Patent Description:
<CIT> and <CIT> also disclose similar closures.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure as defined in claim <NUM>. Optional and/or preferable features are set out in the dependent claims.

Various embodiments of the invention relate to any of the features, structures, elements, parameters, method steps, systems, components, subsystems, etc. described and shown herein, and various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of features, structures, elements, parameters, method steps, systems, components, subsystems, etc. comprised within the scope of the appended claims.

Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be recited in the claims.

This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which:.

This disclosure provides a description for various embodiments of a closure with a recess that reduces that amount of deflection of the closure's sidewall while being applied to a container. As a result of the reduced deflection, there is a correspondingly reduced amount of stress places upon the frangible connections and therefore a reduced chance of one of the frangible connections breaking during application of the closure to a container.

Turning to <FIG>, a container, shown is water bottle <NUM>, is depicted with closure <NUM> affixed, according to an exemplary embodiment. Closure <NUM> comprises an end wall or top portion, shown as a top panel <NUM> centered around axis <NUM>. Top panel <NUM> is generally circular in shape and is generally planar. Closure <NUM> includes an outer periphery <NUM> and a wall, shown as skirt <NUM>, extending outwardly and downwardly from closure <NUM>, both of which are centered around axis <NUM>.

Skirt <NUM> is generally annular in cross-section and is substantially perpendicular to a plane-defined top panel <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, closure <NUM> optionally comprises a plurality of raised ribs <NUM> extending radially outward from an outer surface of skirt <NUM>. Ribs <NUM> extend vertically along at least a portion of the vertical length of the outer surface of skirt <NUM> to provide a textured or gripping surface that may facilitate opening of the closure <NUM>.

Located along the inner surface of the skirt <NUM> is a container engagement structure configured to interact with a corresponding closure engagement structure located on the neck of the container to which the closure <NUM> is to be sealingly applied. As shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment the container engagement structure comprises thread <NUM> that extends inwardly from inner surface <NUM> of skirt <NUM>. Thread <NUM> is configured to engage corresponding threading present on the container to which closure <NUM> is attached. In various other embodiments, closure <NUM> may include any other number of types of engagement structures, such as but not limited to snap beads, lugs, etc..

In some embodiments, closure <NUM> may further include a tamper evidencing structure configured to provide indication to a user that the initial sealing engagement between the closure <NUM> and container has been disrupted as a result of the closure <NUM> being partially or entirely removed from the container. As shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment the tamper evidencing structure comprises tamper band <NUM> coupled to a lower end of skirt <NUM> by a series of frangible connections <NUM>. Upon application of twisting force to closure <NUM> to remove closure <NUM> from a container, frangible connections <NUM> are configured to break, separating tamper band <NUM> from skirt <NUM>.

A series of plugs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> engage against the container inlet to seal the contents of container. Plugs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> extend generally downward from lower surface <NUM> of top panel <NUM> in a direction away from upper surface <NUM> of top panel <NUM>. In various embodiments, plugs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are formed as annular, uninterrupted, continuous rings or walls extending <NUM> degrees about the lower surface <NUM> of the top panel <NUM>. By these three plugs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, closure <NUM> provides a mechanism of multiple fluid seals, arranged in series, to provide a method for pressure in the container to be relieved. Therefore, the chances of a container breaking are correspondingly reduced. In the embodiments depicted, closure <NUM> includes first plug <NUM>, second plug <NUM> and third plug <NUM>, but it is contemplated herein that closure <NUM> may include any number and/or combination of first plug <NUM>, second plug <NUM> and third plug <NUM> and still practice the teachings of this disclosure.

In various embodiments, the closures <NUM> discussed herein may be of various sizes intended to seal containers of various sizes and having various contents. In some exemplary embodiments, the closures <NUM> are configured to seal containers such as metal, glass or plastic containers or bottles for holding liquids, granular materials, food, etc. In various embodiments, plugs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the closures <NUM> discussed herein are suitable for maintaining a hermetic seal with the container neck finish to which the closure <NUM> is attached.

