Snap-On Closure with a Pull Member

Abstract

A snap-on closure container is provided that comprises a body having a sidewall that is configured to engage a container neck. The snap-on closure also comprises a pull member for removing the closure from the container neck. The pull member includes an annulus that is dimensioned to fit tightly around the sidewall in a stowed position. The pull member is movable from the stowed position to a deployed position so that the pull member can be used to remove the closure from the container neck. Once the closure is removed, the sidewall is configured to re-engage the container neck, and the annulus is configured to be re-fitted around the sidewall in the stowed position so as to tighten the closure around the container neck.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/IB2011/001904 filed Jul. 5, 2011, which claims priority to British Patent Application No. 1011380.1 filed on Jul. 6, 2010, British Patent Application No. 1011377.7 filed on Jul. 6, 2010, and British Patent Application No. 1012412.1 filed on Jul. 23, 2010. The entire disclosure contents of these applications are herewith incorporated by reference into the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a container closure and particularly to a snap-on closure which is snapped on/pushed on to a container opening.

BACKGROUND

A conflicting requirement for snap-on closures is that they should not be too difficult to open and yet the means for lifting the closure off of the container should not project excessively from the closure body.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to address the problems with known snap-on container closures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a snap-on container closure comprising a body having a pull member for removing at least part of the closure, the pull member being movable from a stowed position to a deployed position.

The present invention therefore provides the possibility of a pull member which can extend considerably from the main body when required, but can be transported and supplied in a more compact form with the pull member in a stowed position.

The pull member may comprise a ring pull or the like structure. A ring pull can be easily grasped by a user in order to remove the closure and this allows the closure to be formed with a strong and stable connection to the container which is not overly difficult to overcome using a ring pull.

The pull member may be formed, for example by moulding, in the deployed position or in the stowed position or in a position intermediate the stowed and deployed positions. For example, the pull member may be formed in the deployed or intermediate position and moved to the stowed position post-production ready for transport or storage.

The pull member may be formed so that it is folded out from the stowed to the deployed position in use. For this purpose the member may, for example, be joined to the body by a hinge, such as a film or snap hinge.

The closure may be replacably removable from the container. In some embodiments, for example, the body comprises a stopper member which can be replaced on to a container if required.

The body may comprise a sidewall that includes a snap-on band for pushing onto a container neck bead. The hoop strength of the band may be broken when the closure is opened for the first time. For example, the pull member may cause part of a snap bead to be torn out of the main body.

The closure may be formed from a thermoplastics material, for example polypropylene or polyethylene.

In recent times there has been pressure to reduce the size of the beverage container closures. In general, the smaller a closure becomes the more difficult it will be to ensure that it is securely fixable to a container but not too difficult to remove.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a single-serve beverage container closure, comprising a snap-on body formed from a thermoplastics material.

This aspect of the present invention therefore has particular application for single-serve beverage containers. By this is meant a container which has an individual serving of product, for example a 330 ml beverage bottle. By forming the closure to be snap-on/push-on it becomes technically easier to reduce the size of the closure and the amount of material used when compared to screw-on closures. Any suitable thermoplastic material may be used, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene.

The body may comprise a stopper member. This means that following first opening the closure can be replaced on to the container to close it if the entire beverage has not been consumed.

The body may comprise a pull member for removing at least part of the closure from a container in use. For example, a pull tab or the like may be provided for lifting the closure body off the container.

The body may be formed in such a way that upon first opening its structure is changed so that it can no longer function as a complete closure. This may, for example, be used in conjunction with a body having a stopper member so that the closure can be replaced in its altered form and still function as a stopper. For example, the body may comprise a sidewall that includes a snap-on band that allows it to be push fit onto a container neck bead. The hoop strength of the snap-on band may be broken when the closure is opened for the first time. For example, the band may be a turned-in band, part of which is formed by a pull tab that is torn upon first opening.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plastics snap-on cap for a single-serve beverage container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a snap-on container closure comprising a body formed from a thermoplastics material and having a snap-on band for pushing onto a container neck bead, the hoop strength of the band being breakable as the closure is opened for the first time.

The present invention also provides a container having a closure as described herein.

