Patent Application
20210253306
The present invention relates generally to a polymeric closure for a package. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymeric closure with wood filler.
Polymeric closures have been used in many applications over the years in conjunction with containers. One type of polymeric closure that has been used with containers is a tamper-evident polymeric closure. Tamper-evident closures are used to prevent or inhibit tampering by providing a visible indication to a user if the closure has been opened. This visual indication typically divides the closure into two separate components after the tamper-evident feature has been broken. The top portion of the closure is then removed from the container to gain access to the contents of the containers. The polymeric materials used to form closures tend to be expensive when using the quantity of material to form the needed number of closures.
It would be desirable to provide a more cost-effective closure that has tamper-evident features, while still performing all of the desirable properties of a closure. It would also be a desirable for form closures using biosource materials.
The term embodiment and like terms are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this disclosure and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. This summary is also not intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all drawings and each claim.
According to one embodiment, a one-piece closure includes first and second closure portions. The first closure portion includes a top wall portion and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The second closure portion includes a tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band depends from and is partially detachably connected to the annular skirt portion by a first frangible connection. The closure includes polymeric material and wood filler.
According to another embodiment, a one-piece closure includes first and second closure portions. The first closure portion includes a top wall portion and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The annular skirt portion includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container. The second closure portion includes a tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band depends from and is partially detachably connected to the annular skirt portion by a first frangible connection. The closure includes polymeric material and wood filler.
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.
Various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate the instant invention. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. The various embodiments are not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.
Referring still to
The polymeric annular skirt portion 14 includes a second frangible connection 22 that partially detachably connects to a first section and a second section of the polymeric annular skirt portion 14. The polymeric annular skirt portion 14 of
The first closure lead 36 begins near the polymeric top wall portion 12 at a first position (not shown in
It is contemplated that the first and second closure leads may be discontinuous. It is also contemplated that the internal thread formation of the closure may differ from a helical thread formation. It is also contemplated that other internal thread formations may be used in the closure.
The polymeric continuous plug seal 16 of
Referring specifically to
The first and second frangible connections 24, 22 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, nicks or other lines of weaknesses.
When the first and second frangible connections 24, 22 are broken, a tether 32 is exposed as shown, for example, in
As shown in
The tether 32 is of a length that assists in spacing apart the first closure portion 10a from the second closure portion 10b. To assist in eliminating or reducing the chances of the first closure portion 10a from interfering with a user while, for example, drinking the contents of a container, the unattached portion 32c of the tether 32 extends greater than about 300 degrees around the circumference of the closure in one embodiment. By having the unattached portion of the tether extending greater than about 300 degrees around the circumference of the closure, the distance of the first closure portion 10a from the neck of the container is increased. In other embodiments, the unattached portion of the tether desirably extends greater than about 320 or about 330 degrees around the circumference of the closure. In a further embodiment, the unattached portion of the tether extends greater than about 340 degrees around the circumference of the closure.
One non-limiting example of a closure and a container forming a package is shown and discussed in conjunction with
The closure 10 may be used with a container 108 used to form a package 100 of
The first finish lead 136 begins near the open end of the container 108 and extends in a helical fashion to a second position that is closer to the closed end of the container. Similarly, the second finish lead 138 starts closer to the open end of the container 108 and extends in a helical fashion to a second position that is closer to the closed end of the container. Each of the first and second finish leads 136, 138 is continuous. The first positions of the first and second finish leads 136, 138 are located roughly 180 degrees apart from each other and, thus, begin on opposing sides of the neck 102 of the container 108. When opening the container 108, the first closure lead 36 is desirably in contact with the first finish lead 136 and the second closure lead 38 is desirably in contact with the second finish lead 138. It is contemplated that the external thread formation of the container may have discontinuous leads.
It is contemplated that the external thread formation of the container may be different than that disclosed with respect to container 108.
The continuous outer ring 110 assists in positioning the tamper-evident band 18 when the first closure portion 10a is unthreaded from the neck 102 of the container 108 by the breaking of the first and second frangible connections 24, 22.
According to another embodiment, the closure may be formed without a tether as described above with closure 10. One non-limiting example is shown in with closure 210 in
The polymeric annular skirt portion 214 of
The polymeric continuous plug seal 216 depends from the polymeric top wall portion 212 as shown in
Referring back to
The top seal 218 including the plurality of gussets 220 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 218 and the plurality of gussets 220 assist in positioning the finish of the container when the closure is being threaded onto the finish.
The top seal 218 including the plurality of gussets 220 is designed to add height in selected areas to lengthen the closure 210, which assists in providing gripability to the user. The top seal 218 and the plurality of gussets 220 lengthen the closure 220 without significantly increasing the weight of the closure. The plurality of sealing gussets 220 also adds support and a strengthening structure to the closure 210.
