CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A closure comprising a cap (31) and a collar (32) by means of which the cap (31) can be secured to the container (33), the collar (32) comprising a ring (32A) and being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that parts of the collar (32) are radially moveable between inner and outer positions. The cap (31) and collar (32) having mutually engageable parts (32c, 42c) providing for rotatable engagement between the cap (31) and collar (32) between a first position in which the collar (32) is in the expanded configuration (so the closure can be fitted to and removed from the container (33)) and a second position in which the collar (32) is in the contracted configuration so said radially moveable parts are held in engagement with the container (33) (whereby the closure is secured to the container). Furthermore, the closure has a tamper-evident feature (34, 35).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a closure for a container, and more particularly relates to closures for beverage containers. Such containers may be used for the storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling drinks, but are also suitable for use with other types of drinks or other materials.

BACKGROUND ART

Closures that have a separate ring or collar carrying a screw thread for securing a cap to the container, are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,603,472 and 4,576,296, International Patent Application WO 84/01763, and European Patent Application EP 0517676, for example. The applicants have also proposed containers with cap-on-collar closures as described, for example, in WO2006/000774, WO2007/091068 and in WO2008/012539 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide tamper-evident features for such cap-on-collar closures.

According to the invention, there is provided a closure for a container, the closure comprising a cap and a collar by means of which the cap can be secured to the container, the collar comprising a ring and being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that parts thereof are radially moveable between inner and outer positions, the cap and collar having mutually engageable parts providing for rotatable engagement between the cap and collar between a first position in which the collar is in the expanded configuration so the closure can be fitted to and removed from the container and a second position in which the collar is in the contracted configuration so said radially moveable parts are held in engagement with the container whereby the closure is secured to the container, the closure having a tamper evident feature which in a first state permits rotation between the cap and collar to allow the cap to be rotated in a tightening direction relative to the collar from the first position to the second position and which can be put into a second state when the cap is in the second position, whereby rotation of the cap in a loosening direction relative to the collar requires irreversible deformation in a visually apparent manner of the tamper evident feature.

Such tamper-evident components can be provided on cap-on-collar closures in which the collar comprises a ring with a break in it or in which the collar comprises a ring and a plurality of radially moveable components provided at spaced apart positions around said ring.

Further optional and preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, from the drawings and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.

References to directions herein, e.g. “vertically”, are to be understood to relate to a container standing in an upright position (with the opening uppermost) in a horizontal surface and/or to the orientation of closure when fitted to the container in this position.

An advantage of a cap-on-collar closure is that by providing a collar on a container body, to which a cap may be secured in order to close the container, which collar preferably may be removed from the container body, the container body may be free from exterior threads or other securement means for securing the cap thereto. Providing a beverage container that is free from exterior threads or other securement means enables the provision of a truly practical beverage container from which consumers may drink directly. This is because the presence of threads adjacent to the opening is a major reason for bottles and known wide-mouth containers being impractical as truly acceptable drinking vessels for consumers.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that the term “collar” as used in this specification does not include known cap-like parts that extend across openings in containers.

Preferably, the container body includes one or more retaining parts by which the collar is retained on the container body until removal of the cap causes the collar to be removed or removable from the container body. Advantageously, the retaining part may be a rim or lip of the container body, preferably a radially-outwardly projecting lip. Preferably, the collar is retained on the container body by being trapped beneath the lip or other retaining part of the container body. Additionally or alternatively, the (or each) retaining part could be a recess (e.g. a depression or indentation) in a surface, preferably an exterior surface, of the container body. For example, the container body may be provided with one or more recesses provided around the exterior circumference of the container body.

In preferred embodiments, the collar can engage with and/or can be secured to the container body independently of the cap. That is, preferably the collar does not require the action or the presence of the cap in order for the collar to be engaged with and/or secured to the container body.

