Patent Application
20250019130
The presently disclosed technology relates generally to caps or lids for containers. More particularly, in one embodiment, the presently disclosed technology relates to screw-top caps including a flip-top lid having a first seal member, a bottom portion having a second seal member, and an active polymer component.
Commercial medicament containers, e.g., for tablets and capsules, are typically provided as glass or plastic bottles with removable caps (often having some type of child-resistance configuration). For example, over the counter (OTC) pain relief tablets, allergy medications, as well as nutraceuticals and vitamins, are often provided in such bottles. Generally, the complexity, and correspondingly the cost, of such containers increases as the ability of such containers to resist moisture infiltration increases.
Typically, to ensure that the contents of the bottle have not been tampered with, a flexible seal (typically composed of foil, paper, flexible/thin plastic, cardboard, or a composite of one or more of the foregoing) provides a seal to the container opening. The first time a user desires to access the contents of the container, the user may permanently puncture the seal or remove it at least in part. An intact seal protects the contents of the container from the ambient environment and provides users with a visual indicator that the container has not been tampered with.
Depending on the nature of the container contents, the environment inside the container may need to be controlled. For example, a desiccant or other active material may be needed to control the moisture density within the container. Typically, a desiccant is provided in the form of a desiccant containing sachet or cylindrical canister, which loosely sits within the body of the container, along with the container's contents. However, having such sachet or canister loosely placed within the container is cumbersome and inconvenient as the sachet or canister may fall out of the container or, at times, block the opening of the container, prompting a user maneuver to either remove or reposition the sachet or canister to extract the contents. As such, the sachet or canister may be lost or the user may forget to place the sachet or canister back within the container after use, thereby resulting in loss of the desiccant and thus reducing the shelf life of the container contents. There is thus a need for providing a desiccant to be constantly present within the container without the inconvenience or loss associated with having the sachet or cannister within the bottle.
Further, containers as described above are typically filled via automated processing. Tamper proof seals, such as foil seals, are often applied to cover the container openings post-filling. Various methods and means for securing a seal are known, e.g., via adhesives or heat. The most common method for applying the seal is by induction sealing. Induction sealing is a process that relies on electrical currents within a material, e.g., foil and/or cardboard, to produce heat. Induction sealing and other sealing means require special apparatus and materials in a filling line. These types of seals tend to be necessary to preserve the shelf-life of the contents of the containers.
Not all filling lines have induction sealing equipment and a foil seal is not always desired.
Further, where foil seals are desirable, once the seal is broken (upon initial use), moisture tightness of the bottle is compromised, even if the cap is replaced thereon. Conventional bottle caps do not provide moisture tight seals.
There is a need to create improved caps for container, as described above. There is thus a need for a bottle and cap assembly that provides desirable shelf life to bottle contents without the need for a foil seal. These and other needs are addressed by the presently disclosed technology.
In one aspect, the presently disclosed technology is directed to a cap, optionally a screw-top cap, for a bottle assembly. The cap can include a bottom portion including a bottom base that has a bottom skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery thereof and a neck protruding upwardly from an inner periphery of the bottom base, the inner periphery forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap. The neck can further have a neck rim extending radially outwardly from an upper end of the neck. A lid can be pivotably attached to the bottom portion via a hinge. The lid can have a lid base and a lid skirt depending downwardly at an outer periphery of the lid base. Optionally, the hinge is elevated from an upper surface of the bottom base via at least one riser fixedly attached thereto such that the lid is elevated to mate the neck rim and run perpendicular to the neck in a closed position.
Optionally, the hinge has a flap extending from the riser by a distance that is substantially equal to a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid base fully covers the opening in the closed position.
Optionally, the riser can include one or more walls having at least the same height as the neck.
Optionally, the one or more walls can include one wall attached to a portion of the outer periphery of the bottom base.
Optionally, the one or more walls can include a pair of walls extending inwardly towards the neck from side edges of the one wall by a distance that is substantially equal to but less than a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid skirt fits between the pair of walls and a neck skirt of the neck in the closed position.
Optionally, the riser includes a thermoset.
Optionally, the riser includes a thermoplastic elastomer.
Optionally, the lid skirt has a flange extending radially inwardly and mates with the neck rim in the closed position.
Optionally, the lid includes a tab at a distal end opposite the hinge.
Optionally, the lid includes a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base, the first seal member comprising thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member comprises an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.
