Patent Publication Number: US-11021302-B2

Title: Closure with rotation-inhibiting projection

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a polymeric closure for a package. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymeric closure with at least one rotation-inhibiting projection. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Polymeric closures have been used in many applications over the years in conjunction with containers. The polymeric closures are adapted to thread on and off of the container. One issue with polymeric closures in this area is controlling the speed of the unthreading of the closure from the container by a user. This is typically more important in applications having pressurized container contents such as carbonated soft drinks. 
     One application for controlling the speed of the unthreading of the closure from the container involves using a speed bump. The problem with using existing larger speed bumps is the possibility of the closure or container getting distorted during application or removal due to a variety of factors that influence how the closure and container interact. In some processes, existing larger speed bumps may also potentially flash material onto a finish of the container that may affect the release of the closure from a mold. Having speed bumps being smaller is typically not as effective since the drag on the finish thread is lessened, resulting in the unthreading being faster than desired. 
     It would be desirable to provide a closure that addresses these above-noted situations, while still performing other desirable properties of a closure. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a closure includes a first closure portion and a second closure portion. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top wall portion. The polymeric annular skirt portion depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface of the annular skirt portion includes (a) an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container and (b) at least one rotation-inhibiting projection. The at least one rotation-inhibiting projection is located to contact the external thread formation of the container. The at least one rotation-inhibiting projection is in the general shape of the letter “C” prior to engagement with the external thread formation of the container. The second closure portion includes a polymeric tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection. The closure has an unopened position and an opened position. The opened position occurring when the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion. 
     According to another embodiment, a closure includes a first closure portion and a second closure portion. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top wall portion and a polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface of the annular skirt portion includes (a) an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container and (b) at least one rotation-inhibiting projection. The at least one rotation-inhibiting projection is located to contact the external thread formation of the container. The at least one rotation-inhibiting projection includes a first projection, a second projection and a valley located between the first and second projections prior to engagement with the external thread formation of the container. The projections extend from the interior surface of the annular skirt portion. The second closure portion includes a polymeric tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection. The closure has an unopened position and an opened position. The opened position occurs when the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion. 
     According to one method, a package is formed. A closure is provided including a first closure portion and a second closure portion. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top wall portion and a polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface of the annular skirt portion includes (a) an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container and (b) at least one rotation-inhibiting projection. The at least one rotation-inhibiting projection is located to contact the external thread formation of the container. The second closure portion includes a polymeric tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection. The closure has an unopened position and an opened position. The opened position occurs when the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion. A container is provided. The container includes a neck portion having the external thread formation. The external thread formation includes a first finish lead such that interference is formed by the surface area of the at least one rotation-inhibiting projection and a surface area of the first finish lead. The total amount of interference between a surface area of the at least one rotation-inhibiting projection and a surface area of the first finish lead is less than about 30%. The closure and the container are threaded to form the package. 
     The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. Additional features and benefits of the present invention are apparent from the detailed description and figures set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of a closure in an unopened position according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a package including the closure of  FIG. 1  and a container according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a generally cross-sectional partial side view of the package of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a generally top perspective view of a rotation-inhibiting projection of the closure of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional partial side view taken along a rotation-inhibiting projection of the closure of  FIG. 1  before being threaded onto a container. 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional partial side view taken along a rotation-inhibiting projection of the closure of  FIG. 1  after being threaded onto a container. 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlarged view of generally circular area  FIG. 6A  in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged view of generally circular area  FIG. 6B  in  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged cross-sectional partial side view without cross-hatching depicting interference between a rotating-inhibiting projection and a container finish according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of generally circular area  FIG. 7B  in  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 7C  is an enlarged view of generally circular area  FIG. 7B  in  FIG. 7A  showing interference of the total amount of surface area of the rotating-inhibiting projection to the finish of the container. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a polymeric closure  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The closures are configured to be placed on a container or bottle that contain product. The product is typically a liquid product, but also may be a solid product or a combination of a liquid and solid product. The polymeric closure  10  of  FIG. 1  is generally cylindrically shaped. The polymeric closure  10  of  FIG. 1  is a one-piece closure assembly. It is contemplated that the closure may be a two-piece closure. It is contemplated that the closure may be of other shapes and dimensions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the polymeric closure  10  includes a polymeric top wall portion  12 , a polymeric annular skirt portion  14 , a polymeric continuous plug seal  16  ( FIG. 3 ), an outer seal  18  ( FIG. 3 ) and a polymeric tamper-evident band  20 . The polymeric annular skirt portion  14  depends from the polymeric top wall portion  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the polymeric continuous plug seal  16  depends from the polymeric top wall portion  12  and provides a sealing mechanism. The outer seal  18  depends from the polymeric top wall portion  12  and also provides a sealing mechanism. The continuous plug seal  16  and the outer seal  18  are spaced from an interior surface  14   a  of the polymeric annular skirt portion  14 . 
