Patent Application
20190241324
The present invention relates generally to a polymeric closure for a package. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymeric closure that is especially desirable for a short height finish of a container.
In designing closures, there are situations where the overall height required for a closure design is different from the existing processing equipment and/or a customer requirement. For example, some customers desire to apply closures using the same equipment (chuck), which can cause issues especially in situations where a solid chuck is used that will not allow flexibility in the height of the closure. These situations may also be present using other types of chucks (e.g., pneumatic chucks or spring-loaded chucks) depending on the height differences. Even if the closures can fit diametrically in the same chuck, the height differences of the closures can cause other cascading equipment issues downstream that will need to overcome the height differences each time the height closure is changed. By using the same equipment without modifications, this can potentially avoid or minimize costly shutdowns or changes over time to the equipment.
If more height is required by a customer than is actually needed from a product performance standpoint, then it is typically added across the entire top panel. When this occurs, however, the weight of the closure can be significantly increased. Having a closure with additional height can also lead to potential warpage when the closure is ejected from a mold.
It would be desirable to provide a closure for a short height finish of a container, while providing sufficient surface area and added height for gripability as compared to a short height closure. It would also be desirable to have a closure that is lighter weight, while still maintaining other desirable properties such as having a desirable seal with the container under different load conditions.
According to one embodiment, a closure comprises a polymeric top wall portion, a polymeric annular skirt portion, a polymeric continuous plug seal, and a polymeric top seal. The polymeric annular skirt portion depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The polymeric continuous plug seal depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The continuous plug seal is spaced from the interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion. The polymeric top seal includes a plurality of sealing gussets integrally connected thereto. The top seal and the plurality of sealing gussets depend from the polymeric top wall portion. The top seal and plurality of sealing gussets are located between and spaced from the continuous plug seal and the polymeric annular skirt portion.
According to one embodiment, a package includes a container and a closure. The container has a neck portion defining an opening. The container has an external thread formation on the neck portion. The closure is configured for fitment to the neck portion of the container for closing the opening. The closure comprises a polymeric top wall portion, a polymeric annular skirt portion, a polymeric continuous plug seal, and a polymeric top seal. The polymeric annular skirt portion depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of the container. The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The polymeric continuous plug seal depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The continuous plug seal is spaced from the interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion. The polymeric top seal includes a plurality of sealing gussets integrally connected thereto. The top seal and the plurality of sealing gussets depend from the polymeric top wall portion. The top seal and plurality of sealing gussets are located between and spaced from the continuous plug seal and the polymeric annular skirt portion.
According to another embodiment, a closure comprises a polymeric top wall portion, a polymeric annular skirt portion, a polymeric continuous plug seal, a polymeric top seal, and a polymeric tamper-evident band. The polymeric annular skirt portion depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The polymeric continuous plug seal depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The continuous plug seal is spaced from the interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion. The continuous polymeric top seal includes a plurality of sealing gussets integrally connected thereto. The number of sealing gussets is from about 8 to about 20. The top seal and the plurality of sealing gussets depend from the polymeric top wall portion. The top seal and plurality of sealing gussets are located between and spaced from the continuous plug seal and the polymeric annular skirt portion. The polymeric tamper-evident band depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection.
According to a further embodiment, a closure comprises a polymeric top wall portion, a polymeric annular skirt portion, a polymeric continuous plug seal, and a polymeric top seal. The polymeric annular skirt portion depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The polymeric continuous plug seal depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The continuous plug seal is spaced from the interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion. The polymeric top seal includes a plurality of sealing gussets integrally connected thereto. The top seal and the plurality of sealing gussets depend from the polymeric top wall portion. The top seal and plurality of sealing gussets are located between and spaced from the continuous plug seal and the polymeric annular skirt portion. The closure has an average maximum load at a 25% load of at least about 55 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell.
The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. Additional features and benefits of the present invention are apparent from the detailed description and figures set forth below.
Other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring still to
The polymeric annular skirt portion 14 of
The polymeric continuous plug seal 16 depends from the polymeric top wall portion 12 as shown in
The range of interference between the top seal 18 and the finish of the container is generally from about 6 to about 14 mils and, more specifically, from about 8 to about 12 mils. The range of interference between the top seal 18 and the finish of the container is typically from about 10 to about 12 mils. This is shown, for example, in
Referring back to
The top seal 18 including the plurality of gussets 20 assists in providing a positive stop when the finish of the container and the closure are being threaded with each other. Thus, the top seal 18 and the plurality of gussets 20 assist in positioning the finish of the container when the closure is being threaded onto the finish. By properly positioning the finish of the container, this assists in avoiding a high removal torque and other potential capping defects. Specifically, the plurality of gussets 20 assists in mitigating the risk of overapplying and stripping the threads, or by losing proper sealing contact when the finish of the container extends closer to the top wall portion 12.
