AU615833B2 - Container - Google Patents

Description

1.25I

L

ZAXMAnf'lbdouwpji'q~ 6j Pj ZAX~flS~dO'~w1rIs~J~s~.L 0 11.25 11.4 -rFrrr--rt I I

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1 m5 8 0'%3" COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Application Number: Lodged: Cdnv.ute Specification Lodged: Accepted' Publishe~d: Priority: Int. Class Related Art: Name(s) of Applicant(s): Add ress(es) of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service is: APPLICANT'SREF.: Divisional of 591,512 ACI AUSTRALIA LIMITED Level 390 St. Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria Australia RODNEY JOHN CRANAT ROGER WILLIAM CLARK PHILLIPS, ORMONDE FITZPP RICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367, Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): P 19/11/7 7 1

CONTAINER

Australian patent application 591,512 and this application is ,j divisional application from the said earlier application.

I It is known in the art to provido a closure with an inter connected annular band which is detachable from the closure upon first removal of the latter from a container.

Such bands normally include co-operation means which engage with a portion of the neck of the container, thus restricting axial movement of the band from the neck of the container once placed in position. Difficulties have been encountered with the use of such tamper evident closures when used on conventional containers manufactured within the limits of normal dimensional tolerances. It has been found that with lit evariation of the conventional container neck, within those tolerances, there can be either difficulty in placing the closure over the top of the container if the diameter of the container neck is too large. Alternatively, once fitted, the closure may be able to be removed from the container without II I ii jsvein the band otion ifte thedimte f h container sial o s ,,,neck is too small. In the past, this difficulty, due to variation within normal tolerances, has necessitated the Sutilization of expensive manufacturing methods for containers to be used with such closure members.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a S icontainer, the shape of the neck finish on which is such, S that a closure member such a, that described in co-pending application 591,512 can be _±itted and used functionally despite slight dimensional variations of the container neck within normal manufacturing tolerances and so that it is visually apparent once a closure has been removed from such a container.

According to the present invention, there is provided a container having a neck defining an opening and on to which a closure having a cap member and a separable band portion is receivable, a finish defining engagement means by which the WC 1 1 closure can be releasably applied to the container, a i peripheral bead below said engagement means which defines an outwardly facing peripheral surface around which centralizing means disposed about the inner surface of the separable band portion of the closure is positionable and a shoulder facing away from the engagement means behind which a locating member provided on the separable band portion of the closure is locatable; said neck finish being further characterized by a surface below said bead which is of lesser diameter than said bead peripheral surface and which further reduces in diameter in a direction away from said bead peripheral surface and which enables the closure band portion to drop away from the closure cap on separation of the band portion from the cap member of the closure.

0 The surface below the peripheral bead must be of Sreduced diameter to ensure the effective fall away of the 0 tamper indicating band. Preferably, this reduced diameter G surface can be in the form of a concave section where the diameter reduces significantly at the commencement of the said surface) or in the form of a taper where the surface is defined by a frusto conical section which decreases in °oo, diameter generally uniformly.

o •In either case, it is desirable that the container neck also include an abutment surface against which the locating o member of the closure can abut. The abultment surface may be provided by the portion of the said surface immediately below the peripheral bead of greater diameter. Whilst such S abutment surface may be effectively provided by the uppermost portion of the said surface where it is in the form of a uniform taper, it is desirable to provide a separate abutment surface where the surface of reduced diameter is in the form of a concave section.

Where there is a separate abutment surface, this may be formed by a flat section co-axial with the container neck which has a diameter less than that of the peripheral bead.

Preferably, the separate abutment surface is provided by a further bead located below the peripheral bead which is of lesser diameter than said peripheral bead and the said 3

I'

surface of reduced diameter is provided below the said further bead.

Most preferably, in this configuration there is provided an annular groove positioned between the further bead and the peripheral bead into which the locating member of the closure may at least in part enter further facilitating its retention below the shoulder. This embodiment is found to be particularly useful when the container is made of glass.

The peripheral bead is preferably provided with a ramp portion on its side closest to the engagement means so that the locating member on the closure can be readily fitted over S the peripheral bead and engaged behind the shoulder. The g. ramp portion may be in the form of a surface inclined in a direction radially outwardly and angled away from the axis of the container neck. It is preferably evenly inclined.

iof The shoulder is preferably formed by the rearward face of the peripheral bead. Most preferably, the shoulder is provided by a surface which is substantially at right angles with the axis of the container neck so that it provides a firm engagement face for the closure locating member. The 0ooo 0 engagement means is most preferably a screw thread for threaded co-operation with the depending peripheral skirt of the closure cap. However, the container may be provided with any other finish known in ths art for engaging co-operation with the closure.

