Patent Grant
11891208
The present invention relates generally to a container that may be sealed and reclosed with a threaded closure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a metallic container and an apparatus and method of manufacturing a metallic container having an opening with inwardly facing threads and a threaded closure. The opening of the metallic container may be closed and sealed and selectively reclosed with the threaded closure which releasably engages the threads of the metallic container.
Metallic and glass beverage bottles are generally sealed by a crown cap or closure that cannot be used to reclose or reseal the container. The lack of a closure that can be used to reclose and/or reseal a beverage container after the container is opened creates several problems. First, the contents of an opened container must be consumed quickly or the contents will go flat, spoil, oxidize, or be otherwise wasted. Second, opened containers may tip over and spill the contents, creating a mess and further waste. Finally, containers that are not equipped with a closure that can be re-used to reclose the container cannot generally be re-used, thus creating waste and environmental concerns.
Beverage bottles with external threads on a neck portion are known. However, bottles with external threads are expensive to produce, leak, and have a low dispense rates. In addition, the diameter of the bore of a bottle with external threads is limited by the internal pressure required for the product. Some products would benefit from a container with a larger diameter bore, but known closures used to seal containers with external threads are not able to prevent pressure induced blowout or failure of the seal on containers with large diameter bores and certain internal pressures. Further, drinking from containers with external threads can be uncomfortable, adversely affecting consumer satisfaction of the beverage. Due to the numerous limitations associated with known threaded metal beverage containers and closures, there is an unmet need for a metallic container with a threaded closure that is cost effective to produce, has improved pressure resistance, and provides an enjoyable drinking experience to the consumer.
The present invention provides novel methods and apparatus of producing a new and useful resealable container adapted to receive a novel threaded closure. In one aspect of the present invention, a metallic container is provided, the metallic container generally comprising a bottom dome portion, a sidewall portion, and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. Further, threads are formed on at least a portion of the neck portion of the metallic container. An opening is positioned on an uppermost portion of the neck portion and a finish with a predetermined shape is formed on the uppermost portion of the neck portion. The finish is adapted to be rigid and dimensionally consistent and may include one or more exterior, upper, and interior sealing surfaces. In one embodiment, the finish is a curl. Although generally applicable to metal containers, the embodiments and various aspect of the present invention may be used and implemented on containers comprised of other materials, including glass, plastic, paper, and combinations thereof.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a novel method of manufacturing a metallic container is provided. This includes, but is not limited to, a method generally comprising: (1) forming a container body in a preferred shape, the container body comprised of a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion, and an opening positioned on an uppermost portion of the neck portion; (2) providing a threaded closure comprised of a closure body adapted to be inserted at least partially into the opening of the neck portion, the closure body having closure threads formed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the closure body; (3) inserting the threaded closure into the opening of the neck portion; and (4) forming container threads on at least a portion of the neck portion by applying a force against an exterior surface of the neck portion to compress the portion of the neck portion against the threaded closure, wherein the threaded closure is removably interconnected to the neck portion of the container body. In one embodiment, a seal is formed between the threaded closure and the container body by contact between the neck portion of the container body and a portion of the threaded closure above the closure threads. In another embodiment, a seal is formed between the threaded closure and the container body by contact between the neck portion of the container body and a portion of the threaded closure below the closure threads.
Optionally, the method may further comprise: (5) forming a curl on the uppermost portion of the neck portion. The curl has an exterior surface, an upper surface, and an interior surface. At least one of a plug seal, a top seal, and an outer seal formed on an extension extending radially outwardly from an upper circumference of the closure body of the threaded closure contact at least one of the surfaces of the curl. In one embodiment, at least the interior surface of the curl is adapted to engage a seal formed on the threaded closure.
In one embodiment, forming the container threads comprises positioning a hydraulic bag proximate to the exterior surface of the neck portion and expanding the hydraulic bag to press the portion of the neck portion against the threaded closure. In another embodiment, forming the container threads comprises directing a stream of a liquid or a gas against the exterior surface of the neck portion to press the portion of the neck portion against the threaded closure. In yet another embodiment, forming the container threads comprises pressing a tool against the exterior surface of the neck portion to press the portion of the neck portion against the threaded closure. In still another embodiment, forming the container threads further comprises inserting a mandrel into a chamber formed in the closure body. The mandrel supports the closure body when the force is applied against the exterior surface of the neck portion to form the container threads. In one embodiment, the mandrel is formed of sections that can move inwardly and outwardly to change the circumference of the mandrel. In another embodiment, the mandrel is inflatable or expandable.
In still another embodiment, at least a portion of the neck portion of the container body has a conical shape and the closure body of the threaded closure has a shape to match the conical neck portion. The container threads are formed on at least a portion of the conical neck portion by applying the force against an exterior surface of the conical neck portion. In another embodiment, the threaded closure further comprises a chamber formed in the closure body. The chamber has an upper aperture, a cover releasably interconnected to the closure body, and a predetermined volume sufficient to store at least one of a foodstuff, a liquid, a gas, a flavoring, a prize, a cleaning product, a beauty aid, and a tool.
In another embodiment, the threaded closure further comprises a tamper indicator that is altered after the closure body is at least partially removed from the container body. In one embodiment, the tamper indicator is interconnected to at least one of an upper portion of the threaded closure body and a lower portion of the threaded closure body. In another embodiment, the tamper indicator may comprise a ring interconnected to an upper circumference of the closure body by a serrated band. The serrated band is adapted to fracture when the closure body is rotated and the ring contacts a curl or other feature formed on the uppermost portion of the neck portion. After the serrated band fractures, the ring is retained on the neck portion of the container body. In another embodiment, the tamper indicator may comprise a ring interconnected to a lower portion of the closure body by a serrated band. The serrated band is adapted to fracture when the closure body is rotated and the ring contacts an interior surface of an annular ring formed in the neck portion of the container body. The ring is then retained within the container body.
In one embodiment, the threaded closure further comprises at least one channel formed through the closure threads formed on the closure body. The at least one channel is adapted to provide communication from an interior of the container body to ambient air when the threaded closure is rotated to remove the threaded closure from the opening of the bottle body. The pressure is released before the closure threads lose thread engagement with the container threads to prevent unintended expulsion of the threaded closure from the opening of the container body.