Turning to <FIG>, illustrated therein are various stages of closure <NUM> being applied to container <NUM>. In <FIG>, closure <NUM> includes container engagement structure <NUM> extending downwardly from tamper band <NUM> away from top panel <NUM>. In <FIG>, container engagement structure <NUM> is rotated in rotational direction <NUM> towards inner surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM> until container engagement structure <NUM> extends upwardly from tamper band <NUM> towards top panel <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> depict closure <NUM> being applied to container <NUM> at the point when container engagement structure <NUM> is pivoted towards and ultimately against inner surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM> resulting in sidewall <NUM> being deflected away from longitudinal axis <NUM>. Container engagement structure <NUM> is pivoted into and partially received in recess <NUM> and as a result recess <NUM> reduces the deflection of sidewall <NUM> for closure <NUM> to be fully applied to container <NUM>. During the incidents when frangible connections <NUM> break during the application of closure <NUM> to container <NUM>, it often occurs at the point depicted in <FIG> when the deflection of sidewall <NUM> is greatest. In <FIG>, closure <NUM> is fully affixed to container <NUM>. Container engagement structure <NUM> of closure <NUM> engages against restricting surface <NUM> of tamper-evident band <NUM> so that when closure <NUM> is removed from closure <NUM> the interface between container engagement structure <NUM> and restricting surface <NUM> exerts a pulling force on frangible connections <NUM> until frangible connections <NUM> break. After frangible connections <NUM> break then tamper band <NUM> remains on container <NUM>, at least temporarily, while closure <NUM> with top panel <NUM> and skirt <NUM> is removed from container <NUM> allowing the removal of the contents in container <NUM>.

Turning more particularly to <FIG>, closure <NUM> includes container engagement structure <NUM> affixed to tamper band <NUM> by connection point <NUM> proximate bottom <NUM> of sidewall <NUM>. Container engagement structure <NUM> pivots around connection point <NUM> such as in first direction <NUM>, which rotates container engagement structure <NUM> towards interior surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM>.

Container engagement structure <NUM> comprises engagement surface <NUM>, with width <NUM>, and protrusion <NUM> with width <NUM> that extends height <NUM> from engagement surface <NUM> to end <NUM>. Exterior surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM> faces away from central longitudinal axis <NUM>. Internal surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM>, opposite exterior surface <NUM>, includes recess <NUM> in which container engagement structure <NUM> is received. Width <NUM> is the width of sidewall <NUM> at connection point <NUM>.

Recess <NUM> provides an area into which container engagement structure <NUM> can be rotated and ultimately displaced while closure <NUM> is applied to container <NUM>. Recess <NUM> is a deflection of interior surface <NUM> in a direction towards exterior surface <NUM> and away from longitudinal axis <NUM>. Recess <NUM> is delimited by top point <NUM> and bottom point <NUM>, which collectively comprise periphery <NUM> of recess <NUM>. In one embodiment, top point <NUM> and bottom point <NUM> encircle sidewall <NUM> at a uniform respective distance from connection point <NUM> forming an annular volume for recess <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, as closure <NUM> is applied to container <NUM> tamper-evident band <NUM> exerts a force on container engagement structure <NUM> into first position <NUM> against inner surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM> in recess <NUM>, resulting in a slight deflection of sidewall <NUM>. This deflection of sidewall <NUM> exerts a force on frangible connections <NUM> and this is the time when frangible connections <NUM> occasionally break.

Turning even more specifically to <FIG>, top and bottom points <NUM>, <NUM> define plane <NUM> that extends between and through top and bottom points <NUM>, <NUM>. Width <NUM> of sidewall <NUM> is the smallest width of sidewall <NUM> between top and bottom points <NUM>, <NUM>, width <NUM> is the width of sidewall <NUM> at top point <NUM>, width <NUM> is the width of sidewall <NUM> at bottom point <NUM>, and width <NUM> is the width of sidewall <NUM> coplanar with engagement surface <NUM> of engagement surface <NUM>. Maximum depth <NUM> of recess <NUM> is the maximum depth of recess <NUM> as measured perpendicularly from plane <NUM> towards interior surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM>.

Recessed width <NUM> is the width of container engagement structure <NUM> disposed within recess <NUM> when container engagement structure <NUM> is in first position <NUM>. Non-recessed width <NUM> is the width of container engagement structure <NUM> disposed outside recess <NUM> when container engagement structure <NUM> is in first position <NUM>. It will be observed that the delineation between recessed width <NUM> and non-recessed width <NUM> is defined by plane <NUM>, which itself defines recess <NUM> and extends between top point <NUM> of recess <NUM> and bottom point <NUM> of recess <NUM>. Collectively recessed width <NUM> and non-recessed width <NUM> comprise total width <NUM>.