In another aspect, the presently disclosed technology is directed to a bottle assembly. The bottle assembly can include a bottle having a bottle base, a sidewall extending from the bottle base and terminating in a bottle neck having an end portion disposed opposite and distal the bottle base. The bottle neck can define an opening leading to an interior of the bottle. The bottle neck can have an outer portion including one or more threads. The screw-top bottle cap can be fixedly disposed over the bottle neck such that internal threads of the screw-top cap can threadably engage the threads on the bottle neck to removably couple the screw-top cap to the bottle, thereby forming the bottle assembly.
Optionally, the hinge has a flap extending from the riser by a distance that is substantially equal to a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid base fully covers the opening in the closed position.
Optionally, the riser includes one or more walls having at least the same height as the neck.
Optionally, the one or more walls include one wall attached to a portion of the outer periphery of the bottom base.
Optionally, the one or more walls include a pair of walls extending inwardly towards the neck from side edges of the one wall by a distance that is equal to or substantially equal to but less than a distance between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the bottom base such that the lid skirt fits between the pair of walls and a neck skirt of the neck in the closed position.
Optionally, the riser includes a thermoset.
Optionally, the riser includes a thermoplastic elastomer.
Optionally, the lid skirt has a flange extending radially inwardly and mates with the neck rim in the closed position.
Optionally, the lid includes a tab at a distal end opposite the hinge.
Optionally, the lid includes a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base. The first seal member can include a thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base and the thermoplastic elastomer seal member can include an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim.
In one aspect, the presently disclosed technology is directed to a cap, optionally a screw-top cap, for a bottle assembly. The cap can include a lid including a planar lid base, an annular lid skirt extending downwardly at an outer periphery of the planar lid base, the annular lid skirt having a flange extending radially inward, and a first seal member disposed on an interior surface of the lid base. A bottom portion of can be pivotably connected to the lid by a hinge. The bottom portion can include (i) a planar bottom base including an outer annular edge, an inner annular edge forming an opening leading to an interior of the cap, and a second seal member disposed at a first portion of an interior surface of the bottom base; (ii) an annular bottom skirt extending downward at the outer annular edge of the bottom base, the bottom skirt including one or more threads extending radially inward from an interior surface of the bottom skirt; and (iii) a neck having an annular neck skirt extending upward from the inner annular edge of the bottom base and a neck rim extending radially outward from an upper end of the neck skirt, opposite the inner annular edge of the bottom base. In a closed position, the first seal member can be configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of the neck rim and the second seal member is configured to sealingly engage with an upper engagement surface of a bottle rim of the bottle.
The following detailed description of the presently disclosed technology, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals designate like elements throughout. For the purpose of illustrating the presently disclosed technology, there are shown in the drawings various illustrative embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
While systems, devices and methods are described herein by way of examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. Rather, the presently disclosed technology covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features of any one embodiment disclosed herein can be omitted or incorporated into another embodiment.
Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to) rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
As used herein, “and/or” means that either or both of the items separated by such terminology are involved. For example, the phrase “A and/or B” would mean A alone, B alone, or both A and B.
As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs.
As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.
As used herein, “about” in a phrase such as “disposed about [an element, point or axis]” or “extend about [an element, point or axis]” or “[X] degrees about an [an element, point or axis],” means encircle, extend around, or measured around. When used in reference to a measurement or in a similar manner, “about” means “approximately,” i.e., in an approximate range relevant to the measurement as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
As used herein, “generally” means “in a general manner” relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single (optionally monolithic) piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.
As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components.
As used herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
As used herein, the phrases “sealingly engage” or “sealing engagement” shall refer to elements which contact each other in a manner such that a generally moisture-tight seal is formed therebetween.
Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
Generally speaking, as used herein, the term “moisture tight” is defined as having a moisture ingress (after three days) of less than 1500 μg of water, in another embodiment, less than 500 μg of water, in a further embodiment, less than 300 μg of water, in yet another embodiment, less than 150 μg of water, as determined by the following test method: (a) place one gram plus or minus 0.25 grams of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b) fully close the container; (c) place the closed container in an environmental chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 72° F.; (d) after one day, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (e) after four days, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; and (f) subtract the first day sample from the fourth day sample to calculate the moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms of water. A preferred rate of ingress of moisture into a moisture tight sealed container produced according to an aspect of the disclosed concept is in the range of about 200-300 μg/day of water or less. A “moisture tight” seal therefore is a sealing engagement that alone, or in combination with additional sealing engagements, help to render a container “moisture tight” per the above definition.
