CA3107768A1

CA3107768A1 - Locking bottle transport ring for a stopper

Info

Publication number: CA3107768A1
Application number: CA3107768A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Richard Lamoureux
Original assignee: Novembal USA Inc
Current assignee: Novembal USA Inc
Priority date: 2018-08-14
Filing date: 2019-08-14
Publication date: 2020-02-20
Also published as: MX2021001474A; EP3837187A4; EP3837187A1; US20210323740A1; EP3837187B1; WO2020037089A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a stopper affixed to a bottle. The bottle comprises a bottle finish, a tamper evident ring, a transport ring, a neck including an integrally formed locking feature. The bottle finish is configured to receive a stopper comprising a closure shell and a tamper band, where the closure shell and the tamper band being separably connected. The transport ring is located below the tamper evident ring and the tamper band is configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and the transport ring. The locking feature is configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the closure shell between a bottom surface of the transport ring and a bottom surface of the neck when the closure shell is separated from the tamper band. Also, the present invention discloses a method for locking a stopper onto a bottle.

Description

LOCKING BOTTLE TRANSPORT RING FOR A STOPPER
TECHNICAL FIELD
10011 This present disclosure relates generally to closures tbr containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to securing a closure to a portion of the plastic bottle neck.
BACKGROUND
0021 In the field of liquid packaging, it is very common to seal the aperture of a container with a stopper, often made from a plastic material. Such a container is usually a plastic bottle, but other materials may be used as well.
10031 The stopper typically has a tubular shape closed at its top edge by a top wall.
The stopper comprises a closure shell attached to a tamper band through the implementation of bridges. Bridges are distributed around the circumference of the closure shell and the tamper band. Moreover, the bridges may be made when molding the stopper or after through tmdergoing a cutting step during the manufacturing process.
1004i Usually the bottle neck finish comprises outer fixation features, such as threads to receive a screw-type stopper. For screw type stoppers, the closure shell typically comprises inner thread(s) arranged on an inner side wall that are intended to engage with outer thread(s) located on the bottle neck finish. Such combinations of outer and inner thread(s) allow the stopper to be screwed on a bottle neck finish to seal it and unscrewed for bottle entirely opening.

Alternatively, the bottle neck finish comprises outer fixation features, such as annular fixation rings to receive a snap-type stopper that secures the stopper onto the bottle neck finish. A snap-type stopper includes an inner annular area and the bottle neck finish fixation feature includes an outer fixation ring, in order. secure (e.g., using a downward force) the stopper onto the bottle neck finish. A snap type stopper comprises a closure shell with a movable scaling roof from a closure position to a part opening, and reversely. The roof may be separating upon opening or may be connected with the closure shell.

10061 In a sealing position of the stopper, the tamper band is secured around the bottle neck finish through inner tamper band retaining features or through the tamper band diameter being smaller than. a diameter of a tamper evident ring of the bottle neck finish.
10071 The closure shell is typically removable. During bottle opening, the bridges form a weakness line and are torn apart from the closure shell, so it can be separated from the bottle. The weakness line is torn when user unscrews the closure shell of the stopper or when user lifts the roof by tilting.
NOM After opening, the. closure shell can be completely removed and discarded (e.g., dropped), preventing subsequent closure of the bottle. Additionally, the removed closure can represent waste if not recycled.

Previous solutions to .prevent the, closure shell from being completely removed from the bottle have been considered. For example, known systems attach the closure shell with the tamper band, -so the closure shell stays attached to the bottle neck. via a attachment portion after bottle opening. Other known systems include a tethered stopper comprising a spiral strip fonned within stopper during the molding of the stopper. The.
attachment portion and/or the spiral strip are typically made of the same plastic material as the remaining portions of the stopper.
100101 One problem with respect to the previous solutions are that once the closure shell Is removed from the bottle aperture after opening, the elastic properties :of. the plastic .attachment portion(s) cause the plastic attachment portion(s) to attempt to return to original configuration near the neck finish. As the attachment portion(s) attempts to return to the original configuration, the closure shell may interfere with the bottle aperture at the neck finish,, which can cause the closure Shell to interfere with the user during drinking or pouring.
--SUMMARY
100111 This invention relates to a method for locking a strip tethered plastic stopper 'tinder a transport ring and into a shoulder of a plastic bottle, so between the transport ring and into at least a part of the shoulder.