The combination of the top plug seal 218 and the plurality of gussets 220 form an extended seal of the closure 210. 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 closure 210 as shown in
The closure may also include a polymeric tamper-evident feature. For example, the closure 210 includes a polymeric tamper-evident band 250 (
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 250 is in a reversed orientation in
The closures of the present invention, including the closure 210, may be used with a container 308 to form a package 300 of
According to another embodiment, a flip-top closure 410 may be used in another embodiment. Referring to
Referring still to
As shown in
The polymeric top stop 426 depends from the polymeric top wall portion 422. The polymeric top stop 426 is spaced from the interior surface 430a of the polymeric annular skirt portion 430 when the flip-top closure 410 is in a closed position as shown in
The polymeric outer seal 428 depends from the polymeric top wall portion 422 and provides an outer sealing mechanism. The polymeric outer seal 428 is spaced from the interior surface 430a of the polymeric annular skirt portion 430 when the flip-top closure 410 is in a closed position as shown in
Referring back to
The first closure portion 412 and the second closure portion 414 are attached by the hinge 416. The hinge 146 assists in moving the flip-top closure 10 between an open position and a closed position. The hinge 16 is shown in
One non-limiting example of a flip-top closure and a container forming a package is shown and discussed in conjunction with
In another embodiment, the polymeric closure may be a two-piece closure. For example, referring to
Referring to
The polymeric annular skirt portion 618 of
The internal thread formation 630 is configured for mating engagement with a corresponding external thread formation of a neck portion of a container. The internal thread formation of the closure may include continuous or discontinuous thread segments, and may include single or multiple threads. Thus, it is contemplated that different threads formations may be used in the closure. One non-limited example of an internal thread formation is a helical thread formation.
The internal bead 632 of
It is contemplated that the polymeric disc and polymeric liner may maintain their position by mechanisms other than an internal bead such as an internal thread formation that includes multiple threads.
The internal prying projection assists in removing the closure from the neck portion of the container. The internal prying projection is a mechanism for breaking a sealing adhesion formed between the polymeric liner and the container after processing (e.g., high-temperature processing such as retort processing). To assist in removing the closure from a container, at least a portion of the internal prying projection is typically located above the internal thread formation (i.e., closer to the polymeric top wall portion 612). The internal prying projection 634 is located adjacent to or in contact with the internal bead 632. In this embodiment, as best shown in
The internal prying projection 634 is shown as a single projection. It is contemplated that the closure may include a plurality of internal prying projections to assist in removing the closure from the container.
The closure may also include a polymeric tamper-evident feature. For example, the closure 610 includes a polymeric tamper-evident band 650 (
The closures of the present invention may be used with a container 708 used to form a package 700 of
The closures of the present invention may include an oxygen-scavenger material. This oxygen-scavenger material may be distributed within the closure or may be a separate layer. The oxygen-scavenger material may be any material that assists in removing oxygen within the container, while having little or no effect on the contents within the container.
Alternatively, or in addition to, the closures may include an oxygen-barrier material. The oxygen-barrier material may be added as a separate layer or may be integrated within the closure itself. The oxygen-barrier materials assist in preventing or inhibiting oxygen from entering the container through the closure. These materials may include, but are not limited to, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). It is contemplated that other oxygen-barrier materials may be used in the closure.
In one embodiment, the closures of the present invention, including the top wall portion and the annular skirt portion, comprise polymeric material and wood filler. Wood fillers are one example of a biosource material that can be used in forming the closures. This is beneficial in that less petroleum-based materials are needed in forming the closure.
The polymeric material is typically an olefin (e.g., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)), PET or blends thereof. Non-limiting examples of polyethylenes that may be used are high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE (mLLDPE).
The wood filler for forming the closure, including the top wall portion and the annular skirt portion, may be made of, for example, wood flour, wood dust or combinations thereof. For use in forming the closures, the length of the wood dust particles is generally from about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm. More specifically, the length of the wood dust particles is typically from about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm, and from about 0.07 mm to about 0.3 mm. The length of the wood flour particles is also generally from about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm. More specifically, the length of the wood flour particles is typically from about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm, and from about 0.07 mm to about 0.3 mm.
The length of the wood dust or flour particles to be used in the closures is typically controlled by a sieve or screen in one embodiment. This could be performed in an on-line or an off-line process. The sieve or screen will catch or trap lengths of wood dust or flour particles greater than the greatest distance across the square-shaped areas formed within the sieve or screen. The wood dust or wood flour would typically need further processing such as drying to remove any contained moisture therein.
The most common measurement unit of sieves or screens is mesh size. The mesh size of the sieves or screens of wood dust or wood flour is typically from about 18 to about 400. A mesh size of 18, for example, will have 18 openings in one linear inch. In other embodiments, the mesh size for the wood dust of wood flour will be from about 20 to about 200, or from about 30 to about 100. In further embodiments, the mesh size for the wood dust of wood flour is from about 40 to about 100, or from about 50 to about 80.
