Patent Publication Number: US-11643255-B2

Title: Closure devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/500,610 filed 3 Oct. 2019, which is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/CA2017/050619, filed 23 May 2017, which claims priority from Japanese patent application 2017-080003 filed 13 Apr. 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a closure and in particular to a closure for engaging the neck of a container. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to closures made from molded plastics material for sealingly closing beverage containers, such as glass or plastic bottles and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Plastic beverage bottles and closures are well known. There is an established need to reduce the material used in such bottle and closure designs in order to drive down manufacturing costs, reduce waste and meet legislative requirements. However, a reduction in material generally has an adverse effect on performance and so design parameters are normally established with a view to balancing these competing factors. 
     Plastic beverage closures normally include four main functional elements: a tubular body or shell, securing feature(s), sealing feature(s) and tamper evidence feature(s). The body or shell typically includes a top wall, usually circular, with an annular side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall is typically in the form of a cylindrical skirt extending perpendicularly from the peripheral edge of the top wall. The securing feature usually includes a screw thread but can in some cases include a snap on feature, both of which are known in the art. The securing feature is normally formed integrally with the side wall on the inner surface thereof and adjacent to the container opening, for example the neck of a bottle. Several different sealing features are known in the art which can be applied in isolation or in various combinations and several tamper evidence features have also been developed. 
     Recent efforts to reduce weight in plastic bottle designs have resulted in neck designs having a greatly reduced height. As a consequence, the requisite height of closures used with such container necks has also reduced. Whilst this reduction in height has the positive effect of reducing weight in the closure, it has been found to have an adverse impact on the ability of users to remove the closure from the container neck. More specifically, the reduction in the height of the side wall of the closure reduces the surface area available for the user to grip the closure in order to apply the release torque for removing the closure from the container neck. 
     As a result, the effect of any increase in the requisite release torque is much more acute in closures used in such applications. This can be particularly problematic with some designs of sealing and/or tamper evidence features which require high application and release torques to perform effectively. 
     One known tamper evidence feature includes a band frangibly connected to an open end of the tubular body of the closure by a series of bridges. The band includes a series of tabs connected by flexible hinges to a lower portion of the band and extend upwardly and inwardly thereof. The tabs engage an undercut surface of an external flange, or pilfer bead, on a container neck when the closure is secured thereto. With this arrangement, the action of unscrewing the closure from the container for the first time brings the tabs into contact with the flange, which prevents further upward movement of the tabs. Continued unscrewing of the closure beyond this point progressively places the frangible connection under tension and severs the bridges, thereby separating the tamper evident band from the body of the closure. 
     Typically, closures incorporating this tamper evidence design are molded with the tabs in a downward and inward orientation, wherein the tabs are subsequently folded upwardly into a use configuration. This, additional operation adds to the cost and complexity of the manufacturing process and US Patent Application No. 2001/0015341 A describes such a closure in which the tabs are molded in a use condition by forming recesses or openings in the band which form the tabs in a use position. 
     Another common tamper evidence feature includes a series of cams projecting from the inner surface of the band in place of the tabs. The cams are sloped to provide a series of lead-in ramps that engage the flange of the container neck as it is introduced into the closure body. The engagement between the lead-in ramps and the flange stretches the tamper evidence band until the cams pass over the flange, at which point they snap into engagement with the flange. 
     There is a security issue with such known tamper evidence feature designs in that it may be possible to remove the closure without damaging the band or frangible bridges. Such tampering can present a serious safety hazard, since circumventing the tamper evidence feature could enable contamination or replacement of the container contents and subsequent reapplication of the closure, leaving no evidence of tampering. Such removal may be achieved, for example, by inserting a blade between the band and the neck of the container and levering the band outwardly to expand and pass it over the flange of the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,479 seeks to overcome this issue by providing localized areas of thickening to enhance the longitudinal stiffness of the band and to inhibit insertion of a blade as described above. Whilst effective at mitigating the aforementioned security issue, these thickened areas have a deleterious effect on the requisite application torque and on the weight of the closure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed, in particular but not exclusively, to a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container. The present invention is also directed to a mold stack, a mold and a molding system for molding such a closure. Aspects of the invention provide a closure having a tubular body, which may have a closed end and an open end. The closure or body may have a top wall and a side wall or skirt. The side wall or skirt may be annular and/or may depend from the top wall. The body, for example the side wall or skirt, may include securing features, such as threads which may be formed on an inner surface thereof and/or which may include one or more turns each having a plurality of interruptions to form axial venting passages. The closure may have a tamper evidence band, which may be frangibly connected to the open end of the body, e.g. to the side wall or skirt. The tamper evidence band may have retaining cams protruding from its inner surface, which may be profiled for allowing a flange of the container neck to be introduced, in use, therepast and/or for engaging the flange to separate the tamper evidence band from the body when the closure is subsequently removed from the container. In addition, any of the foregoing features described in relation to known closures may be incorporated within a closure according to the invention, insofar as they are consistent with the disclosure herein. 