The top seal 18 including the plurality of gussets 20 is designed to add height in selected areas to lengthen the closure 10, which assists in providing gripability to the user. The top seal 18 and the plurality of gussets 20 lengthen the closure 10 without significantly increasing the weight of the closure.
The plurality of sealing gussets 20 also adds support and a strengthening structure to the closure 10. More specifically, the plurality of gussets 20 assists in preventing or inhibiting the top seal 18 from flexing, which could lead to a sealing problem between the top seal 18 and the finish.
The number of sealing gussets can vary in the closure. The number of sealing gussets is generally from about 3 to about 24 and, more specifically, from about 8 to about 20 in the closure. The number of sealing gussets is typically from about 14 to about 18 in the closure.
The sealing gussets 20 are typically spaced in constant intervals that are spaced inwardly from the circumference of the closure 10. It is contemplated that the sealing gussets may be spaced in different intervals that are spaced inwardly from the circumference of the closure.
The thickness W1 of the plurality of sealing gussets 20 of
The combination of the top plug seal 18 and the plurality of gussets 20 form an extended seal of the closure 10. The extended seal of the closure includes any geometry that extends downward from the polymeric top wall portion and contacts the finish of the container, while being spaced from the annular skirt portion 14. The extended seal typically forms a physical, hermetic seal with the finish of the container. In another embodiment, the extended seal contacts the finish of the container, but does not form a physical, hermetic seal.
The extended seal (top plug seal 18 including the plurality of gussets 20) is typically continuous to create a top seal. It is contemplated that the extended seal may be discontinuous when only a positive top stop is needed.
The closure 10 as shown in
The closure of the present invention in one embodiment generally has an overall height H as shown in
The closure may also include a polymeric tamper-evident feature. For example, the closure 10 includes a polymeric tamper-evident band 50 (
The polymeric tamper-evident band may be formed by molded-in-bridges in one embodiment. The molded-in-bridges are typically formed using a feature in the mold. In another embodiment, the polymeric tamper-evident band may be formed using scoring or scored lines, notches, leaders, or other lines of weaknesses.
The tamper-evident band 50 is in a reversed orientation in
The closures of the present invention generally have an average maximum load at a 75% load coverage of at least about 70 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell. The closures of the present invention desirably have an average maximum load at a 75% load coverage of at least about 80 lbs. at failure or at least about 90 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell. The closures of the present invention even more desirably have an average maximum load at a 75% load coverage of at least about 100 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell.
The closures of the present invention generally have an average maximum load at a 50% load coverage of at least about 60 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell. The closures of the present invention desirably have an average maximum load at a 50% load coverage of at least about 70 lbs. at failure or at least about 75 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell. The closures of the present invention even more desirably have an average maximum load at a 50% load coverage of at least about 80 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell.
The closures of the present invention generally have an average maximum load at a 25% load coverage of at least about 50 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell. The closures of the present invention desirably have an average maximum load at a 25% load coverage of at least about 55 lbs. at failure or at least about 60 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell. The closures of the present invention even more desirably have an average maximum load at a 25% load coverage of at least about 65 lbs. at failure or at least 70 lbs. at failure when measured using a 10 kN static load cell.
The closure 10 including the top wall portion 12, the annular skirt portion 14, the continuous plug seal 16, the top seal 18 including the gussets 20 are made of polymeric material. The closure 10 typically comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or blends thereof. It is contemplated that the closure may be made of other polymeric materials. The tamper-evident band 50, if present, is typically made of the same materials as the rest of the closure.
The closures are typically formed by processes such as injection or compression molding. It is contemplated that other processes may be used in forming the closures.
The closures of the present invention, including closure 10, may be used with the container 108 to form a package 100 of
The container 108 is typically made of polymeric material. One non-limiting example of a material to be used in forming a polymeric container is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) or blends using the same. It is contemplated that the container may be formed of other polymeric materials. It is also contemplated that the container may be formed of glass. The container 108 may have an encapsulated oxygen-barrier layer or oxygen barrier material incorporated therein.
To open the container 108 and gain access to the product therein, the closure 10 is unthreaded by turning the closure 10 with respect to the container 108. The tamper-evident band 50 is in its functional orientation in
The closures are designed to fit onto a short height finish of a container, while providing surface area and added height for gripability as compared to other short height closures. This added height allows for interchangeability during the processing using standard height closures and finishes without the need to convert capping equipment, resulting in less downtime during a changeover from standard to short height finishes. The extended seal allows the height of the closure to be adjusted to address customer's needs without significantly increasing the weight of the closure, cycle time or negatively impacting the quality of the closure.
