Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a closure made of a plastics material and including a circumferential skirt having a lower portion where a locking member of a conical form is formed. The neck of the container includes an outwardly directed ledge. When the closure is assembled onto the neck of the container, the locking member strikes the ledge of the container and the locking rim is rotated about a hinge into an upwardly directed position. Upon further axial movement of the closure the locking member rides over the ledge until it enters an undercut such that its free end seats under the ledge. When the locking member is seated under the ledge the closure is effectively locked in place, whereby the skirt cannot be separated from the neck of the container without breaking or damaging the locking means or the container.

Similar closures including the same locking mechanism are disclosed in <CIT>, which discloses the preamble of appended claim <NUM>, and <CIT> (prior art according to Article <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC).

A problem that occurs with assembling the closure and the container is that the dimensions of the upper rim of the container may be subject to manufacturing tolerances in shape and dimensions. This can make it difficult to position the closure on the container, especially in an automated way.

The present invention has for an object to improve the positioning of the closure on the container.

This object is achieved by a closure for a container, wherein the container has an open top side defined by an upper rim comprising an outwardly extending peripheral ledge surrounding said open top side. The closure comprises an annular base to be fixed to the upper rim of the container and defining an access opening to the container, and the closure further comprises a lid moveable relative to the annular base between a closed position, in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position, in which the access opening is unblocked by the lid. The annular base comprises a peripheral skirt which has an integral non-removable end portion adapted to be arranged over the upper rim of the container, and furthermore comprises a peripheral locking rim integrally formed on said end portion of the peripheral skirt, said peripheral locking rim having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the peripheral locking rim is hingedly connected to the peripheral skirt, allowing the peripheral locking rim to be moved to a folded state, in which the peripheral locking rim is folded inwardly towards an inner surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt, such that, when the locking rim is in the folded state, the distal end thereof can move beyond and engage under the peripheral ledge of the container to lock the closure base to the upper rim of the container. The end portion of the skirt has on the inner surface an engagement surface portion with an inner diameter basically corresponding to the outer diameter of the peripheral ledge of the container and a widening surface portion having a gradually increasing inner diameter from the engagement surface portion towards the end of the peripheral skirt, wherein the inner diameter of the widening surface portion increases gradually according to a curved function, and wherein the widening surface portion adjoins the engagement surface portion in a flush manner.

The closure according to the invention provides a guiding structure which guides the annular base over the upper rim of the container during assembly. The locking rim of the closure will engage the upper rim of the container and will be hinged to settle at least partly against the widening surface portion of the end portion of the skirt. Thus the locking rim provides a narrowing guiding surface for the ledge of the container, whereby the container is centred. The outer diameter of the locking rim, i.e. at the hinging connection with the peripheral skirt, is significantly larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral ledge of the container, such that an easy and reliable placement of the closure base on the upper rim of the container is possible and too much friction can be avoided when initially placing the annular base on the upper rim of the container.

According to the invention, the widening surface portion, which directly adjoins the engagement surface portion, has a gradually increasing inner diameter from the engagement surface portion towards the end of the peripheral skirt. The gradually increasing inner diameter increases non linearly following a curved function such that a curved wall surface is formed.

The widening surface portion adjoins the engagement surface portion in a flush manner. An abrupt transition between the engagement surface portion and the widening surface portion is thus avoided. In particular this may be achieved by a diameter of the widening surface portion increasing according to a curved function.

In a possible embodiment the end portion of the skirt has a wall portion that increases in diameter towards an end of the end portion of the peripheral skirt. In this embodiment the end portion of the skirt thus flares towards the end thereof. This facilitates an easier better centring of the ledge of the container when the annular base is arranged on the top side of the container.

In a possible embodiment the proximal end of the locking rim is connected to an end of the end portion of the peripheral skirt. The proximal end of the locking rim is thus not connected to the inner surface of the skirt end portion. Thereby the locking rim interferes less with the ledge of the container while the locking rim moves past the ledge when the annular base is pushed on the top side of the container.

In a possible embodiment the proximal end of the locking rim is located radially outward with respect to the engagement surface portion. This feature facilitates the positioning and centring of the ledge of the container and furthermore reduces interference of the locking rim with the ledge while the locking rim moves past the ledge when the annular base is pushed on the top side of the container.

