EP0913334B1 - Synthetic resin container lid having tamper evident characteristics - Google Patents
Synthetic resin container lid having tamper evident characteristics Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0913334B1 EP0913334B1 EP97949113A EP97949113A EP0913334B1 EP 0913334 B1 EP0913334 B1 EP 0913334B1 EP 97949113 A EP97949113 A EP 97949113A EP 97949113 A EP97949113 A EP 97949113A EP 0913334 B1 EP0913334 B1 EP 0913334B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- high strength
- tamper evident
- strength bridging
- container closure
- mouth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
- B65D41/3404—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with ratchet-and-pawl mechanism between the container and the closure skirt or the tamper element
- B65D41/3409—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with ratchet-and-pawl mechanism between the container and the closure skirt or the tamper element the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
- B65D41/3423—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt
- B65D41/3428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
- B65D2401/30—Tamper-ring remaining connected to closure after initial removal
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
- B65D2401/35—Vertical or axial lines of weakness
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
- B65D2401/40—Bridges having different cross-sections
Definitions
- This invention relates to a plastic container closure to be applied to a container for containing a beverage or the like, the container having a mouth-and-neck portion on whose outer peripheral surface an external thread and an engaging jaw portion positioned below the external thread are formed. More specifically, the invention relates to a plastic container closure having tamper evident properties (the properties that when the container is manipulated for unjust purposes, the traces of the manipulation are left).
- a glass or plastic container for a soft drink or the like has a mouth-and-neck portion on whose outer peripheral surface an external thread and an engaging jaw portion positioned below the external thread are formed.
- a plastic container closure for bottles comprising a cap with an internally threaded skirt and a cylindrical tamper indicating band disposed adjacent the end of the skirt.
- This band has a longer and a shorter angular section and comprises a rupture site between the end portions of said sections. Both end portions of the shorter section are integrally connected with the lower end of the skirt by two sufficiently rigid bridges which maintain the permanent connection after breaking the rupture site.
- the container closure has a circular top panel wall, and a skirt wall extending downwardly from the top panel wall.
- the skirt wall has formed therein a circumferentially extending circumferential breakage means, which divides the skirt wall into a main portion above the circumferential breakage means, and a tamper evident bottom portion below the circumferential breakage means.
- the main portion of the skirt wall has formed on its inner peripheral surface an internal thread collaborating with the external thread formed in the mouth-and-neck portion of the container.
- the tamper evident bottom portion has formed on its inner peripheral surface an engaging means collaborating with the engaging jaw portion formed in the mouth-and-neck portion of the container.
- the circumferential breakage means includes a plurality of bridging portions disposed at circumferentially spaced positions and connecting the tamper evident bottom portion to the main portion of the skirt wall.
- One of the plurality of bridging portions is a high strength bridging portion having a large cross-sectional area.
- axial breakage means is formed in the tamper evident bottom portion.
- the axial breakage means is constituted from a score formed by reducing the thickness of the material, or a slit including a discontinuous portion (a groove formed by either completely cutting the material in its thickness direction, or causing the material not to be present in the entire thickness direction during molding).
- the container closure is fitted on the mouth-and-neck portion, and turned in a closing direction to screw the internal thread of the container closure onto the external thread of the mouth-and-neck portion.
- the engaging means of the container closure is elastically passed over the engaging jaw portion of the mouth-and-neck portion and engaged with the surface below the engaging jaw portion.
- the container is turned in an opening direction. As a result, the internal thread of the container closure is moved along the external thread of the mouth-and-neck portion, whereupon the screwing together of the external thread and the internal thread is released.
- the container closure is brought upward in accordance with turning in the opening direction.
- the engaging means formed in the tamper evident bottom portion remains engaged with the engaging jaw portion of the mouth-and-neck portion.
- the tamper evident bottom portion is inhibited from ascending. Because of this inhibition, stress is generated in the circumferential breakage means, whereby the bridging portions in the circumferential breakage means are broken, except for the one high strength bridging portion.
- occurrence of the following behavior has been contemplated: The score or the discontinuous portion of the slit in the axial breakage means formed in the tamper evident bottom portion will be broken.
- the tamper evident bottom portion will be spread in the form of a band, whereby the engaging means will be disengaged from the engaging jaw portion. Then, the entire container closure will be moved upward in accordance with the turning in the opening direction, and removed from the mouth-and-neck portion.
- the conventional container closure described above poses the following problem: In unsealing the mouth-and-neck portion of the container, it has been intended that the score or the discontinuous portion of the slit in the axial breakage means formed in the tamper evident bottom portion will be broken, so that the tamper evident bottom portion will be spread in the form of a band.