The outwardly facing peripheral face of the peripheral o0°° bead is most effective if it is co-axial with the container 0o°o neck. So to maximize the desired co-operation with the o0 0 centralizing means on the associated closure, it is preferred that the peripheral face extend transversely for some distance so to provide a surface for face to face abutment or orientation along a significant portion of the centralizing means on the associated closure.

The container of the present invention may be used with any closure having the aforementioned features but is particularly useful in conjunction with the closure described in Australian patent application 591,512. In the preferred 4 r j: form of that closure, the centralizing means is provided by a number of lugs which extend axially on the inner surface of the separable band of the closure. When used with such a closure, it is preferred that a significant portion of the said lugs be i af ace to f ace configuration with the peripheral face when the closure is secured to the container so that the closure cannot be removed without causing the band to separate from the cap member.

Closures which may be used with containers of this invention comprise a cap member and a separable band portion. Preferably the band portion is of annular configuration and is adapted to be received around the neck of the container. Preferably the band portion is of greater internal diameter than the cap member such that, upon fitting the closure member onto the container, the band portion can quite easily p~ass over the thread or other means provided on the container for engaging the cap member. The locating member of the band portion may be integrally connected and should be adapted to be recevied behind the shoulder defined on the container neck. Preferably, the locating member is a continuous annular flap which is concentric with the band.

portion and, as formed, is initially directed radially C inwardly and axially away from the cap member. The annular flap may also be hingedly connected to the inner surface of 'o:the band portion. Where the peripheral bead comprises a ramp portion, nitial tightening of the closure member onto the container causes an edge of the annular flap remote from the 000 cap member io abut onto the ramp portion of the container neck and fur'ther tightening causes the annular flap to "flip" over to an operating orientation such that the flap moves about its hinge and then projects radially inwardly but axially towards the cap member. Still further tightening of the closure member causes the annular flap to move behind the shoulder on the neck of the container. In a preferred alternative arrangement, the &annular flap may be flipped over to such orientation before application of the closure to the container.

In other arrangements, the locating member can be a

I-

portion of reduced diameter defining an annular shoulder or may be comprised of resilient finger-like protrusions circumferentially spaced around the inner face of the band portion so that the end of said fingers similarly abut behind the shoulder on the container neck.

Located on the inside face of the band portion there is provided centralizing means. The centralizing means is adapted to coact upon the neck of the container in order to ensure a neat fit of the band portion around the neck of the container and to prevent slippage of the locating means from behind the container neck shoulder by lateral displacement of the band portion.

Preferably, the centralizing means is provided by a S number of lugs which are uniformly circumferentially spaced o around the inner surface of the band portion. These lugs are preferably located towards the top of the band portion, commencing substantially adjacent to link means joining the o band portion to the cap member and extending away from the cap member, but preferably not continuing so far as to reach the hinge of the locating member.

Preferred closures for use with containers made i.n 0 accordance with this invention have locating members of the 0 above described form of an annular flap or of .0 0 circumferentially spaced protrusions. In either case, the 0o O centralizing means most preferably terminates short of the lower edge of the band portion such that the centralizing means does not prevent the locating member from being able to s0 00 contact the inner surface of the band portion.

0 The internal diameter of the locating member, when secured to a container of the invention in the case of an annular flap or when similarly orientated in the case of circumferentially spaced protrusions, preferablly is greater than the diameter of the thread finish of the closure. Also, in each case it is preferable that the overall axial relationship of the closure and its band portion is such that on application of the closure to the container, the thread of the closure is able to commence its threaded engagement with the thread of the container neck before the locating member WC 6 I. first engages the ramp portion of the container neck.

When a closure member of the type described is fitted to a container of the invention, the locating member is recevied behind the shoulder defined on the neck of the container. Upon tightening of the cap member onto the container to achieve this locating the centralizing means engages the ramp portion and, upon further tightening, draws the cap member centrally around the container neck. Once the closure member has been fitted to the neck of the container, unscrewing the closure for the first opening of the contai4ner is resisted by the locating member and removal is possible only by severing the cap member from the band portion.