     In another embodiment, the closure may include other sealing mechanisms. For example, the closure may include a polymeric lining material that provides a seal to the closure. This would be a two-piece closure. Non-limiting examples of a closure including a polymeric liner and a polymeric disk can be found at U.S. Publication No. 2018/0099795, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In this embodiment, the closure would be formed from separate components, but would function as the one-piece closure discussed except with a different sealing mechanism. In another embodiment, the closure may include either a polymeric outer seal or a continuous plug seal. It is contemplated that the closure may include other sealing mechanisms. 
     As shown in, for example,  FIGS. 1-3 , the polymeric tamper-evident band  20  depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion  14  by a frangible connection  30 . Once the closure moves from an initial closed position (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) to an open position, the polymeric tamper-evident band  20  is at least partially detached and typically is fully detached from the polymeric annular skirt portion  14 . The tamper-evident band  20  works in conjunction with the container to indicate to a user that the contents of the container may have been accessed. More specifically, the tamper-evident band  20  is designed to at least partially separate from the annular skirt portion  14  if a user opens the package by unthreading and removing the closure to gain access to the container. In one embodiment, the frangible connection  30  may be formed using scoring or scored lines, notches, leaders, nicks or other lines of weaknesses. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , an outer surface  14   b  of the polymeric annular skirt portion  14  may also include a plurality of ridges  14   c  thereon. The plurality of ridges  14   c  has a contoured shape that assists a user in gripping the closure  10 . 
     The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. Specifically, the polymeric annular skirt portion  14  of  FIG. 3  includes an internal thread formation  40  for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The internal thread formation  40  includes a first closure thread segment  42  and a second closure thread segment  44 . The thread development is typically discontinuous. The thread segments in the polymeric annular skirt portion  14  from the beginning to the end are helical in this embodiment. 
     There may be applications where there are not multiple thread segments in the closure, but they are typically used for packages holding less than 45 psi. It is contemplated that the thread closure turns may be continuous, especially in those applications with packages having less than 45 psi. It is also contemplated that the internal thread formation of the closure may differ from a helical thread formation. It is also contemplated that other internal thread formations may be used in the closure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5A , a rotation-inhibiting projection or speed bump  50  is shown according to one embodiment. The rotation-inhibiting projection  50  of  FIG. 4  is shown as being located between gaps or spaces  54 ,  56  between the first closure thread segment  42  and the second closure thread segment  44 , respectively. The rotation-inhibiting projection is also located in a generally axially direction (direction of arrow A in  FIG. 4 ) with respect to the first closure thread segment  42  and the second closure thread segment  44 . The rotation-inhibiting projection  50  is positioned to contact a finish thread of a container when the closure is threaded onto or unthreaded from the container. 
     The function of the rotation-inhibiting projection  50  is to form a slight resistance during the unthreading of the closure from the container by a user. The rotation-inhibiting projection  50  assists in preventing or inhibiting the closure from spinning quicker than desired. This is especially desired in instances where the contents of the container are pressurized such as carbonated soft drinks. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5A  depict exactly one rotation-inhibiting projection  50 . It is contemplated that a plurality of rotation-inhibiting projections may be used in one embodiment. The number of rotation-inhibiting projections used in a closure generally varies from about 1 to about 10. More specifically, the number of rotation-inhibiting projections used in a closure is generally from about 2 to about 8, from about 2 to about 6 or, more specifically, from about 4 to about 6. In one non-limiting example,  FIG. 1  depicts a closure  10  with two rotation-inhibiting projections  50 ,  52  being shown and four other rotation-inhibiting projections not been shown. The rotation-inhibiting projections are shown in vent locations in the thread development. Thus, in closure  10  of  FIG. 1 , there are a total of six rotation-inhibiting projections. 
