Patent Publication Number: US-2004040928-A1

Title: Retained satellite ring cap and bottle assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of U.S. Design Application, filed Mar. 4, 2003, filed by the same inventor. Attorney reference number 1115/0M622-USO. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The invention relates to a cap for a bottle and particularly to a cap with a satellite ring assembly whereby removal of the cap results in the satellite tamper evident ring being retained on the bottle. The invention also relates to a bottle and cap assembly and to a bottle for use with the cap.  
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
       [0003] At present a large number of cap and bottle combinations are on the market. Popular caps often include tamper evident rings attached to the cap. Upon opening the bottle by removing the cap, the tamper evident ring is detached from the cap by various mechanisms, leaving evidence that the cap has been removed. Examples of these kinds of caps including satellite rings are the subject of New Zealand design registrations, nos. 21330 and 401068 to the Applicant but there are a variety of others available as well. The caps incorporate a satellite ring which is of a larger diameter than the cap and which is linked to the cap by frangible links. The frangible links are broken when a cap is first turned and removed thereby giving evidence that the cap has been removed.  
       [0004] A difficulty with the cap of registration No 21330 and the bottle with which it is normally used, is that after removal of the cap the ring itself can fall off or can readily be removed. This is a common problem with caps having a satellite ring assembly. A difficulty with the cap of registration No. 401068 is that the cap and bottle require between them a ratchet mechanism to overcome problems with the satellite ring being removed with the cap when the cap is turned.  
       [0005] Many companies in the world have moved away from satellite ring closures to an “in-line” closure. This is where the tamper-evident ring is directly below the skirt of the cap and generally of the same diameter as the skirt of the cap. Many examples of such caps are available in the market.  
       [0006] An advantage of the “in line” type closure is that when the cap is removed the tamper evident ring typically drops 2-4 mm giving the consumer a visible indication that the package has been tampered with, whilst the ring is retained on the bottle neck.  
       [0007] The ability to retain the in-line ring in the bottle is enhanced as the in-line ring can be positioned underneath a ridge on the bottle, so that when the cap is detached from the in-line ring, the in-line ring is retained on the neck of the bottle beneath this ridge. This cannot easily be done with a satellite ring because the satellite ring is of a wider diameter than the bottle neck and it readily falls off.  
       [0008] When mechanisms are added to hold the satellite ring to the bottle neck and the cap is twisted to remove it from the bottle, some pressure is required to break the links between the cap and the satellite ring. This pressure can often distort or bend the satellite ring because of the extra leverage created by the larger diameter of the ring. The frangible portion which attaches the ring to the cap can buckle through the twisting motion of the cap, which can in turn pull the bottom of the ring outward away from the bottle neck. This can allow the satellite ring to be removed with the cap and render the mechanism which is intended to retain it useless, or at least it can reduce its effectiveness as a tamper evident option.  
       [0009] A disadvantage with the “in line” closure, while it creates a more satisfactory means for retaining the tamper evident ring, is that the tooling to produce this type of closure is more complex and therefore more expensive. It therefore follows that the unit price of the closure is usually greater than that of a satellite ring cap. The greatest disadvantage of the “in line” cap for manufacturers who have been supplying satellite ring closures, and who wish to supply caps with tamper evident rings that are retained on the bottle, is costly modification of their filling and capping equipment, or purchasing new equipment. This expense, and the relatively high unit cost, make use of “in line” cap constructions undesirable.  
       [0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a retained satellite ring cap or a bottle therefor which goes some way toward overcoming the identified disadvantages or which offers a useful alternative.  
       [0011] In this specification the term “cap” is used to describe any cap, lid or closure for a bottle or container with a generally top opening. The term “bottle” is used to describe any container or vessel with a generally top positioned opening, which bottle is capable of holding a liquid or other flowable material. The cap and bottle may be made from any of the range of materials known in the trade.  
       [0012] For the purposes of this specification and claims, the term “retained satellite ring cap” means a satellite ring cap which, when the cap is removed from a bottle to which the retained satellite ring cap is attached, will result in the satellite ring being retained on the bottle to which the cap was attached.  
       [0013] For the purposes of this specification and claims, the term “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” is to be interpreted in an inclusive sense.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a retained satellite ring cap having an outer skirt adapted for engagement with a bottle neck and a satellite tamper evident ring connected by at least one frangible connector to the outer skirt, the satellite tamper evident ring having retaining means adapted for engagement with the bottle neck, and the satellite ring including a transitional wall which extends upwardly and inwardly from the satellite ring to immediately below or adjacent to a lower edge of the outer skirt, the transitional wall being linked by the at least one frangible connector to the outer skirt, the arrangement being such that initially with the cap fitted to a bottle the tamper evident ring is located with the retaining means engaged with the bottle neck so that on twisting removal of the cap the at least one frangible connector is broken to allow the cap to be removed while the satellite tamper evident ring is retained in position on the bottle neck by the retaining means.  
