CLOSURE

Abstract

A closure for a container is provided. The closure comprises a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on the container in use. The cap and ring are joined by a pair of connecting arms. A first arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end. A second arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end. The cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby tension is generated in the arms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a tethered closure cap and particularly, although not exclusively to a tamper-evident tethered closure.

Arranged on the lower edge of the cap wall of closure caps of this type is a retaining ring that engages beneath a bead on a container mouth when the closure cap is in position. On opening the container, only the upper cap portion is removed, while the lower retaining ring remains firmly connected to the container mouth. A tether connects the retaining ring with the cap wall so that the cap will remain connected with the container and cannot be mislaid or discarded separately.

The retaining ring is simultaneously used as an anti-tamper ring for the display of initial opening of the container. To this end, the retaining ring may, for example, connected by means of frangible bridges with the lower edge of the cap wall. The retaining ring can slide over the bead on the container mouth on initial fitting of the closure cap without risk to the bridges; and the ring subsequently holds securely on the container mouth.

The retaining ring of such a closure cap may have one or more tongues protruding radially inwardly on its inside surface, said tongues extending towards the cap base and engaging beneath the bead on the container mouth when the closure cap is in position on the container mouth. The tongue/s are connected only at one end with the retaining ring, and their free end is able to pivot in a radial direction. On initial fitting of the closure cap, the tongue/s can therefore be pivoted outwards in the radial direction when they slide over the bead onto the container mouth.

An aspect of the present invention provides a closure for a container, the closure comprising a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on the container in use, the cap and ring are joined by a pair of connecting arms, a first arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, a second arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby tension is generated in the arms.

In addition to the twisting in the arm there may also be some bending/hinging/flexing in the region of the tether ends and/or the root ends of the arms. The cap tether ends may be circumferentially spaced. A tab may be provided between the cap tether ends. For example in some embodiments a tab is provided and is separated from cap tether ends of the arms by cuts/gaps. In some embodiments the tab depends from the cap, for example from the free end of the sidewall. The tab may be generally rotated/inverted as the cap is tilted away from the ring and may rest on the container to hold the cap in an open position. For example the tab may rest/lean/wedge/abut on a container neck.

The present invention also provides a carbonated beverage closure comprising a cap and a retaining ring, the cap comprises a top plate and a sidewall that depends from the periphery of the top plate, the retaining band is provided at the free end of the sidewall, the retaining ring comprises two connecting arms, each of the arms is non-frangibly connected to the free end of the sidewall.

An aspect of the present invention provides a carbonated soft drinks (CSD) closure, the closure comprising a shell and a tamper-evident band arranged under the shell for retaining the closure on a container in use, the shell and band are joined by a pair of connecting arms, a first arm is non-frangibly connected to the shell at a shell tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the band at a band root end, a second arm is non-frangibly connected to the shell at a shell tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the band at a band root end, the shell can be tilted away from the band with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its shell tether end and its band root end, whereby tension is generated in the arms.

An aspect of the present invention provides a carbonated soft drinks (CSD) closure, the closure comprising a shell and a tamper-evident band arranged under the shell for retaining the closure on a container in use, the shell and band are joined by a pair of connecting arms so that the shell can be tilted away from the band with the arms providing a hinge-like function, in which the connecting arms are provided entirely in/by the band and not at all in/by the shell.

In some embodiments torsion is transferred to the arms when the cap is opened. The connecting arms may comprise a first arm and a second arm, the first arm is non- frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, the second arm is non- frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring tether end, the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby tension is generated in the arms.

The cap may comprise a top plate and a sidewall which depends from the top plate. The sidewall may be generally cylindrical. The top plate may be generally disc shape. The axial extent of the sidewall may be generally constant. In other words the sidewall may be the same length all way around.

In some embodiments a tab is provided between the arms. The tab may depend from the cap, for example from the free end of a sidewall. The tab may be frangibly connected to the ring, for example by one or more frangible bridges.