In yet another embodiment the method may optionally further comprise forming an annular ring on the container body neck portion below the container threads. The annular ring is adapted to contact at least one of: a seal extending downwardly from a lower portion of the threaded closure body; a liner interconnected to a portion of the threaded closure body; and a gasket or a wad interconnected to a portion of the threaded closure body. The annular ring may be formed before or after the threaded closure is inserted into the opening of the container body.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a novel method of manufacturing a closable metallic container is provided. This includes, but is not limited to, a method generally comprising: (1) forming a metallic container comprising a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion, and an opening positioned on an uppermost portion of the neck portion; (2) trimming an uppermost portion of the neck portion to a desired length; (3) forming a curl on the uppermost portion of the neck portion; (4) inserting a threaded closure at least partially into the opening of the metallic container; and (5) pressing a tool against an exterior surface of the neck portion to push the neck portion against the threaded closure to form container threads on a portion of the neck portion, wherein the threaded closure is removably interconnected to the opening of the metallic container by rotating the threaded closure.
In one embodiment, the threaded closure comprises: a closure body; a chamber formed in the closure body; closure threads formed on at least a portion of an outside surface of the closure body; and at least one seal adapted to contact a surface of the metallic container.
Optionally, in one embodiment, the method may further comprise: (6) forming an annular ring in the neck portion of the metallic container; and (7) interconnecting a liner to a lower portion of the closure body. When the tool forms the container threads, the curl is drawn downwardly towards the annular ring and the liner is at least partially compressed between an interior surface of the annular ring and the lower portion of the closure body. The liner seals the opening of the metallic container.
In another embodiment, the method may further comprise: (8) interconnecting a liner to a lower portion of the closure body; and (9) after inserting the threaded closure into the opening of the metallic container, forming an annular ring in the neck portion proximate to the lower portion of the closure body. An interior surface of the annular ring contacts the liner and forces at least a portion of the liner further into an interior of the metallic container. The liner seals the opening of the metallic container.
In one embodiment, the threaded closure further comprises as least one aperture formed through the closure body. In another embodiment, the method may further comprise forming an annular ring in the neck portion and injecting a cleaning solution into the chamber formed in the closure body. The cleaning solution flows from the chamber and through the at least one aperture to clean a space between the closure body and an interior surface of the container threads.
In another embodiment, the threaded closure further comprises a gas permeation barrier. In one embodiment, the gas permeation barrier comprises an impermeable material injected into a portion of the closure body. In another embodiment, the gas permeation barrier comprises an impermeable material applied to at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the closure body.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a reclosable metallic container. The reclosable metallic container generally comprises, but is not limited to: (1) a container body comprised of a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion, container threads formed on at least a portion of said neck portion, an opening positioned on an uppermost portion of the neck portion, and a curl formed on the uppermost portion of the neck portion; (2) a threaded closure comprised of a closure body adapted to be inserted at least partially into the opening of the neck portion; (3) closure threads formed on at least a portion of an outside surface of the closure body, (4) at least one seal adapted to engage at least one of the curl of the neck portion, an interior surface of the neck portion, and an exterior surface of the neck portion; and (5) a tamper indicator that provides a visible indication when a seal formed between the threaded closure and the metallic container has been broken. In one embodiment, an upper portion of the threaded closure has a diameter greater than the opening of the container body neck portion.
In another embodiment, the reclosable metallic container optionally further comprises a liner interconnected to a portion of the threaded closure. The liner contacts at least a portion of an annular ring formed in the neck portion of the container body to seal the opening of the neck portion. The liner may be positioned either above or below the closure threads. In one embodiment, the annular ring is pre-formed. In another embodiment, the annular ring is formed after the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the metallic container.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a chamber with an upper aperture is formed in the closure body of the threaded closure. A cover releasably interconnected to the closure body may be used to the chamber. The chamber may include at least one aperture formed through the closure body.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, at least one channel is formed through the closure threads. In one embodiment, which comprises a threaded closure with a seal positioned above the closure threads, the channel is adapted to allow a fluid to flow from a space between the container threads and the closure threads to a sealed interior of the container body. In another embodiment comprising a threaded closure with a seal positioned below the closure threads, the channel is adapted to allow a cleaning fluid to flow from a space between the container threads and the closure threads to an exterior of the container body. In this manner, the space between the container threads and the closure threads may be cleaned by introducing a cleaning fluid into the chamber. The cleaning fluid then flows through at least one aperture formed through the closure body and out of the space to the exterior of the container body.
In one embodiment, at least a portion of the neck portion of the container body has a conical portion. The container threads are formed on at least a portion of the conical neck portion and an upper portion of the container threads has an exterior diameter greater than an exterior diameter of a lower portion of the container threads. In another embodiment, the threaded closure has a conical closure body with a shape to match the conical neck portion of the container body. Closure threads are formed on the conical closure body.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a novel method of manufacturing a metallic container with a removable closure is provided. This includes, but is not limited to, a method generally comprising: (1) forming a container body comprised of a bottom portion, a sidewall portion, a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion, and an opening positioned on an uppermost portion of the neck portion; (2) providing a removable closure comprised of a non-threaded closure body adapted to be inserted at least partially into the opening of the neck portion; (3) inserting at least a portion of the removable closure body into the opening of the neck portion; and (4) simultaneously forming threads on at least a portion of the container body neck portion and on at least a portion of the removable closure body, wherein the removable closure is interconnected to the neck portion of the container body.
In one embodiment, simultaneously forming the threads comprises inserting a mandrel into a chamber formed in said removable closure body. A tool is then pressed against an exterior surface of the container body neck portion to compress the container body neck portion against the removable closure body. Optionally, the mandrel may have a threaded exterior surface.
In another embodiment, simultaneously forming the threads comprises positioning a thread forming tool proximate to an exterior surface of the container body neck portion. A tool is then pressed against an interior surface of a chamber formed in the removable closure body to compress the removable closure body and the container body neck portion against a contoured surface of the thread forming tool. In still another embodiment, the non-threaded closure body of the removable closure is comprised of a compressible material. In one embodiment, the compressible material of the threaded closure body is one of rubber, plastic, cork, and synthetic cork material.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises forming a seal between the removable closure and the container body, wherein the seal is positioned above the removable closure threads. In another embodiment, the method further comprises forming a seal between the removable closure and the container body, wherein the seal is positioned below the removable closure threads.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for forming threads on a metallic container is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises, but is not limited to: (1) a first chuck operable to support and hold the metallic container in a predetermined position, the metallic container comprising a bottom dome portion, a sidewall portion, a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion, a finish with a predetermine shape positioned at an uppermost portion of the neck portion, and an opening formed on the uppermost portion of the neck portion; (2) a second chuck operable to position a closure body of a threaded closure at least partially in the opening of the metallic container; (3) an annular ring forming tool operable to form an annular ring on the metallic container; and (4) a thread forming tool operable to apply a force to an exterior surface of the neck portion to compress a portion of the neck portion against closure threads formed on an exterior surface of the threaded closure to form bottle threads on at least a portion of the neck portion of the metallic container.