       [0015] The transitional wall may be continuous or discontinuous. In a discontinuous form, the transitional wall may comprise a plurality of spaced ramp sections.  
       [0016] The retaining means can be a rib/ridge or ribs/ridges on the tamper evident ring and/or bottle which co-operate together when the cap is fitted to the bottle to retain the tamper evident ring on the bottle neck. The co-operation between the rib/ridge or ribs/ridges can be created by incorporating a rib on the bottle neck below a thread form on the bottle neck. The rib/ridge or ribs/ridges co-operate with a series of ribs or recesses on an inner periphery of the satellite tamper evident ring.  
       [0017] Preferably each ramp section is linked by two frangible connectors to the outer skirt.  
       [0018] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a retained satellite ring cap having an outer skirt adapted for engagement with a bottle neck and a satellite tamper evident ring connected by frangible connectors to the outer skirt, the satellite tamper evident ring having retaining means adapted for engagement with the bottle neck, wherein the satellite ring or the frangible connectors include a plurality of spaced ramp sections which extend upwardly and inwardly from the satellite ring to immediately below or adjacent to a lower edge of the outer skirt, each ramp section being linked by at least one frangible connector to the outer skirt, the arrangement being such that initially with the cap fitted to a bottle the tamper evident ring is located with the retaining means engaged with the bottle neck so that on twisting removal of the cap the frangible connectors are broken to allow the cap to be removed while the satellite tamper evident ring is retained in position on the bottle neck by the retaining means.  
       [0019] Adjacent ramp sections may be adjoined to provide a substantially continuous transitional wall between the at least one frangible connector and the outer skirt.  
       [0020] The retaining means may comprise a rib/ridge or ribs/ridges on the tamper evident ring and/or bottle which co-operate together when the cap is fitted to the bottle to retain the tamper evident ring on the bottle neck.  
       [0021] A rib is preferably provided on the bottle neck below a thread form on the bottle neck to provide the co-operation between the rib/ridge or ribs/ridges. The rib provided on the bottle co-operates with a series of ribs or recesses on an inner periphery of the satellite tamper evident ring.  
       [0022] Each ramp section is preferably linked by two frangible connectors to the outer skirt. The retaining means comprise a ridge or rib provided on the tamper evident ring adjacent to at least one of the spaces between adjacent ramp sections. In a preferred embodiment the retaining means comprise a ridge or rib provided on the tamper evident ring adjacent to each of the spaces between adjacent ramp sections.  
       [0023] Preferably the angle between a central axis of the cap and the ramp sections is between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, and most preferably 30 degrees.  
       [0024] Preferably two to ten, and most preferably six ramp sections are provided.  
       [0025] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a bottle for use with the retained satellite ring cap according to either of the first or second aspects, the bottle having a neck adapted for engagement with the cap, the neck incorporating retaining means, the retaining means being formed as a rib or recess below a thread form on the neck, the retaining means being located above or spaced above a shoulder or lower section below which the remainder of the bottle is formed, the arrangement being such that the cap, when fitted to the bottle after it is filled, is locked thereto with a rib and/or ridge(s) or recess(es) on the satellite ring engaging with the retaining means such that when the cap is removed the frangible connectors between the satellite ring and the skirt of the cap are ruptured leaving the satellite ring on the bottle neck.  
       [0026] The means for engaging the cap and bottle together are preferably complementary screw threads formed on the bottle neck and skirt of the cap.  
       [0027] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a retained satellite ring cap and bottle assembly incorporating the features of the first, second and third aspects of the invention.  