     The shape of the rotation-inhibiting projection  50  shown in  FIGS. 4, 5A, 6A  is the shape before the closure  10  is threaded onto a container. The process of threading the closure on a container typically occurs via machinery. During the process of threading the closure on the container, the material forming the rotation-inhibiting projection  50  will be conformed generally around the finish thread of the container. 
     The rotation-inhibiting projection  50 ′ is shown in  FIGS. 5B and 6B  after the closure has been threaded onto the container. The shape of valley  64 ′ is slightly more rounded as compared to the valley  64  in  FIG. 6A . The valley  64 ′ is shaped by the finish thread as the closure  10  has been threaded onto the container. Once fully applied, the rotation-inhibiting projection looks like the thread has gone through it. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 4 and 6A , the rotation-inhibiting projection  50  includes a first projection  60 , a second projection  62  and a valley  64  between the first and second projections  60 ,  62 . The valley  64  is generally aligned to contact the finish thread of the container when the closure is being threaded onto the container. The shape of the valley  64  is desirably similar to the shape of the finish thread of the container. This assists in both threading on the closure to the container and also allows the finish thread to travel through at a desired resistance while still maintaining a desired contact with the closure thread during the unthreading process. The shape and size of the rotation-inhibiting projection desirably prevents or inhibits the closure from spinning too quickly (spinning without manual resistance) during the unthreading of the closure from the container. The shape and size also reduces or inhibits damage to either the closure or the container. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 6A , the valley  64  includes surfaces  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  that are integrally connected with each other. The valley  64  is in a general “U” shape. The surfaces  64   b ,  64   c  of  FIG. 6A  extend generally inwardly to the surface  64   a  as shown in  FIG. 6A . In other words, the surfaces  64   b ,  64   c  extend into the interior of the closure and in the direction of arrow B. The surface  64   b  flares upwardly with respect to the surface  64   a  (direction of arrow C in  FIG. 6A ), while the surface  64   c  flares downwardly with respect to the surface  64   a  (direction of arrow D in  FIG. 6A ). The surface  64   a  is shown as being generally vertical in the orientation of  FIG. 6A . The angles of surfaces  64   b ,  64   c  are generally from about 15 to about 45 degrees. This is shown in  FIG. 6A  with respect to angle β. 
     The rotation-inhibiting projection  50  includes the first projection  60 , the second projection  62  and the valley  64 . The rotation-inhibiting projection  50  is in the shape of the general letter “C”. 
     It is contemplated that the at least one rotation-inhibiting projection may contact at least one closure thread segments in another embodiment. For example, rotation-inhibiting projections may contact one or more of the closure thread segments. It is desirable in higher-pressured applications to maintain at least some venting channels to assist in releasing the pressure when opening the container. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , the length L 1  of the valley  64  is less than the lengths L 2  and L 3  of the rotation-inhibiting projections  60 ,  62 . The length L 1  is generally from about 0.025 inches to about 0.035 inches and, more specifically, from about 0.025 inches to about 0.030 inches. The length L 2  is generally from about 0.055 inches to about 0.080 inches and, more specifically, from about 0.060 inches to about 0.075 inches. The length L 3  is generally from about 0.055 inches to about 0.080 inches and, more specifically, from about 0.060 inches to about 0.075 inches. The length L 4  is generally from about 0.030 inches to about 0.045 inches and, more specifically from about 0.030 inches to about 0.040 inches. 
     For example, a depth of the valley (e.g., length L 1  in  FIG. 6A ) is generally less than 25% of the depth of a finish thread of the container. For example, if a finish thread is 60 mils, then the depth of the valley should be from 2 to 15 mils. The depth of the valley (e.g., length L 1  in  FIG. 6A ) is generally from about 15 to about 20% of the depth of a finish thread of the container. For example, if a finish thread is 60 mils, then the depth of the valley should be from 9 to about 12 mils. The depth of the valley (e.g., length L 1  in  FIG. 6A ) is generally from about 5 to about 25% of the depth of a finish thread of the container and, more specifically, from about 5 to about 20%. The depth of the valley (e.g., length L 1  in  FIG. 6A ) is even more specifically from about 5% to about 15% of the depth of a finish thread of the container and, even more specifically, from about 10% to about 15%. 