     According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container, the closure comprising a tubular body having a closed end and an open end and an annular tamper evidence band frangibly connected to the open end of the body, the tamper evidence band comprising a plurality of retaining cams each protruding from its inner surface and having a lead-in ramp for engaging, in use, the flange of a container neck as the neck is introduced into the open end of the body and a catch or stop for engaging the flange to separate the tamper evidence band from the body when the closure is subsequently removed from the container, wherein the lead-in ramp of at least one of the retaining cams has a recess therein. 
     The provision of a recess in the lead-in ramp enables a reduction in the amount of material necessary to form the cams, whilst retaining the requisite functional surfaces that enable the cams to perform their required function. Such reduction of material also reduces the risk of sink marks and enables the thickness of the tamper evidence band to be reduced further than is generally practicable with conventional cam designs. 
     The Applicant has observed that a reduced band thickness, together with the aforementioned cam shape more readily deforms plastically if manipulated to remove the band after installation. This enhances the visual indication of tampering, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the tamper evidence function. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, such plastic deformation is prevented during application of the closure to the container neck because engagement between the cams and the flange causes the band to stretch substantially uniformly about its circumference. 
     The recess may be in an intermediate or central portion of the retaining cam, for example the lead-in ramp thereof. The recess may comprise a scalloped-out portion. The recess or scalloped-out portion may be formed by removing molding material from the cam. The recess may describe or define two or more spaced ramp portions. The spaced ramp portions may be for contacting the flange of the container neck. At least part of the recess may be substantially contiguous or flush with the inner surface of the tamper evidence band. 
     The lead-in ramp may face an open or lower end of the tamper evidence band. The open or lower end of the tamper evidence band may comprise or describe an open end of the closure, for example which is distinct and/or spaced from the open end of the body. The catch or stop may face the closed end of the body. The catch or stop may span the spaced ramp portions. The at least one cam may be substantially U-shaped, for example wherein the catch or stop comprises or provides a base of the U and/or the ramp portions comprise or provide limbs thereof. 
     The ramp, for example at least one or each ramp portion, may comprise a ramp surface, e.g. for contacting the flange of the container neck. The ramp surface(s) may be sloped, for example toward the open or lower end of the tamper evidence band or closure. At least one or each ramp portion may have sides that are sloped or taper, for example toward one another and/or from the catch or stop toward the open or lower end of the tamper evidence band or closure. 
     The catch or stop may have a surface, e.g. an engagement surface, for engaging the flange. The surface for engaging the flange may be radial and/or extend radially or substantially perpendicularly from the tamper evidence band or its inner surface. The surface for engaging the flange may span the spaced ramp portions and/or the recess and may face the closed end of the body. 
     The closure may comprise a top wall, which may describe or define the closed end. The closure may comprise a side wall, e.g. an annular side wall, which may depend from the top wall and/or describe the open end of the body. 
     The body, e.g. the side wall, may comprise threads, which may include one or more turns, e.g. two or more turns. Each turn may have one or more, e.g. a plurality of, interruptions. The interruption(s) may form axial venting passages. The interruption(s) may each or together form the axial venting passages. At least one of the turns may include an uninterrupted portion aligned axially with an interruption in one or more of the other turns. 
     According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container, the closure comprising a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall, the side wall comprising threads including two or more turns each having a plurality of interruptions to form axial venting passages, wherein one of the turns includes an uninterrupted portion aligned axially with an interruption in another of the turns. 
     The Applicant has determined that the omission of an interruption in one of the turns is surprisingly effective at mitigating damage to the threads in the event of excessive torque being applied to the closure during application without compromising its ability to vent the pressurised contents of the container. 
     The top wall may comprise an abutment, which may depend therefrom. The abutment may have an abutment surface, e.g. for abutting against a top surface of the container neck. 
     The abutment may comprise one or more projections, e.g. a plurality of projections. The abutment may comprise at least three projections, for example four, five, six, seven or more projections. The projections may depend from and/or be spaced circumferentially about the top wall. At least one or each projection may provide part of the abutment surface. The projections may together provide a composite abutment surface for abutting against a top surface of the container neck. 
