CLOSED CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS OF DIFFERENT FINISHING CONFIGURATIONS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with closures of plastic containers for beverage applications (eg, non-alcoholic beverages) and more particularly with a coated or lined closure designed for use in combination with containers that have identical thread diameter but different finishing configurations.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It has been proposed so far to provide a plastic closure for a glass or plastic container, comprising a plastic cover with a resilient inner liner or liner for a sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the container. . For example, U.S. Patent 4,984,703 discloses a plastic closure comprising a cover having a base wall with a peripheral skirt and an internal threading to secure in a container and an internal lining or compression-molded seal in place on the inside of the base wall of the cover. U.S. Patent 5,451,360 discloses a method and apparatus for compression molding the inner liner or coating in situ within the shell. The patent
REF .: 119663 North American 5,462,187 discloses a closure in which the periphery of the inner lining is contoured for a sealing engagement with the axially oriented sealing surface and the outside or "E" diameter of the container finish. It is currently conventional practice in the packaging industry to provide closures of different designs for each container finishing configuration to one when the containers have identical thread diameters. For example, different closures are provided for PET containers of standard PCO and BPP termination configurations and for glass vessels having finishing configurations CA-1, MCA-2, MCA-3, 1649, 1650, 1655 and MCA-7.5. standard although all of such containers may have identical diameter and pitch threads, such as for example 28 mm. Thus, a packer is required to store a different closure for each finish configuration and each thread diameter of the finish. It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a closure that is usable in combination with containers of a given thread diameter, but having different standard finishing configurations. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a closure of the described character which can be used in combination with returnable and single-use glass and PET containers of a given diameter and pitch. A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure of the described character in which the inner liner or liner can be either permanently secured to the cover of the closure or detachable therefrom. Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing such a closure and a container package comprising such a closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A closure according to the present invention includes a closure cover having a base wall and a peripheral skirt with internal means for securing the closure to a container finish and a resilient inner liner or liner secured to the base wall of the closure for a sealing coupling with the sealing surface of a container finish. The inner liner or liner has a first flange extending axially adjacent the skirt with a first radially inwardly facing concave surface, a second axially extending flange continuous circumferentially radially inwardly of the first flange and having a second concave surface radially outwardly facing and a third axially flat facing surface extending between the first and second surfaces. When the closure is secured to a container, the third axially facing surface is sealingly coupled with the sealing surface facing axially of the container finish and preferably the first and second concave surfaces engage either with the outer edge of the inner edge of the sealing surface of the container. finished or both, depending on the configuration of the container finish. Thus, the present invention contemplates a closure for use in combination with containers having at least first and second configurations with identical thread diameters, a sealing surface and different internal diameters and / or external diameters in the sealing surface of the finish. The container includes a cover having a base wall with a peripheral skirt 'and an internal thread of a diameter to be received on the thread in either one of the configurations of the finish. A resilient liner is disposed on the base wall and has a first concave peripheral surface facing radially inward adjacent the skirt in a diameter for a sealing engagement with the diameter of the external sealing surface of at least one of the configurations of termination, an axially extending flange continuous circumferentially spaced inwardly of the skirt and having a second concave surface facing radially outwardly in a diameter for engagement with the diameter of the inner sealing surface of at least one of - the finishing configurations and a third axially flat, facing surface extending between the concave surfaces for a sealing engagement with the container sealing surface of both of the termination configurations. In the preferred embodiment of the invention for 28 mm soft drink applications, the first and second concave surfaces have spaced apart surface edges of the third surface and the radial spacing between such edges of the surface is in the range of 0.604 cm to 0.655. cm (0.238 to 0.258 inches), preferably approximately 0.630 cm (0.248 inches). The first surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 0.102 cm +/- 0.018 cm (0.040 +/- 0.007 inches) and the second surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 0.089 cm +/- 0.0178 cm (0.035 +/- 0.007 inches) ). The first surface has an axial edge spaced from the third surface by an axial dimension of approximately 0.091 cm +/- 0.018 cm (0.036 +/- 0.007 inches) and the second surface has an axial edge spaced from the third surface by an axial dimension 