- the one high strength bridging portion in the circumferential breakage means may be broken instead of the breakage of the score or the discontinuous portion of the slit in the axial breakage means. As a result, the score or the discontinuous portion of the slit may remain unbroken.
- the axial breakage means disposed in the tamper evident bottom portion, from a slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion substantially to its lower end.
- the axial breakage means disposed in the tamper evident bottom portion, from a slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion substantially to its lower end tends to cause the following unacceptable event:
- the tamper evident bottom portion is enlarged at the site where its axial breakage means exists. This causes breakage of at least some of the plurality of bridging portions in the circumferential breakage means.
- two of the plurality of bridging portions are made high strength bridging portions with a large cross-sectional area, the two high strength bridging portions are disposed on both sides of the upper end of the axial breakage means constituted from the slit extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion substantially to its lower end, and one of the high strength bridging portions extends in one circumferential direction from the upper end, or one end close thereto, of the axial breakage means, while the other high strength bridging portion extends in the opposite circumferential direction from the upper end, or one end close thereto, of the axial breakage means.
- the present invention provides a plastic container closure having tamper evident properties which is to be applied to a container having a mouth-and-neck portion on whose outer peripheral surface an external thread and an engaging jaw portion positioned below the external thread are formed, the plastic container closure having a top panel wall and a skirt wall extending downwardly from the top panel wall; the skirt wall having formed therein a circumferentially extending circumferential breakage means, the skirt wall being divided into a main portion above the circumferential breakage means, and a tamper evident bottom portion below the circumferential breakage means; the main portion of the skirt wall having formed on its inner peripheral surface an internal thread collaborating with the external thread of the mouth-and-neck portion; the tamper evident bottom portion having formed on its inner peripheral surface an engaging means collaborating with the engaging jaw portion of the mouth-and-neck portion; the circumferential breakage means including a plurality of bridging portions disposed at circumferentially space
- the cross-sectional area of the first high strength bridging portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second high strength bridging portion, and when the screwing together of the internal thread and the external thread is released to remove the plastic container closure from the mouth-and-neck portion, the second high strength bridging portion is broken, while the first high strength bridging portion remains unbroken, the tamper evident bottom portion is spread in a band form with the engaging means being disengaged from the engaging jaw portion, and the entire container closure including the tamper evident bottom portion is removed from the mouth-and-neck portion.
- the cross-sectional area of the first high strength bridging portion is 1.50 to 4.50 mm 2
- the cross-sectional area of the second high strength bridging portion is 0.80 to 2.20 mm 2
- the first high strength bridging portion is located ahead of the axial breakage means
- the second high strength bridging portion is located behind the axial breakage means.
- the one end of the first high strength bridging portion and the one end of the second high strength bridging portion are positioned at a distance of 1.00 to 3.00 mm from the upper end of the axial breakage means.
- the tamper evident bottom portion is provided with a thin-walled curl extending from the lower end thereof, and the slit constituting the axial breakage means extends only partly, or does not extend at all, to the thin-walled curl.
- FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a plastic container closure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- a container closure designated entirely as the numeral 2 which may be formed from a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene or rigid polyethylene, has a circular top panel wall 4 and a nearly cylindrical skirt wall 6 extending downwardly from the peripheral edge of the top panel wall 4.
- the skirt wall 6 has formed therein a circumferential breakage means 8 (the circumferential breakage means 8 will be described later on in more detail).
- the skirt wall 6 is divided into a main portion 10 above the circumferential breakage means 8, and a tamper evident bottom portion 12 below the circumferential breakage means 8.
- a truncated conical portion 14 is formed which has an outer diameter progressively increasing downward.
- the lower end part of the main portion 10 of the skirt wall 4, i.e., the part below the truncated conical portion 14, and the outer peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 12 continuing therefrom are also formed in a truncated conical shape whose outer diameter progressively increases, although slightly, in the downward direction.
- knurls 16 are formed for preventing the slippage of fingers placed thereon.
- an internal thread 18 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main portion 10.
- axially extending notches 20 are formed at circumferentially spaced positions. These notches 20 constitute an air passage for use when a mouth-and-neck portion of a container is unsealed.
- annular protrusion 22 is formed in an upper end part of this inner peripheral surface.
- a sealing liner 24 is disposed which is formed separately from the body of the container closure 2.
- the sealing liner 24 can advantageously be molded by feeding a softened, molten plastic material onto the inner surface of the top panel wall 4, and compressing this plastic material by a pressing tool.
- the plastic material for the sealing liner 24 is a relatively soft plastic material such as flexible polyethylene.
- a downwardly directed annular shoulder surface 26 is formed in an upper part of the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 12.
- a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced flap pieces 28 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 12.