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 features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to the present invention show connected to a container;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 shown with a ring pull member in a deployed position;

FIG. 4 is plan view of the closure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to a alternative embodiment and shown in an as-moulded condition;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the closure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is side elevation of the closure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the closure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a section of a closure formed according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a section of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a section of the closure of FIG. 12 taken along line A-A;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the closure of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an underplan view of the region of the closure of FIG. 15 indicated by line C-C;

FIG. 17 is an underplan perspective view of the closure of FIG. 11;

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the closure of FIG. 11 shown in an open position;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the closure of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to the present invention shown attached to a container neck;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation of the closure of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the closure of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a section of the closure shown in FIG. 23 taken along line X-X;

FIG. 25 shows the closure of FIG. 24 during opening;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to the present invention shown fitted to a beverage container;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the closure of FIG. 26 in a closed position;

FIG. 28 is a front elevation of the closure of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of the closure of FIG. 27 shown in an opened position; and

FIG. 31 is a rear perspective view of the closure of FIG. 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a snap-on closure generally indicated 10 attached to a container generally indicated 15.

The closure 10 comprises a body with disc-shape top plate 20 and a generally cylindrical sidewall 25 which depends from the periphery of the top plate 20. The closure 10 is firmly retained on the container 15 by a snap bead (not shown) which projects inwardly from the free end of the sidewall 25 and engages on a corresponding retention bead (not shown) on the container neck.

In order to be able to overcome the resistance provided by the beads on the closure and the neck, a ring pull member 30 is provided. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the ring pull 30 is shown in a stowed position in which the ring pull member 30 is folded onto the top plate 20 and fits within a recess. The ring pull 30 is connected to the sidewall 25 by a hinge 35. The hinge 35 allows the ring pull 30 to be moved from the stowed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to a deployed position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in which it is folded approximately 180° out from the closure body as shown by the arrow A. The recess in the top plate 20 formed by a raised peripheral wall 40 can now be seen.

In this embodiment the hinge 35 and ring pull 30 are configured so that the ring pull can be locked in the deployed position.

With the ring pull member in the deployed position it can be used to remove the closure 10 from the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8 there is shown a closure 110 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure 110 is very similar to the closure 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

thereof and connecting to the platform 668.

In FIGS. 28 to 29 the ring pull 630 is shown in a stowed position. The ring pull 630 comprises a flat annulus connected at one side to the hinge 635. Opposite the hinge 635 the ring pull 630 is provided with a peak or “hood” 631 to facilitate lifting of the ring pull as described in more detail below.

The annulus of the ring pull member 630 is dimensioned so that it fits tightly around the sidewall 625. In this embodiment, the closure 110 is moulded from a thermoplastics material and is moulded with the ring pull member 130 in the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, that is approximately orthogonally to the plane of the closure. The closure 110 includes a top plate 120, a sidewall 125, and a hinge 135. After the closure 110 is removed from the mould the ring pull member 130 is folded down into the recess provided by the wall 140 so that it can easily be transported and stored with the ring pull member in a stowed position.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown a closure 210 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure 210 is shown connected to a container neck. The free end of the closure sidewall 225 is provided with a snap bead 245 which allows the closure to be push-or snap-fit onto the container neck 215, which is provided with a retention bead 250.

The closure 210 is shown in an as-moulded condition, in which the ring pull member 230 is formed in the deployed position shown in FIG. 9. The closure 210 is also shown with a top plate 220.

Referring now to FIG. 10 there is shown a closure 310 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure 310 is very similar to the closure 210 shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment an annular stopper 355 is provided and depends from the interior of the top plate 320. The stopper 355 is dimensioned to fit sealingly within the mouth 360 of the container neck 315 and allows the closure to re-seal the mouth 360 after first opening. Also shown in FIG. 10 are a sidewall 325, a ring pull 330, a snap bead 345, and a retention bead 350.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 19 there is shown a closure 410 formed according to an alternative embodiment. In FIGS. 11 to 13 the closure 410 is shown connected to a container neck 460, but with the container shown removed for ease of reference.

The closure 410 is similar to the closure 110 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and accordingly comprises a sidewall 425 and a ring pull 430 connected together by a hinge 435.

The sidewall 425 is generally cylindrical and includes an annular snap bead 445 extending around the inside for snap engagement under the container neck retention bead 450. The snap bead 445 is continuous except in the region of the hinge 435 where a disconnected bead member 446 is provided that is separated from the bead by a gap 447 either side as best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

At the opposite end of the sidewall 425 to the bead 445 a short annular platform 468 extending radially inwardly. At the radially inward end of the platform 468 a continuous annular plug 465 depends and an annular turret 470 projects. The underside of the platform 468 also includes an annular projection 475 spaced radially outwardly from the plug 465 by a distance such that the projection 475 and plug 465 are spaced to fit either side of the container neck mouth.

The turret 470 comprises an annular top plate 471 and a cylindrical inclined sidewall 472 depending from the periphery thereof and connecting to the platform 468. The exterior face of the sidewall 472 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 473 as shown best in FIGS. 18 and 19.