In one embodiment, the thread forming tool comprises a thread roller operable to move around a circumference of the neck portion to apply the force to the exterior surface of the neck portion. In another embodiment, the thread forming tool comprises a hydraulic bag operable to be positioned proximate to the neck portion and expand to apply the force to the exterior surface of the neck portion. In still another embodiment, the thread forming tool comprises a hydro-forming tool operable to direct a stream of liquid against the exterior surface to apply the force to the exterior surface of the neck portion. In yet another embodiment, the thread forming tool comprises an electro-magnetic forming tool operable to create a magnetic field to apply the force to the exterior surface of the neck portion. In another embodiment, the annular ring forming tool comprises a pilfer roller, the pilfer roller operable to move around circumferences of the metallic container and the threaded closure.
In one embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a mandrel with an unthreaded exterior surface operable to be inserted into a chamber formed in the closure body of the threaded closure, the exterior surface of the mandrel adapted to contact and support the closure body as the thread forming tool applies the force to the exterior surface of the neck portion to form the bottle threads. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes means for conforming a portion of the neck portion to the closure threads of the threaded closure.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a threaded closure. The method generally comprises: (1) forming a closure body adapted to be inserted at least partially into an opening of a metallic container; (2) forming closure threads on at least a portion of an outside surface of the closure body; and (3) forming a seal on the closure body. In one embodiment, the method further may optionally further comprise one or more of: (4) forming an extension extending radially outwardly from an upper circumference of the closure body; (5) forming a chamber with an upwardly facing aperture in the closure body; (6) filling the chamber with a product; (7) interconnecting a cover to seal the aperture of the chamber; and (8) forming holes through the closure body to the chamber.
In one embodiment, the threaded closure is provided with transverse channels formed through the closure threads. The transverse channels enable controlled venting of the metallic container when the threaded closure is removed from the metallic container. When the seal between the threaded closure and the metallic container is broken, the channels allow compressed gas to escape from the interior of the metallic container to ambient air pressure before the closure threads lose thread engagement with the threads of the metallic container. Thus, the transverse channels may prevent the closure from being forcefully ejected from the bottle during removal of the closure by compressed gas within the metallic container and also allow for easy removal of the threaded closure.
In one embodiment, the cover of the chamber is releasably interconnected to the top of the threaded closure and may be comprised of foil, plastic, paper, cardboard, or any other material known in the art. In still another embodiment, the threaded closure is formed with a solid top portion and without an internal chamber. Optionally, threaded closures with the solid top portion may have an internal web to provide structural support to the threaded closure.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a seal may be formed between the metallic container and the threaded closure by a wad of a compressible material that is at least partially impervious to gas and liquids (hereinafter “wad”) and similar to a crown sealing material. In one embodiment, the wad may allow a small amount of gas to slowly escape from the bottle. The wad is positioned between the metallic container and the threaded closure. The wad may be positioned on the exterior surface of the threaded closure before the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the metallic container. Optionally, the wad could be positioned on the upper surface of the curl of the metallic container. After positioning the wad, the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the metallic container and a top load is applied to the top of the threaded closure to compress the wad between the contact surfaces of the curl of the metallic container and the threaded closure.
In one embodiment, the body of the closure is reformed by a mandrel. As the body of the closure is reformed, a wad of a compressible sealing material is compressed between the metallic container and the threaded closure. Compressing the wad causes the wad to deform and fill the spaces between contact surfaces of the metallic container and the threaded closure, sealing the metallic container. In one embodiment, the seal between the metallic container and the threaded closure is formed by a combination of both the wad and one or more of a plug seal, a top seal, or an outer seal of the threaded closure contacting the seal surfaces of the metallic container. Optionally, a bead of a liquid sealant that is at least partially impervious to gas and liquids may be applied to the contact surfaces of the metallic container or the threaded closure before the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the metallic container. After the threaded closure is inserted into the metallic container, the liquid sealant flows between the contact surfaces of the metallic container and the threaded closure, substantially filling the spaces. The liquid sealant then hardens to create a seal.
In another aspect of the present invention, a seal may be formed by a wad or liquid sealant positioned between an interior surface of a metallic container and the body of the threaded closure. In one embodiment, the wad or liquid sealant is positioned on a lower exterior surface of the body of the threaded closure before inserting the threaded closure into the bore of the metallic container. After the threaded closure is inserted into the bore, threads are formed on at least a portion of the neck of the metallic container. An annular ring is formed in the neck of the metallic container by any method known to those of skill in the art. The annular ring compresses an interior surface of the neck of the metallic container into the wad or liquid sealant on the threaded closure, compressing and deforming the wad or liquid sealant to fill the space between the interior surface of the neck and the lower exterior surface of the threaded closure, sealing the metallic container.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a threaded closure that may be rotated further into the metallic container to release a seal between the threaded closure and the metallic container. A drinking chamber with an open top is formed in a closure body of the threaded closure. Threads are formed on at least a portion of an outside surface of the closure body of the threaded closure. Apertures are formed through the closure body to the drinking chamber. The apertures may be lower on the closure body than the threads. The apertures allow fluid communication between the interior of the metallic container and the drinking chamber of the threaded closure. A gasket, wad, liquid sealant, or layer of a silicon oxide material is positioned on a portion of the outside surface of the closure body lower on the body than the apertures. The threaded closure is then inserted into the bore of the metallic container and threads are formed on the metallic container. A pilfer roller or thread roller forms an annular ring in the metallic container by pressing against the exterior surface of the neck to press an interior surface of the neck of the metallic container against the sealant. The annular ring compresses and deforms the wad or liquid sealant between the interior surface of the neck and the closure body of the threaded closure, substantially filling the space between the interior surface of the neck and the closure body of the threaded closure to create the seal. The annular ring also prevents the threaded closure from being removed from the bore of the metallic container because the annular ring has an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the body of the threaded closure.
The seal between the threaded closure and the metallic container is broken by rotating the closure in a first direction to move the closure further into the metallic container, thereby releasing the contents of the metallic container through the apertures into the drinking chamber where the contents may be consumed. The threaded closure can then be rotated in a second direction to rotate the threaded closure further out of the metallic container to recompress the sealant to reclose and/or re-seal the metallic container. A cover may optionally seal the drinking chamber to keep the drinking chamber clean and sanitary. The cover may be formed of foil, plastic, paper, cardboard, or any other suitable material known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the cover may be hingedly interconnected to the threaded closure. The hinged cover can be lifted up to consume contents from the drinking chamber and then lowered to reclose the drinking chamber.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a tamper indicator that identifies to a consumer whether the threaded closure has been at least partially removed from the bore of a container. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the tamper indicator may be used with containers formed of any material including, without limitation aluminum, steel, tin, plastic, glass, paper, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the tamper indicator comprises a band severably interconnected to a portion of the threaded closure body above or below the closure threads. When the threaded closure is rotated to open the container, the band separates from the threaded closure body identifying that the seal between the container and the threaded closure has been released.