       [0028] Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0029] Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a cap according to a first aspect of the invention;  
     [0031]FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the cap shown in FIG. 1;  
     [0032]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cap shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;  
     [0033]FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken along the lines  4 - 4  shown in FIG. 3 through the cap shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 ;  
     [0034]FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation taken along lines  5 - 5  shown in FIG. 3 of the cap shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 ;  
     [0035]FIG. 6 is a side view of the cap shown in FIGS.  1  to  5 ;  
     [0036]FIG. 7 is a side view of a neck of a bottle adapted for use with the cap shown in FIGS.  1  to  6 ;  
     [0037]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bottle neck shown in FIG. 7;  
     [0038]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cap shown in FIGS.  1  to  6  fitted on the bottle neck shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;  
     [0039]FIG. 10 is a sectional elevation taken along lines  10 - 10  shown in FIG. 9 through the assembled cap and bottle;  
     [0040]FIG. 11 is a sectional elevation taken along lines  11 - 11  shown in FIG. 9 through the assembled cap and bottle;  
     [0041]FIG. 12 is a side view of the assembled cap and bottle shown in FIGS.  9  to  11 ;  
     [0042]FIG. 13 is a sectional elevation taken along lines  13 - 13  shown in FIG. 12;  
     [0043]FIG. 14 is a detail of the region  14  as indicated in FIG. 13;  
     [0044]FIG. 15 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIGS.  7  to  14  with the cap removed and a satellite ring of the cap retained on the bottle;  
     [0045]FIG. 16 is a perspective view from above similar to that shown in FIG. 15;  
     [0046]FIG. 17 is a perspective view from above of a cap according to a second aspect of the invention;  
     [0047]FIG. 18 is a perspective view from below of the cap shown in FIG. 17;  
     [0048]FIG. 19 is a sectional elevation taken along lines  19 - 19  of the cap shown in FIG. 17;  
     [0049]FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of that part of the sectional view of FIG. 19 located within circle  20 ; and  
     [0050]FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of that part of the sectional view of FIG. 4 located within circle  21 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES  
     [0051] FIGS.  1 - 16  illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIGS.  1  to  6  is shown an example of a retained satellite ring cap  1  having an upper surface  2  from which depends an outer skirt  3 . In the example the outer skirt  3  incorporates a screw thread  4  (shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and  5 ). The skirt  3  incorporates a plurality of finger ribs  5  on its outer periphery to aid removal and placement of the cap  1 .  
     [0052] The skirt  3  has formed in association therewith a satellite tamper evident ring  6  connected to the skirt  3  by ramp members  7  which extend inwardly and upwardly from the ring  6 . The upper inward edge  8  of each ramp member  7  is connected to the skirt  3  by frangible connectors or links  9  shown most clearly in FIGS. 1, 2,  5  and  6 . together the ramp members  7  and the frangible links  9  may be referred to as the frangible portion of the cap. As seen in the Figures, the ramp members have spaces  12  between them.  
     [0053] The satellite tamper evident ring  6  in FIG. 1 is shown with a rib  10  and a series of ridges  11 . The rib  10  extends around an inner edge of the ring  6  below the level of the ramp members  7 . The ridges  11  are positioned in spaces  12  between adjacent ramp members  7  at a level above the rib  10 . In the example a series of ridges  11  are shown although it is to be appreciated the ridges  11  could be linked to form a continuous ridge.  
     [0054] An example bottle in accordance with a second aspect of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In these Figures there is shown a bottle neck  13  preferably incorporated integrally with a container or the like (not shown).  
     [0055] The bottle neck  13  incorporates an open end or mouth  14  and a screw thread means  15  for engagement with the screw thread  4  on a cap such as the example shown in FIGS.  1  to  6 .  
     [0056] The bottle neck  13  in FIGS. 7 and 8 incorporates as a retaining means a rib  16  the diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the screw thread  4 . The lower edge  17  of the rib  16  acts as a ledge below which, and spaced from which, is a shoulder  18  (FIG. 7). In the example shown in FIG. 7 the space between the rib  16  and the shoulder  18  constitutes a rebated region  19  which is above the remainder of the bottle which is not shown in the drawings.  
     [0057] FIGS.  9  to  14  then show a combination of the cap of FIGS.  1  to  6  and the bottle of FIGS. 7 and 8. The cap is shown in place on the bottle.  
     [0058]FIGS. 15 and 16 then show the cap removed from the bottle while the satellite ring remains on the bottle.  
     [0059] The preferred angle L between the central axis X and ramp member  7  is approximately 15 degrees to 45 degrees (refer FIG. 5), and most preferably 30 degrees. The number of ramp members  7  is preferably two to ten, and most preferably six. The spaces between ramp members are preferably 8.5 in length and 2.5 in height (i.e. a direction parallel to the central axis X). The overall diameter of the upper surface  2  is 35-45, most preferably 40.25. The overall height of the cap is preferably 10-20, most preferably 15.45. The height of the ramp members is preferably 3 to 6, most preferably 4.7. The overall diameter of the ring is preferably 40-50, most preferably 45.  
     [0060] In use a cap  1  of the type shown in FIGS.  1  to  6  is fitted to a bottle neck of the type shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The cap  1  is shown fitted to the bottle neck in FIGS.  9  to  14 . Normally the cap  1  is fitted in a bottling plant and the rotational motion of screwing on the cap  1  causes the ridges  11  of the cap  1  to ride over the rib  16  on the bottle neck. The rotational motion distorts the flexible satellite tamper evident ring  6  until the ridges  11  snap over the rib  16  on the bottle. In this position an upper extension  20  of the bottle neck contacts the inner surface  21  of the cap  1  and if provided an inner skirt  22  of the cap  1  engages within the mouth of the bottle as shown in FIG. 11 to seal the bottle against accidental discharge of the filled material.  