The arrangement most preferably is such that, pon returning the closure to the container, the severing is S visibly apparent, thereby indicating a previous opening of the container. Therefore, on severing of the band portion from cap, the band portion is able to fall away from the cap due to the reduced diameter of the container below the shoulder thus making the previous opening visible even when the cio member is returned.

The container of this invention is most conveniently a000 [0 formed of a suitable synthetic plastics material, such as by o a a injection moulding or from glass.

oo Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings, in 0' which Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a closure suitable for use with a container made in accordance with a 000o0° preferred embodiment of the invention; 0o 0 0o Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the member of Figure 1 when fitted to the neck of a glass container made in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows an alternative form of closure, also with a glass container; Figure 4 shows a variant of the container of Figure 3 as fitted with closure.

In Figures 1 and 2, the closure member 10 has a cap member 12 and a band portion 14. The cap member 12 has a top wall 16 with a depending peripheral skirt wall 18. The skirt wc -7wall 18 is provided with a thread portion 20 on its inner face for tightening engagement with the neck 22 of container 24 (shown in Figure 2).

An annular sealing fin 26 is located on the under side of top wall 16 of the cap member and is concentric with an annular abutment 28 which is radially outwardly disposed from sealing fin 26. As can be seen in Figure 2, abutment 28 and sealing fin 26 are arranged such that application of closure member 10 onto container 24 forces sealing fin 26 against the open ended rim 30 of container 24, thereby both with abutment 28 and container rim Land portion 14 is interconnected with cap member 12 by frangible link means or bridge elements 32. Band portion 14 0 has an annular flap 34 hingedly connected at hinge lines 0o adjacent its edge remote from cap member 12; flap 34 is formed being directed radially inwardly, and axially away °oo from cap member 12, as can be seen in Figure i. Upon closure 0 00 member 10 being received onto neck 22 of container 24, annular flap 34, if still in that orientation, engages on a ramp portion 36 of container neck 22 defined by peripheral bead 38. Upon tightening of the closure member 10, annular o0o0o0 .0000 flap 34 is received behind shoulder 40 located on neck 22 of 0°°o container 24 and also defined by bead 38. However, flap 34 .oo preferably is caused to flip over to its in use orientation S before application of member 10 to container 24, by application of a suitable tool.

Immediately below bead 38, there is a further bead 41 00 adjacent shoulder 40. Bead 41 is of lesser diameter than 0 0 bead 38, and limits the extent to which flap 34 is able to 0 0 move radially inwardly on passing over bead 38. The edge of 34 flap 184 remote from its hinge line 35 thus is held in position for engaging shoulder 40, between band portion 14 and bead 41.

Band portion 14 has a number of lugs 42 which are uniformly spaced around its inner surface. These lugs are located towards the top edge of band portion 14 commencing substantially adjacent to link means N. Lugs 42 extend axially on the inner surface of band portion 14, but are of -8-V a 3W~ 0* I t lesser axial extent that that surface and do not extend as far as the hinge of annular flap 34. As can be seen in Figure 2, once closure 10 has been fitted onto neck 22 of container 24 and fully tightened, lugs 42 contact or are spaced slightly from the peripheral face 44 of the bead 38, intermediate ramp 36 and shoulder 40, and thus preventing closure member 10 fror- being removed from the container neck 22 without severing link means 32.

It will be seen that once closure member 10 has been fitted to neck 22 of container 24, unscrewing closure member for the first time will be resisted by the annular flap 3< as it abuts onto shoulder 40. Furthermore, clor;ure member o cannot be removed, without severing link means 32 due to the 0 0. uniform abutment of lugs 42 onto the face 44 of bead 38 as S00o transverse movement of band portion 14 relative to container 0 0 o aneck 22 is substantially prevented. The configuration of the container below bead 41 is such that, upon cap member 12 0o o° being returned to container neck, the severing of the link means 32 is clearly visible as the band portion can fall away on the portion of reduced diameter.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the same reference .O numerals plus 100 are used for corresponding parts. In cap 0o"0 o member 110, the under surface of top wall 116 has only an 00 0 annular sealing fin 126. Also, the latter is positioned and 0a of a diameter such that its frusto conical external surface engages around the inner surface of container neck 122. As closure member 110 is fully applied to neck 122, a fluid tight seal is achieved between fin 126 and that surface of neck 122.

Band portion 114 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 142, similar to lugs 42 of Figures 1 and 2.