In another embodiment the tamper indicator comprises a band with axial serrations that fracture when the threaded closure is at least partially rotated to open the container. When the axial serrations fracture, the band flares radially outwardly providing a visual indication that the seal between the container and the threaded closure has been broken.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the tamper indicator comprises at least one of a shrink film, a wax, a plastic, a metallic foil, a paper material, or a paint applied to the threaded closure and the container. The material of the tamper indicator must be at least partially damaged or compromised by a consumer before or during rotation of the threaded closure by a consumer to open the container.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the tamper indicator is displayed by a gap found between the threaded closure and upper surface of the container. More specifically, the threaded closure body includes a projection which allows the threaded closure to be removed from the container to release the seal between the threaded closure and the container. If the threaded closure is re-inserted by a consumer into the container, the threaded closure may be rotated by the consumer to reseal the container. After the threaded closure is rotated a predetermined amount into the container to re-establish the seal between the threaded closure and the container, the projection contacts an annular ring formed in the neck of the container. The contact between the projection of the threaded closure and the annular ring of the container prevents further rotation of the threaded closure and therefore prevents further downward movement of the threaded closure into the opening of the container. Stated otherwise, after the seal between the threaded closure and the container is broken or compromised, the threaded closure may be used to reseal the container but a visible gap is formed between the upper surface of the container and a portion of the threaded closure to identify that the original seal between the threaded closure and container has been compromised.
The projection may be either integrally formed on the closure body or interconnected to the closure body. In one embodiment, the annular ring is discontinuous. In another embodiment, the annular ring and the projection are positioned above the container threads and the closure threads. In yet another embodiment, the annular ring and the projection are positioned below the container threads and the closure threads.
In another embodiment, the projection comprises a liner interconnected to an exterior surface of the threaded closure body. After the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the container, an annular ring formed in neck of the container deforms the liner downwardly further into the bore of the container. If the threaded closure is at least partially removed from the container, the threaded closure may be rotated to reseal the container. However, after the seal between the threaded closure and the container is reestablished, the liner contacts the annular ring preventing further closing rotation of the threaded closure. Thus, the liner allows only a partial re-insertion of the threaded closure into the bore of the container.
In another embodiment, the projection comprises a plurality of uni-directional extensions on the threaded closure body. The threaded closure with the uni-directional extensions is introduced vertically into the bore of the unthreaded container during capping in a manner that cannot be duplicated by the consumer. More specifically, the neck of the container includes a dis-continuous annular ring formed at a predetermined location. The dis-continuous annular ring may be pre-formed or formed after the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the container. After the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the container, threads are formed in the container. The container threads prevent a direct vertical re-insertion of the threaded closure into the bore by the consumer. The uni-directional extensions allow the consumer to rotate the threaded closure in an opening direction to remove the threaded closure from the container. The threaded closure may be used to reseal the container. However, after the seal between the container and the threaded closure is re-established, the uni-directional extensions contact the dis-continuous annular ring preventing further rotation of the threaded closure in the closing direction. The threaded closure cannot be rotated completely into the bore of the container, thus visually identifying to a consumer that the seal between the container and the threaded closure has been compromised.
In another embodiment, the projection comprises a plurality of tamper projections on the exterior surface of the closure body. After the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the container, an annular ring is formed in the container. The annular ring is positioned proximate to the tamper projections. As the annular ring is formed, the interior surface of the annular ring contacts the tamper projections and moves the tamper projections to an at least partially folded position. The threaded closure may then be rotated to open the container. When the threaded closure is rotated enough to release the seal between the threaded closure and the container, the tamper projections move above the annular ring and return to an unfolded position. The threaded closure may then be rotated to reseal the container. After the seal is re-established, the tamper projections contact the upper surface of the annular ring and prevent further rotation of the threaded closure in a direction to facilitate closing. A visible gap between the upper surface of the container and a portion of the threaded closure identifies to a consumer that the seal between the container and the threaded closure has been broken or compromised.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the structure comprises a tamper skirt on the exterior surface of the closure body. An annular ring formed in the container after the threaded closure is inserted into the bore of the container contacts the tamper skirt and folds the tamper skirt down toward the threaded closure body. When the threaded closure is rotated in an opening direction a sufficient amount to release the seal between the container and the threaded closure, the tamper skirts moves above the annular ring and returns to the initial, substantially unfolded position. The threaded closure may be rotated in a closing direction an amount sufficient to reseal the container. However, after the seal between the container and the threaded closure is re-established, the tamper skirt contacts the upper surface of the annular ring and prevents further rotation of the threaded closure in the closing direction. The threaded closure thus cannot be completely rotated back into the container and visually identifies to a consumer that the seal between the container and the threaded closure has been broken or compromised. In one embodiment, the tamper skirt comprises a plurality of individual skirts.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings.
Although generally referred to herein as “metallic container,” “metallic bottle,” “beverage container,” “container,” and/or “bottle,” it should be appreciated that the current invention may be used with containers of any size or shape including, without limitation, beverage cans and beverage bottles. Accordingly, the term “container” is intended to cover containers of any type. Further, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, although the methods and apparatus of the present invention are generally related to metallic containers and metallic bottles, the methods and apparatus of the present invention are not limited to metallic containers and may be used to form containers of any material, including without limitation aluminum, steel, tin, plastic, glass, paper, or any combination thereof.
The term “threads” as used herein refers to any type of helical structure used to convert a rotational force to linear motion. Threads may be symmetric or asymmetric, of any predetermined size, shape, or pitch, and may have a clockwise or counter-clockwise wrap. Threads may be formed on straight or tapered portions of a metallic container or a threaded closure and the threads may comprise one or more leads. Additionally, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, that both helical threads and lug threads may be used with metallic containers and threaded closures of the present invention.
The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” In addition, although various exemplary dimensions are provided to illustrate one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is expressly contemplated that dimensions of bottles and threaded closures may be varied and still comport with the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.
It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the summary of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.
Similar components and/or features may have the same reference number. Components of the same type may be distinguished by a letter following the reference number. If only the reference number is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference number.
A component list of the various components shown in drawings is provided herein:
Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein and as depicted in the drawings. The present disclosure has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. It is expressly understood that although
Referring now to
The neck 20 has an interior surface 26 and a thread region 24 where threads are formed as described below. The threads formed on the neck 20 are adapted to threadably engage threads formed on an exterior surface of a threaded closure inserted at least partially in the bore 12. The thread region 24 may have a cylindrical, tapered, or conic shape or combinations thereof, or any other desired shape.