     [0061] When the contents of the bottle are required the unscrewing of the cap  1  tends to raise the skirt  3 . With the ridges  11  snap fitted in the stepped and rebated region  19  and beneath the rim  18  the frangible connectors  7  are eventually broken by the upward movement of the skirt  3 . Removal of the cap  1  is thus possible while the satellite tamper evident ring  6  is left in position on the bottle.  
     [0062] As will be appreciated, the spaces between the ramp sections  7  could be in-filled to provide a continuous “look” to the cap without altering the working of the ramp sections themselves. The infill would be predominantly aesthetic but may also offer some rigidity advantages.  
     [0063] Referring now to FIGS.  17 - 21 , a second less preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. For ease of understanding, like reference numerals illustrate like features of the two embodiments. In this embodiment the ramp members  7  of FIGS.  1 - 16  have been extended to create a continuous transitional wall  7 A which us ramped to provide at least some of the advantages of the spaced apart ramp members  7 . Frangible portions  9  such as those illustrated in the first embodiment may be used, but the preferred arrangement is a plurality of elongate frangible portions  9 A. However, a single frangible portion (not shown) which extends about a part of, or the entire, circumference of the skirt may be used.  
     [0064] As can be seen in FIG. 18, a plurality of ridges  11  are provided, although a continuous ridge (not shown) may be provided. In FIG. 19 the cap of this second embodiment is shown in cross section, and in FIG. 20 the “land”, i.e. the inward extent, of a ridge  11  is shown. Turning now to FIG. 21, the inward extend of the ridge  11  for the first embodiment is also shown, so that a direct comparison may conveniently be made of the extent of ridges  11  between the two embodiments. As can be clearly seen, ridge  11  of the first embodiment is clearly greater than that of the second embodiment. This provides the first embodiment with a significant advantage, since this greater length provides a greater surface over which the ring contacts lower edge  17  of the bottle rib  16 . Accordingly, the ring of the first embodiment is more likely to be advantageously retained on the bottle.  
     [0065] In addition the spaces between ramp members  7  of the first embodiment allow the ring to be easily removed from those portions of the machinery (most preferably moulding tools or dies) used to form the ridges  11  during manufacture. The second embodiment requires ridges  11  of a reduced extent and more complex tooling to allow the ring to be removed from the tool during manufacture. In particular, the second embodiment is much less likely to distort when ejected from the tooling using conventional means. The spaces or windows between ramp members  7  also have the practical advantage of allowing the area surrounding the closure to be washed once positioned on the bottle. Thus materials packaged within the container that the cap closes, which have escaped during the packaging process can be washed away from the closure using water for example. The water can access portions of the closure through the spaces and improve the appearance of the packaged product. This is a particular advantage when the cap is being used as a closure on milk containers.  
     [0066] The use of the cap and ring of the second embodiment, and the dimensions thereof are substantially the same as described above with reference to the first embodiment.  
     [0067] With both embodiments the inward and upward extension of the wall  7 A, or ramp members  7  and the presence of the spaces  12  in the ring  6 , decrease the tension that is transferred to the ring by the twisting of the cap  1  and the resulting upward movement of the skirt  3 . The wall  7 A, or ramp members  7 , give the ring greater inherent structural integrity, so the ring is better able to maintain its shape, and so is successfully retained on the bottle beneath the rib  16 . Also, the frangible portions have a reduced length, so the shear forces during separation of the cap from the ring are localised resulting in an improved separation in use. If the cap  1  is reinstated on the bottle and it is subsequently removed it will be clear to whoever is removing the cap that it has already been previously released because no extra effort is required to break the frangible connectors.  
     [0068] This ability of the ring  6  to be retained on the bottle neck  13 , after removal of the cap  1  allows caps of this kind to be fitted onto the bottle using existing capping and filling machinery which is designed to dispense non-retained satellite ring caps. This is a significant commercial advantage to manufacturers of such bottle/cap combinations. It also avoids the problems traditionally associated with retained satellite ring caps.  
     [0069] Where in the foregoing description particular mechanical integers have been described it is envisaged that their mechanical equivalents can be incorporated as if they were individually set forth herein.  
     [0070] Thus by the invention there is provided a retained satellite ring cap, bottle and the cap, and a bottle assembly in which removal of the cap results in a tamper evident ring being retained on the bottle.  
     [0071] Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the attached claims.