In a possible embodiment of the closure according to the invention the peripheral locking rim comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion extending from the proximal end to an angle portion, the distal portion extending from the angle portion to the distal end, and wherein in the initial state the distal portion is inclined inwardly with respect to the proximal portion of the locking rim. Preferably, the proximal portion of the locking rim in the initials state extends substantially in alignment or concentric with the peripheral skirt of the annular base.

Preferably, the proximal portion has a gradually increasing thickness from the proximal end towards the angle portion. The proximal end is thus thinner which allows for a better hinge action.

The distal portion may have a substantially constant thickness.

In an alternative embodiment the locking rim has an inwardly curved shape.

In a possible embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the annular base furthermore comprises an inner skirt which is coaxial with the peripheral skirt and is integrally connected with the peripheral skirt at an upper side. Preferably the inner skirt in the fixed state on the container is located radially inward from the upper rim of the container. The inner skirt defines the passage through which a user can access the container to remove content, e.g. with a utensil.

In a possible embodiment the inner skirt has a lower end which in the fixed state on the container is located above and spaced apart from the upper rim of the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the peripheral skirt has axially extending ribs on the inner side, wherein the ribs have an end near the end portion of the peripheral skirt, wherein said ends of the ribs form a stop for the upper side of the container.

Preferably, the axial distance between the end of the ribs and the distal end of the peripheral locking rim in the inwardly folded state is larger than the height of the peripheral ledge of the container.

In a practical embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the annular base and the lid are connected by a hinge.

The annular base and the lid may be formed in one piece, e.g. by injection moulding, wherein the hinge is a living hinge integrally formed with the annular base and the lid.

In another possible embodiment the annular base and the lid are separately formed parts which are assembled to form the closure. The lid and the annular base can for example be injection moulded in separate moulds and then interconnected by cooperating hinging elements integrally formed on the annular member and the lid, respectively.

In a possible embodiment of the closure the annular base has retaining members to retain a utensil adapted to take product from the container. Alternatively, the lid may have retaining members to retain a utensil adapted to take product from the container. In a practical embodiment the utensil may for example be a scoop which may in particular be useful for taking powdered or granular product from the container. Also other utensils are conceivable depending on the specific container and its contents, such as for example spatula, chopsticks, tweezers or other type of gripping tools.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a closure as set out in the above, wherein the closure is formed by injection moulding.

It is noted that, following the common practice in the field of manufacturing this type of closure, the closure will generally be made of a plastics material, in particular a thermoplastic material such as a polypropylene (PP) or a polyethylene (PE). However, the use of alternative, preferably mouldable, materials, suitable for forming the closure is not excluded.

Preferably the locking rim of the closure is brought into the folded state just after it is removed from the injection mould. The closure is thus supplied to an assembly line for assembly with a container having the locking rim in the folded state. The locking rim thus provides a centering guiding surface for the ledge of the container, which facilitates automated assembly of the container and closure.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a closure as set out in the above and a container. In a foreseen practical application the container may contain a powdered product, such as baby formula, or a granular product. In another application the container may for example contain a product in tablet shape, for example sweetener tablets, tablets of dietary supplements or pharmaceutical tablets. Even pieces of candy or fruit may be received in the container.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:.

In <FIG> is shown a container <NUM> which is suitable for containing a powdered or granular product, such as for example milk powder or baby formula. The container <NUM> as shown in the figure has a cylindrical shape with a bottom and an open top. The container <NUM> may be made of metal, plastic or another suitable material.

It is noted here that by way of non-limiting example a container for a powdered product is described, but that the present invention is not limited to the application of containers for powdered or granular products. The container may also contain other products, such as for example tablets, for example sweetener tablets or tablets of a dietary supplement, or pieces of candy and even pieces of (canned) fruit.

On top of the container <NUM> a closure <NUM> is mounted. The closure <NUM> selectively closes off the open top of the container <NUM>. The closure <NUM> comprises an annular base <NUM> and a lid <NUM> which can be opened such that the inside of the container <NUM> is made accessible, which is shown in <FIG>. The annular base <NUM> defines an access opening <NUM> to access the inside of the container <NUM>.