     The provision of a plurality of projections which each provide part of the abutment surface can reduce the release torque required to remove the closure from the container. 
     The closure may comprise an intermediate wall, for example between the side wall and the top wall, e.g. periphery of the top wall. The top wall may have a first diameter and/or the side wall may have a second diameter. The second diameter may be larger than the first diameter. The intermediate wall may comprise or provide a step, e.g. an annular step. 
     The step may have a first portion, which may be axial, depending from the top wall, e.g. the periphery thereof. The step may have a second portion, which may be radial, joining the first portion, e.g. the lower edge thereof, to the annular side wall. The radial portion may comprise the abutment surface. 
     The abutment may comprise or be provided by the step. In embodiments, the abutment surface is provided by the radial portion, e.g. it may be provided by or be contiguous or flush with the lower surface of the radial portion. In embodiments where the abutment comprises a plurality of projections, the projections may depend from the step or the radial portion, e.g. the lower surface of the radial portion. The projections may be spaced circumferentially about the top wall and/or the radial portion, e.g. the lower surface of the radial portion. 
     At least one or each projection may tapers or slope, e.g. from the top wall or the radial portion to its abutment surface. 
     The closure may comprise an extension, which may be described from the abutment surface to the top wall, e.g. to the top of the top wall. The closure may comprise an effective closure height, which may be described from the base or lower edge of the side wall to the top wall, e.g. to the top of the top wall. The extension may be at least 5% of the effective closure height. Preferably, the extension is at least 10% of the effective closure height. In embodiments, the extension is at least 15% for example at least 20% of the effective closure height. For certain applications, the extension is at least 25% of the effective closure height. 
     The closure may comprise a tamper evidence band depending from the base of the side wall. The tamper evidence band may be annular and/or may be frangibly connected to base or lower edge of the side wall or to the open end of the body. The tamper evidence band may comprise a plurality of retaining cams protruding from its inner surface. At least one retaining cam may have a lead-in ramp, e.g. for engaging, in use, the flange of a container neck as it is introduced into the open end of the body or into the side wall. At least one retaining cam may have a catch or stop, e.g. for engaging the flange to separate the tamper evidence band from the body when the closure is subsequently removed from the container. The lead-in ramp of at least one of the retaining cams may have a recess therein. 
     The closure may comprise an overall closure height, which may be described from the base or lower edge of the tamper evidence band to the top wall, e.g. the top of the top wall. The extension may be at least 5% of the overall closure height. Preferably, the extension is at least 10% of the overall closure height. In embodiments, the extension is at least 15% of the overall closure height. For certain applications, the extension is at least 20% of the overall closure height. 
     The closure may comprise an inner seal, which may be annular, depending from the radial portion, for example an inner part thereof. The closure may comprise an outer seal, which may be annular, depending from the radial portion, e.g. an outer or intermediate part thereof. The projections may be disposed between and/or spaced from each of the inner and outer seals. 
     The closure may comprise one or more, e.g. a plurality of, ribs. The ribs may be axial and/or external. The ribs may include first and second ribs. The first ribs may be longer than the second ribs. The first ribs may extend from the top wall toward or to the base or lower edge of the side wall. The second ribs may extend from the intermediate wall toward the base or lower edge of the side wall. At least one or each second rib may be between a pair of first ribs. The first ribs may comprise a quarter-round or quarter-disc portion extending from the step and/or between the intermediate wall and the top wall. 
     According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container, the closure comprising a top wall, an annular side wall depending from the top wall, an intermediate wall between the side wall and the periphery of the top wall and a plurality of axial external ribs, the top wall having a first diameter and the annular side wall having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the intermediate wall comprising an annular step having a first, axial portion depending from the periphery of the top wall and a second, radial portion joining the lower edge of the first portion to the annular side wall, wherein the plurality of ribs comprise first ribs extending from the top wall toward the base of the side wall and a second rib between each pair of first ribs, the second ribs being shorter than the first ribs and extending from the intermediate wall toward the base of the side wall. 
     The closure may be injection molded or compression molded or formed by any other suitable process. The closure may, but need not, be formed of a plastics material, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene or any other suitable material. The closure may be for, e.g. adapted for use with, a bottle or container to be filled with a carbonated beverage. Alternatively, the closure may be for, e.g. adapted for use with, a bottle or container to be filled with a still beverage or other liquid, in which case the interruptions in the threads may be omitted or the threads may be replaced with other engaging features. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a mold stack comprising a plurality of mold inserts which, when in a molding configuration, together describe a molding cavity for molding a closure as described above. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a mold for molding a closure as described above. The mold may comprise a mold stack as described above. The mold may comprise a compression or injection mold. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a molding system for molding a closure as described above. The molding system may comprise a mold as described above. The molding system may comprise a compression or injection molding system. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising and/or describing and/or defining a three-dimensional design for use with a simulation means or a three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing means or device, e.g. a three-dimensional printer or CNC machine, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of the closure described above. 