As used herein, the term “resealable” means the lid of the container can be opened or reopened and closed or reclosed many times (e.g., more than 10 times) and still retain its moisture-tight properties.
Referring now in detail to the various figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout,
The bottle 10 can include a body 12 having a base 14 and one or more sidewalls 16 extending upwardly therefrom leading to a rim (for example and without limitation, a bottle rim 18 of
The bottle 10 can include a neck (for example and without limitation, a bottle neck 22 of
The body 12 of the bottle 10 can define an interior space (not shown) configured to store contents (not shown) therein, such as a plurality of medicinal or nutraceutical tablets, capsules, or powder, or solid or liquid products in the food, pharmaceutical or chemical industries. The interior space of the bottle 10 may be accessed through the upper opening 20 or lid opening (for example and without limitation, a lid opening 138 of
In one optional embodiment, the screw-top cap 100 can include a flip-top lid 110, which can move between a first or open position (see
In one optional embodiment, the riser(s) 115 is/are fixedly attached to the portion of the upper surface of the bottom base 134. The bottom portion 130 and the flip-top lid 110 are discussed further in detail later. In one optional embodiment, the hinge 119 can be a living hinge. In another optional embodiment, the hinge 119 can include a pin or axis by which other portions of the hinge 119 rotate. An axis of the hinge 119 can extend perpendicularly to an axis of the bottle 10 when the cap 100 is attached to the bottle 10. Optionally, a neck 150 can extend upwardly from the bottom portion 130. In one embodiment, the neck 150 is cylindrical or circular when viewed from above, and is surrounded by and/or in engagement with a portion of the lid 110 when the lid 110 is in the closed position.
The embodiment shown includes the bottle 10 and the bottom portion 130 of the cap 100 as being removably attachable to each other via, for example and without limitation, the threaded engagement. However, containers according to the disclosed concept may include a unitary unit integrating the bottle 10 and the cap 100 at manufacturing, and the assembly 1 can be opened or closed by actuating a flip-top lid 110 for accessing the container contents.
In one embodiment, the cap 100 is optionally made primarily or partially from one or more injection moldable thermoplastic materials, including, for example, a polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene.
For certain uses, a child-resistant cap may be desired, but may not be necessary for all applications. Thus, child-resistant and non-child-resistant caps are contemplated. If a child-resistant feature is provided, the child-resistant feature optionally requires that force in more than one single direction is applied to the cap to remove the cap from the container. For example, the cap may require a user to press downward (first direction) before rotating the cap (second direction) to remove the cap from the container. Alternative child-resistant features, if desired, are also contemplated.
While the screw-top cap 100 illustrated in
In one optional embodiment, the flip-top lid 110 is pivotably attached to the bottom portion 130 via the hinge 119. The lid 110 includes a lid base 114 and an annular lid skirt 124 depending downwardly at an outer periphery of the lid base 114. Optionally, the hinge 119 is elevated from an upper surface of the bottom base 134 via one or more risers 115 fixedly attached thereto, such that the lid 110 is elevated to mate with a neck rim 158 and extend perpendicularly to the neck 150 in a closed position.
Optionally, the hinge 119 includes at least one flap 116 extending from the riser(s) 115 by a distance that is substantially equal to a lateral distance between the outer periphery 132 and an inner periphery 131 of the bottom base 134, such that the lid base 114 fully covers the opening 138 when the lid 110 is in the closed position. Optionally, the hinge 119 and/or the riser(s) 115 include one or more rear walls 117 having at least the same height as the neck 150. Optionally, the one or more rear walls 117 can be attached to a portion of the outer periphery 132 of the bottom base 134. Optionally, one or a pair of sidewalls 118 extend inwardly towards the neck 150 from side edges of the one or more rear walls 117 by a distance that is substantially equal to or less than a distance between the outer periphery 132 and the inner periphery 131 of the bottom base 134 such that the lid skirt 124 is configured to fit between the one or pair of walls 118 and a neck skirt 164 of the neck 150 when the lid 110 is in the closed position. Optionally, the riser(s) 115 and one or more other portions of the hinge 119 includes or is formed of a thermoset. Optionally, the riser(s) 115 and one or more other portions of the hinge 119 includes or is formed of a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. Optionally, the lid skirt 124 has a flange 126 extending radially inwardly and is configured to contact and/or mate with the neck rim 158 when the lid 110 is in the closed position.
