Vial and crimp top seal therefor

Abstract: A crimp top seal (200,400) which can be applied to a variety of different containers. Circumferentially displaced points or lines of contact (14,16,18,22) between the crimp top seal and the container at axially displaced positions provide self-alignment and secure retention of the crimp top seal on the container. The resilient crimp top seal includes a top member (9), angular locking ribs (3), and a crimp ring (202) or lugs (310), all of which engage the neck finish on the container. The inner diameter of the skirt of the crimp top seal, the angle of the locking ribs, and the crimp ring or lugs provide the multiple, axially displaced lines of contact and allow the crimp top seal to engage a variety of containers.

Description: The invention relates to vials, particularly laboratory sample vials and dispensers for injectable pharmaceuticals and medicinal agents. Typically, this type of dispenser requires a securely sealed cap. The required seal is presently accomplished with a standard snap cap, a crimp aluminum cap, or a threaded cap and a corresponding bottle neck finish. In the present invention, the better properties of the snap cap and the crimp aluminum cap are adopted to provide a more safe and secure crimp top seal. Many conventional containers have a standard snap cap and neck finish; most aspirin bottles utilize this type of container. In this basic snap cap design, the extended skirt of the cap secures under a protrusion on the neck of the vial such that there is one point of contact between the skirt and vial upon sealing the container. In addition, those designs which have more than one point of contact do not generally have tight dimensional tolerances between the cap and container contact points. This type of cap can only be used on vials which have a snap ring for engagement with the skirt of the snap cap. The conventional design of the snap cap does not provide for ease of assembling the cap and the vial or for ease of removing the cap from the vial. The snap cap requires the use of downward pressure to apply the cap and upward pressure to remove the cap. Such pressure typically is exerted by the thumb of the user. Advantageously, a snap is heard or felt when the cap is positioned and the container is sealed. No tools are required either to apply or to remove the cap. The cap and container are typically made of plastic. This is advantageous because metal is undesirable in laboratory settings. The seal is consistent and provides an adequate short term (about 8 hours) seal against solvent evaporation. Because the materials used to form the cap and container are not very rigid, however, the designs cannot provide a seal able to withstand contents under high pressure or provide for long term storage without leakage--even with multiple points of contact. The protrusion on the neck of conventional vials is of increased mass; therefore, dimensional tolerance is not closely controlled during the molding process. Furthermore, the basic snap cap design does not allow for self-aligning or secure retention of the cap and the vial. Another common closure for containers of this type is a crimp cap, which is securely retained on the neck finish of the container by crimping a metallic (usually aluminum) skirt under a lip on the neck of the container. One advantage of the aluminum crimp cap is that it works on containers having either a standard crimp seal or a snap ring. A disadvantage is that the aluminum crimp cap requires the use of a crimping tool to form a seal. The seal is subject to the amount of squeeze and alignment given by the user. When properly applied, however, the aluminum crimp cap provides a good seal against solvent evaporation. The crimping tool is made of metal (typically aluminum) to provide the force necessary to deform the aluminum crimp cap and, thereby, either to apply or remove the aluminum crimp cap to or from the container. Removal of an aluminum crimp cap from a container is dangerous. If not done properly, the neck finish of the container can break--leaving ragged glass edges. Moreover, sharp aluminum pieces are exposed as the aluminum crimp cap is literally torn away from the container. Still another common closure for containers involves a standard screw thread neck finish on the vial and a corresponding screw thread on the cap. Closure is attained and a seal obtained by twisting or rotating the cap onto the vial. Thus, screw thread closures require finger torque pressure to apply and remove the cap. The seal is subject to the amount of torque applied by the user. When torqued properly, the threaded cap provides a good seal equivalent to or better than the aluminum crimp seal. One drawback is that the threaded cap can lose torque upon relaxation of the plastic material, from which the typical threaded cap is made, which allows the cap to back off the threads. In addition, the threaded cap can only be used on threaded vials. Finally, conventional containers allow only one type of cap per container. Suppliers must maintain large inventories, therefore, of several types of caps and several types of corresponding containers. These containers also are not conducive to simple industrial automation; the only convenient means of handling the containers is with complicated and expensive equipment. UK patent no. 279,495 describes a cap for bottles and other receptacles made of elastic material. It is considered a cap-shaped contrivance with a bottom portion and a flange divided into resilient curved parts by at least one depression (knob, projection or groove). The resilient parts are stretched during application of the cap to the neck of a vessel, which can be done by a blow or by applying pressure to the cap. UK patent application no. 2 073 157 describes a combination container body and closure cap. The container body has a mouth with an annular rim around it and a neck