- these flap pieces 28 constitute engaging means to be engaged with an engaging jaw portion formed in the mouth-and-neck portion of the container.
- Each of the flap pieces 28 protrudes radially inwardly in an inclined manner from a base edge 30 connected to the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 12.
- each flap piece 28 is opposite to the closing turning direction of the container closure during the mounting of the container closure 2 on the mouth-and-neck portion of the container, i.e., opposite to the clockwise direction when viewed from above in Fig. 1.
- the base edge 30 of each of the flap pieces 28, itself also extends downwardly in an inclined manner in the direction opposite to the above closing turning direction of the container closure 2.
- the lower end of the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is provided with a thin-walled curl 32 extending arcuately in a radially inward direction.
- axial breakage means 34 is formed in the tamper evident bottom portion 12. It is important that the axial breakage means 34 be constituted from a slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion 12 substantially to its lower end. In the illustrated embodiment, the slit constituting the axial breakage means 34 continuously extends from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion 12 downwardly to the upper end of the thin-walled curl 32.
- this slit does not extend at all, or extends only partly, into the thin-walled curl 32 (in accordance with a cutting error during a procedure for forming the axial breakage means 34 to be described later on, the slit may be in such a form as to partly extend, or as not to extend at all, into the thin-walled curl 32).
- the slit constituting the axial breakage means 34 may be caused to extend to the front end of the thin-walled curl 32.
- the slit constituting the axial breakage means 34 does not intersect the base edge 30 of the flap piece 28 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 12, but is positioned between the flap pieces 28.
- the slit constituting the axial breakage means 34 extend substantially vertically (i.e., substantially parallel to the central axis), it is possible to incline this slit somewhat to make it extend substantially parallel to the base edge 30 of the flap piece 28 as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 3.
- the aforementioned circumferential breakage means 8 includes a plurality of bridging portions 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d disposed at circumferential intervals.
- This cross-sectional view where the circumferential breakage means 8 is disposed shows that in the region other than the bridging portions 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d, the main portion 10 of the skirt wall 6 and the tamper evident bottom portion 12 are separated from each other, preferably, by cutting.
- the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is connected to the main portion 10 via the bridging portions 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d.
- the bridging portions 36a are arranged in plural numbers with equal spacing in the circumferential direction (except in the region where a first high strength bridging portion 36c to be described later on is disposed), and have substantially the same cross-sectional shape.
- the bridging portions 36b are also arranged in plural numbers with equal spacing in the circumferential direction (except in the region where the first high strength bridging portion 36c to be described later on is disposed), and have substantially the same cross-sectional shape.
- the bridging portions 36a and the bridging portions 36b are arranged in the same number, and each of the bridging portions 36b is positioned midway between the adjacent bridging potions 36a.
- the cross-sectional area of each of the bridging portions 36a is sufficiently small.
- each of the bridging portions 36b is also slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the bridging portion 356a, but is sufficiently small.
- the bridging portions 36a and 36b can be broken sufficiently easily.
- the bridging portion 36c is a first high strength bridging portion with a large cross-sectional area
- the bridging portion 36d is a second high strength bridging portion with a relatively large cross-sectional area.
- the first high strength bridging portion 36c extends counterclockwise from one end positioned at a distance L1 in the counterclockwise direction (one circumferential direction) from the upper end of the axial breakage means 34.
- the second high strength bridging portion 36d extends clockwise from one end positioned at a distance L2 in the clockwise direction (the opposite circumferential direction) from the upper end of the axial breakage means 34.
- the cross-sectional area A1 of the first high strength bridging portion 36c be about 1.50 to 4.50 mm 2
- the cross-sectional area A2 of the second high strength bridging portion 36d be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first high strength bridging portion 36c (A2 ⁇ A1) and be about 0.80 to 2.20 mm 2 .
- the distances L1 and L2 are preferably about 1.00 to 3.00 mm.
- the body of the container closure 2 i.e., the portion excluding the sealing liner 24
- the circumferential breakage means 8 has not been formed, and at the site of the circumferential breakage means 8, the main portion 10 of the skirt wall 6 and the tamper evident bottom portion 12 are connected together in the entire region of the cross section.
- the thin-walled curl 32 has not been curled, but is caused to extend substantially vertically downwardly as indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1.
- the circumferential breakage means 8 is formed by performing the following cutting step: As will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 1, a downwardly directed annular shoulder surface 38 slightly above the aforementioned annular shoulder surface 26 is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the skirt wall 6. From the annular shoulder surface 38, protrusions 40a and 40b extending downwardly to a position slightly above the annular shoulder surface 26 are formed.
- the protrusions 40a are arranged in plural numbers with equal spacing in the circumferential direction, and have substantially the same shape.