     For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “may”, “and/or”, “e.g.”, “for example” and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    depicts a perspective view of a closure according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    depicts a bottom view of the closure of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    depicts a perspective section view of the closure of  FIGS.  1  and  2    through section A-A of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    depicts a partial section view of the closure of  FIGS.  1  to  3    through a portion of the side wall between the axial external ribs; and 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective section view similar to that of  FIG.  3    showing the closure installed on the neck of a beverage bottle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  to  5   , there is depicted a closure  1  for sealingly closing a container neck  11 . The closure  1  includes a tubular body  2  having a closed end  20  and an open end  21  and an annular tamper evidence band  3  connected to the open end  21  of the body  2  by a plurality of frangible bridges  22 . The body  2  includes a top wall  4 , a side wall  5  depending from the top wall  4 , an intermediate wall  6  joining the side wall  5  to the top wall  4 , a sealing system  7  depending from the intermediate wall  6  and a series of external knurls in the form of axial ribs  8 . The top wall  4  describes the closed end  20  of the body  2  and the side wall  5  describes the open end  21  of the body  2  to which the tamper evidence band  3  is frangibly connected. The tamper evidence band  3  defines at its lower end an open end  10  of the closure  1 . 
     The tamper evidence band  3  is substantially cylindrical in shape with an inner circumferential surface  30  and a plurality of retaining cams  31  protruding from the inner surface  30 . Each retaining cam  31  includes a lead-in ramp  32  facing the open end  10  of the closure  1  and a catch or stop  33  facing the closed end  20  of the body  2 . Each lead-in ramp  32  includes a central recess  34  formed therein to describe a pair of spaced ramp portions  35  on either side of the recess  34 . Each recess  34  is provided by a scalloped-out portion formed by removing molding material from the cam  31  such that the base of the recess is substantially contiguous or flush with the inner surface  30  of the band  3 . 
     The stop  33  of each cam  31  is in the form of a rib that extends circumferentially about the band  31  and spans the ramp portions  35  to provide with the ramp portions  35  a substantially U-shaped cam  31 . The stop  33  provides a base of the U and the ramp portions  35  provide limbs thereof. In this embodiment, the stop  33  includes a radial engagement surface  33   a  extending substantially orthogonally relative to the inner surface  30  of the band  3  for engaging a flange  12  of the container neck  11 . It will be appreciated that the engagement surface  33   a  may include a shallow slope, for example to facilitate ejection of the part from a mold. 
     Each ramp portion  35  includes a ramp surface  35   a  sloped toward the open end  10  of the closure  1  for contacting the flange  12  of the container neck  11 . Each ramp portion  35  also includes sides  35   b  that taper from the stop  33  toward the open end  10  of the closure  1  such that as the flange  12  rides up the ramp portion  35 , the width of the ramp portion  35  increases to absorb the resulting increased pressure applied to it by the flange  12 . 
     As a result of the aforementioned shape of the retaining cams  31 , the structure requires less material for the cams  31  to function than in known designs. The shape of the retaining cams  31  also provides a more consistent wall thickness. This reduces the risk of sink marks and enables the thickness of the tamper evidence band  3  to be reduced further than is generally practicable with conventional cam designs. The Applicant has observed that a reduced band thickness, together with the aforementioned cam shape more readily deforms plastically if manipulated to remove the band  3  after installation. This enhances the visual indication of tampering, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the tamper evidence function. 
     The top wall  4  is substantially disc-shaped and has a first diameter D 1 . The side wall  5  is annular and has a second diameter D 2  larger than the first diameter D 1 . The side wall  5  includes threads  50  with multiple turns  51 ,  52 ,  53  formed by segments  54 ,  55  separated from one another by interruptions  56  that form axial venting passages. In accordance with the present invention however, some segments  55  are uninterrupted in the region thereof that is aligned axially with an interruption  56  in another of the turns  51 ,  52 ,  53 . 
     The Applicant has determined that the omission of an interruption  56  in one of the turns  51 ,  52 ,  53  is surprisingly effective at withstanding excessive torque being applied to the closure  1  during application to a container neck  11 . More particularly, the uninterrupted segments  55  mitigate damage to the threads  50  without compromising the ability of the closure  1  to vent the pressurised contents of the container. 