below its mouth which is concave to the outside, convex to the inside, and allows for non-drip pouring. The closure cap has a top, an annular skirt, an annular sealing plug, an annular internal recess in the skirt, a depending annular sealing bead on the inside of the top and a tear-away, tamper-resistant band below the skirt. The band is attached to the skirt by one or two weakened membranes. The cap is applied to the body by direct downward pressure and the cap cannot be removed without breaking the band. After breaking of the band, the cap can be removed by pushing up on its tab and it can be replaced by snapping, pressing, or screwing. European patent application no. 0 098 810 A2 describes a closure cap which has an inwardly projecting protrusion at its annular bottom edge, which comes into engagement with an annular lower shoulder of the bottle neck. The closure cap according to this document is provided with a predetermined breaking point in the top fiat portion, which, upon the exertion of pressure on the top of the cap, brakes and thus makes any opening of the closed bottle visible. WO 95/04685 A being an application of the proprietors of the present patent discloses a cap according to the preamble of claim 1, which cap forms a securely sealed closure when used in combination with a container including a screw thread neck finish. The resilient cap has locking ribs, which engage the screw thread of the neck finish. The cap can be snapped or twisted onto and off the container. The inner diameter of the cap and the outer dimension of the screw thread on the container are of sufficiently small tolerance as are the thread and angular locking rib inner diameters, to provide multiple axially displaced alignment means. In addition, a locking collar can be placed over the cap to increase the pressure at the three points of contact. A pull tab can be used in conjunction with the cap to facilitate removal of the cap from the container. The top seal of the invention is defined in claim 1, and the container is defined in claim 24. In the present invention, there is provided a crimp top seal which can be applied to a variety of different containers. Circumferentially displaced points or lines of contact between the crimp top seal and the container at axially displaced positions provide self-alignment and secure retention of the crimp top seal on the container. The resilient crimp top seal includes a top member, angular locking ribs, and a crimp ring or lugs which engage the neck finish of the container. The inner diameter of the skirt of the crimp top seal, the angle of the locking ribs, and the crimp ring or lugs provide the multiple, axially displaced lines of contact and allow the crimp top seal to engage a variety of containers. Brief Description of the Figures FIG. 1 illustrates a container and cap combination not forming part of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an expanded, cross-sectional view of the upper part of the cap-container combination shown in FIG. 1, taken along plane 2-2; FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 with the components dissembled; FIG. 4 is a top view of the inside of the cap of the combination shown in FIG. 1, taken along plane 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the upper part of the container with an alternative crimp cap for which it is adapted, also not forming part of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the crimp cap prior to assembly; FIG. 7 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the crimp top seal, in accordance with the present invention, before assembly; FIG. 8 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the crimp top seal of FIG. 7 shown as applied to the upper part of the container of the present invention; FIG. 9 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the crimp top seal of FIG. 7 shown as applied to the upper part of a standard container; FIG. 10 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the crimp top seal of FIG. 7 with an alternative crimp ring design; FIG. 11 is an expanded cross-sectional view of an alternative crimp top seal, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, before assembly; FIG. 12 is a top view of the inside of the crimp top seal shown in FIG. 11, taken along plane 25-25 of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the crimp top seal of FIG. 11 shown as applied to the upper part of the container of the present invention; and FIG. 14 illustrates a container in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a container and cap combination 20, comprises container 10 and resilient cap 1 having an axis, a. Three lines of contact 14, 16 , and 18 exist between cap 1 and container 10 which provide self-aligning and secure retention of cap 1 and container 10 . Container 10 may be plastic, glass, or other similar material. Cap 1 is a resilient material such as plastic. Now referring to details of this cap-container combination as better seen in FIGS. 2-4, cap 1 includes top member 9 with a center opening 4 . Cap 1 has the capacity to retain within itself liner 2 which may be composed of silicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber or the like. Thus, liner 2 is resilient and underlies top member 9 . It is possible to access the contents of container 10 without removal of cap 1 by, for example, inserting a syringe into center opening 4 and through perforatable liner 2 . Center opening 4 is sufficiently wide (on the order of 5-6 millimeters) to allow a syringe to be inserted without bending or breaking. Historically, heavy metals such as cadmium have been used to manufacture liner 2 , especially when container and cap combination 20 were designated for certain applications. The industry has moved toward stricter regulations, however, requiring proper disposal of such heavy metals. Compliance with these regulations is made easier by manufacturing