- the protrusions 40b are also arranged with equal spacing in the circumferential direction, and have substantially the same shape.
- the protrusions 40a and 40b are arranged in the same number, and each of the protrusions 40b is positioned midway between the adjacent protrusions 40a.
- the protrusions 40a (excluding the protrusion 40a positioned in the region where the first high strength bridging portion 36c lies) define the bridging portions 36a, while the protrusions 40b (excluding the protrusion 40b positioned in the region where the first high strength bridging portion 36c lies) define the bridging portions 36b.
- the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 40a corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the bridging portion 36a
- the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 40b corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the bridging portion 36b.
- the first task is to cut the skirt wall 6 gradually in the circumferential direction from its outer peripheral surface as far as its inner peripheral surface, while leaving intact an angular region where the first high strength bridging portion 36c and the second high strength bridging portion 36d are present.
- a cutting blade for use in such cutting substantially does not act on the protrusions 40a and 40b.
- the skirt wall 6 is partly cut by applying a cutting blade there from the outer peripheral surface of the skirt wall 6 to a predetermined depth in the thickness direction of the skirt wall 6 (in the illustrated embodiment, to a depth about a half of the thickness). In this manner, the first high strength bridging portion 36c and the second high strength bridging portion 36d are produced.
- one protrusion 40a and one protrusion 40b define part of the first high strength bridging portion 36c. Then, an axially extending cutting blade is operated in the tamper evident bottom portion 12 to axially cut the tamper evident bottom portion 12 in its entire thickness direction as far as its substantially lower end, thereby forming a slit constituting the axial breakage means 34.
- a hot curling tool is applied to the thin-walled portion extending substantially vertically without being curled, whereby the thin-walled portion is curled in a shape indicated by a solid line in Fig. 1 to form the thin-walled curl 34.
- the aforementioned molding step using a pressing tool is carried out to form a sealing liner, thus completing the container closure 2.
- Fig. 4 shows a state in which the container closure 2 is mounted, as required, on a mouth-and-neck portion 42 of a container.
- the mouth-and-neck portion 42 of the container which may be formed from glass or a suitable plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate, is cylindrical as a whole.
- an external thread 44 and an annular engaging jaw portion 46 positioned below the external thread 44 are formed.
- the container closure 2 is mounted on the mouth-and-neck portion 42.
- the container closure 2 is fitted on the mouth-and-neck portion 42, and turned in a closing turning direction, i.e., clockwise when viewed from above in Fig. 4.
- the internal thread 18 in the container closure 2 is screwed around the external thread 44 of the mouth-and-neck portion 42, whereupon the container closure 2 is lowered in accordance with turning.
- the flap pieces 28 formed in the tamper evident bottom portion 12 of the container closure 2 are elastically deformed and passed over the engaging jaw portion 46 of the mouth-and-neck portion 42. Then, the flap pieces 28 are elastically returned to the original form and engaged with the engaging jaw portion 46.
- a radially outward force is exerted on the tamper evident bottom portion 12. Owing to this force, the slit constituting the axial breakage means 34 in the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is to be enlarged.
- the first high strength bridging portion 36c (Fig. 2) is present on one side of the slit
- the second high strength bridging portion 36d (Fig. 2) is present on the other side of the slit, when viewed in the circumferential direction.
- the holding action of the first high strength bridging portion 36c and the second high strength bridging portion 36d prevents the undesirable enlargement of the slit fully reliably.
- the sealing liner 24 disposed on the inner surface of the top panel wall 4 in the container closure 2 is brought into intimate contact with the top surface of the mouth-and-neck portion 42, whereby the mouth-and-neck portion 42 is sealed.
- the container closure 2 is turned in an opening turning direction, i.e., counterclockwise when viewed from above in Fig. 4.
- the internal thread 18 formed in the main portion 10 of the skirt wall 6 in the container closure 2 is moved along the external thread 44 formed in the mouth-and-neck portion 42 of the container, so that the container closure 2 is raised in accordance with the turning.
- the flap pieces 28 formed on its inner peripheral surface are engaged with the engaging jaw portion 46 of the mouth-and-neck portion 42, whereby the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is inhibited from moving upward.
- the tamper evident bottom portion 12 which keeps connected to the main portion 10 of the skirt wall 6 by the unbroken, retained first high strength bridging portion 36c, is deformed into a shape arcuately extending from the site of presence of the first high strength bridging portion 36c.
- the flap pieces 28 are released from engagement with the engaging jaw portion 46 of the mouth-and-neck portion 42.
- the entire container closure 2 including the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is moved upward in accordance with turning, whereby the entire container closure 2 is removed from the mouth-and-neck portion 42.
- the container closure 2 is somewhat raised, and the sealing liner 24 is separated from the top surface of the mouth-and-neck portion 42.