However, in the arrangement of Figures 1 an 2, lugs 42 are of a length such that, with flap 34 in its operating orientation as shown in Figure 2, a partial overlap occurs.

With variation in neck finish tolerances, this overlap can make it difficult to draw flap 34 past bead 38 to locate below shoulder 40 unless there is sufficient resilience in the material comprising band 14, its lugs 42 and flap 34.

9 01 i The arrangement of Figure 3 therefore is preferred, this showing lugs 142 terminating axially above flap 134 with the latter in its operating orientation such that flap 134 can deform on passing over bead 138 so that its outer surface contacts, or is closely adjacent to, the inner surface of band portion 114 below lugs 142.

Each of closure members 10,110 are shown in relation to a glass container, although closures according to the invention also can be suitable fpr plastics containers.

Indeed, member 110 is a variant of a form of closure shown in Figure 4 and primarily intended for use with a plastics container.

In Figure 4, parts corresponding to those of Figure 3 Sff, are shown with the same reference numeral plus 100. In this Oe instance, there again is an annular fin 226 depending from the under side of top wall 216 of cap member 212. As in 0. Figure 3 with fin 126, fin 226 provides a fluid tight seal S around the inner surface of neck 222 as closure member 210 is fully applied.

Closure 210 differs from closure 110 of Figure 3 in that it does not include a further bead similar to bead 141.

Rather, below shoulder 240 of bead 238, the outer surface of container neck 222 tapers downwardly and radially inwardly, as shown at 246. With a glass container as shown in Figures 2 and 3, it is found that band portion 14, 114 readily falls away after from beads 41,141 on severing of link means 32,132 so that a positive tamper indication is provided. With a S plastics container 224, a bead similar to beads 41,141 would o be likely to be frictionally engaged by band portion 214 after severing of link means 232 so that such positive indication is not provided. However, a tapered neck finish as at 246 is found to ensure that band portion 214 does fal away as required, to provide a positive tamper indication.

Reverting to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that, between some link means 32, band portion 14 is provided "ith a respective one of about four protrusions 48. Corresponding protrusions are similarly provided in closures 110 and 210.

While, in each case, the protrusions preferably are provided WC _I I -Yllii~ at the edge of the band portion nearest skirt wall 18, 118, 218, they alternatively may be provided orn the adjacent edge of that wall and extend toward the band portion.

The protrusions 48 of closure 10, as with those of closures 110, 210, extend axially over part of the spacing between band portion 14 and skirt wall 18. That is, they are of lesser axial extent than the link means 32. During application of closure 10 to a container, the axial and rotational force applied to closure 10 causes link means 32 to flex or deflect so as to reduce the spacing between portion 14 and wall 18. If not limited, such flexing is likely to rupture link means 32, preventing portion 14 from serving its intended purpose. Limitation of such flexing is i• provided by protrusions 48, the latter being caused to engage the adjacent edge of skirt wall 18 and thereby preventing further transference of forces to link means 42. Protrusions 48 also serve a similar function during ejection of closures a 10,110,210 from forming dies.

In Figures 1 and 2 (as well as those of Figures 3 and flap 34 (134,234) when in its operating orientation shown in Figure 2 preferably has an inner diameter which is larger 0000 0000 than that of the thread finish of the closure, i.e. larger 0: than the diameter of thread 20 (120). Also, it is preferred Go 0 that the overall arrangement in each embodiment is such that, 0 on application of the closure to container neck 22 (122,222), thread 20 (120,220) commences its threaded engagement with the thread of neck 22 (122,222) before flap 34 (134,234) hits 0:00 ramp portion 36 (136,236) of bead 38 (138,238).

SAdditionally, the overall arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 preferably is such that fin 26 is deformed to provide a seal against abutment 28 before flap 34 passes below shoulder of bead 38; while in each of Figures 3 and 4, the overall arrangement preferably is such that fins 126,226 also provide a seal in neck 122,222 before flap 134,234 passes below shoulder 140,240.