In one embodiment, recessed width <NUM> is at least <NUM>% of total width <NUM>. That <NUM>% of total width <NUM> disposed within recess <NUM> results in a correspondingly reduced deflection of sidewall <NUM> when container engagement structure <NUM> is located in first position <NUM>. In one embodiment recessed width <NUM> is at least <NUM>% of total width <NUM>. In yet another embodiment recessed width <NUM> is at least <NUM>% of total width <NUM>. In yet another embodiment recessed width <NUM> is at least <NUM>% of total width <NUM>. Similar to for the <NUM>% condition, those respective percentages of total width <NUM> within recess <NUM> each result in a correspondingly reduced deflection of sidewall <NUM> when container engagement structure <NUM> is located in first position <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, after closure <NUM> is applied to container <NUM>, container engagement structure <NUM> is biased away from inner surface <NUM> of sidewall <NUM> because of protrusion <NUM>. When closure <NUM> is being applied to container <NUM>, during first position <NUM> at the moment of greatest deflection of sidewall <NUM>, protrusion <NUM> is correspondingly biased away from the vertical, with respect to engagement surface <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>). After closure <NUM> has been applied to container <NUM> then protrusion <NUM> biases back towards the natural orientation of extending perpendicularly from engagement surface <NUM>. As a result of the bias of protrusion <NUM> towards being straight again, container engagement structure <NUM> biases away from inner surface <NUM>, thus facilitating the interface between engagement surface <NUM> and restricting surface <NUM>.

In various embodiments container <NUM> may comprise any number of inlets <NUM> (e.g., PET neck finish <NUM>). Outer surface <NUM> of container <NUM> comprises thread <NUM>, tamper evident band <NUM>, and transfer band <NUM>. Recess <NUM> extends between tamper evident band <NUM> and transfer band <NUM>. Restricting surface <NUM>, having width <NUM>, of tamper evident band <NUM> interfaces against engagement surface <NUM> of container engagement structure <NUM>. Transition <NUM> defines the corner between recess <NUM> and tamper evident band <NUM>. In various embodiments transition <NUM> is sufficiently angled to prevent or reduce the chances of container engagement structure <NUM> slipping off tamper evident band <NUM> when closure <NUM> is being removed without forcing the breakage of frangible connections <NUM>.

Tamper band <NUM> optionally further includes drain holes (not shown), which are arranged periodically around the tamper band <NUM>. In various embodiments, closure <NUM> is configured to seal a container configured to hold consumable or edible products (e.g., beverages, water, food, etc.). In various embodiments, closure <NUM> is configured to seal a container that is a molded (e.g., blow-molded) thermoplastic beverage container configured to hermetically hold a beverage (e.g., water, juice, fortified or nutrient water, tea, sports drink, energy drink, milk, milk-based beverages, etc.). In other embodiments, closure <NUM> can be used to seal a wide variety of containers including pouches, jars, metal bottles, paper board cartons, etc..

In various embodiments, the closures <NUM> discussed herein may be formed from a plastic or polymer material. In various embodiments, the closures <NUM> may be formed by injection molding or by compression molding. For example, the closures <NUM> may be injection molded from a polypropylene homopolymer resin. In specific embodiments, the closures <NUM> may be made from a clear (e.g., translucent or transparent) polypropylene homopolymer resin, or they may be made from a clear random copolymer polypropylene. In various embodiments, the clear material of the closure <NUM> is such that the engagement structure (e.g., thread <NUM>) is visible from the outside of the closure <NUM> through skirt <NUM>.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures.

Claim 1:
A closure (<NUM>) comprising:
a generally circular top panel (<NUM>) centered about a vertical axis (<NUM>) and comprising an upper surface (<NUM>), a lower surface (<NUM>) and an outer periphery;
a skirt (<NUM>) extending downward and away from the outer peripheral edge of the top panel, the skirt comprising an inner surface (<NUM>);
a thread (<NUM>) formed about the inner surface of the skirt;
frangible connections (<NUM>) that provide a visual indication, when broken, that the closure has been opened; and
a tamper band (<NUM>) that decouples from the skirt after the frangible connections are broken, the tamper band comprising:
a sidewall (<NUM>) coupled to the frangible connections, the sidewall comprising an inner surface (<NUM>) facing towards the vertical axis, the inner surface comprising a recess (<NUM>);
a connection point disposed at a bottom of the sidewall;
a container engagement structure (<NUM>) pivotably coupled to the sidewall via the connection point, the container engagement structure pivoting in a first rotational direction into the recess, the container engagement structure comprising a generally flat engagement surface (<NUM>) that interfaces with a container when the closure is being opened, and the container engagement structure comprising an extension (<NUM>) that protrudes from the engagement surface to an end (<NUM>), wherein a portion of the end of the extension is not received in the recess when the container engagement structure pivots into the recess.