liner 2 without heavy metals. Cap skirt 5 , the internal diameter of which corresponds to or is only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the neck of container 10, extends vertically (axially) downward from cap top member 9 to cap lower end 6 , to be substantially flush laterally with the bottom of the lower flange 12 of container 10 , and facilitates alignment of cap 1 and container 10 as they are assembled. Four angular locking ribs 3 project from skirt 5 and are located at circumferentially spaced locations around the inside of skirt 5 along contact line 16 . Locking ribs 3 are placed at an axially intermediate height inside skirt 5 to provide, in combination with contact lines 14 and 18 , alignment between cap 1 and container 10 . The angular shape of locking ribs 3 also allows for tolerance variation of liner 2 , ± 0.254 mm (± 0.010 of an inch), thus accommodating thick and thin liners. Locking ribs 3 , as shown in FIG. 4, retain liner 2 and provide the pull down and lock mechanism which seals container 10. Circular ridge 26 extends from the underside of top member 9 of cap 1 and aligns with the neck of container 10 . Circular ridge 26 applies a slight pressure to liner 2 urging liner 2 outward, thus more securely sealing container 10 . To facilitate alignment, as well as retention of cap 1 on container 10 , the neck finish of container 10 includes upper flange 11 and lower flange 12 , between which is disposed snap groove 13 . When cap 1 is mounted on container 10 and force is applied to top member 9 , locking ribs 3 expand past upper flange 11 and engage snap groove 13 . Thus, snap groove 13 provides the pull down and lock mechanism in conjunction with locking ribs 3 which seals container 10 . Ridge 26 also acts as a fulcrum, when ribs 3 are locked in snap groove 13 between upper flange and lower flange, 11 and 12 , pulling downward on cap skirt 5 . There are three lines of contact 14 , 16 , and 18 between skirt 5 of cap 1 and the neck finish of container 10 . Locking ribs 3 engage snap groove 13 thus defining line of contact 16 , formed between the apex of each rib 3 and the inner surface of groove 13 , and the enlarged inner diameter of skirt 5 above and below ribs 3 contacts flanges 11 and 12 , thus defining lines of contact 14 and 18 . (Although the top angled surface of each rib 3 may engage under flange 11 , depending on the dimensions of the various components and, specifically, of the liner 2 , such engagement is viewed as a continuation of contact line 14 and not as a discrete line of contact.) The three lines of contact self-align and securely retain cap 1 and container 10 . The snap groove 13 has a substantially rectangular cross-section (rectangular with some latitude allowed for tolerance variation), formed between the top flange 11 and the lower flange 12 , to accept locking ribs 3 while allowing tolerance variation upon downward movement of cap 1 onto container 10 . Also, the snap groove 13 between flanges 11 and 12 causes the neck finish of container 10 to be of reduced mass as compared to conventional neck finishes for receiving a self-gripping cap. This facilitates tighter dimensional tolerance in the molding of the neck finish (yet permits mating with the self-aligning cap of the present invention and permits better gripping as well) because thermal expansion and contraction is controlled in the molding of the glass or plastic article. Therefore, closer dimensional tolerance is permitted as compared to conventional containers. More important, the multiple axially displaced alignment features of the mating cap and neck finish of the present invention provide a self alignment, which in turn results in better, i.e. more secure, cap retention, as well as more secure seating and sealing of liner 2 between the mating opposing surfaces of cap 1 and the top of the neck finish of container 10 . To best accomplish this, the dimensional tolerances of the opposing surfaces of the inner diameters of skirt 5 and the outer diameters of the container neck flanges 11, 12 and groove 13 are all tightly controlled, preferably to plus or minus 0,172 - 0,254 mm (5-10 thousandths of an inch), most preferably 0,076 - 0,178 mm (3-7 thousandths of an inch). A cap with a crimp seal 53, as shown in FIG. 6, composed of aluminum, for example, may also be used to seal container 10 by securing the lower end 6 of skirt 5, as shown in FIG. 5, under lower flange 12 of container 10. The skirt 5 of the crimp seal 53 provides two points of contact, 14 and 18 , between the skirt 5 and the upper flange 11 and the lower flange 12 of the container 10 in addition to the point of contact between the lower end 6 of the crimp cap skirt 5 and the bottom of lower flange 12. Thus, the container of the present invention allows the user a choice of capping, cap 1 or a crimp seal 53, thus minimizing the container inventory required. The advantageous properties of the resilient snap cap 1 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and the aluminum crimp seal 53 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) can be combined in a crimp top seal 200 . A first embodiment of crimp top seal 200 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. A resilient material such as plastic is suitable for manufacturing crimped top seal 200 . Crimp top seal 200 includes top member 9 with a center opening 4 and a circular ridge 26 . A skirt 5 extends vertically (axially) downward from top member 9 to the lower end 6 of crimp top seal 200 . Four angular locking ribs 3 project from skirt 5 and are located at circumferentially spaced locations around the inside of skirt 5 . The angular shape of locking ribs 3 (formed at an angle, α, of about 120°) allows for tolerance variation of liner 2 . Locking ribs 3 retain liner 2 and provide the pull down and lock mechanism which seals the container to which crimp top seal 200 is secured. In addition, locking