Closure with Liner

Abstract

A closure for containers, such as beverage containers, is provided. The closure includes a liner to provide improved interactive characteristics between the closure and the container, such as via reducing the coefficient of friction between the closure and the container compared to other closures with liners. As a result, the closure may be easier to open compared to other closures with liners.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/742,202 filed on Jan. 6, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to closures for containers. The present disclosure relates specifically to closures with liners for beverage containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a closure for a container including a body and a liner. The body includes a top panel, a cylindrical skirt, and an engagement element extending from the cylindrical skirt that detachably couples the closure to a container. The cylindrical skirt extends downwardly from a lower surface of the top panel. The top panel and the cylindrical skirt are centered on an axis. The cylindrical skirt includes an upper portion extending from the top panel, a central portion extending from the upper portion and that is closer to the axis than the upper portion, and a lower portion extending from central portion. The central portion defines a first diameter with respect to the axis. The liner includes an upper panel defining a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, a plurality of side panels extending downward from a periphery of the upper panel, and an engagement skirt extending downward from a lower surface of the upper panel, wherein the engagement skirt is closer to the axis than each of the plurality of side panels.

In various embodiments, the lower portion is further from the axis than the central portion. In various embodiments, the liner is rotatable about the axis with respect to the body.

In various embodiments, the body is formed from a material including aluminum. In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a material including a plastic. In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a material selected from the group of a polyethylene (PE) and a polypropylene (PP). In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a material including a polyethylene (PE). In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a material including a polypropylene (PP).

In various embodiments, the plurality of side panels deflect inward towards the axis as the liner is inserted into the body. In various embodiments, the plurality of side panels extend from a periphery of the upper panel.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure for a container including a body and a liner. The body includes a top panel, a cylindrical skirt, and a threading extending from the cylindrical skirt that engages the body with a container. The cylindrical skirt extends downwardly from a lower surface of the top panel. The top panel and the cylindrical skirt are centered on a axis. The cylindrical skirt includes an upper portion extending from the top panel, and a central portion extending from the upper portion and that is closer to the axis than the upper portion. The liner including an upper panel, one or more side panels extending downward from the upper panel, and an engagement skirt extending downward from a lower surface of the upper panel. The engagement skirt is closer to the axis than each of the one or more side panels. The central portion of the cylindrical skirt biases the liner to remain within the cylindrical skirt, and the liner is rotatable about the axis with respect to the body.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure for a container including a body and a liner. The body includes a top panel, a cylindrical skirt, and a threading extending from the cylindrical skirt that engages the body with a container. The cylindrical skirt extends downwardly from a lower surface of the top panel. The top panel and the cylindrical skirt are centered on a axis. The cylindrical skirt includes an upper portion extending from the top panel, and a central portion extending from the upper portion and that is closer to the axis than the upper portion. The liner includes an upper panel, one or more side panels extending downward from the upper panel, and an engagement skirt extending downward from a lower surface of the upper panel. The engagement skirt is closer to the axis than each of the one or more side panels. The cylindrical skirt biases the liner to remain within the cylindrical skirt. The liner is formed from a material including one or more of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), and the liner is rotatable about the axis with respect to the body.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. In addition, alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liner of the closure of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the liner of FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the liner of the closure of FIG. 1 coupled to a container, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a closure are shown. The closure includes a body and a liner engaged with the body. The liner is formed from a material that provides a reduced coefficient of friction when attached to metal (e.g., aluminum) containers compared to other closures, such as closures that include a liner including rubber. Applicant has observed that reducing the coefficient of friction of the liner facilitates a user opening the closure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a closure 110 for closing a container 210 according to an embodiment is shown. Closure 110 includes body 120 and liner 150 engaged together. In various embodiments, body 120 and liner 150 are centered on axis 112. In various embodiments, the closure 110 is a roll on pilfer proof (ROPP) closure.

In various embodiments, body 120 and liner 150 are not adhered to each other. Instead, liner 150 is placed within body 120 after central portion 134 is formed. Because liner 150 defines a diameter 160 that is less than diameter 135 of central portion 134, liner 150 is biased from disengaging from body 120.

In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from a material including a plastic. In various embodiments, the coefficient of friction between the liner 150 and an aluminum container the closure 110 is coupled to is sufficiently low to facilitate closure 110 being opened compared to if the liner 150 was formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene (PE) and a polypropylene (PP). In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from a material including a polyethylene (PE). In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from a material including a polypropylene (PP).

Body 120 includes top panel 122 and cylindrical skirt 130 extending downward from periphery 126 of top panel 122 and/or from a lower surface 124 of top panel 122. In various embodiments, top panel 122 and/or cylindrical skirt 130 are centered on axis 112.

Cylindrical skirt 130 includes upper portion 132 extending from top panel 122, central portion 134 extending from upper portion 132, and lower portion 136 extending from central portion. Stated another way, central portion 134 extends between upper portion 132 and lower portion 136. Central portion 134 defines diameter 135 with respect to axis 112.

In various embodiments, central portion 134 is closer to axis 112 than upper portion 132. In various embodiments, the lower portion 136 is further from the axis 112 than the central portion 134.

Cylindrical skirt 130 includes an engagement element, shown as threading 140, extending radially inward from cylindrical skirt 130 towards axis 112. In various embodiments, threading 140 detachably engages the closure 110 to a container. In various embodiments, body 120, including cylindrical skirt 130, is formed from a material including aluminum, and the threads 140 are formed when cylindrical skirt 130 is rolled onto a container neck 212.