A top edge of the metallic container 4 is trimmed to a desired length and formed into a finish with a predetermined shape to create seal surfaces which are rigid, smooth, and dimensionally consistent. In one embodiment, the predetermined shape of the finish is a curl 28. The curl 28 may comprise one or more folds of the material of the metallic container 4 and has an exterior surface 30, upper surface 32, and interior surface 34 which are shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Helical threads 60 are formed on an exterior surface of the body 46 of the threaded closure 44. The threads 60 have an exterior diameter 58 selected to fit into the bore 12 of a metallic container 4. In one embodiment, the exterior diameter 58 is between approximately 0.6 inches and approximately 4.0 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the exterior diameter 58 is between approximately 0.8 inches and approximately 2.2 inches. In a still more preferred embodiment, the exterior diameter 58 is between approximately 1.1 inches and approximately 1.3 inches. Additionally, or alternatively, the exterior diameter 58 at the upper-most portion of the closure threads 60 is greater than the exterior diameter 58 at the lower-most portion of closure threads 60. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the upper-most portion of the closure threads 60 has an exterior diameter 58 that is from about 0.0 inches to about 0.015 inches greater than the exterior diameter of the lower-most portion of the closure threads 60.
In one embodiment, the threads 60 have an interior diameter 59 of between approximately 0.6 inches and approximately 4.0 inches. In another embodiment, the interior diameter 59 is between approximately 0.8 inches and approximately 2.2 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the interior diameter 59 of the threads 60 is between approximately 1.05 inches and approximately 1.25 inches. It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the interior diameter 59 and the exterior diameter 58 of the threads 60 may be varied and still comport with the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
The threads 60 have an upper surface 43, a lower surface 45, a peak 47, and a root or valley 48. In one embodiment, the threads 60 have a substantially symmetrical cross-sectional profile. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional profile of the threads 60 is not symmetric and the peak 47 of the threads 60 has a different profile than the valley 48 of the threads 60. In another embodiment, the upper surface 43 of the threads is substantially horizontal. In one embodiment, the threads 60 have more than one wrap around the body 46. In another embodiment, the threads 60 have between approximately 0.25 wraps to approximately 8 wraps around the body 46. In one embodiment, the threaded closure 44 includes a multi-lead thread formed of two or more individual threads. Each individual thread of the multi-lead thread can have a different number of thread wraps.
Optional channels 96 have been formed through the closure threads 60. The channels 96 provide communication between the interior of the metallic container 4 and a space between the container threads 42 and the closure threads 60. The channels 96 enable a controlled release of gas to release pressure from the interior of the metallic container 4 during removal of the threaded closure 44 by providing communication between the interior of the metallic container 4 and ambient air outside of the metallic container 4. After a seal between the metallic container 4 and the threaded closure 44 is broken, gas may escape through the channels 96 to the exterior of the metallic container 4 before the closure threads 60 lose thread engagement with threads 42 formed on the metallic container 4. This controlled release of pressure prevents the threaded closure 44 from being forcefully ejected from the metallic container 4 during opening and also allows for easy removal of the threaded closure 44. Moreover, the channels 96 prevent spitting or inadvertent upward release of product when the threaded closure 44 is removed from a metallic container 4 by allowing liquid product to drain downward out of the space between the container threads 42 and the closure threads 60. During handling, a filled metallic container 4 may be inverted allowing the liquid product to flow into the space between the threads 42, 60. When a metallic container 4 sealed by a threaded closure 44 without channels 96 is returned to a vertical position, the liquid product may not flow out of the space due to the surface tension of the liquid. If the liquid product remains in the space, the liquid product will block the path of the pressurized gas from the metallic container 4 when the metallic container 4 is opened. When a consumer rotates the threaded closure 44 to open the metallic container 4, the gas will push the residual liquid product trapped in the space between the threads 42, 60 out of the metallic container 4 and possibly onto the consumer. In contrast, when a metallic container 4 sealed by a threaded closure 44 with channels 96 is returned to a vertical position, the channels 96 form a path for the liquid product to flow downward back into the metallic container 4. When the threaded closure 44 is rotated, the channels 96 may also provide a path of least resistance for the escaping gas that is free of liquid product. In one embodiment, the channels 96 are substantially vertical. However, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the channels 96 may have any orientation predetermined to form a path for the flow of liquid product downward into the metallic container 4 and to allow gas to escape when the metallic container is opened.
Optionally, a tamper indicator 82 may be formed on the threaded closure 44 to provide an indication to a consumer after the threaded closure 44 has been at least partially unthreaded from a metallic container 4. The tamper indicator 82 is adapted to be retained on a neck 20 of the metallic container 4 after a serrated band 86 fractures when the threaded closure 44 is rotated to open the metallic container 4. In another embodiment, the tamper indicator 82 includes axial serrations 87 instead of the serrated band 86. When the threaded closure 44 is removed from a metallic container 4, the serrations 87 fracture and sections of the tamper indicator 82 flair outwardly to indicate that the threaded closure 44 has been at least partially removed from the metallic container 4. In one embodiment, the tamper indicator 82 is integrally formed of the same material as the closure body 46. In another embodiment, the tamper indicator 82 is interconnected to the threaded closure 44 and is formed of a metal or a plastic material that is different than the material of the closure body 46.
Additionally, grip features 95 may be formed on an exterior surface of the threaded closure 44 to improve a consumer's grip. In one embodiment, illustrated in
Referring now to
The body 46 of the threaded closure 44 may have a shape adapted to enable threaded closures 44 to be stacked to decrease the amount of space required to store the threaded closures 44. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 57 of the body 46 is adapted to at least partially fit into the chamber 52 of another threaded closure 44. In another embodiment, the bottom portion 57 at least partially fits into a deboss formed in the bottom portion 57 of another threaded closure 44.
The threaded closure 44 has an extension 66 extending radially outward from an upper circumference of the closure body 46. An outer seal 68, a top seal 70, and an inner or plug seal 72 are formed on the extension 66 and are sized and have a geometry adapted to contact and/or apply sealing forces to one or more of the surfaces 30, 32, 34 of the curl 28, trim 36, or flange 38 of a metallic container 4. Although illustrated in
A tamper indicator 82 is formed on the extension 66. The tamper indicator 82 has a flexible extension 84 that enables the tamper indicator 82 to slide downward over the curl 28, trim 36, or flange 38 of a metallic container 4 when the threaded closure 44 is inserted into the bore 12 of the metallic container 4, as illustrated in
Referring now to
The press block 93 includes a chuck 94 operable to hold the threaded closure 44 and press the threaded closure 44 downwardly into the bore 12 of the metallic container 4. The chuck 94 may also rotate the threaded closure 44. The apparatus 89 may also include a second chuck (not illustrated) to support the metallic container 4 and hold the metallic container 4 in a predetermined position. Additionally, the apparatus 89 may include one or more mandrels 100, 106, and 110 and a thread split 112 described in more detail hereinafter.