The closure <NUM> may be made by an injection moulding process from a suitable plastics material, e.g. PP or PE.

The embodiment of the closure <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a hinge such that the lid <NUM> can be swivelled from a closed position, shown in <FIG> to an open position shown in <FIG>. The hinge may be a living hinge which is integrally formed with the annular base <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. Another option is to form the lid and the annular base separately and join them by hinging means. However, also an embodiment is possible wherein the lid is not coupled to the annular base by a hinge and can be entirely removed from the annular base. The way the lid and the annular base are arranged with respect to each other is not essential for the invention.

The annular base <NUM> is adapted to be arranged over the open top of the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> comprises an upper rim <NUM>, which includes a peripheral ledge <NUM> which extends radially outward with respect to the outer surface 1A of the container wall, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The annular base <NUM> comprises a peripheral skirt <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG> the peripheral skirt <NUM> has an integral non-removable lower end portion <NUM> that can be arranged over the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Non-removable in this context means that the lower end portion is not intended to be separated from the remainder of the skirt <NUM>. The end portion <NUM> of the peripheral skirt <NUM> includes a locking rim <NUM> extending circumferentially from a lower end of the peripheral skirt <NUM> as can be seen best in <FIG> and <FIG>. The locking rim <NUM> is integrally formed with the skirt <NUM>.

The end portion <NUM> of the peripheral skirt <NUM> has a wall portion 9A that increases in diameter towards the end. The wall portion 9A may be called flaring with respect to the remainder of the peripheral skirt <NUM>. Accordingly the inner surface <NUM> of the wall portion 9A has an increasing diameter towards the end 9B.

Furthermore the end portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> has on the inner surface an engagement surface portion <NUM> as can be best seen in <FIG>. This engagement surface portion <NUM> has an inner diameter basically corresponding to the outer diameter of the peripheral ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM> as can be best seen in <FIG>. The term "corresponding" meaning that there is at most a small gap between the outer portion of the ledge <NUM> and the surface <NUM> as is indicated in <FIG>.

The inner surface <NUM> of the wall portion 9A is curved outwardly, thus the diameter increases gradually according to a curved function. In any case the inner surface <NUM> starts flush with the engagement surface portion <NUM> and ends at the end 9B of the skirt end portion <NUM> at a radial distance from the engagement surface portion <NUM>, as can be best seen in <FIG>. Seen from the end 9B the inner surface <NUM> tapers towards the engagement surface portion <NUM> in a continuous manner towards the smooth transition between the inner surface <NUM> and the engagement surface portion <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> and the engagement surface portion <NUM> form a continuous surface.

The locking rim <NUM> is connected to the peripheral skirt <NUM> at a proximal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM>. The locking rim <NUM> also has a distal end <NUM>, which is remote from the proximal end <NUM> and is a free end (see <FIG>).

The proximal end <NUM> of the peripheral locking rim <NUM> is hingedly connected to the peripheral skirt <NUM>. In particular the proximal end <NUM> is connected to the end 9B of the end portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> includes a circumferential hinge region <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. The hinge region <NUM> allows that the peripheral locking rim <NUM> can be moved from an initial state, which is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, towards a folded state, which is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Because of the curved or flared shape of the wall portion 9A, the connection of the proximal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> to the end 9B of the skirt end portion <NUM> is located radially seen further outwards than the engagement surface portion <NUM> of the skirt end portion <NUM>, as can be best seen in <FIG>. Thereby the hinge region <NUM> is located further outside which provides a better centring with the ledge <NUM> of the container when the skirt end portion <NUM> is positioned on the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>, as will be further explained below.

In the initial state (cf. <FIG> and <FIG>) the locking rim <NUM> extends away from the lower end 9B of the skirt <NUM> and thus the distal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> is remote from the end portion 9A of the peripheral skirt <NUM>. In the folded state (cf. <FIG> and <FIG>) the peripheral locking rim <NUM> is folded inwardly towards the inner surface <NUM> of the end portion <NUM> of the peripheral skirt <NUM>.