In some embodiments the tab is generally inverted as the cap is tilted away from the ring and may rest on the container to hold the cap in an open position. The sidewall comprises engagement means for engaging a container, for example a screw thread formation. The formation may, for example, include one or more vents slots.

The ring may be fitted to be freely rotatable on the container. The sidewall and the ring may be frangibly connected to each other. One or more frangible connections, for example frangible bridges, may be provided between the arms and the ring and/or sidewall.

In some embodiments the arms do not extend into the sidewall. This may be important, for example, in carbonated beverage closures in which the integrity of the sidewall cannot be compromised. In some embodiments the arms include an inclined portion. The arms may be non-frangibly to the free end of the sidewall. The arms may be connected to the shell/cap in such a way to provide a bending/hinging function between the arms and the cap/shell. The arms may be non-frangibly to the free end of the sidewall by thinned webs. The webs may provide for a bending/hinging function between the arms and the cap/shell.

The present invention also relates to a capping device comprising means for preventing the complete separation of a container and of the cap closing the container.

A further aspect provides a capping device comprising: a cap, the lateral skirt of which is equipped with means for its engagement with a container, it being possible for this cap, in one position, to be placed over the opening of the container so as to close this container and, in another position, to be released from this opening so as to allow access to the inside of the container; a ring engaged on that part of the container which delimits the said opening and held axially on it; and two arms in the form of an arc of a circle, each one of which is connected to the lateral skirt on the one hand and to the ring on the other hand, the arms being connected to the ring at locations which are angularly distant with respect to the locations at which they are connected to the skirt, the cap is movable from a closed position, in which the arms are close to the ring and in which the cap is axially close to the ring, and an open position, in which the arms are twisted and, by means of their length, allow the cap to be brought into a position which is axially remote from the ring, this position being sufficient to make it possible to release the said means for engaging the cap with the container and to tilt the said cap outwards with respect to this container so as to bring this cap into the position in which it is released from the opening of the container.

In some aspects and embodiments the cap can be moved to a stable open position, for example approximately 130-140 degrees with respect to the closed position.

The present invention also provides a capping device or closure as described herein, in which the arms hinge or bend with respect to the sidewall as the cap tilts. The present invention also provides a capping device or closure as described herein in combination with a container. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is partially separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms are positioned axially between the cap and ring, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring, in which at least part of the arcuate arms have an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the corresponding at least part of the sidewall and/or the corresponding at least part of the ring which are axially adjacent the said at least part of the arms.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring, the arcuate arms have an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the sidewall and the ring.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring, at least part of the arcuate arms have an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of at least part of the sidewall and/or at least part of the ring.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring, the arcuate arms have an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the portion of sidewall and the portion of the ring which are axially adjacent the arms.

The outer diameter may be greater by virtue of increased radial extent of the material of the arms. The arms may be connected to the cap by links. The links may be flexible. The links may, for example, be generally triangular or generally trapezoidal or generally squared or generally rectangular. The links may be formed as film hinges. The cap may comprise a tongue between the links. The links may be symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the tongue.

Each arm may have the shape of an arc of a circle and may be connected to the cap on the one hand, at the level of one of the links, and to the ring on the other hand. Each arm may be connected to the ring at a location which is angularly distant with respect to a link to which it is connected. The angle formed by this location and link may be of the order of 45 to 50 degrees. The arms may extend under the links. The links may extend axially between the arms and the cap. The arms may terminate at approximately the same circumferential point as the links. The material of the links may be thinner than the material of the arms.

In some embodiments the cap can be tilted by virtue of the links. Along the upper and/or lower edge of the arms there may be frangible bridges. In some embodiments the links do not extend axially into the cap.

The closure may comprise a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm the first arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, the second arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, each arm is formed as a first linear portion that extends from the root end, an inclined portion, and a second linear portion, the second linear portions connect non-frangibly to the free end of the sidewall by thinned webs.

A first arm may be non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, a second arm may be non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby torsion is generated in the arms.