Preferably, the collar has engagement means for engaging one or more features of the container so as to inhibit or limit rotation of the collar relative to the container when the cap is rotated in the tightening and/or loosening direction.

In some embodiments, the collar comprises a ring with a break in it whereby the diameter of the collar can be increased and decreased.

In other embodiments, the collar may comprise a plurality of flaps or other radially moveable parts arranged spaced-apart from each other along the circumferential extent thereof, the cap and the collar including cooperating securement means by which the cap may be secured to the collar.

Preferably the flaps or other parts of the collar are indirectly connected to each other by means of a ring portion of the collar to which the flaps or other parts are directly connected. When the collar is attached to the container body with the container body upright and the opening uppermost, preferably the ring portion of the collar is the lowermost portion thereof, with the flaps or other parts extending substantially vertically therefrom. The flaps or other radially moveable parts of the collar preferably include radially-inwardly projecting shoulders which preferably engage with an axially facing surface of the lip or other retaining part of the container body to retain the collar thereon.

The cap is releasably securable to the container body via the collar, preferably by means of a threaded engagement with the collar. Consequently, the (or each) securement means of the collar and/or the cap preferably is a thread. The threaded engagement may comprise a screw-threaded engagement. Preferably, however, the threaded engagement is a bayonet-style engagement. The term “thread” as used herein includes (at least in the broadest aspects of the invention) continuous and discontinuous threads, (e.g. continuous and discontinuous screw threads), and bayonet-style threads, for example. Threads used in relation to the invention may, for example, comprise a plurality of segments (each thread segment comprising a said securement means), in which case the thread may be discontinuous (e.g. a discontinuous screw-thread or a bayonet-thread), or it may be substantially continuous because the effect is that of a substantially continuous screw-thread pattern.

The use of thread features comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart components reduces the torque required to release the cap. This is of particular importance with a wide mouth container otherwise the torque required to unscrew the closure may be difficult for user to apply by hand.

The opening of the container body is preferably a wide-mouth opening. By a “wide-mouth opening” is meant (at least in its broadest sense) an opening of a size suitable for a person to drink from the container in the same manner as from a drinks glass or similar drinking vessel. That is, in its broadest sense, the wide-mouth opening of the container (for embodiments of the invention having a wide-mouth opening) generally renders the container suitable as a drinking vessel from which a beverage supplied in the container may be conveniently drunk (in contrast to conventional narrow-necked bottles and ring-pull cans which generally are not regarded as comfortable drinking vessels). In practice, this requirement means that the diameter of the wide-mouth opening of the container will normally need to be at least 40 mm, preferably at least 45 mm, and more preferably at least 50 mm. Additionally, an excessively wide opening is generally difficult for the consumer to drink from, and thus the wide-mouth opening preferably has a diameter no greater than 150 mm, more preferably no greater than 100 mm, and especially no greater than 80 mm. A particularly preferred diameter range for the wide-mouth opening is 50 to 80 mm, and examples of particular preferred diameters include 53 mm and 63 mm.

Alternatively, the opening of the container body may be a narrow-mouth opening, e.g. a bottle-type opening. Such an opening may have a diameter of less than 40 mm, for example. Conventional standard bottle mouth sizes include diameters of 28 mm and 38 mm, and the opening of the container body of some embodiments of the present invention may have such a diameter.

The container body preferably has no thread or thread segments on its exterior. Consequently, the container body preferably is comfortable for a consumer to drink directly from the container body.

A wide variety of thread forms for securing the cap to the container body via the collar, is possible. As indicated at the beginning of this specification, at least some embodiments of the invention are intended for the storage and supply of carbonated and other sparkling drinks, for example beers, ciders, sparkling wines (including champagne), other fizzy alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic fizzy and sparkling beverages, including sparkling water and carbonated soft drinks. For such beverages, it is preferred for the engagement between the cap and the collar to include provision for gas venting upon partial removal of the cap from the container body, to prevent so-called “missiling” of the cap whereby the cap is violently ejected from the container body as the container is opened, by the gas pressure of the contents of the container.