Liner 150 includes upper panel 152, which defines upper surface 154 and an opposing lower surface 156. In use, upper surface 154 faces towards lower surface 124 of top panel 122, and in various embodiments upper surface 154 interfaces against lower surface 124. Upper panel 152 defines diameter 160 with respect to axis 112, and diameter 160 is greater than diameter 135.

In various embodiments, the liner 150 is rotatable about the axis 112 with respect to the body 120. Stated another way, in various embodiments, liner 150 is not rigidly coupled to body 120. In various embodiments, the cylindrical skirt 130 biases the liner 150 to remain within the cylindrical skirt 130, such as via the central portion 134 of the cylindrical skirt 130 biasing the liner 150 to remain within the cylindrical skirt 130, such as because diameter 135 is sufficiently smaller than diameter 160 to bias the liner 150 to remain within the cylindrical skirt 130.

One or more panels 180, such as a plurality of panels 180, extend downward from upper panel 152, such as downward from periphery 158 of upper panel 152. Protrusion 164 extends downward from upper panel 152, and protrusion 164 is radially closer to axis 112 than panels 180. Engagement skirt 162 extends downward from upper panel 152, and engagement skirt 162 is radially closer to axis 112 than panels 180 and protrusion 164.

In various embodiments, panels 180 are distinct from each other and thus define a plurality of slots 182 that circumferentially extend between panels 180. In use, the slots 182 facilitate venting, such as of gas, from the container 210 including the container neck 212 that closure 110 is coupled to.

When liner 150 is being applied to body 120, panels 180 deflect inward as panels 180 interface against cylindrical skirt 130 of closure body 120, such as upper portion 132 of cylindrical skirt 130 above central portion 134. Panels 180 deflecting inward towards axis 112 facilitates the insertion of liner 150 into body 120.

In an alternative embodiment, liner 150 includes a single panel 180 that extends circumferentially around the entirety of axis 112.

Referring to FIG. 6, various aspects of the engagement between closure 110 and container neck 212 of container 210 are shown. Container neck 212 engages with one or more of protrusion 164 and engagement skirt 162, such as engaging with both, to secure contents of container 210.

In an alternative embodiment, container neck 212 engages with a third element extending downward from upper panel 152 between protrusion 164 and engagement skirt 162.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.

Claims

1. A closure for a container comprising:

a body comprising: a top panel; a cylindrical skirt extending downwardly from a lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the cylindrical skirt centered on an axis, the cylindrical skirt includes an upper portion extending from the top panel, a central portion extending from the upper portion and that is closer to the axis than the upper portion, and a lower portion extending from central portion, wherein the central portion defines a first diameter with respect to the axis; and an engagement element extending from the cylindrical skirt that detachably couples the closure to a container; and

a liner comprising: an upper panel defining a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter; a plurality of side panels extending downward from a periphery of the upper panel; and an engagement skirt extending downward from a lower surface of the upper panel, wherein the engagement skirt is closer to the axis than each of the plurality of side panels.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is further from the axis than the central portion.

3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is rotatable about the axis with respect to the body.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a plastic.

6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene (PE) and a polypropylene (PP).

7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a polyethylene (PE).

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a polypropylene (PP).

9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of side panels deflect inward towards the axis as the liner is inserted into the body.

10. The closure of claim 1, the plurality of side panels extending from a periphery of the upper panel.

11. A closure for a container comprising:

a body comprising: a top panel; a cylindrical skirt extending downwardly from a lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the cylindrical skirt centered on a axis, the cylindrical skirt includes an upper portion extending from the top panel, and a central portion extending from the upper portion and that is closer to the axis than the upper portion; and a threading extending from the cylindrical skirt that engages the body with a container; and

a liner comprising: an upper panel; one or more side panels extending downward from the upper panel; and an engagement skirt extending downward from a lower surface of the upper panel, wherein the engagement skirt is closer to the axis than each of the one or more side panels, wherein the central portion of the cylindrical skirt biases the liner to remain within the cylindrical skirt, wherein the liner is rotatable about the axis with respect to the body.

12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the body is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

13. The closure of claim 11, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a plastic.

14. The closure of claim 11, wherein the liner is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene (PE) and a polypropylene (PP).

15. The closure of claim 11, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a polyethylene (PE).

16. The closure of claim 11, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a polypropylene (PP).

17. The closure of claim 11, wherein the one or more side panels deflect inward towards the axis as the liner is inserted into the body.

18. A closure for a container comprising:

a body comprising: a top panel; a cylindrical skirt extending downwardly from a lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the cylindrical skirt centered on a axis, the cylindrical skirt includes an upper portion extending from the top panel, and a central portion extending from the upper portion and that is closer to the axis than the upper portion; and a threading extending from the cylindrical skirt that engages the body with a container; and

a liner comprising: an upper panel; one or more side panels extending downward from the upper panel; and an engagement skirt extending downward from a lower surface of the upper panel, wherein the engagement skirt is closer to the axis than each of the one or more side panels, wherein the cylindrical skirt biases the liner to remain within the cylindrical skirt, wherein the liner is formed from a material including one or more of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), wherein the liner is rotatable about the axis with respect to the body.

19. The closure of claim 18, wherein the one or more side panels deflect inward towards the axis as the liner is inserted into the body.

20. The closure of claim 18, wherein the central portion of the cylindrical skirt biases the liner to remain within the cylindrical skirt.