ribs 3 provide a tactile "feel" and an audible "click" indicating that crimp top seal 200 is secured to the container. At lower end 6 , crimp top seal 200 has a crimp ring 202 . Crimp ring 202 extends radially away from skirt 5 and provides the additional material necessary to permit crimp top seal 200 to be crimp around the flange or shoulder of the container to which crimp top seal 200 is secured (see FIG. 8). Crimp ring 202 may extend perpendicularly away from skirt 5 , forming a rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, crimp ring 202 may be provided with a radius, R, as shown in FIG. 10. The radius is advantageous because it relieves stress points which otherwise tend to form in crimp top seal 200 during the crimping and removal operations. Unlike snap cap 1 , which is preferably made of low density polyethylene, crimp top seal 200 is preferably made of polypropylene. Polypropylene allows crimp top seal 200 to form and hold its crimped seal better than the less rigid polyethylene material. Also unlike snap cap 1 , which has a skirt 5 having (except for ribs 3 ) a substantially constant internal diameter, skirt 5 of crimp top seal 200 may be provided with a variable internal diameter. Specifically, the internal diameter of skirt 5 above ribs 3 is less than that of skirt 5 below ribs 3 . This diametric variation enables crimp top seal 200 to better follow the shape of the flange or shoulder of the container to which it is affixed during the crimping operation. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 crimp top seal 200 allows the user to maintain in inventory a single crimp top seal 200 suitable for at least two separate containers. Consequently, the required cap inventory is minimized. One type of container is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8. The neck finish of that container 10 has an upper flange 11 and a lower flange 12, between which is disposed a snap groove 13 . Another type of container 250 is illustrated in FIG. 9. The container 250 shown in FIG. 9 has a standard neck finish 252. Neck finish 252 has an upper flange 11 and a lower flange 12, between which is disposed a straight (vertical) side wall devoid of either threads or a snap groove. Turning first to FIG. 8, the present invention includes a container and crimp top seal combination 300 , comprising container 10 and resilient crimp top seal 200 having an axis, a. Four lines of contact 14, 16, 18, and 22 exist between crimp top seal 200 and container 10 which provide self-aligning and secure retention of crimp top seal 200 and container 10 . Crimp top seal 200 is used to seal container 10 by securing crimp ring 202 of skirt 5 , as shown in FIG. 8, under lower flange 12 of container 10. Skirt 5 of crimp top seal 200 provides two lines of contact, 14 and 18 , between skirt 5 and upper flange 11 and lower flange 12 of container 10 . In addition, there is a line of contact 16 between ribs 3 of skirt 5 and snap groove 13 of container 10 . Finally, lower end 6 of skirt 5 forms a line of contact 22 with the bottom of lower flange 12 . For some applications, three lines of contact ( 14, 16 , and 18 ) provide a sufficient seal and crimp top seal 200 need not be crimped to form fourth line of contact 22 . When crimp top seal 200 is mounted on container 10 and force is applied to top member 9 , locking ribs 3 expand past upper flange 11 and engage snap groove 13. Thus, snap groove 13 provides the pull down and lock mechanism in conjunction with locking ribs 3 which seals container 10. Ridge 26 also acts as a fulcrum, when ribs 3 are locked in snap groove 13 between upper flange 11 and lower flange 12 , pulling downward on skirt 5 . Turning now to FIG. 9, the present invention includes a container and crimp top seal combination 260, comprising standard container 250 and resilient crimp top seal 200 having an axis, a. Four lines of contact 14 , 16, 18 , and 22 exist between crimp top seal 200 and container 250 which provide self-aligning and secure retention of crimp top seal 200 and container 250 . Crimp top seal 200 is used to seal container 250 by securing crimp ring 202 of skirt 5 , as shown in FIG. 9, under lower flange 12 of container 250. Skirt 5 of crimp top seal 200 provides two lines of contact, 14 and 18, between skirt 5 and upper flange 11 and lower flange 12 of container 250 . In addition, there is a line of contact 16 between ribs 3 of skirt 5 and the vertical wall of container 250 disposed between flanges 11 and 12 . Finally, lower end 6 of skirt 5 forms a line of contact 22 with the bottom of lower flange 12 . When crimp top seal 200 is mounted on container 250 and force is applied to top member 9 , locking ribs 3 expand past upper flange 11 and engage the vertical wall of container 250 disposed between flanges 11 and 12 . The angle, α, of about 120° and the inside diameter of crimp top seal 200 are predetermined to assure that ribs 3 "snap" into position approximately in the middle of the vertical wall. Thus, the user receives a tactile "feel" assuring that crimp top seal 200 is correctly aligned and in position before the crimping operation. The angle of ribs 3 and the inside diameter of skirt 5 of crimp top seal 200 are both critical, in combination, to permit crimp top seal 200 to seal a variety of container types (e.g., both container 10 and container 250 ). In comparison to snap cap 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), ribs 3 of crimp top seal 200 have a more gradual angle--ribs 3 of snap cap 1 have an angle of about 90°--and the inside diameter of skirt 5 of crimp top seal 200 is less than that of snap cap 1 . A crimp top seal 200 having the dimensions of snap cap 1 would not seal container 250 . The sharper angle of ribs 3 and the greater inside diameter of skirt 5 of snap cap 1 prevent such a crimp top seal 200 --at least absent extreme force--from seating on the middle of the vertical wall of