Advantageously, therefore, the collar and the cap may include means, preferably engageable elements, to block or restrict removal of the cap from the collar beyond an intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released) when the cap is under an axial pressure in a direction emerging from the container body.

Preferably the cap, the collar and the container body are constructed and arranged to provide a vent for venting gas from the container body at least when the cap is in an intermediate position (between fully secured and fully released).

In some embodiments, the removal of the cap from the container body permits the removal of the collar from the container body. Preferably, the act of removal of the cap from the container body causes the collar to be removed from the container body together with the cap.

Preferably, the tamper-evident feature and/or the collar may include means to prevent the cap from accidentally unscrewing from the collar under the influence of pressurization within the container (e.g. due to a pressurized beverage held in the container).

In some embodiments sealing means may be provided to seal the container. Such sealing means may comprise part of the cap and/or the container body and/or the collar and/or a separate component, for example. Preferred sealing means include sealing flanges and/or other sealing members, for example gaskets and the like. Another possible sealing member is a membrane seal, for example comprising a metal foil seal (e.g. formed from aluminium foil), which may optionally be provided with one or more polymer layers on one or both major surfaces thereof. The foil seal may provide an excellent gas barrier, for example. Advantageously, the use of a metal foil seal may enable the formation of a seal by induction heating, e.g. by bonding one or more polymer layers to the container body and/or to the cap. The foil seal or other membrane seal may be provided on the cap and/or the container body and/or the collar and/or separately.

The container and its components may be made from any suitable material, including metal and/or glass and/or polymer material. Polymer materials are generally preferred for the cap and the collar, especially polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene. The container body preferably is formed from glass or polymer material, especially a polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The polymeric components preferably are formed by moulding, especially injection moulding and/or blow moulding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the components of a closure according to a first embodiment of a closure according to the invention ready to be connected together and then assembled onto a container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 illustrating how a tamper-evident feature joins the cap and collar together when the closure is in a tightened position on a container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 1-2 illustrating the state of a tamper-evident feature following loosening of the closure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cap and collar according to a second embodiment of a closure according to the invention ready to be connected together and then assembled onto a container;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views from above of the cap and collar of FIG. 4 when connected together shown in first and second relative rotational positions, respectively; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 4-6 illustrating the state of a tamper-evident feature following loosening of the closure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cap and collar according to a third embodiment of a closure according to the invention ready to be connected together and then assembled onto a container; and

FIGS. 9 to 11 are perspective views of the closure showing a tamper evident feature prior to tightening of the cap, once tightened and following breakage thereof.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of a closure according to the invention. The closure comprises a cap 31 and a collar 32 which are fitted together and then assembled onto a container 33.

The cap 31 comprises a top part 31A for covering the mouth of the container 33 and a skirt part 31B depending from the periphery of the first part 31A.

The collar 32 comprises a ring portion 32A moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration so that parts thereof (e.g. an upper surface 32B thereof in particular) are radially moveable between inner and outer positions. In this embodiment, the ring comprises a break which permits the diameter of the collar 32 to be enlarged and reduced whereby it can adopt the expanded or contracted configurations.

The closure is arranged to be assembled onto a container 33 which comprises an outwardly projecting lip 33A and a stop feature 33B in the form of a recess in the outer surface thereof.

The cap 31 and collar 32 have mutually engageable parts (projections 32C on the collar and projections/recesses 42C on the cap—see FIG. 6) providing for rotational engagement therebetween between a first position in which the closure can be fitted to and removed from the container (and in which the collar is in the expanded configuration) and a second position in which the closure is secured to the container 33 by engagement of the collar 32 under the lips 33A of the container 33.