Optionally, the lid 110 can include a first seal member 120. Optionally, the lid base 114 can be flat or planar, and the lid skirt 124 can be cylindrical or circular. The annular lid skirt 124 can include an annular flange 126 extending radially inwardly. The flip-top lid 110 can further include a fixed protrusion (also referred to as a thumb tab) 112 at a distal end opposite the hinge 119. The protrusion 112 can extend radially outwardly from the lid base 114 and/or the lid skirt 124. The thumb tab 112 can be configured to be actuated and/or engaged to place the lid 110 in open or closed position. Optionally, the first seal member 120 is disposed on an interior surface of the lid base 114. The first seal member 120 can include or be a thermoplastic elastomer seal member disposed around the entire periphery of the interior surface of the lid base 114. Optionally, the thermoplastic elastomer seal member 120 includes an annular portion configured to sealingly engage with the neck rim 158.
In one optional embodiment, the bottom base 134 can have a bottom skirt 144 depending downwardly at the outer periphery 132 (see
The bottom skirt 144 can optionally include one or more threads extending radially inwardly from an interior surface thereof. The one or more threads can be configured to sealingly engage with one or more bottle threads disposed on an upper portion of a sidewall 12 of the bottle 10. Optionally, the neck skirt 164 can include a lower neck skirt 165 (see
Optionally, the cap 100 can include no seal members, only the first seal member 120, or two or more seal members. For example, the cap 100 can include the first seal member 120 disposed on an interior surface of the lid base 114. In the closed position, the flip-top lid 110 is pivoted about the hinge 119 so that the lid 110 covers the opening 138, while the first seal member 120 sealingly engages at least a portion of the neck rim 158. Optionally, the flange 126 can engage or contact an exterior surface of the neck skirt 164, and can secure the lid 110 to the neck 150 via, e.g., without limitation, a friction fit, and causes the first seal member 120 to compress against an upper engagement surface of the neck rim 158. This can create a moisture tight seal between the lid 110 and the neck 150 of the cap 100, and thus, between the cap 100 and the bottle 10, when the lid is in the closed position.
Optionally, as shown in
Optionally, the bottom base 134 can also include an active component 142, such as but not limited to an active polymer component, on a second portion 135 of the underside of the bottom base 134, which is surrounded by and, optionally contacts an inner annular edge of the second seal member 140 or is spaced at least slightly radially inwardly from the second seal member 140. Optionally, the active component 142 can surround the lower neck skirt 165. Optionally, the bottom base 134 can include a ridge 148 extending downwardly from a third portion of the interior surface of the bottom base 134 and disposed between the second seal member 140 and the active component 142. The active component 142 and the first and second sealing members 120, 140 are discussed further in detail below.
The active component 142 can be affixed to or molded in the second portion 135 of the underside of the bottom base 134. The active component 142 allows the container assembly 1 to provide improved capabilities in terms of protection against moisture ingress to, for example and without limitation, medicine contained in the interior of the bottle 10.
The active component 142 can include a base polymer entrained with one or more active agents, and thus may be referred to herein as a polymer entrained with an active agent or entrained polymer. The active agent in the active component 142 may include an absorbing material, a releasing material and/or an activation material. Optionally, the active component 142 is a three phase desiccant entrained polymer.
The active component 142 can be provided in different shapes, volumes and/or configurations. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the active component 142 can be in the form of a ring concentric to the annular bottom skirt 144. The active component 142 can surround, and optionally contact an outer annular edge of the lower neck skirt 165 of the neck 150. In one embodiment, the active component 142 can extend into and/or be exposed to an interior space of the bottle 10 to desiccate the environment within the bottle 10. Optionally, the active component 142 surrounds, and optionally contacts, an inner annular edge of the ridge 148. As such, the lower neck skirt 165, a portion of the underside of the bottom base 134, and the ridge 148 optionally form a cavity allowing the active component 142 to be molded onto the cavity.