- the interior of the mouth-and-neck portion 42 is brought into communication with the outside through the gap between the top surface of the mouth-and-neck portion 42 and the sealing liner 24 and through the notches 20 (Fig. 1) formed in the internal thread 18 of the container closure 2.
- the first high strength bridging portion 36d may also be accidentally broken, whereupon the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is removed from the main portion 10 of the skirt wall 6.
- the parts of the container closure 2 other than the tamper evident bottom portion 12 are removed from the mouth-and-neck portion 42, while the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is left on the mouth-and-neck portion 42.
- the axial breakage means 34 formed in the tamper evident bottom portion 12 is constituted from the slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion 12 substantially to its lower end.
- a cutting knife or the like is not necessary for cutting off the tamper evident bottom portion 12. If the thin-walled curl 32 is not broken along the extension of the slit, its breakage can result in the sufficiently easy removal of the remaining tamper evident bottom portion 12 from the mouth-and-neck portion 42.
- Fig. 5 illustrates a modified example of a first high strength bridging portion.
- a tamper evident bottom portion 112 is not cut at all in a left end part of a first high strength bridging portion 136c in Fig. 5 in order to increase the sectional area of the first high strength bridging portion 136c and enhance its strength.
- the first high strength bridging portion 136c exists in the entire thickness direction from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 112.
- Fig. 6 illustrates a modified example of a first high strength bridging portion and a second high strength bridging portion.
- a tamper evident bottom portion 212 is not cut at all in the region of both a first high strength bridging portion 236c and a second high strength bridging portion 236d.
- Both of the first high strength bridging portion 236c and the second high strength bridging portion 236d are existent in their entire region in the circumferential direction throughout the thickness of the tamper evident bottom portion 112 from its outer peripheral surface to its inner peripheral surface.
- the circumferential lengths of the first high strength bridging portion 236c and the second high strength bridging portion 236d are smaller than the circumferential lengths of the first high strength bridging portion 36c and the second high strength bridging portion 36d illustrated in Fig. 2.
- One protrusion 240b defines the first high strength bridging portion 236c, while a protrusion 240a adjacent to, and located on the right of, the one protrusion 240b does not define a first high strength bridging portion 236a, but defines an ordinary bridging portion 236a.
- Fig. 7 illustrates another modified example of a first high strength bridging portion and a second high strength bridging portion.
- a first high strength bridging portion 336c is not spaced from the upper end of a slit constituting an axial breakage means 334, but extends rightward in Fig. 7 from the upper end of the slit constituting the axial breakage means 334.
- a second high strength bridging portion 336d is not positioned at a distance from the upper end of the slit constituting the axial breakage means 334, but extends leftward in Fig. 7 from the upper end of the slit constituting the axial breakage means 334.
- the first high strength bridging portion 336c and the second high strength bridging portion 336d are adjacent to each other via the slit.
- Fig. 8 illustrates still another modified example of a first high strength bridging portion and a second high strength bridging portion.
- a first high strength bridging portion 436c in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 is not spaced from the upper end of a slit constituting an axial breakage means 434, but extends rightward from the slit constituting the axial breakage means 434.
- One protrusion 440b defines the first high strength bridging portion 436c, while a protrusion 440a adjacent to, and located on the right of, this protrusion 440b does not define the first high strength bridging portion 436c, but defines an ordinary bridging portion 436a.
- a second high strength bridging portion 436d in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 is also different from the second high strength bridging portion 36d in the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 in that the second high strength bridging portion 436d is not spaced from the upper end of the slit constituting the axial breakage means 434, but extends leftward from the slit constituting the axial breakage means 434; and that one protrusion 440a defines the second high strength bridging portion 436d.
- Figs. 9 and 10 show another preferred embodiment of a container closure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- a sealing liner 524 is integrally formed on the inner surface of a top panel wall 504.
- the sealing liner 524 includes an inner annular sealing protrusion 525 which advances into a mouth-and-neck portion of a container until it is intimately contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the mouth-and-neck portion, and an outer annular sealing protrusion 527 which is intimately contacted with the upper surface or outer peripheral surface of the mouth-and-neck portion of the container.
- Engaging means disposed on the inner peripheral surface of a tamper evident bottom portion 512 is constituted from an annular protruding piece 528 extending continuously in the circumferential direction.
- the annular protruding piece 528 extends upwardly inclinedly in a radially inward direction from a base edge 530 connected to the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 512.
- slits 529 extending from its front end to a site near the base edge are formed at circumferentially spaced positions.
- annular protruding piece 528 it is advantageous to mold the annular protruding piece 528 in a shape extending downwardly in a radially inward direction as shown in a two-dot chain line in Fig. 9, and modify the shape into a condition indicated by a solid line after removal from the mold.