In FIGS. 11 to 17 the ring pull 430 is shown in a stowed position. The ring pull 430 comprises a flat annulus connected at one side to the hinge 435. Opposite the hinge 435 the ring pull 430 is provided with a peak 431 to facilitate lifting of the ring pull as described in more detail below.

The annulus of the ring pull member is dimensioned so that it fits around the turret 470 and engages the lugs 473 with a friction fit to hold it in position.

The hinge 435 is generally strap-like and C-shape with a first connector portion 436 joined to the ring pull 430, a second connector portion 437 joined to the open end of the sidewall 425 and the connector pieces 436, 437 being joined by a convexly curved link 438.

The section of the sidewall 425 to which the connector 437 is joined is flanked by two thinned regions 426 which form lines of weakness as described in more detail below.

In use, the closure 410 is assembled onto a container neck 460 by pushing it axially onto the neck so that the beads 445, 446 snap engage underneath the retention bead 450. The plug push fits into the container mouth to form a seal. When a user wishes to access the contents of the container the ring pull 430 is lifted up using the peak 431 and away from the turret 470. Pulling on the ring pull 430 will cause tearing of the sidewall 425 along the lines of weakness 426 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. With the bead 446 removed from underneath the bead 450 and the hoop strength of the sidewall 425 removed the closure can be pulled off the container neck by pulling further on the ring pull 430.

The closure can be replaced on the container neck 460 to reseal the container if required by pushing the closure 410 back down onto the neck so that the plug 465 re-engages in the container neck mouth. The bead 445 will re-engage under the bead 450 but the bead 446 will not and combined with the released hoop strength of the sidewall 425, replacing the closure on the container neck is not made unduly difficult.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 to 25 there is shown a closure generally indicated 510 shown attached to a container neck generally indicated 515.

The closure 510 comprises a generally circular top plate 520 and a generally cylindrical sidewall (or band) 525 which depends from the periphery of the top plate 520. Because the closure uses a snap-on engagement this allows the sidewall to be relatively shallow.

At the notional front of the closure 510 a curved, generally semi-circular pull tab 530 depends from the free end of the sidewall 525.

The container neck 515 forms part of a container for a single-serve beverage. In this embodiment the container (not shown) is intended to accommodate volume of approximately 330 ml. In other embodiments different container volumes are possible, with the intention being that the container is formed and marketed to provide a single serving of product.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 24, at the free end of the sidewall 525 a snap bead 535 is provided. The bead 535 is a continuous annular projection.

From the underside of the top plate 520 an annular stopper 540 depends. The stopper 540 is dimensioned to fit tightly within the container neck mouth.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 25, when access to the contents of the container are required, the pull tab 530 is grasped by a user and pulled upwards as shown by the arrow A. This causes tearing of a section of the sidewall 525 best illustrated by the dotted lines 545 in FIG. 22. By removing the section of the sidewall 525 in this wall the hoop strength of the sidewall is removed. Thereafter the closure 510 can be pulled off the neck 515 using the tab 530 in the direction illustrated by the arrow B.

If a user wishes to temporarily close the container, the closure 510 can be replaced onto the neck 515. In doing so, the stopper 540 re-engages into the container mouth to provide a temporary seal. Of course because the hoop strength of the sidewall 525 has been broken, and the tab and torn sidewall section cannot be replaced, the closure does not completely re-engage the neck, but does function as a stopper.

Referring now to FIG. 26 there is shown a closure 610 fitted to the neck 616 of a single-serve beverage container 615.

The closure 610 comprises a sidewall 625 and a ring pull 630 connected together by a hinge 635.

The sidewall 625 is generally cylindrical and includes an annular snap bead (not shown) extending around the inside for snap engagement under a container neck retention bead (not shown). The snap bead is continuous except in the region of the hinge 635.

At the closed end of the sidewall or skirt 625 a short annular platform 668 extending radially inwardly to form a step with an annular turret 670 projecting from its centre.

The turret 670 comprises an annular top plate 671 and a cylindrical sidewall 672 depending from the periphery thereof and connecting to the platform 668.

In FIGS. 28 to 29 the ring pull 630 is shown in a stowed position. The ring pull 630 comprises a flat annulus connected at one side to the hinge 635. Opposite the hinge 635 the ring pull 630 is provided with a peak or “hood” 631 to facilitate lifting of the ring pull as described in more detail below.

The annulus of the ring pull member 630 is dimensioned so that it fits tightly around the sidewall 625.