One or more frangible bridges may connect the arms to the cap sidewall. One or more frangible bridges may connect the arms to the ring. During opening, the cap may progressively leave a position which is axially close to the ring until it reaches a position which is axially remote from the ring. Closure may be moulded in a single piece from synthetic material. Closures may, for example, be moulded from polyethylene.

Also provided is a closure in combination with a container.

A further aspect provides a combination of a threaded closure and a beverage container, the closure comprises a cap part, two arms, two film hinges and an annular cap retaining part, the film hinges comprise walls of reduced thickness, each arm has the shape of an arc of a circle and is connected to the cap part on the one hand, at the level of one of the film hinges, and to the retaining part on the other hand, each arm is connected to the retaining part at a location which is angularly distant with respect to the film hinge to which it is connected, the closure cap part comprises a skirt provided with helical screw thread which compliment those of the container mouth, in which during the first unscrewing, the cap part progressively leaves its position which is axially close to the retaining part until it reaches the position which is axially remote from this ring, in which helical threads of the container and of the cap are out of engagement, and the cap part may be tilted by virtue of the film hinges, in which the arms extend outwards.

In said combination, the films hinges may be generally: triangular, squared, trapezoidal or rectangular. The container may have a short neck finish. The film hinges may bend and transfer torsion to the connecting arms.

The flexible areas may be positioned totally/entirely/completely in the cap retaining part. The flexible areas may be positioned lower (axially “lower”) than the thread start.

A further aspect provides a closure for a container comprising a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on the container in use, the cap and ring are joined by a pair of connecting arms, a first arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, a second arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end, the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby tension and/or torsion is generated in the arms.

In some embodiments the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function. The axial extent of a cap sidewall may be generally constant.

A further aspect provides a tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is partially separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms are positioned axially between the cap and ring, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring when opened, in which the arms are connected to the cap by links, in which the arms extend under the links, in which the ring includes an axially inclined portion under the links.

In some embodiments there are (only) two arcuate arms, two links, and two inclined portions. The inclined portions may extend, circumferentially, at least the extent of the links.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a closure generally indicated 5 and connected to a container neck 15. The closure 5 comprises cap 10 and a retaining ring 30. The cap 10 comprises a top plate 20 and a sidewall 25 that depends from the periphery of the top plate. “Under” the sidewall, at the free end thereof the retaining ring 30 is provided. The interior of the sidewall 25 includes a screw thread formation 35 that engages a corresponding formation 40 on the neck 15. An internal annular seal 45 depends from the underside of the top plate 20 and fits into the bore of the neck when the closure is in place and the cap 10 is closed. An external annular seal 50 also depends from the underside of the top plate 20 and fits onto the outside of the neck when the closure is in place and the cap 10 is closed. The ring 30 includes an internal annular snap bead 31 which is positioned under a neck bead 16 to prevent the ring from being removed axially.

The retaining ring 30 comprises a first connecting arm 55 and a second connecting arm 60. The first arm 55 is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end 56 and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end 57.

The second arm 65 is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end 66 and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end 67.

In this embodiment each arm 55, 60 is formed as a first linear portion 58, 68 that extends from the root end 57, 67, an inclined portion 59, 69, and a second linear portion 60, 70. The second linear portions 60, 70 connect non-frangibly to the free end of the sidewall by thinned webs 61, 71. Between the cap tether ends of the arms a central tab 75 is provided. The ring 30 has a cut-out 32 to accommodate the portions 60 and the tab 75.

As described in more detail below, the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms 55, 60 twists between its cap tether end 56, 66 and its ring root end 57, 67, whereby tension is generated in the arms. The position of the “hinge” provided by the arms is 100% in the tamper-evident band/retaining ring structure i.e. not in the closure shell. During the unscrewing the closure can lift vertically along the thread helix, to allow freedom to get access to a container, while still remaining tethered thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6 there is shown a carbonated soft drink closure 105 formed according to a further embodiment. The closure is similar to the closure 5. In this embodiment the arms 155, 160 are frangible connected to the sidewall and to the by frangible bridges 180. In addition the central tab 175 is connected to the ring 130 by a bridge 185. Operation of a closure 205 formed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 to 13.