The distal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> has in the initial state (<FIG>) a diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the peripheral ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM>. When the closure <NUM> and the container <NUM> are assembled there are two options: Either the locking rim <NUM> is in the initial state or the locking rim is in the folded state before the closure <NUM> and the container <NUM> are put together.

When the closure <NUM> and the container are assembled, with the locking rim <NUM> in the initial state, the distal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> abuts the peripheral ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM>. When the closure <NUM>, in particular the annular base <NUM>, is moved further over the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>, the locking rim <NUM> is pushed inwardly by the ledge <NUM> and folded towards the inner surface <NUM>. Thereby the locking rim <NUM> can move beyond the peripheral ledge <NUM>.

The other, more preferred, option is that the locking rim <NUM> is brought to the folded state by a device before the closure <NUM> and the container <NUM> are assembled. In particular the locking rim <NUM> may be brought to the folded state just after the closure <NUM> is removed from the mould it is formed in. The closure <NUM> thus has the locking rim <NUM> in the folded state, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the closure <NUM> and the container <NUM> are assembled together. The manufacturer of the closures <NUM> can thus supply the closures <NUM> in the state illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> to the filler company, which fills the container <NUM> and assembles the closure <NUM> and the container <NUM>. The assembly step is illustrated in <FIG>. The locking rim <NUM> then slides with an outer surface of the ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the locking rim <NUM> pushed outwardly towards the inner surface <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> to be able to move beyond the ledge <NUM>.

The exact dimensions of the upper rim of the container <NUM> relative to the dimensions of the annular base <NUM> of the closure <NUM>, might vary, for example due to manufacturing tolerances. Consequently there might be a gap between the infolded locking rim <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> when the locking rim <NUM> passes the ledge <NUM>. However, it is also possible that the passage for the ledge <NUM> is too narrow even if the infolded locking rim <NUM> is tightly pushed against the inner surface <NUM>. In that case, the narrowing shape of the inner surface <NUM> towards the upper side of the skirt <NUM>, and the locking rim <NUM>, also forms a narrowing guiding surface <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. This results in that the axial movement of the peripheral skirt <NUM> relative to the ledge <NUM>, indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>, creates a radial force pushing the lower portion <NUM> of the annular skirt <NUM> radially outward. Because the annular base <NUM> is made of a plastics material, which is flexible enough, such a deformation is allowed, such that the passage for the ledge <NUM> is temporarily increased in diameter. After the ledge <NUM> has passed, the wall portion <NUM> flexes back to its original diameter.

The distal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> resiliently hinges back to engage under the peripheral ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM> when the distal end <NUM> has passed beyond the peripheral ledge <NUM>. This state is shown in <FIG>. In this state the locking rim <NUM> prevents that the annular base <NUM> can move upwardly relative to the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM> (thus contrary to the direction <NUM> indicated in <FIG>). The annular base <NUM> is thus locked to the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The annular base <NUM> is intended to remain in the locked state on the upper end of container <NUM> during normal use. Therefore the annular base <NUM>, which is locked to the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>, cannot be removed from the container <NUM> without the use of undue force.

Axially extending ribs <NUM> are formed on the inner side of the peripheral skirt <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> have an end <NUM> near the end portion <NUM> of the peripheral skirt <NUM>. The end <NUM> of the ribs <NUM> form a stop for the upper side of the upper rim <NUM> of the container as can be seen in <FIG>. The axial distance between the end <NUM> of the ribs <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the peripheral locking rim <NUM> in the inwardly folded state is larger than the height of the peripheral ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM> as is visible in <FIG>. In other words, when the ribs <NUM> rest with their ends <NUM> on the upper rim <NUM> of the container, there is a small spacing <NUM> (max. <NUM>) between the distal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> and the lower side of the ledge <NUM>, which is visible in <FIG>. This measure allows that even though variations in the height of the ledge <NUM> can occur in practise, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, the annular base <NUM> always fits on the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>, albeit with a little play.