In operation, after the metallic container 4 is filled with a beverage, the apparatus 89 places the body 46 of the threaded closure 44 at least partially within the bore 12 of the metallic container 4. In one embodiment, before the threaded closure 44 is placed in the bore 12, the metallic container 4 has an unthreaded thread region 24 that is generally cylindrical. One or more thread rollers 90 of the apparatus 89 can be positioned in contact with an exterior surface of the thread region 24 of the neck 20 of the metallic container 4. Threads 42 are formed on the metallic container 4 by the thread rollers 90 as the material of the thread region 24 is compressed between contact surfaces of the thread rollers 90 and the closure threads 60 of the threaded closure 44. The thread rollers 90 generally start at the top of the thread region 24 of the metallic container 4 and work downwardly around the thread region 24. During the threading of the metallic container 4, a top-load may optionally be applied to the threaded closure 44 by the pressing block 93. In one embodiment, as the threads 42 are formed, the height of the metallic container 4 is decreased as the upper surface 32 of the curl 28 is drawn downwardly toward the bottom of the metallic container 4. In another embodiment, the thread rollers 90 start at the bottom of the thread region 24 and work upwardly. Methods and apparatus used to thread metal containers are disclosed in the following publications which are all incorporated herein in their entirety by reference: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263150, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0269602, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0065528, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0326946, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,132,439, 8,091,402, 8,037,734, 8,037,728, 7,798,357, 7,555,927, 7,824,750, 7,171,840, 7,147,123, 6,959,830, and International Application No. PCT/JP2010/072688 (publication number WO/2011/078057).
When the threaded closure 44 is inserted into the bore 12 of a metallic bottle 4, the pressure from the product within the metallic bottle 4 pushes the threaded closure 44 upward. The upper surface 43 of the closure threads 60 is pushed against and applies a force to a lower surface 41 of the container threads 42 and prevents unintended ejection of the threaded closure 44. In one embodiment (not illustrated), the upper surface 43 of the closure threads 60 and the lower surface 41 of the container threads 42 are substantially horizontal. The substantially horizontal surfaces 41, 43 improve the strength of the thread engagement between the closure threads 60 and the container threads 42 because the upward force of the upper surface 43 of the closure threads 60 is substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 41 of the container threads 42.
As illustrated in
After the metallic container 4 is sealed with the threaded closure 44, when a rotational force is applied to the threaded closure 44 to unthread the threaded closure 44 from the metallic container 4, the extension 84 of the tamper indicator 82 contacts a bottom surface of the curl 28, or another surface formed on the neck 20 of the metallic container, preventing the tamper indicator 82 from sliding back over the curl 28. As the rotational force continues to be applied to the threaded closure 44, the serrated band 86 interconnecting the tamper indicator 82 to the threaded closure 44 is severed and the tamper indicator 82 is retained on the neck 20 of the metallic container 4. The presence of the tamper indicator 82 on the neck of the metallic container provides a visual indication to a consumer that the closure 44 has been at least partially opened or unthreaded and the seal to the metallic container 4 compromised.
As illustrated in
In addition to providing a sealing surface, in one embodiment the exterior surface 30 of the curl 28 is used to align and provide concentricity of the threaded closure 44 and the metallic container 4. Thus, contact between the exterior surface 30 of the curl 28 and the outer seal 68 of the threaded closure 44 aligns the threaded closure 44 and the metallic container 4 to ensure a tight seal is achieved during sealing and thread forming by the apparatus 89. In one embodiment, the apparatus 89 forms cuts or slots in the exterior surface 30 of a curl 28A-28D so that the exterior surface 30 is not continuous and is able to spring or flex for alignment with the threaded closure 44. Curls 28A-28D with a non-continuous exterior surface 30 are useful for aligning the threaded closure 44 and the metallic container 4 but do not provide a sealing surface for the threaded closure 44.
In one embodiment, the apparatus 89 includes a hydraulic bag operable to form the container threads 42. In operation, the hydraulic bag is positioned proximate the thread region 24 and then inflated or expanded to apply a force to the exterior surface of the thread region 24. The force applied by the hydraulic bag reforms the thread region and the threads 60 of the threaded closure 44 form the container threads 42. Optionally, in one embodiment, the hydraulic bag includes one or more ridges that substantially correspond to the valleys 48 of the threaded closure 44. Referring now to
Additionally, and referring now to
The annular ring 22 prevents the tamper indicator 82A from being removed from the bore 12 of the metallic container 4. As the threaded closure 44 is rotated to open the metallic container 4, an upper surface 83 of the tamper indicator 82A contacts an interior surface 26 of the neck 20 proximate to the annular ring 22, applying a force to the serrated band 86A and separating the tamper indicator 82A from the threaded closure 44. The tamper indicator 82A is then retained within the bore 12 of the metallic container 4 indicating that the threaded closure 44 has been at least partially unthreaded from the metallic container 4. Optionally, the metallic container 4 may include a second annular ring 22A formed below the tamper indicator 82A to prevent the tamper indicator 82A from dropping completely into the metallic container 4. The second annular ring 22A may be either preformed on the metallic container or formed by the apparatus 89 after the threaded closure 44 is inserted in the bore 12.
The serrated band 86A is designed to prevent fracture prior to the application of a predetermined amount of force to the tamper indicator 82A. Accordingly, the serrated band 86A may be adapted to prevent unintended or inadvertent expulsion of the threaded closure 44 from the bore 12 of the metallic container 4 due to pressure within the metallic container. In this manner, although the threads 42, 60 are illustrated wrapping more than one time around the circumferences of the metallic container 4 and the threaded closure 44, in one embodiment a single thread wrap is sufficient to prevent expulsion of the threaded closure 44 when the threaded closure 44 includes the pilfer indicator 82A. In one embodiment, the threaded closure 44 may include two tamper indicators 82, 82A.
Referring now to
The apparatus 89 may also include a mandrel with a variable diameter that may be inserted into the chamber 52 of a threaded closure 44. Referring now to
Referring now to
The threaded closure 44A includes a liner 80 interconnected to the closure body 46. The liner 80 has a predetermined size that is larger than the diameter of the body 46 and larger than the interior diameter of the annular ring 22. In one embodiment, the liner 80 is a disc that is blanked from a sheet of liner material. In another embodiment, the liner 80 is ring shaped with a hole that is substantially centered. In still another embodiment, the liner 80 is adhered a bottom portion 57 or a side surface of the closure body 46. The liner 80 may be formed of any material that is at least partially flexible and compressible and that is substantially impervious to CO2 or O2. In one embodiment, the liner 80 is formed of a material that absorbs CO2 and/or O2. In another embodiment, the liner 80 is formed of one or more of metal, rubber, plastic, and cork, and combinations thereof.