It is contemplated that other shaped gussets may be used other than those depicted in
Referring to
The polymeric top seals 218 including a plurality of gussets 220 are shown as being discrete and discontinuous. The top seals 218 and the plurality of gussets 220 function as a positive top stop. This assists in properly positioning the finish of the container, which assists in avoiding a high removal torque and other potential capping defects. The polymeric top seals 218 including the plurality of gussets 220 are in a general “T” shape. This is shown in greater detail in
Referring to
The polymeric top seals 318 including a plurality of gussets 320 are shown as being discrete and discontinuous. The top seals 318 and the plurality of gussets 320 function in a similar manner as the top seals 218 and the plurality of gussets 220. The polymeric top seals 318 including a plurality of gussets 320 are in a general “U” shape. This is shown in greater detail in
It is contemplated that the discrete top seals and gussets of
Referring to
The combination of the polymeric top seals 418 and the supporting walls 420 is continuous and extends inwardly of the circumference of the closure as shown in
The supporting walls 420 perform the same function as the gussets discussed above (i.e., providing stiffness to the top seal 218). The thickness W7 of the top seal 418 is generally from about 15 to about 40 mils and, more specifically, from about 20 to about 30 mils. The thickness W8 of the supporting wall 420 is generally from about 15 to about 40 mils and, more specifically, from about 20 to about 30 mils.
In this embodiment, the closure comprises a polymeric top wall portion, a polymeric annular skirt portion, a polymeric continuous plug seal, polymeric top seals and polymeric supporting walls. The polymeric annular skirt portion depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The polymeric annular skirt portion includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The polymeric continuous plug seal depends from the polymeric top wall portion. The continuous plug seal is spaced from the interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion. The polymeric top seals are integrally connected to the supporting walls. The top seal and the supporting walls depend from the polymeric top wall portion. The top seal and supporting walls are located between and spaced from the continuous plug seal and the polymeric annular skirt portion. The combination of the top seals and the supporting walls is continuous and is formed in an alternating inner and outer pattern. It is desirable for the width of the top seals to be greater than the width of the supporting walls.
The closures 210, 310 and 410 may be used with container 108 in the same manner as described above with respect to closure 10.
The polymeric closures formed by the processes of the present invention are desirable in both low-temperature and high-temperature applications. The polymeric closures formed by the processes of the present invention may be used in low-temperature applications such as an ambient or a cold fill. These applications include water, sports drinks, aseptic applications such as dairy products, and pressurized products such as carbonated soft drinks. It is contemplated that other low-temperature applications may be used with the polymeric closures formed by the processes of the present invention.
The polymeric closures formed by the processes of the present invention may be exposed to high-temperature applications such as hot-fill, pasteurization, and retort applications. A hot fill application is generally performed at temperatures around 185° F., while a hot-fill with pasteurization is generally performed at temperatures around 205° F. Retort applications are typically done at temperatures greater than 250° F. It is contemplated that the polymeric closures of the present invention can be used in other high-temperature applications.
Inventive and comparative closures were made and tested. Inventive Closure 1 was substantially similar to that shown in
Comparative Closure 1 was an Aqua-Lok mini 26 mm TC made by Closure Systems International. Comparative Closure 1 was a one-piece closure assembly made of HDPE.
Comparative Closure 2 was a Tall Savalas closure (26 mm) made by Novembal. Comparative Closure 2 was a one-piece closure assembly made of HDPE.
A total of 48 samples of each configuration (Inventive Closure 1 and Comparative Closures 1 and 2) was tested. More specifically, 12 samples of each closure were tested at each of the four load configurations, which will be discussed below.
Each of Inventive Closure 1 and the Comparative Closures 1 and 2 was tested in combination with a container or bottle. Thus, a package included one of three different types of closures and the container. The containers were identical and made of PET with 8 fluid ounces of water. The containers were identified as ISBT 969-1914-000 and each had a 26 mm finish. Each of the closures was threaded onto the finish of the respective containers into a closed position. The testing conditions and the results are shown in the Table below.
Different loads were placed on each of the closures and were measured by an Instron 5566 with a 10 kN static load cell. Four different coverage loads were tested—100%, 75%, 50% and 25% until failure occurred. Failure was determined by whether the contents (water) of the container leaked from a seal failure (“leak”) or whether the container or bottle itself collapsed (“bottle”). The maximum load (in lbs.) at failure was measured using the Instron 5566 device for each of samples at the four different loads with each of the closures. The average of the measured maximum loads for the four different loads for each of the closures was recorded in the Table below.
The testing results showed that Inventive Closure 1 surprisingly had a much higher average maximum load at failure than both Comparative Closures 1 and 2. For example, at a 75% load coverage, the Inventive Closure failed at 108.1 lbs. with the bottle, while Comparative Closure 1 failed at 71.8 lbs. and Comparative Closure 2 failed at 76.8 lbs. by leaking.
Inventive Closure 1 also did not fail by having contents leak from the container or bottle, unlike Comparative Closures 1 and 2 at 75%, 50% and 25% load coverages. A pass rate of 100% indicated that the bottle failed in each of the testing, while a pass rate of 0% indicated that the failure occurred each time by leaking. Thus, Inventive Closure 1 performed much better than both Comparative Closures 1 and 2 in the different levels of load testing.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15644025 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Child | 16382905 | US |
