it.

The liner90may be formed from any of the materials discussed above as suitable for use in forming a seal. The liner90may in particular be formed from a cross-linked rubber.

In an arrangement, a lubricant, such as a food grade silicone spray lubricant, may be provided between the liner90and at least one of the top portion11and the skirt portion12of the closure10. For example, the lubricant may be provided to the outer surface of the liner90and/or the inner surface of the top portion11and/or skirt portion12of the closure10before assembly.

The provision of such a lubricant may assist in the connection of a closure10to the container20and/or the removal of the closure10from the container20. Specifically, for a wide-mouthed container20the forces generated between the closure10and the container20may be significant if the container20stores a carbonated beverage. In combination with the large surface area of the liner90that is in contact with the container20, this may result in a large torque being required to rotate the liner90relative to the container20. However, by reducing the friction between the liner90and the remainder of the closure10, it becomes possible for a user to rotate the top portion11and skirt portion12of the closure10relative to the container20, even while the liner90remains stationary relative to the container20.

In an arrangement, an antibacterial material, such as a silver-containing antimicrobial, may be provided between the liner90and at least one of the top portion11and the skirt portion12of the closure10. As with the lubricant, this may be provided to either surface before the assembly of the liner90to the top portion11and skirt portion12of the closure10. The antibacterial material may improve the food-hygiene performance of the closure10, particularly if there is any risk of a liquid becoming trapped between the liner90and the remainder of the closure10, either leaking from within the container20or leaking in from an external source. Optionally, a single material may be used between the liner90and the remainder of the closure10that functions as both a lubricant and an antibacterial.

In an arrangement, the liner90may be formed from a material that comprises at least one of a slip agent and an antibacterial material. Such an arrangement may provide some or all of the benefits discussed above for the provision of a lubricant and/or bacterial material between the liner90and the remainder of the closure10. However, provision of such a material within the liner90may facilitate the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, provision of a slip agent within the liner90may reduce the friction between the liner90and the container20. This may facilitate some movement of the liner90relative to the container20, reducing the risk of squeaking and/or juddering when a user removes the closure10from a container20, which may provide an unsatisfactory user experience.

Even with reduced friction between the liner and the rest of the closure10and/or between the liner90and the container20, a relatively high torque may be needed to remove a closure10having a liner90that encapsulates the opening23of a container20. This may result in an unsatisfactory user experience. Therefore, the closure10may optionally be provided with a hand-engagement region95that makes it easier for the user to rotate the closure10relative to the container20.

In an arrangement, the hand-engagement region95may be configured such that the static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand is greater than it would have been between the hand and the closure10without the provision of the hand-engagement region95. Although such an arrangement does not reduce the actual torque required to remove a closure10from a container20, the felt torque, namely the level of torque that it feels to the user that is required, may be reduced, for example because the increased friction between the closure and a hand means that the user does not have to grip the closure10as tightly to be able to impart the required torque, reducing effort for the user.

This beneficial effect may be particularly evident for a wide-mouthed container and corresponding closure. As previously explained, for such a container containing a carbonated beverage, the force between the closure10and the container20is greater than with a narrow-mouthed container. However, for such a container20, the whole hand, including the palm of the hand, may engage with the closure10, in contrast with a narrow-mouthed container in which it may only be the fingers that engage with the closure20.

In an arrangement, the hand-engagement region95may be provided on the outside surface of the top portion11of the closure10. Optionally the hand-engagement region95may cover the top portion11of the closure10. Alternatively or additionally, the hand-engagement region may be provided on the outside surface of at least a part of the skirt portion12of the closure10.

The hand-engagement region may include a layer of material provided on an outer surface of at least a part of the top portion11or the skirt portion12of the closure10that has a higher static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand than the material used to form the top portion and/or the skirt portion12of the closure10. For example at least a part of the top portion11or the skirt portion12of the closure10may be coated with an epoxy resin based lacquer or a non-BPA replacement equivalent. Alternatively or additionally, the hand-engagement region may include the provision of a textured surface on, for example, the outer surface of at least a part of the skirt portion12of the closure10.

FIGS.18and19schematically depict a container70and a corresponding closure80that are largely similar to the arrangements discussed above but have a variation in the arrangement of the thread portions. It will be appreciated that this arrangement of the thread portions may be combined with any of the variations discussed above.

In the arrangement shown, the container70has six thread portions. Three thread portions71,72,73on the side of the container70visible inFIG.18, provide a first, interrupted, thread. The remaining thread portions of the container70, not visible inFIG.18, form a second interrupted thread. As shown, the thread portions of the container70are arranged such that none of the thread portions of the container forming the interrupted threads overlap another thread portion of the container70. In other words no part of any one thread portion is arranged above a part of another thread portion, or above a part of a virtual thread formed by two or more other thread portions, in the direction of the opening axis.