The hinge 635 is generally strap-like and is joined to the ring pull 630 and also to the open end of the sidewall 625.

The section of the sidewall 625 to which the hinge is joined is flanked by two thinned regions 626 which form lines of weakness as described in more detail below.

In use, the closure 610 is assembled onto a container neck 616 by pushing it axially onto the neck so that the co-operating snap beads engage. An internal plug push fits into the container neck mouth to form a seal.

When a user wishes to access the contents of the container the ring pull 630 is lifted up using the peak 631 and hinged away. Pulling on the ring pull 630 will cause tearing of the sidewall 625 along the lines of weakness 626. The closure can then be pulled off the container neck by pulling further on the ring pull 630.

The closure can be replaced on the container neck 616 to reseal the container if required by pushing the closure 610 back down onto the neck so that the internal plug re-engages in the container neck mouth. The ring of the pull member can be pushed back down and over the sidewall. Because the ring extends around the sidewall it can act like a belt to re-tighten the engagement of the closure on the neck. This principle could, of course, be used in combination with other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

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 embodiment 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

1-25. (canceled)

26. A snap-on closure for a container neck, the closure comprising:

a body having a sidewall that is configured to engage the container neck; and

a pull member configured to remove the closure from the container neck, wherein the pull member comprises: an annulus that is dimensioned to fit tightly around the sidewall in a stowed position, and that is configured to be moved from the stowed position to a deployed position to remove the closure from the container neck, and wherein, after removal of the closure from the container neck, the sidewall is configured to re-engage the container neck, and the annulus is configured to be re-fitted around the sidewall in the stowed position so as to tighten the closure around the container neck.

27. The closure of claim 26, wherein the pull member further comprises a ring pull.

28. The closure of claim 26, wherein the pull member is formed in the deployed position or the stowed position.

29. The closure of claim 26, wherein the pull member is formed in a position intermediate the stowed position and the deployed position.

30. The closure of claim 26, wherein the pull member is configured to be folded from the stowed position to the deployed position.

31. The closure of claim 26, wherein the pull member is configured to be joined to the sidewall by a hinge.

32. The closure of claim 31, wherein the sidewall includes an open end, and wherein the hinge is configured to join the pull member to the open end of the sidewall.

33. The closure of claim 32, wherein the sidewall includes at least two thinned regions that flank the hinge.

34. The closure of claim 26, wherein the body further comprises a stopper member.

35. The closure of claim 31, wherein the sidewall includes a snap bead configured to push onto a container neck bead.

36. The closure of claim 35, wherein the snap bead is a continuous annular projection.

37. The closure of claim 35, wherein the snap bead is continuous except in a region of the hinge.

38. The closure of claim 26, wherein the sidewall has a hoop strength that is broken when the closure is removed for a first time.

39. The closure of claim 26, wherein the closure is formed from a thermoplastics material.

40. The closure of claim 26, wherein the pull member comprises at least one of a pull tab, a peak, and a hood to facilitate removal of the closure from the container neck.

41. The closure of claim 26, wherein the closure is a single-serve beverage container closure.

42. The closure of claim 26, wherein the closure is configured to releasably attach to a container having the container neck.

43. A snap-on container closure comprising:

a body formed from a thermoplastics material, wherein the body comprises: a snap-on band configured to be pushed onto a container neck bead, wherein the snap-on band has a hoop strength that is breakable as the closure is opened for a first time, and a pull member configured to remove the closure from the container neck, wherein the pull member comprises: an annulus that is dimensioned to fit tightly around the snap-on band in a stowed position and is configured to be movable to a deployed position to remove the closure from the container neck, and wherein, after removal of the closure from the container neck, the snap-on band is configured to re-engage the container neck, and the pull member is configured to be re-fitted around the snap-on band in the stowed position so as to tighten the closure around the container neck.

44. A snap-on closure for a container neck, the closure comprising:

a body including a sidewall that is configured to engage a container neck, wherein the sidewall includes lines of weakness; and

a pull member configured to remove the closure from the container neck, wherein the pull member comprises: an annulus that is dimensioned to fit tightly around the sidewall in a stowed position, and is configured to be movable to a deployed position to remove the closure from the container neck, wherein removal of the closure from the container neck includes tearing the sidewall along the lines of weakness, and wherein, after removal of the closure from the container neck, the pull member is configured to be re-fitted around the sidewall in the stowed position so as to tighten the closure around the container neck.

45. The closure of claim 44, wherein the sidewall includes at least two lines of weakness, the closure further comprising a hinge that is flanked by the at least two lines of weakness, and is configured to join the pull member to the sidewall.