Referring now to
The liner 80 is further operable to allow a controlled release of pressure from within the metallic container 4A as the threaded closure 44A is removed from the bore 12. As the threaded closure 44A is rotated, a gap is formed between the liner 80 and the interior surface 26 of the metallic container 4 before the closure threads 60 lose thread engagement with the container threads 42. In this manner, pressure is released from within the metallic container 4A and escapes between the threaded closure 44A and the metallic container 4A preventing the uncontrolled expulsion of the threaded closure 44A from the bore 12. Additionally, or alternatively, in one embodiment, the liner 80 is not axisymmetric as described above in conjunction with
The threaded closure 44A includes a chamber 52 with an aperture 49 that has been sealed by an optional cover 53. The cover 53 keeps the chamber 52 sanitary and free of contamination. The cover 53 may be made of paper, cardboard, metallic foil, or plastic, or combinations thereof. The cover 53 may be interconnected to the threaded closure 44A by induction or any other method. In one embodiment, the cover 53 is hingedly interconnected to the threaded closure 44A and the cover 53 may be lifted to allow access to the chamber 52 and lowered to reseal or reclose the chamber 52. In another embodiment, a portion of the cover 53 is permanently interconnected to the threaded closure 44A to retain the cover 53 to the threaded closure 44A to prevent litter. Optionally, the chamber 52 may have an uncovered aperture 49.
Referring now to
After the metallic container 4B is filled with a product, the apparatus 89 inserts the threaded closure 44B into the bore 12 as illustrated in
The contact between the liner 80 and the interior surface 26 of the annular ring 22 seals the bore 12 of the metallic container, preventing release of the contents of the metallic container 4B and/or transmission of CO2 or O2 into, or out of, the interior of the metallic container 4B. Additionally, the pressure within the metallic container 4B may apply a force to the product side of the liner 80, pressing the liner 80 upwardly against the annular ring 22 to improve the seal between the threaded closure 44B and the metallic container 4B. In one embodiment, the size and shape of the annular ring 22 and the material of the liner 80 may be selected to resist the pressure of the contents of the metallic container 4B. Said another way, the contact of the liner 80 and the interior surface 26 of the metallic container 4B may resist the pressure within the metallic container 4B and prevent inadvertent and unintended expulsion of the threaded closure 44B from the bore 12. Thus, the number of threads and/or the thread wrap of the threads 42, 60 may be reduced. In one embodiment, a threaded closure 44B with a liner 80 may include only a single thread wrap to seal a metallic container 4B and prevent unintended expulsion of the threaded closure 44B.
To open the metallic container, a consumer applies a rotational force to the threaded closure 44B. As the threaded closure 44B is rotated, contact with the annular ring 22 deflects the liner 80 radially inwardly allowing the liner 80 to move upwardly past the annular ring 22. This movement releases the seal and allows a controlled release of pressure from within the interior of the metallic container 4B before thread engagement between the container threads 42 and the closure threads 60 is lost. Additionally, or alternatively, in one embodiment, the liner 80 is not axisymmetric as described above in conjunction with
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
When the metallic container 4D is filled with a product, the product may contact the interior surface of the neck 20 and become trapped between the closure threads 60 and the container threads 42. If not removed, the trapped product may spoil or contaminate the product sealed in the metallic container 4D. To remove the trapped product, the apparatus 89 includes a tool to direct a sterile cleaning solution 98, such as water, into the chamber 52 after the apparatus 89 inserts the threaded closure 44D into the bore 12 of the metallic container 4D. The apertures 97 enable the cleaning solution 98 to flow from the chamber 52 and up between the closure threads 60 and the container threads 42. In this manner, the cleaning solution 98 can remove any product unintentionally trapped between the threads 42, 60. Additionally, the apparatus 89 may include a tool to force air or another gas to blow out the cleaning solution 98 and dry the space between the threads 42, 60.
Optionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, holes, cuts, or slots may be formed radially through at least a portion of the curl 28 to allow the cleaning solution 98 and air to enter or exit the unthreaded region 55 above the threads 42, 60. Additionally, in another embodiment, thread channels 96 (illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The gas permeation barriers 74, 76 may be formed of any material that creates a barrier to keep O2 out of, and CO2 in, the interior of a metallic container 4. In one embodiment of the present invention, gas permeation barrier 76 is a silicon oxide material applied using a plasma coating process. In another embodiment, gas permeation barrier 76 is a liquid that is applied to the threaded closure 44G. In yet another embodiment, gas permeation barrier 76A, 76B is a film applied to the threaded closure 44G. In still another embodiment, gas permeation barriers 74, 76 are formed of a silicon oxide material. In one embodiment, the material of the gas permeation barriers 74, 76 scavenges or absorbs CO2 and/or O2.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The tapered thread region 24I allows a consumer to quickly remove the closure 44I from the metallic container 4I. For example, in a metallic container with a substantially straight threaded region, a threaded closure must typically be rotated a number of rotations equal to a number of thread revolutions around the thread region to remove the threaded closure from the bore of the metallic container. In a metallic container 4I with a tapered thread region 24I, when the threaded closure 44I is rotated to open the metallic container 4I, the tapered thread region 24I allows the closure threads 60I to lose thread engagement with the container threads 42I in fewer rotations than the number of thread revolutions. Stated otherwise, the closure threads 60I of the threaded closure 44I may lose thread engagement with the container threads 42I after approximately one rotation of the threaded closure 44I. Thus, in this embodiment, multiple thread revolutions may be provided in the metallic container 4I and the threaded closure 44I for a secure seal without requiring the consumer to rotate the threaded closure 44I an equal number of rotations to release the threaded closure 44I.