     The intermediate wall  6  includes an annular step  60  formed of a first, axial wall portion  61  and a second, radial wall portion  62 . The axial wall portion  61  depends from the periphery of the top wall  4  and is joined thereto by a first shoulder  63 , which provides a rounded, substantially orthogonal transition about the periphery of the top wall  4 . The radial wall portion  62  joins the lower edge of the axial wall portion  61  portion to the top of the annular side wall  5  by a second shoulder  64 , which also provides a rounded, substantially orthogonal transition about an inner periphery of the radial wall portion  62 . The radial wall portion  62  also includes seven projections or pads  65  depending therefrom and spaced equally thereabout. Each pad  65  includes an abutment surface  66  against which the top surface  13  of the container neck  11  abuts when the closure  1  is installed thereon. Each pad  65  includes sides which slope from the abutment surface  66  to the radial wall portion  62 , such that the abutment surface  66  forms a peak of the pad  65 . Thus, the pads  65  together describe a composite abutment surface  66  that engages the top surface  13  of the container neck  11 . 
     An extension of the preform is therefore described from the abutment surface to the top of the top wall. An effective closure height is described from the base of the side wall to the top of the top wall and an overall closure height described from the base of the tamper evidence band to the top of the top wall. In this embodiment, the extension is approximately 35% of the effective closure height and is approximately 30% of the overall closure height. 
     The sealing system  7  includes an internal olive seal  70  depending from the join between the axial wall portion  61  and the radial wall portion  62  of the intermediate wall  6  and is substantially aligned with the axial wall portion  61  such that it provides an extension thereof. The olive seal  70  is substantially cylindrical in shape with an inner surface  71  that is contiguous with and substantially parallel to the inner surface of the axial wall portion  61  and an outwardly projecting bead  72  adjacent its lower, free edge. The olive seal  70  also includes a tapered, outer lead-in  73  extending from its lower, free edge to the peak of the bead  72  for engaging the inner edge of the top surface  13  of the container neck  11 . The sealing system also includes an outer, annular seal  74  for engaging an outer surface  14  of the container neck  11 . The outer seal  74  is adjacent, but spaced from, the second shoulder  64  joining the radial wall portion  62  and the side wall  5 . 
     It will be appreciated that when the closure  1  is installed on the container neck  11 , as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , a central portion of the top surface  13  of the container neck  11  abuts the composite abutment surface  66  formed by the pads  65  and the sealing system  7  seals against both the inside and the outside of the container neck  11 . More specifically, the bead  72  of the olive seal  70  seals against an inner surface  15  of the container neck  11 , while the outer seal  74  seals against the outer surface  14  of the container neck  11 . 
     The pads  65  are located centrally between the olive seal  70  and the outer seal  74  and their sides slope toward the seals  70 ,  74 , but join the radial wall portion  62  at a location spaced from the seals  70 ,  74  such that the seals  70 ,  74  deform about a continuous annular hinge portion that is spaced from the pads  65 . This ensures an even deformation of the seals  70 ,  74  about their entire circumference by avoiding localised thickening that would be present in the region of the pads  65  if they were joined to the base of the seals  70 ,  74 . 
     The external knurls or axial ribs  8  include a first set of ribs  80  and a second set of ribs  81  which alternate, wherein each second rib  81  is located between each pair of first ribs  80 . The width of the first and second ribs  80 ,  81  is substantially the same, but the first ribs  80  are longer than the second ribs  81 . The first ribs  80  extend from the top wall  4  to a ring  82  at the lower edge of the side wall  5 . The second ribs  81  extend from the intermediate wall  6  to the ring  82  at the lower edge of the side wall  5 . The first ribs  80  include a quarter-round portion  83  extending from the outer surfaces of the annular step  60  formed by the intermediate wall  6 . As a result, the first ribs  80  provide a gripping feature that extends along the entire length of the body  2  of the closure and mask the step  60  to provide an overall profile similar to a more conventional closure  1 . 
     However, molding the first ribs  80  requires corresponding projections in the molding surface of the mold (not shown). The depth of the first ribs  80  presents some limitations on the spacing required for the mold to provide adequate cooling and to mitigate the susceptibility of damage to the projections on the molding surface. In order to increase the density of the ribs  8 , the second ribs  81  are provided between the first ribs  80 , which terminate at the annular step  60  and so do not include the quarter-round portion  83 . As a result, the density of the ribs  8  on the side wall  5  is twice the density about the annular step  60  to improve the griping performance about the side wall  5 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.