In one embodiment, the active component 142 is a desiccant entrained polymer that is a unitary component made of a single piece of material. An entrained polymer, whether entrained with desiccant or another active agent, may include a base polymer (for structure), a desiccant (or other active agent) and optionally a channeling agent. These types of active polymer components and methods of making and using the same are disclosed, e.g., in Applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,937, 6,214,255, 6,130,263, 6,080,350, 6,174,952, 6,124,006 and 6,221,446, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0039955. Optionally, the entrained polymer may be in the form of a film that is loose or optionally heat staked to a surface.
Alternatively, the desiccant may include loose desiccant beads or a sachet containing the same. While the exemplary embodiments herein reflect active component 142 being located on the second portion 135 of the bottom base 134 and around the lower neck skirt 165 of the neck 150, it is contemplated that one or more active agents can be located at other locations and/or positions, such as on a sidewall 16 of the body 12 or the neck 22 of the bottle 10.
In the embodiment where each active component 142 contains a desiccant, moisture absorption is desired. However, where moisture absorption is not desired, the active component 142 can include alternative active agents. For example, in another embodiment, the active component 142 contains a material selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, carbon black, ketjenblack, and diamond powder. In a further embodiment, an active agent including one or more layers of the active member contains a material such as absorption microspheres, BaTiO3, SrTiO3, SiO2, Al2O3, ZnO, TiO2, MnO, CuO, Sb2O3, silica, calcium oxide and ion exchange resins. In yet another embodiment, the absorbing agent containing layer of the active component 142 contains two or more types of absorbing agents. The suitable absorbing agent is chosen to achieve absorption of the desired vapor or gas for the desired end use (e.g., absorption of moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or other undesired gases or vapors).
The active member (whether desiccant, oxygen scavenger, a releasing material or ingredient, etc., or combination thereof) is capable of acting on, interacting or reacting with a selected material (e.g., moisture or oxygen). Examples of such actions or interactions may include absorption, adsorption (sorption, generally) or release of the selected material. Each active member can be extruded or molded, for example. Optionally, the active member can be formed in a desired shape or pattern (e.g., on a backing) via an in-line melt adhesion thermal bonding process.
The active component 142 can include an “active ingredient” in a base material. The active ingredient(s) (i) can be immiscible with the base material (e.g., polymer) and when mixed and heated with the base polymer and a channeling agent, will not melt, i.e., has a melting point that is higher than the melting point for either the base polymer or the channeling agent, and/or (ii) acts on, interacts or reacts with a selected material. The term “active ingredient” may include but is not limited to materials that absorb, adsorb or release the selected material(s). Active ingredients, according to the presently disclosed technology, may be in the form of particles such as minerals (e.g., molecular sieve or silica gel, in the case of desiccants), but the presently disclosed technology should not be viewed as limited only to particulate active agents. For example, in some embodiments, an oxygen scavenging formulation may be made from a resin which acts as, or as a component of, the active agent.
As used herein, the term “base material” is a component (preferably a polymer) of an entrained active material, other than the active agent, that provides structure for the entrained material.
As used herein, the term “base polymer” is a polymer optionally having a gas transmission rate of a selected material that is substantially lower than, lower than or substantially equivalent to, that of the channeling agent. By way of example, such a transmission rate would be a water vapor transmission rate in embodiments where the selected material is moisture and the active ingredient is a water absorbing desiccant. The primary function of the base polymer is to provide structure for the entrained polymer. Suitable base polymers may include thermoplastic polymers, e.g., polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polybutene, polysiloxane, polycarbonates, polyamides, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, poly (vinyl chloride), polystyrene, polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfones, polyacrylic ester, acrylic, polyurethane and polyacetal, or copolymers or mixtures thereof.
Referring to such a comparison of the base polymer and channeling agent water vapor transmission rate, in one embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least two times that of the base polymer. In another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least five times that of the base polymer. In another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least ten times that of the base polymer. In still another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least twenty times that of the base polymer. In still another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least fifty times that of the base polymer. In still another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate of at least one hundred times that of the base polymer.
As used herein, the term “channeling agent” or “channeling agents” is defined as a material that is immiscible with the base polymer and has an affinity to transport a gas phase substance at a faster rate than the base polymer. Optionally, a channeling agent is capable of forming channels through the entrained polymer when formed by mixing the channeling agent with the base polymer. Optionally, such channels are capable of transmitting a selected material through the entrained polymer at a faster rate than in solely the base polymer.