FIG.19depicts a closure80to be used in conjunction with the container70shown inFIG.18. As shown, in this arrangement, the closure80has thread portions that form two continuous threads81,82. When the closure80engages with the container70, each of the continuous threads81,82of the closure respectively engage with the thread portions that form one interrupted thread on the container70.

FIG.20depicts a side elevation of a top part of the container70depicted inFIG.18. In particular,FIG.20depicts the thread portions71,72,73that form a single interrupted thread on the container70. As shown, the lower edge of the thread portions71,72,73forming the interrupted threads of the container70extend in a direction along the thread at an oblique angle to the opening of the container70. In an arrangement, the thread portions71,72,73forming each of the interrupted threads of the container70may be arranged to form a virtual helical thread. It will be appreciated that the continuous threads provided within the closure80are arranged at a corresponding angle.

It should also be appreciated that, although in the arrangements depicted inFIGS.18to20, the container70has six thread portions arranged in such a way that the container70is provided with two interrupted threads, other arrangements may be used. Specifically, the container70may be provided with thread portions that combine to form any number of interrupted threads and each interrupted thread may be formed of any plurality of thread portions.

In addition to the arrangement depicted inFIGS.18to20, a convenient arrangement of a container70may have three interrupted threads, each formed of two thread portions. Alternatively, in a convenient arrangement, a container70may have a single interrupted thread formed of three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten thread portions. In each arrangement, the closure80may be provided with a continuous thread corresponding to each of the interrupted threads provided on the container70.

Providing non-overlapping interrupted threads on the container70may enable the provision of an arrangement in which the friction between the thread portions of the container70and closure80are kept sufficiently low that removing the closure80from the container70does not become difficult for a user. Alternatively or additionally, the use of one or more interrupted threads on the container70, namely arrangements having a substantial separation between the thread portions on the container70forming the interrupted thread, such as a separation significantly greater than the width of the thread portions, may ensure that additional pressure relief features need not be provided to permit excess gas pressure to pass the thread portions. Alternatively or additionally, providing non-overlapping interrupted threads may reduce the impact on a user drinking from the container of the presence of the thread portions on the container. Alternatively or additionally, minimising the size of the thread portions formed on the container70may facilitate the manufacture of the container70.

In an arrangement, the length of each of the thread portions of the container70in a direction along the thread may be approximately the same as the separation between adjacent thread portions. In such an arrangement, the total length of thread portion on the container70engaged with one of the continuous threads of a closure80connected to the container70would represent approximately 50% of the circumference of the container70. Such an arrangement may provide a good compromise between the desire to minimise the size of the thread portions on the container and the requirement to have sufficient engagement of thread portions that the material of the thread portions formed on the container maintains its integrity under the stresses imparted by the containment of a pressurised beverage within the container70. In arrangements, the length of the thread portions of the container70in a direction along the thread and the separation between them may be configured such that the combined length of the thread portions is in a range of approximately 25% to 75% of the circumference of the container70.

However, by combining a container70having one or more interrupted threads with a closure having corresponding continuous threads makes possible an arrangement in which the closure80must be rotated about the opening axis relative to the container70by a sufficiently large angle in order to remove the closure80that one can reduce the risk of an accidental removal of the closure80to an acceptable level.

In this respect, it should be appreciated that, although the thread portions of the container70are arranged such that none overlap another thread portion of the container, the thread portions of the closure80forming the one or more continuous threads may overlap in order to ensure that they are sufficiently long that the rotation required to remove the closure80from the container70is sufficiently large. For example, it may be desirable to ensure that the thread portions of the closure forming the continuous threads of the closure extend around at least half of the circumference of the closure. In the arrangement shown inFIG.19, each of the thread portions81,82forming respective continuous threads on the closure80, extend almost a complete circumference of the closure80.

As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generally free of” an element may still actually contain such element as long as there is generally no significant effect thereof.

Additionally, as used herein, the phrase “at least one of [X] and [Y],” where X and Y are different components that may be included in an embodiment of the present disclosure, means that the embodiment could include component X without component Y, the embodiment could include the component Y without component X, or the embodiment could include both components X and Y. Similarly, when used with respect to three or more components, such as “at least one of [X], [Y], and [Z],” the phrase means that the embodiment could include any one of the three or more components, any combination or sub-combination of any of the components, or all of the components.