The collar 32 is also preferably provided with at least one inwardly projecting feature (not shown in this embodiment but shown at 42A in FIG. 6) for engaging with one or more stop features (such as the recess 33B shown in FIG. 1) to limit rotation of the collar 32 relative to the container 33 in the tightening direction and inhibit rotation of the collar 32 relative to the container 33 in the loosening direction.

The manner in which such a closure is secured to a container is further described in WO2008/012539 the teachings of which are incorporated herein. Other forms of cap-on-collar closures with which the present invention can be used are disclosed in the other PCT applications referred to above.

The latter applications disclose cap-on-collar closures in which the collar comprises a ring portion and a plurality of radially moveable components provided at spaced apart positions around the ring which, when the closure is in the tightened position, are held in engagement with a container in order to secure the closure thereto. Such radially moveable components may, for instance, comprise flaps extending upwards from said ring portion. The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11 in such a cap-on-collar closure.

The tamper-evident feature of the first embodiment is arranged to be moved between a first state in which is permits relative rotation of the cap 31 and collar 32 and a second state (which it is put into when the cap 31 is in the tightened position) which inhibits rotation of the cap in the loosening direction until the tamper-evident feature is irreversibly deformed so as to permit such rotation.

The illustrated tamper-evident feature comprises an arm 34 on the collar 32 which carries an arrow-shaped projection 34A and a slot-shaped aperture 35 in the skirt 31A of the cap for receiving the arrow-shaped projection 34A (see FIG. 1). When the cap 31 is in the tightened position, the arm 34 is aligned with the slot 35 and the arrow-shaped projection 34A can be pushed into the slot 35 (see FIG. 2) so as to provide a physical connection between the cap 31 and collar 32. The arrow-shaped projection 34A is a snap-fit within the slot 35 so cannot be withdrawn therefrom. The arm 34 is connected to the collar 32 by a weakened portion 34B, such as a perforated hinge, so that when sufficient force is applied to the cap in the loosening direction, the weakened portion 348 breaks so that cap 31 is free to rotate relative to the collar 32. When the weakened portion 34B breaks, the portion of the arm 34 remaining connected to the cap 31, drops downwards within the slot 35 so providing a visual indication that the cap 31 has been loosened or otherwise tampered with as shown in FIG. 3.

In an alternative arrangement, the arm 34 may be welded, e.g. by one or more spot welds, to the skirt portion 31A rather than being connected thereto by the arrow-shaped projection 34A.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a second embodiment of a closure according to the invention. The closure comprises a cap 41 and a collar 42 which are fitted together and then assembled onto a container 43 in a similar manner to the first embodiment but with a different form of tamper-evident feature.

The tamper-evident feature of the second embodiment comprises one or more recesses 45 (four in the illustrated embodiment) in the external surface of a skirt position 41A of the cap so as to provide a thin-walled portion thereof through which a spot-weld can be formed to join the cap 41 to the collar 42 when it is in the tightened position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of four of the thread features 42C of the collar 42 are aligned with and in close contact with the inner surface of said thin-walled portions 45 of the skirt 41A when the cap 41 is in the tightened position as shown in FIG. 5 so they can be easily connected by means of a spot-weld.

When the cap 41 is rotated in the loosening direction, the join(s) provided by the spot-welds either have to be overcome or, preferably, weakened portions (e.g. perforations) are provided around the perimeter of said thin-walled portions 45 so that they are torn away from the cap 41 when the cap 41 is loosened. In either case, once the cap 41 has been rotated in the loosening direction an aperture 45A (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is formed within the recess of the thin-walled portions 45 so providing a visually apparent indication that the cap has been loosened or otherwise tampered with.

FIGS. 8-11 show a third embodiment of a closure according to the invention. This comprises a cap-on-collar closure of the type referred to above having a cap 51 and a collar 52, with radially moveable flaps 52D (similar to those described in WO2006/000774 and WO2007/091068) and a tamper evident feature which comprises an arm 54 on the collar 52 which carries a stud 54A and an aperture 55 in the cap 51 (see FIG. 1). FIG. 1 also shows an inwardly projecting feature 52A on the collar for engaging with a recess 53B in the container body 53 which provide a similar function to the projection 42A and recess 33B described above.