Referring now to
After the metallic container 4J is filled with a product, the threaded closure 44J is inserted by the apparatus 89 in the bore 12 to a first position. The apparatus 89 forms threads 42 on the metallic container 4J as described above. Optionally, the threaded closure 44J and the metallic container 4J may have a lug thread 64 as illustrated in
To release the compressed seal 79A, the consumer rotates the threaded closure 44J in a first direction moving the threaded closure 44J to a second position, deeper into the bore 12 such that the annular ring 22 does not contact the seal 79. The contents 99 of the metallic container 4J may then flow between the exterior surface of the threaded closure 44J and the interior surface 26 of the neck 20, through the apertures 97, and into the chamber 52 of the threaded closure 44J, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, after the metallic container 4J is sealed by threaded closure 44J, the space between the container threads 42 and the closure threads 60 may be cleaned by a cleaning solution when the threaded closure 44J is in the first position. Thus, in a method similar to the method described above in conjunction with
Referring now to
When the apparatus 89 inserts the threaded closure 44K into the bore 12, the pressing block 93 (illustrated in
The sealant 78 may be similar to sealants used with crown closures and is well known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the sealant 78 is a liquid sealant that can at least partially flow between the metallic container 4K and the threaded closure 44K and harden to create a seal. In another embodiment, the sealant 78 is a wad of a compressible material. In one embodiment, the sealant 78 may allow a small amount of gas to slowly escape from or enter the metallic container 4K. In still other embodiments, the seal between the metallic container 4K and a threaded closure 44K may be formed of a combination of one or more seals 68, 70, 72 and the sealant 78. In yet another embodiment, the sealant 78 is made of the same material as the liner 80 illustrated in
The thread region 24 of metallic container 4K is illustrated before 24A and after 24B the container threads 42 are formed. The threads 24B are formed by the apparatus 89 by any method described above in conjunction with
Referring now to
In another embodiment, illustrated in
The apparatus 89 then applies a force to the exterior surface of the thread region 24 of the metallic container 4M. The force compresses the material of the metallic container 4M and the material of the closure body 46 against the contoured surface 108 to form the threads 42, 60. In one embodiment, the apparatus 89 forms the threads on the metallic container 4M and the closure 44M by a hydraulic bag, a hydraulic tool, or by an EM forming tool as described above in conjunction with
The metallic container 4M may be sealed by any seal described herein. For example, in one embodiment, a seal may be formed by contact between the closure 44M and the curl 28 of the metallic container 4M, as illustrated in
Referring now to
In still another embodiment, the apparatus 89 inserts a cylindrical mandrel 100, 100A formed of a compressible material into the bore 12 of an unthreaded metallic container. The apparatus 89 may then form the threads 42 by compressing the thread region 24 of the neck with a thread roller 90 in a manner similar to the method illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
To seal the metallic container 4O, a ring or bead of a sealant 78 is applied to the closure 44O or an upper surface 32 of a curl 28 of the metallic container 4O as described above in conjunction with
The apparatus 89 forms threads 42, 60 with at least one thread wrap on the metallic container 4O and the closure 44O as described above in conjunction with
In operation, as a consumer rotates the closure 44O to open the metallic container 4O the flutes 116 are forced over the curl 28 rupturing the axial serrations 87 indicating that the closure 44O has been at least partially unthreaded from the metallic container 4O. By forming the axial serrations 87 on the valleys 118 of the flutes 116, the consumer's fingers do not contact the severed edges of the axial serrations 87 because the axial serration 87 face inward and are radially inward of the unsevered peaks 119 of the flutes 116. In one embodiment, the severed portions of the flutes 116 flair outwardly away from the exterior portion of the neck 20 of the metallic container 4O. In another embodiment, the flutes 116 may be formed of a plastic or a metal material that is different than the material used to form the threaded closure 44O.
Referring now to
Referring now to
When a consumer rotates the threaded closure 44S to open the metallic container 4S, the lower surface 70S of the extension 66S and the liner 80A move away from the upper surface 32 of the curl 28. Separation of the liner 80A from the upper surface 32 allows a controlled release of pressure from within the metallic container 4S before the threads 60 of the threaded closure 44S lose thread engagement with the container threads formed on the metallic container 4S. The controlled release of pressure prevents an uncontrolled expulsion of the threaded closure 44S from the metallic container 4S. The threaded closure 44S may be screwed back into the bore 12 of the metallic container 4S to again compress the liner 80A and reseal and/or reclose the metallic container 4S.
Threaded closure 44S also includes a top portion 54 with an optional debossed portion 61. Optionally, the top portion 54 may include an embossed portion. The debossed portion 61 and the embossed portion are adapted to increase the rigidity of the threaded closure 44S. In one embodiment, the debossed portion 61 and/or the embossed portion of the top portion 54 prevent unintended doming of the top portion 54.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
After the metallic container 4V is filled with a product, the threaded closure 44V is inserted into the bore 12 of the metallic container 4V as illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The threaded closure 44W is inserted into the bore 12 of the metallic container 4W by the apparatus 89 as illustrated in
A pilfer roller 91 of the apparatus 89 forms an annular ring 22 in a portion of the neck 20 of the metallic container 4W proximate to the tamper skirt 85 of the threaded closure 44W. The annular ring 22 is illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The uni-directional extensions 73 may be positioned either axially above or axially below the closure threads 60. Any number of extensions 73 and discontinuous annular ring 22X segments may be provided as predetermined to prevent rotation of the threaded closure 44X in the closing direction 130 after the metallic container is re-sealed. In one embodiment, the extensions 73 are interconnected to the threaded closure body 46. In another embodiment, the extensions 73 are integrally formed on the threaded closure body 46. Although the threaded closure 44X is illustrated in
Although various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to metallic containers, the present invention is not limited to use with metallic containers and can be practiced with containers formed of any material and having any desired size or shape. For example, the extensions 73, tamper projections 81, and tamper skirt 85 may be used with containers formed of plastic, glass, paper, or metal. Further, the apparatus 89 of the present invention may be used to form threads or annular rings on a container formed of any material, including without limitation plastic, glass, paper, or metal, and combinations thereof.
The present invention has many benefits compared to prior art bottles and closures. Metallic containers 4 and threaded closures 44 of the present invention are less expensive to produce than bottles or other containers with external threads. The threaded closure 44 of the present invention has increased resistance to pressure induced blowout and leakage than closures that engage external threads of a metallic container. Therefore, a metallic container 4 sealed with a closure 44 of the present invention may have a larger neck diameter 10 for a given internal pressure than is possible with known metallic containers and closures that engage external container threads. Larger diameter necks can provide a faster product dispense rate and a better pour of a product from the container without glugging, resulting in a more enjoyable experience for the consumer. The threaded closures of the present invention may have thread channels to release pressure from within the metallic container while the closure threads are still engaged with the container threads, preventing pressure induced blowout of the closure. In addition, consumers can use the threaded closures 44 to reclose and/or reseal metallic containers 4 decreasing the amount of product lost due to spoilage and spills. The metallic containers 4 of the present invention are also lighter and more durable than glass bottles. Finally, threaded closures 44 of the present invention provide a novel internal chamber 52 that can be sealed and used to store optional contents. In one embodiment, the internal chamber 52 can be used to store a product within the metallic container 4.
The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments described and shown in the figures were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
This U.S. Non-Provisional Application is a Divisional of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/052,236, filed on Aug. 1, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,130,606, which is a Divisional Application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/616,299 filed on Feb. 6, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,040,593, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/937,125 filed Feb. 7, 2014, which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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| Child | 17486205 | US | |
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