As used herein, the term “channels” or “interconnecting channels” is defined as passages formed of the channeling agent that penetrate through the base polymer and may be interconnected with each other.
As used herein, the term “entrained polymer” is defined as a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer with an active agent and optionally also a channeling agent entrained or distributed throughout. An entrained polymer thus includes two-phase polymers and three phase polymers. A “mineral loaded polymer” is a type of entrained polymer, wherein the active agent is in the form of minerals, e.g., mineral particles such as molecular sieve or silica gel. The term “entrained material” is used herein to connote a monolithic material comprising an active agent entrained in a base material wherein the base material may or may not be polymeric.
As used herein, the term “monolithic,” “monolithic structure” or “monolithic composition” is defined as a composition or material that does not consist of two or more discrete macroscopic layers or portions. Accordingly, a “monolithic composition” does not include a multi-layer composite.
As used herein, the term “phase” is defined as a portion or component of a monolithic structure or composition that is uniformly distributed throughout, to give the structure or composition its monolithic characteristics.
As used herein, the term “selected material” is defined as a material that is acted upon, by, or interacts or reacts with an active agent and is capable of being transmitted through the channels of an entrained polymer. For example, in embodiments in which a desiccant is used as an active agent, the selected material may be moisture or a gas that can be absorbed by the desiccant. In embodiments in which a releasing material is used as an active agent, the selected material may be an agent released by the releasing material, such as moisture, fragrance, or an antimicrobial agent (e.g., chlorine dioxide). In embodiments in which an adsorbing material is used as an active ingredient, the selected material may be certain volatile organic compounds and the adsorbing material may be activated carbon.
As used herein, the term “three phase” is defined as a monolithic composition or structure including three or more phases. An example of a three phase composition according to the presently disclosed technology would be an entrained polymer formed of a base polymer, active agent, and channeling agent. Optionally, a three phase composition or structure may include an additional phase, e.g., a colorant.
Entrained polymers may be two phase formulations (i.e., comprising a base polymer and active ingredient, without a channeling agent) or three phase formulations (i.e., comprising a base polymer, active agent and channeling agent). Entrained polymers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,937, 6,080,350, 6,124,006, 6,130,263, 6,194,079, 6,214,255, 6,486,231, 7,005,459, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0039955.
An entrained material or polymer includes a base material (e.g., polymer) for providing structure, optionally a channeling agent and an active agent. The channeling agent forms microscopic interconnecting channels through the entrained polymer. At least some of the active ingredient is contained within these channels, such that the channels communicate between the active ingredient and the exterior of the entrained polymer via microscopic channel openings formed at outer surfaces of the entrained polymer. The active ingredient can be, for example, any one of a variety of absorbing, adsorbing or releasing materials, as described in further detail below. While a channeling ingredient is preferred, the presently disclosed technology broadly includes entrained materials that optionally do not include channeling agents, e.g., two phase polymers.
In any embodiment, suitable channeling agents may include a polyglycol such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), glycerin polyamine, polyurethane and polycarboxylic acid including polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid. Alternatively, the channeling agent can be, for example, a water insoluble polymer, such as a propylene oxide polymerisate-monobutyl ether, such as Polyglykol B01/240, produced by CLARIANT. In other embodiments, the channeling agent could be a propylene oxide polymerisate monobutyl ether, such as Polyglykol B01/20, produced by CLARIANT, propylene oxide polymerisate, such as Polyglykol D01/240, produced by CLARIANT, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon 6, nylon 66, or any combination of the foregoing.
Suitable active ingredients according to the presently disclosed technology include absorbing materials, such as desiccating compounds. If the active agent is a desiccant, any suitable desiccant for a given application may be used. Typically, physical absorption desiccants are preferred for many applications. These may include molecular sieves, silica gels, clays and starches. Alternatively, the desiccant may be a chemical compound that forms crystals containing water or compounds which react with water to form new compounds.
Optionally, in any embodiment, the active agent may be an oxygen scavenger, e.g., an oxygen scavenging resin formulation.