- the engaging means is composed of the annular protruding piece 528 continuously extending in the circumferential direction, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 10, it is preferred that a slit continuously extending from the base edge of the annular protruding piece 528 to its front end be formed in the annular protruding piece 528 in alignment with a slit constituting axial breakage means 534 in the tamper evident bottom portion 512.
- Such a slit in the annular protruding piece 528 can be formed advantageously by cutting the annular protruding piece 528 simultaneously with cutting the tamper evident bottom portion 512 with a cutting blade to form the slit constituting the axial breakage means 534.
- the constitution of the container closure 502 illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, other than the points mentioned above, is substantially the same as that of the container closure 2 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4.
- engaging means of other suitable shape such as a ratchet piece well known among people skilled in the art, may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion 512.
- the axial breakage means disposed in the tamper evident bottom portion is constituted from the slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion substantially to its lower end.
- the tamper evident bottom portion remaining on the mouth-and-neck portion has the slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion substantially to its lower end.
- the remaining tamper evident bottom portion can be removed from the mouth-and-neck portion sufficiently easily, without the need for a tiresome procedure, such as cutting the tamper evident bottom portion with a cutting tool.
- the tamper evident bottom portion is fully inhibited, by the holding action of the first and second high strength bridging portions disposed on both sides of the axial breakage means, from being enlarged at the site where its axial breakage means exists.
- breakage of at least some of the plurality of bridging portions in the circumferential breakage means is prevented fully reliably.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Description
the plastic container closure having a top panel wall and a skirt wall extending downwardly from the top panel wall; the skirt wall having formed therein a circumferentially extending circumferential breakage means, the skirt wall being divided into a main portion above the circumferential breakage means, and a tamper evident bottom portion below the circumferential breakage means; the main portion of the skirt wall having formed on its inner peripheral surface an internal thread collaborating with the external thread of the mouth-and-neck portion; the tamper evident bottom portion having formed on its inner peripheral surface an engaging means collaborating with the engaging jaw portion of the mouth-and-neck portion; the circumferential breakage means including a plurality of bridging portions disposed at circumferentially spaced positions and connecting the tamper evident bottom portion to the main portion of the skirt wall; one of the bridging portions being a first high strength bridging portion having a large cross-sectional area; and the tamper evident bottom portion having disposed therein an axial breakage means; wherein
the axial breakage means is constituted from a slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion substantially to its lower end; the plurality of bridging portions include a second high strength bridging portion having a large cross-sectional area in addition to the first high strength bridging portion; the first high strength bridging portion and the second high strength bridging portion are disposed on both sides of the axial breakage means when viewed in the circumferential direction; and the first high strength bridging portion extends in one circumferential direction from the upper end, or one end close thereto, of the axial breakage means, while the second high strength bridging portion extends in the opposite circumferential direction from the upper end, or one end close thereto, of the axial breakage means;
the internal thread is screwed onto the external thread and the engaging means is engaged with the engaging jaw portion, whereby the plastic container closure is mounted on the mouth-and-neck portion; and when the screwing together of the internal thread and the external thread is released to remove the plastic container closure from the mouth-and-neck portion, at least one of the first high strength bridging portion and the second high strength bridging portion is broken.