2 ponj TO
prevent the closure being completely removed from a bottle while keeping the closure: shell away from the bottle aperture,. a solution consists of connecting the closure shell with the bottle, so the. closure shell remains attached after the initial opening of the bottle and securing the closure shell so as to move the closure shell away from the bottle aperture.
1001.31 An object of the present invention is a bottle tethered stopper, having a closure shell that. remains attached to a tamper band which is secured on the neck. of the bottle.
Seeming the closure shell to the tamper band after the initial opening,, prevents a user from unintentionally misplacing or discarding the closure shell. Additionally, securing the closure shell to the. tamper band, allows the user to secure and remove the closure shell from the bottle finish (e.g., threading) of the bottle multiple tin-a, for example, during drinking.
(0014) Another object of the present. invention is the bottle tethered stopper is configured to position the closure- shell away from the bottle aperture after initial and subsequent openings. Allowing the closure shell to be positioned away from the bottle aperture after opening allows the user to .position the. closure shell away from the user during use (e.g,, positioning shell away from user face during drinking).
10015l According to the invention the stopper is affixed to a bottle. The bottle comprises a bottle finish, a tamper evident ring, a transport ring, a neck including an integrally formed locking feature. The bottle finish is configured to receive a stopper comprising a closure shell and a tamper band, the 'closure shell and the tamper band being separably connected. The transport ring is located below the tamper evident ring and the tamper band is configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and the transport ring, 'The -locking feature is configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the closure shell between a bottom surface of the transport ring and. a bottom surftice of the neck when the closure shell is separated from the tamper band.
100161 in some embodiments, the locking feature is integrally formed into the neck during 11. preform molding process. In other embodiments, the locking feature is integrally formed. into the neck during a blow molding process.

3 [00171 in some embodiments, the locking feature is dimensioned relative to the closure shell height allowing at least a portion of the. closure shell is received and retained by the locking feature, [00181 In some embodiments, the locking feature forms a continuous locking feature around the perimeter of the neck. In Other embodiments, the neck. comprises a plurality of locking features each positioned below the transport ring and distributed around the perimeter of the neck.
100191 Also according to the invention, a method for locking a stopper onto a bottle is included. The method includes providing the bottle having a stopper inserted onto a neck of a bottle, where the stopper having a tamper band and a separably connected closure shell, wherein the tamper band is secured between a tamper mildew, ring and a transport. ring. The method also includes separating the closure shell from the tamper band and inserting at least a portion of closure shell into a locking feature positioned between a bottom surface of a transport ring and a bottom. Surface Of the neck.
100201 Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon- examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
100211 The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized, such as to show details of particular components. Emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
100221 Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a tethered stopper locked under a transport.
ring of a bottle into a hollow created in the shoulder.
10023) Figure-2 illustrates is a cross-sectional view of the Figure

4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100241 As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, for example, exemplary, and similar terms, refer expansively to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model or pattern.
100251 In some instances, well-known components.,- systems, materials or -methods have not been described in detail, in order. to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching. one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.
100261 Phrasing such as 'configured to' perform a function, including in the claims., can include any or all of being sized, shaped, positioned in the arrangement, and comprising material to perform the function.
100271 Terms indicating quantity, such as 'first' or 'second' are used for exemplary and explanation pinposes and are not intended to dictate the specific ordering of a component with respect to other components.
(00281 Various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein.
The..
described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set for a clear understanding of the: principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the claims.
100291 Figure 1 illustrates a screw stopper 102 in an open positiOn relative to a bottle finish 100. The bottle finish 100 includes a sealing stuface 120, an evident tamper ring 1.10, and a transport ring .112. A bottle neck. 118 is positioned between the transport ring 112 and a shoulder 1.16.
PM Prior to opening, the stopper 102 includes a closure shell 104 connected to a tamper band 106.. Once open4 the stopper 102 becomes disconnected from the tamper band. (e.g., weakness lines or bridges: are broken in. order to allow the closure Shell to be removed).

[00311 In some embodiments, the stopper 102 also includes a strip (not illustrated) to allow the closure shell 104 to remain connected. with the tamper band 106 after opening.
When opened, the strip is attached at one end to the closure shell 104 at an opposite end to the tamper band 106.
100321 In some embodiments, the bottle finish 100 includes engaging features (e.g.., threads 108) meant to engage with complementary engaging features -.(not illustrated) located on the inner surface of the closure shell .104. in other embodiments, the bottle neck finish does not include engaging features (e.g., threads), and the closure shell 104 is secured onto the bottle finish 100 through other securing means, such as snaps, clasps, or other mechanically engaging features.
100331 Before opening (c.a., during sealing), the stopper 102 is positioned. (e.g., fbrced in a downward motion) onto the bottle finish 100 in such a way that the tamper band 1.06 is secured under the tamper evident ring 112. of the bottle finish 100. For example, the closure shell 104 is secured onto the bottle finish 110 by the:
outer threads 110 engaging with inner threads of the closure shell 104 as the tamper band 1.06 is positioned below the tamper evident ring 112. In some embodiments, the tamper band 106 comprises retaining features, such as an inner collar (not illustrated) to prevent the tamper band 106 from moving above the tamper evident ring.
100341 During opening, a user to alters the position of the Stopper 102,141. example by -twisting the closure shell 104 (where threads exist) or removing the closure Shell 104 from a mechanically securing feature. As the bottle is opened-, the closure shell 104 can be removed from the the tamper band 106. To prevent the user from unintentionally misplacing or discarding the closure shell 104, the bottle-neck 114 is includes a locking feature 114.
[00351 As illustrated in Figure. 1, the closure shell 104 may be secured into the locking feature 114 of the bottle neck 118 located between the transport ring 112 and the Shoulder 116. Specifically, the locking feature 114 allows the closure shell 114 to be in contact with a bottom surface 122 of the transport ring 112 and a bottom surface. 128 formed within the bottle neck 118. The locking feature 114 secures the closure shell. 114 in place to prevent movement. Advantageously, a user can. stc.4"c the closure shell 114 within the locking feature .for subsequent uses (e.g., when closing the bottle).