container 250 . Instead, after the user removes the downward force, ribs 3 push skirt 5 upward. Lower end 6 of skirt 5 then is no longer adjacent the bottom of lower flange 12 of container 250 and the crimping operation cannot be performed. Two, separate tools are used to apply and to remove aluminum crimp seal 53 (FIGS. 5 and 6) from a container. Both tools are made of metal to provide the force required to apply and remove the relatively rigid aluminum crimp seal 53 . During the removal process, the tool literally tears aluminum crimp seal 53 away from the container--creating jagged aluminum edges which pose a danger to the user and equipment. Sharp pieces of aluminum often stick to the jaws of the tool and must be removed. Occasionally, the neck finish on the container breaks--leaving ragged edges which are especially dangerous when the container is glass. Unlike metal crimp seal 53 , it is possible to apply and remove crimp top seal 200 without any tools. If desired, the tools used to apply and remove crimp top seal 200 can be made of relatively inexpensive plastic, rather than metal, because less force is required to apply and remove the plastic crimp top seal 200 than the metal crimp seal 53 . During the removal process, the tool pries flexible crimp top seal 200 away from the container without tearing. Avoided are the dangerous, ragged edges of metal crimp seal 53 , a broken container neck finish, or both. Even if plastic crimp top seal 200 were to tear during removal, the ragged plastic edges would pose less risk of injury than their metal counterparts. An alternative embodiment of the crimp top seal is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is an expanded cross-sectional view of alternative crimp top seal 400 before assembly. FIG. 12 is a top view of the inside of crimp top seal 400 shown in FIG. 11, taken along plane 25-25 of FIG. 11. Alternative crimp top seal 400 includes top member 9 with a center opening 4 and a circular ridge 26. A skirt 5 extends vertically (axially) downward from top member 9 to the lower end 6 of alternative crimp top seal 400 . Four angular locking ribs 3 project from skirt 5 and are located at circumferentially spaced locations around the inside of skirt 5 . The angular shape of locking ribs 3 is very important to assure a tight seal with container 10 . As shown in FIG. 11, locking ribs 3 form an angle, β, of about 12° from vertical. The angular shape of locking ribs 3 also allows for tolerance variation of liner 2 (as discussed more fully below). Locking ribs 3 retain liner 2 and provide the pull down and lock mechanism which seals the container to which alternative crimp top seal 400 is secured. Clearly, alternative crimp top seal 400 differs from crimp top seal 200 with respect to the angle of locking ribs 3 . Alternative crimp top seal 400 also differs from crimp top seal 200 at lower and 6 . Although crimp top seal 200 has a crimp ring 202, alternative crimp top seal 400 has a number of lugs 310 positioned at lower end 6 and extending radially inward from skirt 5 . Preferably, lugs 310 are equally spaced around the circumference of alternative crimp top seal 400 . As shown in FIG. 25, eight lugs 310 spaced at 45° intervals with a depth of about 0.2 mm (0.008 inches) are suitable. Lugs 310 provide the additional material necessary to permit alternative crimp top seal 400 to be crimped around the flange or shoulder of the container to which alternative crimp top seal 400 is secured (see FIG. 13). Like crimp top seal 200 , alternative crimp top seal 400 is preferably made of polypropylene. Also like crimp top seal 200 , skirt 5 of alternative crimp top seal 400 may be provided with a variable internal diameter. Specifically, for the exemplary alternative crimp top seal 400 illustrated in FIG. 11, the internal diameter, B, of skirt 5 above ribs 3 is about 10.8 mm (0.425 inches). (The internal diameter, A, of ribs 3 is about 10.4 mm (0.409 inches).) The internal diameter, D, of skirt 5 below ribs 3 is about 11.3 mm (0.446 inches) - - somewhat greater than that of skirt 5 above ribs 3 . This diametric variation enables alternative crimp top seal 400 to better follow the shape of the flange or shoulder of the container to which it is affixed during the crimping operation. The internal diameter, C, of lugs 310 is about 10.9 mm (0.430 inches). Finally, the external diameter, E, of skirt 5 at lower end 6 is about 12.3 mm (0.485 inches). Alternative crimp top seal 400 allows the user to maintain in inventory a single alternative crimp top seal 400 suitable for a variety of separate containers. Consequently, the required cap inventory is minimized. Alternative crimp top seal 400 is especially adapted, however, for use with the unique container 350 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The neck finish of container 350 has an upper flange 11 and a lower flange 12, between which is disposed a shallow ramp 340 . Ramp 340 has an inwardly slanted top 342 and an outwardly slanted bottom 344 which mate with the correspondingly angled sides of ribs 3 of alternative crimp top seal 400 to seal alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 . Turning to FIG. 13, the present invention includes alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 comprising container 350 and alternative crimp top seal 400 having an axis, a. Four lines of contact 14, 16, 18, and 22 exist between alternative crimp top seal 400 and container 350 which provide self-aligning and secure retention of alternative crimp top seal 400 and container 350. Alternative crimp top seal 400 is used to seal container 350 by securing lugs 310 of skirt 5 , as shown in FIG. 13, under lower flange 12 of container 350. Skirt 5 of alternative crimp top seal 400 provides two lines of contact, 14 and 18 , between skirt 5 and upper flange 11 and lower flange 12 of container 350. In addition, there is a line of contact 16 between