In the embodiment shown in the figures the peripheral locking rim <NUM> comprises a proximal portion 10A and a distal portion 10B. The proximal portion 10A extends from the proximal end <NUM> to an angle portion 10C. The distal portion 10B extends from the angle portion 10C to the distal end <NUM>. In the initial state shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the proximal portion 10A of the locking rim <NUM> extends substantially coaxial with the peripheral skirt <NUM> of the annular base. The distal portion 10B is inclined inwardly with respect to the proximal portion 10A of the locking rim <NUM>, such that the distal end <NUM> of the locking rim <NUM> has a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the engagement surface <NUM> of the end portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> and possibly also than the outer diameter of the ledge <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The proximal portion 10A has a gradually increasing thickness from the proximal end towards the angle portion. It starts at the proximal end <NUM> with a smaller thickness area, to form a hinge region15 and then increases in thickness towards the angle portion 10C. The distal portion 10B has a substantially constant thickness.

In the embodiment shown in the figures the locking rim has an angled shape. It is however also possible to make the locking rim with an inwardly curved shape.

In the folded state shown in <FIG>, the proximal portion 10A forms a guiding and centring surface for the ledge <NUM> when the closure is placed on the top side of the container <NUM> as is shown in <FIG>. When the ledge <NUM> has passed beyond the distal portion 10B the locking rim <NUM> resiliently moves back inwardly and the distal portion 10B engages under the ledge <NUM>. The proximal portion 10A of the locking rim <NUM> thus has a guiding and centring function, and the distal portion 10B of the locking rim <NUM> has a locking function.

In the practical embodiment shown in the attached figures the annular base <NUM> comprises an inner skirt <NUM> which is coaxial with the peripheral skirt <NUM>. The inner skirt <NUM> is integrally connected with the peripheral skirt <NUM> at an upper side <NUM> of the annular base <NUM>. The inner skirt <NUM> has a lower end <NUM> which in the fixed state on the container <NUM> is spaced above the upper rim <NUM> of the container 1as can be seen in <FIG>. The inner skirt <NUM> in the fixed state on the container <NUM> is located radially inward from the upper rim <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The inner skirt <NUM> defines the passage <NUM> through which a user can access the container <NUM> to remove content.

Claim 1:
Closure (<NUM>) for a container (<NUM>), wherein said container (<NUM>) has an open top side defined by an upper rim (<NUM>) comprising an outwardly extending peripheral ledge (<NUM>) surrounding said open top side,
the closure (<NUM>) comprising an annular base (<NUM>) to be fixed to the upper rim (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) and defining an access opening (<NUM>) to the container (<NUM>), and the closure (<NUM>) further comprising a lid (<NUM>) moveable relative to the annular base (<NUM>) between a closed position, in which the lid (<NUM>) covers the access opening (<NUM>), and an open position, in which the access opening (<NUM>) is unblocked by the lid (<NUM>),
the annular base (<NUM>) comprising a peripheral skirt (<NUM>) which has an integral non-removable end portion (<NUM>) adapted to be arranged over the upper rim (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>), and furthermore comprising a peripheral locking rim (<NUM>) integrally formed on said end portion (<NUM>) of the peripheral skirt (<NUM>), said peripheral locking rim (<NUM>) having a proximal end (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>),
said proximal end (<NUM>) of the peripheral locking rim (<NUM>) being hingedly connected to the peripheral skirt (<NUM>), allowing the peripheral locking rim (<NUM>) to be moved to a folded state, in which the peripheral locking rim (<NUM>) is folded inwardly towards an inner surface of the end portion (<NUM>) of the peripheral skirt (<NUM>), such that, when the locking rim (<NUM>) is in the folded state, the distal end (<NUM>) thereof can move beyond and engage under the peripheral ledge (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) to lock the annular base (<NUM>) to the upper rim (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>),
characterized in that the end portion (<NUM>) of the skirt (<NUM>) has on the inner surface an engagement surface portion (<NUM>) with an inner diameter basically corresponding to the outer diameter of the peripheral ledge (<NUM>) of the container and a widening surface portion (<NUM>) having a gradually increasing inner diameter from the engagement surface portion (<NUM>) towards an end (9B) of the peripheral skirt (<NUM>), wherein the inner diameter of the widening surface portion (<NUM>) increases gradually according to a curved function, and wherein the widening surface portion (<NUM>) adjoins the engagement surface portion (<NUM>) in a flush manner.