As will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 1, a downwardly directed
In the cutting step for forming the circumferential breakage means 8, the first task is to cut the
Claims (6)
- A plastic container closure having tamper evident properties which is to be applied to a container having a mouth-and-neck portion (42) on whose outer peripheral surface an external thread (44) and an engaging jaw portion (46) positioned below the external thread are formed,
said plastic container closure (2) having a top panel wall (4) and a skirt wall (6) extending downwardly from the top panel wall; said skirt wall (6) having formed therein a circumferentially extending circumferential breakage means (8) said skirt wall being divided into a main portion (10) above the circumferential breakage means, and a tamper evident bottom portion (12) below the circumferential breakage means; said main portion (10) of said skirt wall having formed on its inner peripheral surface an internal thread (18) collaborating with the external thread of the mouth-and-neck portion; said tamper evident bottom portion (12) having formed on its inner peripheral surface an engaging means (28) collaborating with the engaging jaw portion (46) of the mouth-and-neck portion (42); said circumferential breakage means (8) including a plurality of bridging portions (36) disposed at circumferentially spaced positions and connecting the tamper evident bottom portion (12) to the main portion (10) of the skirt wall; one of said bridging portions (36c) being a first high strength bridging portion having a large cross-sectional area; and said tamper evident bottom portion (12) having disposed therein an axial breakage means (34); wherein
the axial breakage means (34) is constituted from a slit continuously extending from the upper end of the tamper evident bottom portion (12) substantially to its lower end; the plurality of bridging portions (36) include a second high strength bridging portion (36d) having a large cross-sectional area in addition to the first high strength bridging portion (36c), the first high strength bridging portion and the second high strength bridging portion are disposed on both sides of the axial breakage means (34) when viewed in the circumferential direction; and the first high strength bridging portion (36c) extends in one circumferential direction from the upper end, or one end close thereto, of the axial breakage means (34), while the second high strength bridging portion (36d) extends in the opposite circumferential direction from the upper end, or one end close thereto, of the axial breakage means (34);
the internal thread (18) is screwed onto the external thread (44) and the engaging means is engaged with the engaging jaw portion, whereby the plastic container (2) closure is mounted on the mouth-and-neck portion (42); and when the screwing together of the internal thread and the external thread is released to remove the plastic container closure (2) from the mouth-and-neck portion, at least one of the first high strength bridging portion (36c) and the second high strength bridging portion (36d) is broken. - Plastic container closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first high strength bridging portion (36c) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second high strength bridging portion, and when the screwing together of the internal thread and the external thread is released to remove the plastic container closure (2) from the mouth-and-neck portion, the second high strength bridging portion (36d) is broken, while the first high strength bridging portion (36c) remains unbroken, the tamper evident bottom portion (12) is spread in a band form with the engaging means being disengaged from the engaging jaw portion, and the entire container closure including the tamper evident bottom portion (12) is removed from the mouth-and-neck portion.
- Plastic container closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first high strength bridging portion (36c) is 1.50 to 4.50 mm2, while the cross-sectional area of the second high strength bridging portion (36d) is 0.80 to 2.20 mm2.
- Plastic container closure as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein when viewed in a direction in which the container closure (2) is turned for releasing the screwing together of the internal thread (18) and the external thread (44) to remove the container closure (2) from the mouth-and-neck portion (42), the first high strength bridging portion (36c) is located ahead of the axial breakage means (34), while the second high strength bridging portion (36d) is located behind the axial breakage means (34).
- Plastic container closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one end of the first high strength bridging portion (36c) and the one end of the second high strength bridging portion (36d) are positioned at a distance of 1.00 to 3.00 mm from the upper end of the axial breakage means (34).
- Plastic container closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tamper evident bottom portion (12) is provided with a thin-walled curl (32) extending from the lower end thereof, and the slit constituting the axial breakage means (34) extends only partly, or does not extend at all, to the thin-walled curl (32).
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP33618896A JP3847868B2 (en) | 1996-12-17 | 1996-12-17 | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper evident characteristics |
JP336188/96 | 1996-12-17 | ||
JP33618896 | 1996-12-17 | ||
PCT/JP1997/004649 WO1998026991A1 (en) | 1996-12-17 | 1997-12-17 | Synthetic resin container lid having tamper evident characteristics |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0913334A1 EP0913334A1 (en) | 1999-05-06 |
EP0913334A4 EP0913334A4 (en) | 2000-07-26 |
EP0913334B1 true EP0913334B1 (en) | 2003-12-10 |
Family
ID=18296564
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97949113A Expired - Lifetime EP0913334B1 (en) | 1996-12-17 | 1997-12-17 | Synthetic resin container lid having tamper evident characteristics |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0913334B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3847868B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100621295B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1106329C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69726735T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998026991A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202200006653A1 (en) * | 2022-04-04 | 2023-10-04 | Sacmi | Caps for a container and method of producing a cap for a container. |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5957315A (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 1999-09-28 | Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd. | Plastic container closure with tamper evident properties |