ribs 3 of skirt 5 and ramp 340 of container 350 . Finally, lower end 6 of skirt 5 forms a line of contact 22 with the bottom of lower flange 12 . For some applications, three lines of contact ( 14, 16, and 18 ) provide a sufficient seal and alternative crimp top seal 400 need not be crimped to form fourth line of contact 22 . For other applications, three different lines of contact ( 14, 16, and 22 ) provide a sufficient seal and ribs 3 need not seat in perfect alignment with ramp 340. When alternative crimp top seal 400 is mounted on container 350 and force is applied to top member 9 , locking ribs 3 expand past upper flange 11 and engage ramp 340. Thus, ramp 340 provides the pull down and lock mechanism in conjunction with locking ribs 3 which seals container 350 . Ridge 26 also acts as a fulcrum, when ribs 3 are locked in ramp 340 between upper flange 11 and lower flange 12 , pulling downward on skirt 5 . The "head" pressure, or downward force that the user must apply to top member 9 to mount alternative crimp top seal 400 on container 350 is advantageously small. Tests were done comparing the head pressure for a number of different cap (or crimp top seal) and container combinations. Specifically, four tests were repeated for the following caps and crimp top seal, each in combination with a container 10 having an outer diameter of about 10.8 mm (0.425 inches): (1) a low density polyethylene cap 1 , (2) a polypropylene cap 1 , and (3) a polypropylene alternative crimp top seal 400. Tests were also run for the combinations of (4) a polypropylene alternative crimp top seal 400 and a container 250 having an outer diameter of about 10.8 mm (0.425 inches), and (5) a polypropylene alternative crimp top seal 400 and a container 350 also having an outer diameter of about 10.8 mm (0.425 inches). The test results are summarized below, values given in Newtons. CONTAINER 10 CONTAINER 250 CONTAINER 350 LDPE CAP PP CAP SEAL SEAL SEAL 24,475 (5.5) 62,3 (14.0) 20,0 (4.5) 22,3 (5.0) 17,8 (4.0) 27,813 (6.25) 64,5 (14.5) 22,3 (5.0) 24,5 (5.5) 20,0 (4.5) 25,588 (5.75) 73,4 (16.5) 22,3 (5.0) 22,3 (5.0) 21,1 (4.75) 27,813 (6.25) 64,5 (14.5) 22,3 (5.0) 24,5 (5.5) 17,8 (4.0) (All forces in brackets are values in pounds ≙ 4.45 N) The angle of ribs 3 and the inside diameter of skirt 5 of alternative crimp top seal 400 are both critical, in combination, to permit alternative crimp top seal 400 to seal a variety of container types (e.g., container 10 , container 250 , and container 350 ). In comparison to crimp top seal 200 , ribs 3 of alternative crimp top seal 400 have a more gradual angle. In addition, alternative crimp top seal 400 replaces crimp ring 202 of crimp top seal 200 with lugs 310 at lower end 6 . This replacement provides an advantage. The crimping tool used to apply and remove a crimp seal, such as either crimp top seal 200 or alternative crimp top seal 400 , has (typically) four jaws that compress or release the crimp seal when the user squeezes or releases the handles of the crimping tool. Some crimping tools leave a space or gap between the jaws even in the fully closed position. Such gaps tend to "catch" crimp ring 202 of crimp top seal 200 upon application of crimp top seal 200 to a container using the crimping tool. Consequently, when the jaws of the crimping tool are released, the crimping tool remains caught on crimp top seal 200 and will not release crimp top seal 200 as desired. This problem does not occur for lugs 310 of alternative crimp top seal 400 because the crimping tool rolls lugs 310 under the shoulder of the container. In contrast, the crimping tool must bend crimp ring 202 under the shoulder of the container. Alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 is extremely versatile. A single crimp top seal 400 of specified dimensions may be applied to a variety of containers 350 having different dimensions. Specifically, crimp top seal 400 having the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 11 will seat containers 350 having outer diameters at flanges 11 and 12 of 10.67, 10.8 and 10.92 mm (0.420, 0.425, and 0.430 inches). Thus, only one alternative crimp to seal 400 need be maintained in inventory for use with a number of containers. The versatility of alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 is important, too, because it can account for manufacturing tolerances. A container 350 designed to have an outer diameter at flanges 11 and 12 of 10.8 ± 0.13 mm (0.425 ± 0.005 inches), for example, may yield an actual container having an outer diameter at flanges 11 and 12 of between 10.67 and 10.92 mm (0.420 and 0.430 inches). The matching angles between ribs 3 of alternative crimp top seal 400 and ramp 340 of container 350 provide both an enhanced seal and increased flexibility. Typically, a number of caps must be provided to accommodate liners 2 of varying thickness. Liners 2 typically vary between 0.25 and 1.02 mm (0.010 and 0.040 inches) in thickness. Unless a cap 1 having the proper dimensions is used with a thin liner 2 , ribs 3 of cap 1 might move within snap groove 13 of container 10 . This movement would permit a cap 1 , designed for use with a thicker liner 2 , to slide vertically with respect to container 10. Alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 permits a single crimp top seal 400 of specified dimensions to be used with liners 2 of varying thicknesses. (In fact, the seal achieved by alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 allows the user to dispense with any liner 2 .) A crimp top seal 400 having dimensions which cause ribs 3 to seat in substantially perfect alignment with ramp 340 of container 350 , when a relatively thin liner 2 is used, will also seal container 350 when a relatively thick liner 2 is used. Although ribs 3 may "ride up" slanted top 342 of ramp 340 of container 350 when the thicker liner 2 is used, the seal of alternative crimp top seal and