100361 The bottle neck 118 has a length that is so dimensioned to form the locking feature 114. The locking feature 114 is so dimensioned such that the closure shell 102 may be received into the locking feature 1.14. Specifically, the. locking feature .1.1.4 has a height that corresponds to receive the height of the closure shell 104.
1.00371 In some embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed within a preform during a preform molding process. For example, the locking feature 114 is formed within the prefom using an injection mold cavity configured to shape the preform with the locking feature 114.
100381 In some embodiments, the locking feature .114 is formed within a preform during a preform cooling process. For example, the locking feature 114 is formed within the preform, which is warm from molding, using a tool (not shown) configured to form and shape the locking feature 1.14 such that the locking feature. 1.14 will receive the closure shell 114.
100391 In some embodiments, the locking feature- 114 is formed as the pretbmi transforms into the bottle during a blow molding process. For example, the locking feature 114 is formed by placing a tool (not shown) adjacent a bottle Molding cavity near the transport ring 112. The tool could serve as a collar keeping a portion of' the preform that would. traditionally be blow molded out of the blow molding cavity.
Alternatively, or additionally, the tool can could shape the locking feature 114 as the bottle is formed (e.g., using a stretch brow machine)- within the bottle molding cavity.
100401 As another example, the locking feature 114 is formed by placing or securing an insert (not shown) into the bottle- mold cavity so that the locking-feature 114 is formed into the bottle during blow molding.
100411 In some embodiments, the preform has greater rigidity at an area that will eventually become the bottle neck 118 when compared to conventional preforms.
For example., the area of the preform that will eventually become the bottle neck 118 includes.
additional material during the preform molding process.
100421 The closure shell .104 can be locked under the transport ring 1.12 of the bottle finish 100. The closure shell 104- can be at least partially locked into at least one of the locking features 114 formed into the shoulder 116 of the bottle.

100431 in some embodiments; the looking feature 114 is a continuous feature formed within the entire perimeter of the bottle neck tit. thus. forming one locking feature- 114 around the circumference of the bottle neck 11.8., as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In other embodiments, the locking feature 114 is formed at specified location on the bottle neck. 1.18. In other embodiments, more than One locking feature 114 is formed within the bottle neck 118. The locking features 114 can be distributed around. the bottle neck at any predetermined spacing.
100441 While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:
A bottle, comprising:
a bottle finish having. a tubular shape configumd to receive a stOpper comprising a closure shell and a tamper hand, the Closure shell and the tamper band being separably connected;
a tamper evident ring positioned peripherally on the bottle finish;
a transport. ring having a bottom surface, the transport ring positioned peripherally on the bottle finish and located below the tamper evident ring, wherein the tamper. band is configured to be positioned between the tamper evident ring and Ow transport ring;
a neck located below the transport ring, the neck. comprising a bottom surface and a loeking feature integrally formed theivin; and a Shoulder located bekw the neck, wherein the Welting feature is configured to remive and retain at least a portion of the closure shell between the bottom .surface of the transport rine and the bottom surface of the neek when the closure shell is separated from the tamper band.
2. The bottle according:to claim l, whemin the locking feature is integrally formed into the neck during a preform molding process.
3. The bottle according to Claim I, wherein the locking feature is integrally formed into the neck during ablow mokling process.
4. The bottle according to claim l. wherein the locking feature forms a continuous locking feature around the perimeter of the neck.
5. The bottle according to claim l, wherein the neck comprises a plurality of locking.
features eaCh positiowd below the transport ring and distributed arotmd the perimeter of the neck.
6. The bottle according to claim 1, the stopper further comprising a strip confieumd to connect the. closure shell and the tamper band the closure shell is.
separated. from the tamper hand.
7. The bottle according to claim 1, Wherein the locking feature is dimensioned relative to the closure shell height, such that at least a portion of the closure shell is received and retained by the locking feature.
8: A method for locking a stopper onto a bottle having a. neck, comprising:
providing the bottle havine a stopper inserted onto a neck of a bottle, the stopper comprising a tamper band and a separably connected closure shell, wherein the tamper band is Secured between a. tamper evident ring and a transport ring;
separating the-closure shell from. the tamper band; and inserting at least a portion of closure shell into a locking feature positioned between a bottom surface of a transport ring .and a bottom surface of the neck.
9. The :method according to claim 8; wherein the locking feature is 'integrally limned into the neck <luring -a preform molding process.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the locking feature is integrally formed into the neck during a blow-mokling process.
11. The method: according .to claim .8, wherein the locking feature forms a continuous locking feature around the perimeter of the neck.