US6581792B1 (en) | 1998-12-07 | 2003-06-24 | Tjandra Limanjaya | Closure cap |
WO2000034133A2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2000-06-15 | Tjandra Limanjaya | Closure cap |
IT247417Y1 (en) * | 1999-01-05 | 2002-08-22 | Sacmi | SCREW CAPSULE WITH SEALED. |
JP2002537185A (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2002-11-05 | チャンドラ リマンジャヤ | Closure cap |
JP5160315B2 (en) * | 2008-06-09 | 2013-03-13 | 日本クラウンコルク株式会社 | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper evident characteristics |
JP6276972B2 (en) * | 2013-11-12 | 2018-02-07 | 日本クロージャー株式会社 | Plastic container lid |
US20220041339A1 (en) | 2020-08-07 | 2022-02-10 | Niagara Bottling, Llc | Single anchor closure |
KR20240044320A (en) | 2022-09-28 | 2024-04-04 | 서동섭 | Closure assembly of vessel |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2329536A1 (en) * | 1973-07-02 | 1977-05-27 | Somepla Sa | NEW TIGHT AND TAPPED SCREW CAPSULE |
JPS49100949U (en) * | 1973-12-14 | 1974-08-30 | ||
JPS5832103A (en) | 1981-08-20 | 1983-02-25 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Noncontacting measuring device |
US4805792A (en) * | 1984-04-17 | 1989-02-21 | Continental White Cap, Inc. | Litterless tamper indicating closure |
JPS6218421A (en) | 1985-07-17 | 1987-01-27 | Hitachi Chem Co Ltd | Epoxy resin composition |
JPS62159351U (en) * | 1986-03-25 | 1987-10-09 | ||
EP0254673B1 (en) * | 1986-07-11 | 1990-04-18 | Interplastic AG | Container closure provided with a tamper indicating band |
US5080246A (en) * | 1989-09-01 | 1992-01-14 | Anchor Hocking Packaging Company | Closure having a spring open tamper evidencing band |
JPH0688602B2 (en) * | 1991-03-01 | 1994-11-09 | 日本クラウンコルク株式会社 | Container lid |
JP3209538B2 (en) | 1991-04-08 | 2001-09-17 | 日本クラウンコルク株式会社 | Synthetic resin cap with pill fur proof characteristics |
JPH0654544A (en) | 1992-07-24 | 1994-02-25 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Power converter |
JP3727675B2 (en) | 1994-09-13 | 2005-12-14 | 日本クラウンコルク株式会社 | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper evident characteristics |
KR970001659U (en) * | 1995-06-14 | 1997-01-21 | Bottle cap |
-
1996
- 1996-12-17 JP JP33618896A patent/JP3847868B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-12-17 KR KR1019980706387A patent/KR100621295B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-12-17 EP EP97949113A patent/EP0913334B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-12-17 CN CN97192902A patent/CN1106329C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-12-17 DE DE69726735T patent/DE69726735T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-12-17 WO PCT/JP1997/004649 patent/WO1998026991A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202200006653A1 (en) * | 2022-04-04 | 2023-10-04 | Sacmi | Caps for a container and method of producing a cap for a container. |
WO2023194897A1 (en) * | 2022-04-04 | 2023-10-12 | Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa | Caps for a container and method for making a cap for a container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR100621295B1 (en) | 2006-11-30 |
WO1998026991A1 (en) | 1998-06-25 |
KR19990082645A (en) | 1999-11-25 |
EP0913334A1 (en) | 1999-05-06 |
CN1106329C (en) | 2003-04-23 |
DE69726735T2 (en) | 2004-10-21 |
JP3847868B2 (en) | 2006-11-22 |
CN1213348A (en) | 1999-04-07 |
JPH10175656A (en) | 1998-06-30 |
EP0913334A4 (en) | 2000-07-26 |
DE69726735D1 (en) | 2004-01-22 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN103153804B (en) | The closure member in the display Kaifeng of improving and packaging | |
US5957315A (en) | Plastic container closure with tamper evident properties | |
EP0815028B1 (en) | Tamper-evident closure with captive band | |
JP3161977B2 (en) | Cap with excellent separability | |
US6116443A (en) | Plastic screw cap with tamper-evident ring | |
EP0913334B1 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid having tamper evident characteristics | |
EP1086023B1 (en) | Plastic screw cap with tamper-evident ring | |
JPS6045149A (en) | Plastic vessel with simply removable integrally molded cap | |
JPS6121355A (en) | Vessel cover made of synthetic resin having pilfer-proof characteristic | |
US3424330A (en) | Tamper-proof closure | |
WO2008095863A1 (en) | Tamper evident closure and container for receiving tamper evident closure and combination thereof | |
JP3825078B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper evident characteristics | |
JP4349785B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper evident characteristics | |
JP3727675B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper evident characteristics | |
WO2000048920A1 (en) | Closure cap | |
JP4762426B2 (en) | Separable disposal cap | |
JP3306733B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper-evident properties | |
JP3538760B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper-evident properties | |
JPH0620904B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid having pilfer-proof characteristics | |
JP7458728B2 (en) | Synthetic resin caps and containers | |
JP3303121B2 (en) | Method for producing container lid made of synthetic resin having tamper-evident properties | |
JP5995479B2 (en) | Container lid | |
JP4350440B2 (en) | Cap and combination of cap and container | |
JP3381203B2 (en) | Synthetic resin container lid with tamper-evident hem | |
JP3698765B2 (en) | Cap with excellent separation and disposal |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19980904 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE GB |
|
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20000614 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A4 Designated state(s): DE GB |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20020830 |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE GB |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69726735 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20040122 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20040913 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20141217 Year of fee payment: 18 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20141209 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 69726735 Country of ref document: DE |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20151217 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20151217 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160701 |