     The rotation-inhibiting projection(s) of the present invention (e.g., rotation-inhibiting projection  50  in  FIGS. 4A and 6A ) is beneficial for several reasons. The rotation-inhibiting projection desirably uses less material, which reduces cost. The amount of material that forms the rotation-inhibiting projection to be displaced during the threading of the closure onto the container is reduced, which allows the rotation-inhibiting projection to retain more of its original shape. By having less material, the process of threading the closure onto the container is also improved, especially across a wider range of hand- and machine-application conditions. This produces a more consistent performance from package to package. The rotation-inhibiting projection also allows the process to use less torque in threading the closure onto the container. 
     The frangible connection  30  may be formed by molded-in-bridges in one embodiment. The molded-in-bridges are typically formed using a feature in the mold. In another embodiment, the frangible connection may be formed using scoring or scored lines, notches, leaders, nicks or other lines of weaknesses. 
     The closure  10  of the present invention may be used with a container  108  used to form a package  100  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , generally cross-sectional partial side views of the package  100  are shown. Specifically,  FIG. 3  depicts a portion of the container  108  that includes a neck portion  102  that defines an opening. The neck portion  102  of the container  108  includes an external thread formation  140  and a continuous outer ring  110 . The external thread formation  140  includes a first finish lead  142  and a second finish lead (not shown). The external thread formation  140  (first finish lead  142  and second finish lead) engages with the corresponding internal thread formation  40  (the closure thread segments  42 ,  44 ) to seal the package  100 . 
     The first finish lead  142  begins near the open end of the container  108  and extends in a helical fashion to a second position that is closer to the closed end of the container. Similarly, the second finish lead starts closer to the open end of the container  108  and extends in a helical fashion to a second position that is closer to the closed end of the container. Each of the first and second finish leads is continuous. The first positions of the first and second finish leads are typically located roughly 180 degrees apart from each other and, thus, begin on opposing sides of the neck portion  102  of the container  108 . When opening the container  108 , the first closure thread segment  42  is desirably in contact with the first finish lead  142  and the second closure thread segment  44  is desirably in contact with the second finish lead. It is contemplated that the external thread formation of the container may have discontinuous leads. 
     It is contemplated that the external thread formation of the container may be different than that disclosed with respect to the container  108 . 
     The continuous outer ring  110  assists in positioning the tamper-evident band  20  if the annular skirt portion  14  is unthreaded from the neck  102  of the container  108  by the breaking of the frangible connection  30 . 
     A non-limiting example of interference of the surface area between a rotating-inhibiting projection and a container finish is shown in  FIGS. 7A, 7B .  FIG. 7A  includes the external thread formation  140  with the first finish lead  142 , and the rotating-inhibiting projection  50  with the first and second projections  60 ,  62  and the valley  64  therebetween. The portion of the original surfaces of the valley  64  (the surfaces  64   a ,  64   b , and  64   c ) that are interfered by the first finish lead  142  are shown in dashed lines. These are the surfaces of the valley  64  before being contacted by an exterior surface  142   a  of the first finish lead  142 . Referring back to  FIG. 7B , the interferences of the surfaces  64   a ,  64   b , and  64   c  are shown with respect to the exterior surface  142   a  in more detail. Specifically, there are three interference areas  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  shown in  FIG. 7B .  FIG. 7B  also shows an open area  82  between the exterior surface  142   a  and the surfaces  64   a  and  64   b . It is noted that on the initial threading of the first finish lead  142  into the rotating-inhibiting projection  50 , excess material from the interference areas  80   b ,  80   c  will be displaced and assist in filling in the open area  82  such that this open area will not remain after the first finish lead  142  is threaded into the rotating-inhibiting projection  50 . 
     The thickness T1 of interference area  80   a  at its maximum point in  FIG. 7A  is generally from about 0.0002 inches to about 0.0008 inches and, more specifically, from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.0006 inches. The thickness T2 of interference area  80   b  is generally from about 0.0002 inches to about 0.0008 inches and, more specifically, from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.0006. The thickness T3 of interference area  80   c  is generally from about 0.0002 inches to about 0.0008 inches and, more specifically, from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.0006 inches. 