During the unscrewing the cap 210 can lift vertically along the thread helix while still remaining tethered thereto by the ring 230 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

Once the screw threads have disengaged the cap can be tilted away from the ring (FIGS. 9 and 10).

As the cap tilts the arms are twisted and the tab begins to invert (FIGS. 11 and 12).

FIG. 13 shows the fully open position, with the tab resting on the neck, which holds the cap in a stable position.

The open position of a closure is also illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17.

Some other features/advantages of aspects and embodiments of the present invention include:

• • the thin webs have a real hinge function.
  • the flexible area is not inclined but aligned vertically.
  • the flexible areas do bend but not as much and will transfer torsion to the connecting arms.
  • the flexible areas are not positioned as high as possible inside the lid cap but in fact totally in the TE band.
  • as a consequence the flexible areas are not positioned lower than the thread start.

Referring now to FIG. 18A to 18D there is shown a comparison between an embodiment of the present invention, being a carbonated soft drink closure of the type generally described above, and a known closure of the type as described in WO00/26108. In the case of the embodiment the position of the hinge is off-set of 100% into the TE band, whereas in the prior art it is positioned partially in the closure shell. FIGS. 18A to 18D show the different opening kinematic between the prior art closure and a closure formed in accordance with the present invention. The opening sequences show how the arms are twisted during opening of the present invention, which is different to the prior art closure, where the thin webs have a real hinge function.

Prior Art: essentially operates by flexion of the films. Flexion: the action of bending or the condition of being bent. The hinge is partly provided in the closure shell (as well as in the tamper-evident, tethering, retention band).

Embodiment: operates by torsion of the arms. Torsion: the action of twisting or the state of being twisted. The hinge is completely provided in the closure shell (and not at all in the tamper-evident, tethering, retention band).

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is partially separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms are positioned axially between the cap and ring, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring, in which at least part of the arcuate arms have an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the corresponding at least part of the sidewall and/or the corresponding at least part of the ring which are axially adjacent the said at least part of the arms.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer diameter is greater by virtue of increased radial extent of the material of the arms.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the arms are connected to the cap by links.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the links are flexible.

5. A closure according to claim 3, in which the links are generally triangular or generally trapezoidal or generally squared or generally rectangular.

6. A closure according to claim 3, in which the links are formed as film hinges.

7. A closure according to claim 3, in which each arm has the shape of an arc of a circle and is connected to the cap on the one hand, at the level of one of the links, and to the ring on the other hand.

8. A closure according to claim 3, in which each arm is connected to the ring at a location which is angularly distant with respect to a link to which it is connected.

9. A closure according to claim 3, in which the arms extend under the links.

10. A closure as claimed in claim 9, in which part of the arms with a greater outer diameter is under the links.

11. A closure according to claim 3, in which the links extend axially between the arms and the cap.

12. A closure according to claim 3, in which the links do not extend axially into the cap.

13. A closure according to claim 3, in which the arms terminate at approximately the same circumferential point as the links.

14. A closure according to claim 3, in which the material of the links is thinner than the material of the arms.

15. A closure according to claim 3, in which the cap comprises a tongue between the links.

16. A closure according to claim 15, in which the links are symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the tongue.

17. A closure according to claim 1, in which along the upper and/or lower edge of the arms there are frangible bridges.

18. A tethered closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap having a generally cylindrical sidewall, and an annular retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on a container, the cap is partially separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by arcuate arms, the arms are positioned axially between the cap and ring, the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring when opened, in which the arms are connected to the cap by links, in which the arms extend under the links, in which the ring includes an axially inclined portion under the links.

19. A closure according to claim 18, in which there are two arcuate arms, two links, and two inclined portions.

20. A closure according to claim 19, in which the inclined portions extend, circumferentially, at least the extent of the links.