Referring again to
As used herein, the TPE may optionally have a Shore A hardness from 20 to 50, preferably from 20 to 40, more preferably from 20 to 35. The TPE may be preferably injection moldable soft and resilient materials appropriate for creating a compression seal against a harder (for example and without limitation, thermoplastic) surface of the cap 100 and/or the bottle 10. In any embodiment, the TPE should be configured for repeated use, i.e., should not degrade over several cycles (e.g., at least 10, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 50 cycles) of opening and closing. By incorporating the TPE to create elastomer-thermoplastic seals (e.g., without limitation, a seal between the first seal member 120 and the upper engaging surface of the neck rim 158 or a seal between the second seal member 140 and the upper engaging surface 19 of the bottle rim 18), the assembly 1 allows the TPE seal 120, 140 to further reduce moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), and thus requires less, if any, moisture protection via any method of desiccation to achieve a targeted shelf life. Further, the assembly 1 including both the first and second seal members 120, 140 provides an even lower MVTR than a container including only one of these TPE seals 120, 140.
Referring back to
In one optional embodiment, the second seal member 140 is a compressible seal affixed to or integral with at least a portion of the underside of the bottom base 134. Optionally, the second seal member 140 can be in the shape of a ring, which surrounds and optionally contacts an outer annular edge of the active polymer component 142. When the cap 100 is secured to the bottle 10 to cover the opening 20 of the bottle 10, the second seal member 140 contacts the upper engagement surface 19 of the rim 18 of the bottle 10. That is, engagement between threads 146 of the cap 100 and threads 26 on the neck 22 of the bottle 10 tightly secures the cap 100 to the bottle 10 and/or causes the second seal member 140 to compress as it firmly presses against the upper engagement surface 19 of the bottle rim 18.
As such, the first seal member 120 or the second seal member 140 alone can provide a moisture tight seal between the cap 100 and bottle 10, providing a lower MVTR than a container without these TPE seals 120, 140. When both the first and second seal members 120, 140 are present in the cap 100, these seals ensure the moisture tight seal and thus reduce MVTR even more, thereby prolonging and reaching the optimal target shelf life of the bottle contents.
The presently disclosed technology has simplified the manufacturing process as compared to the prior art. According to the presently disclosed technology, the cap 100 may be made in a variety of ways. One optional method of forming or making the cap 100 includes injection molding. More particularly, a method of forming or making the cap 100 includes multi-shot injection molding. For example, the cap 100 can be made in a two-shot injection molding process if the active component is not included, or a three-shot injection molding process if the active component is included.
Optionally, in a three-shot manufacturing process, the first shot in the mold would be the active component 142 (e.g., desiccant entrained polymer with channeling agent). The second shot in the mold would be one or both of the compressible seals 120, 140 (e.g., TPE). The third shot would be the remainder of the cap (e.g., using a polyolefin material). The three-shot injection molding process is described, for example, in International Publication No. WO 2021/076874 and other relevant techniques are described in U.S. Publication No. 2021/0008771, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
In at least one embodiment, the disclosed concept creates an improved seal as compared to prior art containers, and obviates the need for a foil seal or other type of heat sealed material over the opening for storage. The first and second seal members 120, 140 are configured to provide sufficient and/or improved closure integrity over the shelf life of the contents of the bottle 10 so as not to require a foil seal or the like.
Optionally, a tamper evident mechanism can be provided on the cap 100. For example, an integral polymer tamper evident ring, such as is typically found on a water bottle, may be provided. During production, optionally after the above-recited process is carried out and the cap 100 is ejected from the mold, a molded tamper evident ring may be placed directly onto the cap by an automated process (e.g., without limitation, a robot). Alternatively, a shrink seal may be provided over/around the cap 100. In the embodiments including a removably attachable screw-top cap 100, the tamper evident feature can be integrated at a lower end of the bottom skirt 144, the lower end being at opposite to the outer periphery 132 of the bottom base 134. In the embodiments including the screw-top cap 100 fixedly attached to the bottle 10, the shrink seal may be used.
The screw-top cap 200 of
The screw-top cap 300 of
The following exemplary embodiments further describe optional aspects of the presently disclosed technology and are part of this Detailed Description. These exemplary embodiments are set forth in a format substantially akin to claims (each with numerical designations followed by a letter), although they are not technically claims of the present application. The following exemplary embodiments refer to each other in dependent relationships as “embodiments” instead of “claims.”
While the presently disclosed technology has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present presently disclosed technology.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/362,344, filed Apr. 1, 2022 and titled “SCREW-TOP CAP FOR CONTAINER, AND METHOD OF USING AND MAKING SAME”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63362344 | Apr 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2023/016721 | Mar 2023 | WO |
| Child | 18903652 | US |