     In one embodiment, the interference of the total amount of surface area of the rotating-inhibiting projection  50  (e.g., surfaces  64   a ,  64   b , and  64   c  of  FIG. 6A ) to the finish of the container should be less than about 30% in one embodiment and less than about 20% or about 10% in other embodiments. Typically, the interference of the total amount of surface area of the rotating-inhibiting projection (e.g., surfaces  64   a ,  64   b , and  64   c  of  FIG. 6A ) to the finish of the container ranges from about 10 to about 30% and, more specifically, from about 10 to about 25%. As discussed above, this assists in the rotation-inhibiting projection retaining more of its original shape, leads to less distortion and uses less polymeric material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7C , an example of how to calculate the interference of the total amount of surface area of the rotating-inhibiting projection  50  (e.g., surfaces  64   a ,  64   b , and  64   c  of  FIG. 6A ) to the finish of the container is shown in one non-limiting example.  FIG. 7C  shows an area  90  that is bounded by an added line  92  and the exterior surface  142   a  of the first finish lead  142 . The total amount of interference in areas  80   a ,  80   b  and  80   c  are added up and divided by the area  90 . This gives the interference of the total amount of surface of the rotating-inhibiting projections to the finish of the container. 
     The closures of the present invention may include an oxygen-scavenger material. This oxygen-scavenger material may be distributed within the closure or may be a separate layer. The oxygen-scavenger material may be any material that assists in removing oxygen within the container, while having little or no effect on the contents within the container. 
     Alternatively, or in addition to, the closures may include an oxygen-barrier material. The oxygen-barrier material may be added as a separate layer or may be integrated within the closure itself. The oxygen-barrier materials assist in preventing or inhibiting oxygen from entering the container through the closure. These materials may include, but are not limited to, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). It is contemplated that other oxygen-barrier materials may be used in the closure. 
     Additionally, it is contemplated that other features may be included in the closure described above. For example, U.S. Publication No. 2018/009979, U.S. Publication No. 2017/0349336, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,126,726, 9,085,385, 8,763,830, 8,485,374, U.S. Publication No. 2009/0045158 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,212 all include features that may be incorporated in the closures of the present invention. All of these references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     The top wall portion  12 , the annular skirt portion  14 , and the tamper-evident band  20  are made of polymeric material. The top wall portion  12 , the annular skirt portion  14 , and the tamper-evident band  20  are typically made of an olefin (e.g., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or blends thereof. One example of a polyethylene that may be used in high density polyethylene (HDPE). It is contemplated that the top wall portion, the annular skirt portion, the tamper-evident band may be made of other polymeric materials. The tamper-evident band  20  is typically made of the same materials as the top wall portion  12 , and the annular skirt portion  14 . 
     The closures are typically formed by processes such as injection or compression molding, extrusion or the combination thereof. 
     The container  108  is typically made of polymeric material. One non-limiting example of a material to be used in forming a polymeric container is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) or blends using the same. It is contemplated that the container may be formed of other polymeric or copolymer materials. It is also contemplated that the container may be formed of glass. The container  108  typically has an encapsulated oxygen-barrier layer or oxygen barrier material incorporated therein. 
     To open the container  108  and gain access to the product therein, the closure  10  is unthreaded by turning the closure  10  with respect to the container  108 . After the closure has been unthreaded, the closure  10  can be removed from the container  108 . When using this method, the tamper-evident band  20  is at least partially separated from the reminder of the closure  10  via the frangible connection  30 , which indicates that the closure  10  has been unthreaded with respect to the container  108 . 
     The polymeric closures of the present invention are desirable in both low-temperature and high-temperature applications. The polymeric closures may be used in low-temperature applications such as an ambient or a cold fill. These applications typically include pressurized products such as carbonated soft drinks. It is contemplated that the closure may be used in other applications such as water, sports drinks, and aseptic applications such as dairy products. It is contemplated that other low-temperature applications may be used with the polymeric closures of the present invention. 
     The polymeric closures of the present invention may be exposed to high-temperature applications such as hot-fill, pasteurization, and retort applications. A hot fill application is generally performed at temperatures around 185° F., while a hot-fill with pasteurization is generally performed at temperatures around 205° F. Retort applications are typically done at temperatures greater than 250° F. It is contemplated that the polymeric closures of the present invention can be used in other high-temperature applications.