The wood fillers may be comprised of softwood, hardwood or combinations thereof. Some non-limiting examples include, but are not limited to, maple, pine, cedar, cherry and oak. It is contemplated that other types of wood may be used in forming the wood filler.
The closure generally has from about 25 to about 99 wt. % polymeric material and about 1 to about 75 wt. % wood filler. More specifically, the closure generally has from about 50 to about 95 wt. % polymeric material and about 5 to about 50 wt. % wood filler. The closure is from about 50 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 50 wt. % wood filler.
More specifically, the closure has from about 60 to about 95 wt. % polymeric material and about 5 to about 40 wt. % wood filler. The closure has from about 60 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 40 wt. % wood filler. More specifically, the closure has from about 70 to about 95 wt. % polymeric material and about 5 to about 30 wt. % wood filler. The closure has from about 70 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 30 wt. % wood filler. The closure has from about 75 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 25 wt. % wood filler. The closure typically has from about 80 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 20 wt. % wood filler.
In addition to the polymeric material and the wood filler, additional additives may be used in forming the closures of the present invention. One additive that may be used in an adhesion promoter or compatibilizer to assist in improving the compatibility of the polymeric material and wood filler. One non-limiting example of an adhesion promoter includes, but is not limited to, maleic anhydride modified polyolefin. Another additive that may be added to the polymeric material and the wood filler is a biocide, which assist in preventing or inhibiting the wood filler from degrading. Non-limiting examples of biocides include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial and/or antifungal additives that may include silver and/or zinc.
In another embodiment, the closures of the present invention, including the top wall portion and the annular skirt portion, comprise a plant-based material. In one embodiment, the plant-based material is bamboo. Plant-based materials such as bamboo are other examples of a biosource material that can be used in forming the closures. This is beneficial in that less petroleum-based materials are needed in forming the closure.
The length of the bamboo particles would be of a similar size as the above described wood fillers. The length of the bamboo particles is generally from about 0.02 mm to about 1 mm. More specifically, the length of the bamboo particles is typically from about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm, and from about 0.07 mm to about 0.3 mm. The bamboo would typically need further processing such as drying to remove any contained moisture therein.
The mesh size of the sieves or screens of bamboo is typically from about 18 to about 400. A mesh size of 18, for example, will have 18 openings in one linear inch. In other embodiments, the mesh size for the bamboo will be about 20 to about 200, or from about 30 to about 100. In further embodiments, the mesh size for the bamboo is from about 40 to about 100, or from about 50 to about 80.
The closure generally has from about 25 to about 99 wt. % polymeric material and about 1 to about 75 wt. % bamboo. More specifically, the closure generally has from about 50 to about 95 wt. % polymeric material and about 5 to about 50 wt. % bamboo. The closure is from about 50 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 50 wt. % bamboo.
More specifically, the closure has from about 60 to about 95 wt. % polymeric material and about 5 to about 40 wt. % bamboo. The closure has from about 60 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 40 wt. % bamboo. More specifically, the closure has from about 70 to about 95 wt. % polymeric material and about 5 to about 30 wt. % bamboo. The closure has from about 70 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 30 wt. % bamboo. The closure has from about 75 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 25 wt. % bamboo. The closure typically has from about 80 to about 90 wt. % polymeric material and about 10 to about 20 wt. % bamboo.
In addition to the polymeric material and the bamboo, additional additives may be used in forming the closures of the present invention. One additive that may be used in an adhesion promoter or compatibilizer to assist in improving the compatibility of the polymeric material and bamboo. One non-limiting example of an adhesion promoter includes, but is not limited to, maleic anhydride modified polyolefin. Another additive that may be added to the polymeric material and the wood filler is a biocide, which assist in preventing or inhibiting the wood filler from degrading. Non-limiting examples of biocides include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial and/or antifungal additives that may include silver and/or zinc.
If a disc is used (e.g., disc 616 of
The closures are typically formed by processes such as injection or compression molding, extrusion or the combination thereof.
The containers described above are typically made of polymeric material. One non-limiting example of a material to be used in forming a polymeric container is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) or blends using the same. It is contemplated that the container may be formed of other polymeric or copolymer materials. It is also contemplated that the container may be formed of glass. The container typically has an encapsulated oxygen-barrier layer or oxygen barrier material incorporated therein.
To open the container and gain access to the product therein, the closure (e.g., closures 10, 210 and 610) is unthreaded by turning the closure with respect to the container in one embodiment. To open the container and gain access to the product therein, the closure (e.g., closure 410) is flipped and rotated via the hinge such that the first and second closure portions are opened with respect to each other.
The polymeric closures are desirable in both low-temperature and high-temperature applications. The polymeric closures may be used in low-temperature applications such as an ambient or a cold fill. These applications 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 of the present invention.
The polymeric closures 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.
The foregoing description of the embodiments, including illustrated embodiments, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Although the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur or be known to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/977,844 filed Feb. 18, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62977844 | Feb 2020 | US |