container combination 360 remains satisfactory. Although this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments of this invention may be devised by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A top seal (200, 400) having a vertical axis (a) and an outer diameter and adapted for combination with a container (10, 250, 350) which has a neck finish (252) including an upper flange (11), a lower flange (12) with a bottom, and an intermediate area (13, 340) disposed between the upper flange (11) and the lower flange (12), said top seal (200) formed of plastic material and comprising a top member (9) having an underside and a dependent skirt (5), wherein: (a) said dependent skirt (5) extends axially downward from said top member (9) and has a lower end (6) substantially flush laterally with said bottom of said lower flange (12) of said container (10, 250, 350) upon completed downward movement of said top seal (200, 400) onto said container (10, 250, 350); (b) said dependent skirt (5) has a first substantially flat surface adapted to engage said upper flange (11) of said container (10, 250, 350), a second substantially flat surface located axially below said first surface and adapted to engage said lower flange (12) of said container (10, 250, 350), and a plurality of angular locking ribs (3) located at an axially intermediate position between said first and second surfaces and at circumferentially spaced locations around said skirt (5) and adapted to engage said intermediate area (13, 340) of said neck finish (252) of said container upon downward movement of said top seal (200, 400) onto said container (10, 250, 350); and (c) said dependent skirt (5) is sufficiently stiff to effect alignment and sealing engagement with said container (10, 250, 350) by contact above, at, and below said locking ribs (3); characterized in that: (d) the top seal is a crimp top seal (200, 400); and (e) members (310) extend radially inward from said skirt (5) and are circumferentially spaced at equidistant locations around said skirt (5), or at least one element (202) extends radially or perpendicularly away from said skirt (5), said members (310) are or said at least one element (202) is initially positioned at said lower end (6) of said skirt (5) and adapted to be crimped around the lower flange (12) of the container (10, 250, 350), thereby contacting the bottom of the lower flange (12) to further align and seal said crimp top seal (200, 400) on the container (10, 250, 350). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 further characterized in that a resilient liner (2) is disposed between said angular locking ribs (3) and said top member (9). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 2 wherein said liner (2) is disk-shaped, perforatable, and composed of silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or natural rubber. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 further characterized in that a circular ridge (26) is disposed on the underside of said top member (9). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein said top member (9) has a center opening (4). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein there are four of said angular locking ribs (3) circumferentially spaced at equidistant locations around said skirt (5). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 further characterized in that said locking ribs (3) each have an angle α of about 120 degrees in vertical cross-section. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein said first substantially flat surface of said skin (5) has an inside diameter and said second substantially flat surface of said skirt (5) has an inside diameter which is larger than said inside diameter of said first substantially flat surface. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein said crimp top seal (200, 400) is polypropylene. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one element (202) is a crimp ring extending radially away from said skirt (5). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 10 wherein said crimp ring (202) extends perpendicularly away from said skirt (5) and has a rectangular shape. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 10 wherein said crimp ring (202) has a radius relieving stress during crimping and removal operations of said crimp ring (202). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein said members (310) are lugs extending radially inward from said skirt (5). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 13 wherein said locking ribs (3) each have an angle of about 12 degrees from vertical. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said locking ribs (3) has an angle α of about 120 degrees in vertical cross section, and said at least one element (202) is a crimp ring (202) that extends radially away from said skirt (5) at said lower end (6) of said skirt (5), and said crimp top seal (200, 400) is further characterized in that a resilient liner (2) is disposed between said angular locking ribs (3) of said skirt (5) and said top member (9). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said locking ribs (3) has an angle of about 12 degrees from vertical, and said members (310) are a plurality of lugs that extend radially inward from said skirt (5) at said lower end (6) of said skirt (5) and are circumferentially spaced at equidistant locations around said skirt (5). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 1 further characterized in that said crimp top seal (200, 400) is combined with said container (10, 250, 350) to form a crimp top seal and container combination (300, 260, 360) characterized in that: (a) said container (10, 250, 350) has a reduced diameter section that provides an exposed vertical section between said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said container (10, 250, 350) when said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said container (10, 250, 350) are combined to permit handling of said crimp top seal and container combination (300, 260, 360) with automated equipment; (b) said neck finish (252) includes a shoulder disposed beneath said bottom of said lower flange (12), and (c) said reduced diameter section is disposed concentrically with said vertical axis (a) and between said bottom of said lower flange (12) and said shoulder; (d) said plurality of angular locking ribs (3) are each flexible, allow tolerance variation, have a top and a bottom, and are positioned on said inner surface of said skirt (5) at a corresponding plurality of axially intermediate positions and at circumferentially spaced locations around said intermediate area (13, 340) of said neck finish (252); with a first line of contact (16) between said inner surface of said skirt (5) of said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said neck finish (252) of said container (10, 250, 350) formed by said ribs (3) engaging said intermediate area (13, 340); a second line of contact (14) between said inner surface of said skirt (5) of said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said neck finish (252) of said container (10, 250, 350) disposed axially above said first line of contact (16) and formed by said upper flange (11) and said skirt (5); and a third line of contact (18) between said inner surface of said skirt (5) of said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said neck finish (252) of said container (10, 250, 350) disposed axially below said first line of contact (16) and formed by said lower flange (12) and said skirt (5), said three lines of contact (14, 16, 18) adapted to align said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said container (10, 250, 350) and to secure a sealing engagement between said underside of said top member (9) of said crimp top seal (200, 400) and said upper surface of said container (10, 250, 350). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one element (202) is a crimp ring extending radially away from said lower end (6) of said skirt (5), said crimp ring (202) adapted to be crimped around said lower flange (12) of said container (10, 250, 350) thereby forming a fourth line of contact (22) with said bottom of said lower flange (12) to further align and seal said crimp top seal (200, 400) on said container (10, 250, 350). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in either claim 1 or 17 wherein said members (310) are a plurality of lugs extending radially inward from said skirt (5) at said lower end (6) of said skirt (5) and being circumferentially spaced at equidistant locations around said skirt (5). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 17 further characterized in that said combination (300, 260, 360) is adapted to form a securely sealed closure of said container (10, 250, 350) via a pull down and lock mechanism. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 17 wherein said intermediate area (13, 340) of said neck finish (252) of said container is a ramp having an inwardly slanted top (342) and an outwardly slanted bottom (344). The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 17 wherein said dependent skirt (5) has an inner surface adapted to surround said flanges (11, 12) and said ramp (340) and to mate therewith. The crimp top seal (200, 400) as recited in claim 21 wherein said inwardly slanted top (342) and said outwardly slanted bottom (344) of said ramp (340) each have an angle of about 12 degrees from vertical. A container (350) having a vertical axis (a) and adapted for combination with one of a snap cap (1) which includes locking ribs (3) and a crimp sealed cap (200, 400) which includes a crimped skirt (5), said container (350) comprising the neck finish (252) with: (a) a top flange (11) including an outer surface with a diametric dimension and an axial dimension, each dimension having a tolerance; (b) an axially displaced lower flange (12) including an outer surface with a diametric dimension and an axial dimension, each dimension having a tolerance; and (c) an uninterrupted ramp (340) having an inwardly slanted top (342) and an outwardly slanted bottom (344) and being disposed between said upper flange (11) and said lower flange (12) and defined by an axial height dimension and a lateral width dimension, each with a tolerance, charcterized in that: (1) said ramp (340) is of substantially V-shaped cross-section adapted to accept said locking ribs (3) of said snap cap (1) while allowing tolerance variation upon downward movement of said snap cap (1) onto said container (350); (2) a shoulder is disposed beneath said lower flange (12); and (3) a reduced diameter section is disposed concentrically with said vertical axis for about 3.175 - 4.7625 mm (1/8 - 3/16 inches) in axial length and between said lower flange (12) and said shoulder, said reduced diameter section exposed upon completed downward movement of said cap (1, 200, 400) onto said container (350) to permit handling of said container (350) with automated equipment; said dimensional tolerances of said ramp (340) and said flanges (11, 12) adapted to serve as alignment means for said snap cap (1), said dimensional tolerances of said diametric dimension of said outer surface of said top flange (11) and said lower flange (12) being ± 0.254 mm (10 thousandths of an inch), said axially displaced lower flange (11) and reduced diameter section adapted to receive said crimped skirt (5) of said crimp cap (200, 400) sealed thereby, said container (350) thereby adapted to receive either of two alternative types of cap (1, 200, 400), a top sealed snap cap (1) and a crimp sealed cap (200, 400).

Inventors: FINNERAN JAMES G, FINNERAN, JAMES G.
Applicants: J G FINNERAN ASSOCIATES INC, J.G. FINNERAN ASSOCIATES, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D51
IPC codes: B65D1, B65D41, B65D51