The arrangement of lugs 42 shown in Figure 1 is similar to that of Figures 3 and 4. There may be from about six to fourteen of the lugs, such as about 12, at substantially WC -11 .1.I r uniformly spaced circumferential locations. The lugs are relatively slight in circumferential and radial dimealsion; being of the order of 1 to 2 mm circumferentially and 0.2 to mm radially. The lugs thus are readily able to be compressed as their band portion passes across ramp portion 36 (136,236) to locate the lugs 42 (142,242) in contact with or closely adjacent face 44 (144,244) of the bead 38 (138,238). On assuming such position, resilient recovery of the material of which the closure members are made enhances the centering action provided by the lugs.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate t'e 1 improved neck finishes for containers which exhibit the features of this invention and which are complementary to and co-operate with the closures such as those described above. The similar neck finishes of Figures 2 and 3 are most suitable for glass containers, while that of Figure 4 is most suitable for a plastics container.

o 40 o o° As shown in Figure 3, the glass finish of Figure 3 has closure engaging means, here shown as comprising thread Below thread 150, there is bead 138 as described above.

Immediately below bead 138, the above-mentioned bead 141 is 0° provided; the latter having an outerface which is .0°:0o substantially co-axial with neck 122 and of leaser diameter 00 0 than bead 138. Also, beads 138,141 are spaced by a narrow o° 0 groove 152. As will be understood from the foregoing, on unscrewing closure 110 from the container, flange 134 abuts against shoulder 140 of bead 138 to resist removal of the Oo4ooo closure uri-s, the applied force is sufficient to rupture o°°o bridge elements 132. Until such rupture occurs, flange 134 f 00 is closely constrained radially between band 114 and bead 141, but substantially co-axially with resprct to neck 122 due to the centering action of lugs 142. Flange 134 can flare inwardly by resilient deformation to an extent permitted by groove 152, further facilitating its retention below shoulder 140. However, on rupturing of elements 132 and, if necessary, radially outward recovery of flange 134, band portion 114 then is free to drop away from bead 138 onto the narrower portion of neck 122 below bead 141 to provide a f w\ C) 12 T c ,-csr;-aursrmullr~r~-DPr~=U clear visual indication that the container has been opened.

In relation to Figure 4, similar parts of the plastics neck finish have the same reference numeral as in Fl>ure 3, plus 100. In this instance, a bead below bead 238 is omitted; the finish exhibiting the frusto-conical surface 246 indicated above, without a groove .spacing this from bead prov %-d 238. However, such groove can bep psve, if required.

Tapered surface 246 enables band portion 214 to freely fall away on rupturing of bridge elements 232. However, the wider diameter upper portion of surface 246 provides a similar action to that of bead 141 in Figure 2. That is, the upper portion of surface 245 acts, prior to such rupturing, to ensure proper functioning of flange 234; surface 246 co-operating with band portion 214 and lugs 242 in this regard.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

o a 4 a 4440 a 4 I 4 ti i i 4444 4 a a 4 a 4 o o a a oo o 0 0 00 0 00 13

Claims (6)

1. A container having a neck defining an opening and on to which a closure having a cap member and a separable band portion is receivable, a finish defining engagement means by which the closure can be releasably applied to the container, a peripheral bead below said engagement means which defines an outwardly facing peripheral surface around which centralizing means disposed about the inner surface of the separable band portion of the closure is positionable and a shoulder facing away from the engagement means behind which a locating member provided on the separable band portion of the closure is locatable; said neck finish being further characterised by a surface below said bead which is of lesser diameter than said outwardly facing peripheral surface and which further reduces in diameter in a direction away from said bead peripheral surface and which enables the closure band portion to drop away from the closure cap on separation of the band portion from the cap member of the closure. oo ao A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said urface below the peripheral bead is defined by a S: "rusto-conical section of said neck which decreases in o" 'diameter from below said bead to a lower reduced diameter S"section. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said surface below the peripheral bead is defined by a generally .concave section of said neck which decreases in diameter from :below said head to a lower reduced diameter section.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the previous i! claims wherein the outwardly facing peripheral surface extends longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel with the :longitudinal axis of the container. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 Swherein an abutment surface is provided on the container neck below said shoulder against which the locating member of the closure can abut.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 as appended to cither claim 1 or claim 3 wherein said container is of glass and wherein a bead is provided below said peripheral bead which is of lesser diameter t> in said peripheral bead the face /3008U NT IL jo l ,A 1w T 0' V I i- i of which provides said abutment surface.

7. A container as claimed in claim 6 wherein the respective beads are spaced by a groove.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the peripheral bead is provided with a ramp portion on its side closest to the engagement means inclined in a direction radially outwardly and aigled away from the axis of the container neck.

9. A container according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in any one of figures 2, 3 or 4. DATED: 3 July 1991 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent Attorneys for: ,kCI AUSTRALIA LIMITED I t I II 4** f/3008U