When the cap 51 and collar 52 are assembled onto a container body 53, the arm 54 projects outwards and the cap 51 is free to rotate relative to the collar 52 (so it can be tightened onto the container body 53).

Once the cap is in the tightened position (as shown in FIG. 9), the arm 54 and aperture 55 are aligned with each other so the arm can be pivoted upwards and the stud 54A pressed into the aperture 55 (as shown in FIG. 10). The stud 54A has a widened head which snap-fits through the aperture 55 so cannot be withdrawn therefrom. The cap 51 and collar 52 are then secured together and the cap 51 can only be rotated in the loosening direction relative to the collar 52 by rupturing this connection, e.g. by applying sufficient force to cause the stud 54A to break off the arm 54. The arm 54 is then no longer secured to the cap 51 (as shown in FIG. 11) so the cap 51 is free to rotate relative to the collar 52.

In an alternative arrangement, the connection between the collar 52 and the arm 54, e.g. at the pivot line therebetween, may comprise a relatively weak connection so that the arm 54 is torn away from the collar 52 when sufficient force is applied to the cap 51 in the loosening direction.

It will be appreciated that this tamper evident feature operates on the same principle as that of the first embodiment described above in relation to FIGS. 1-3. In both cases, the illustrated embodiments comprise a single arm on the collar and a single aperture in the cap. It would also be possible to provide a plurality of arms on the collar and/or a plurality of apertures in the cap. Also, the arm(s) may be provided on the cap and the aperture(s) in the collar.

In further embodiments, the arm may be connected to the cap by a spot-weld (instead of a snap-fit between a projection and an aperture).

The tamper evident features described above provide a visual indication that the cap has been loosened or removed but also enables the end user to re-close the container body by re-applying the closure thereto.

Claims

1. A closure for a container, the closure comprising a cap and a collar by which the cap can be secured to the container, the collar comprising a ring and being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that parts thereof are radially moveable between inner and outer positions, the cap and collar having mutually engageable parts providing for rotatable engagement between the cap and collar between a first position in which the collar is in the expanded configuration so the closure can be fitted to and removed from the container and a second position in which the collar is in the contracted configuration so said radially moveable parts are held in engagement with the container whereby the closure is secured to the container, the closure having a tamper-evident feature which in a first state permits rotation between the cap and collar to allow the cap to be rotated in a tightening direction relative to the collar from the first position to the second position and which can be put into a second state when the cap is in the second position, whereby rotation of the cap in a loosening direction relative to the collar requires irreversible deformation in a visually apparent manner of the tamper-evident feature.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which the tamper-evident feature provides a physical join between the cap and the collar when put into the second state, the join comprising a snap-fit therebetween and/or a welded join therebetween.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2 in which the tamper-evident feature comprises an arm carried by the collar with a projection which is arranged to snap-fit into an aperture within the cap, or vice versa.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 2 in which the tamper-evident feature comprises an arm carried by the collar with a portion which is arranged to be spot-welded to the cap, or vice versa.

5. A closure as claimed in claim 2 in which the tamper-evident feature comprises at least one recess in a skirt portion of the cap to provide a thin walled section in the cap through which a spot-weld can be formed to join the cap to the collar.

6. A closure as claimed in claim 2 in which the tamper-evident feature is connected to one of the cap and collar by at least one frangible connection and arranged to be connected to the other of the cap and collar by said snap-fit and/or welded join, the frangible connection being arranged to rupture when the cap is rotated in the loosening direction.

7. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which the ring has a break in it whereby the diameter of the collar can be increased and decreased.

8. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which the collar comprises a plurality of flaps or other radially moveable parts spaced apart from each other around the ring.

9. A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which after the tamper evident feature has been broken, the closure can be reapplied to the container body.