0.074 cm +/- 0.013 cm (0.029 +/- 0.005 inches). These preferred dimensional values and ranges are described in conjunction with PET and glass containers having a (nominal) thread diameter of 28 mm and having standard industrial finished configurations of PCO, BPF, MCA-1, MCA-2 and MCA-3, but also apply to other thread diameters and industrial standard finishing configurations such as 1649, 1650, 1655 and MCA-7.5 glass configurations. According to another aspect of the present invention, a package comprises a container having a finish of one of first and second finishing configurations with identical thread diameters and a closure having a cover with a base wall and a peripheral skirt with an internal thread to a diameter to be received on the external thread of the finish, either in one or another of the configurations of the finish. A resilient liner is disposed on the base wall and has a first concave peripheral surface facing radially inward adjacent the skirt to a diameter for a sealing engagement with the outer diameter of the sealing surface of at least one of the configurations of the finished, an axially extending ridge continuously circumferentially spaced radially inwardly of the skirt and having a second concave surface facing radially outwardly in a diameter for coupling with the inner diameter of the sealing surface of at least one of the termination configurations and a third axially facing flat surface that it extends between the concave surfaces. for an axial seal coupling with the sealing surface of the container of both finishing configurations. A method of manufacturing a closure according to a further aspect of the present invention contemplates either compression molding the liner in situ over the p >.Ared of the base of the closing cover or compression molding and injection of the liner separately and secure it to the base wall of the cover. In this regard, the liner profile can be employed as a removable liner by using the internal rib or rib to hold and remove the liner from the closure cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, together with objects, features and additional advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container and closure package according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the closure and termination of the package of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the closure of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the closure illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a portion of Figure 2 but showing the closure of Figures 1-4 in combination with a glass container of different finishing configurations and Figures 6 and 7 are similar fragmentary sectional views to those of figure 5 but showing the closure in combination with plastic containers of different finishing configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The disclosure of U.S. Patent 5,462,187 is incorporated herein by reference for purposes of background. Figures 1-2 illustrate a package 10 comprising a glass container 12 and a plastic closure 14. The container 12 has a finish 16 of a configuration called industrial standard MCA-2. The termination 16 of the container has a generally flat sealing surface 18 axially facing with an inner diameter defined by the perforation diameter of the finish 16 and an outer diameter defining the so-called diameter "E" of the container finish. Finish 16 also has an external threading 20 to secure closure 14 on the container finish. The threading 20 has a specific external diameter or "T" dimension such as 28 mm. The closure 14 includes a cover 22 of integrally molded plastic in one piece having a base wall 24 and a peripheral skirt 26. An internal thread 28 is formed on the skirt 16 to engage with the external thread 20 on the end 16 of the container. In the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, a tamper indicating band or tamper-evident band 30 is secured by frangible means to the lower edge of the skirt 26 and a retaining flange 32 extends axially inwardly and upwardly from the edge. bottom of the band 28 to engage with the cord 34 on the finish 16. (Address descriptions such as "down" are taken with reference to the vertical orientation of the container and closure illustrated in Figures 1 and 2). Thus, the flange 32 resists the removal of the closure 14 of the container 12 absent fractures of the frangible means, by means of which the separation of the band 30 from the skirt 26 indicates that the package has been opened. As will be apparent from the discussion that follows, the principles of the present invention may also be employed in conjunction with other types of tamper indicating means or with latches that do not have tamper indicating means. A resilient liner 36 is secured internally to the base wall 24 of the closure. Specifically, the base wall 24 preferably, but not necessarily, has a peripheral depression 38 that receives the peripheral portion of the liner 36. The peripheral portion of the liner 36 has a first flange 40 extending axially adjacent and engaging the skirt 26. of the closure, with a first concave surface 42 facing radially inwardly. The axial rim flange 40 remote from the base wall 24 has a conical surface 44 that expands radially outwardly axially away from the base wall 24 and extends to the enlarged shoulder 46 of the skirt 26. A second ridge 48 which it extends axially continuously circumferentially extends away from the base wall 24 in generally axial alignment with the radially inner rim of the enclosure 38 of the base wall. A) Yes, the flange 48 is concentrically spaced radially inward from the flange 40 and has a second concave surface 50 facing radially outwardly opposite to the concave surface 42 of the flange 40. A third surface 52 axially flat, extends between and interconnects the surfaces 42, 50 at the points at which these concave surfaces are horizontal. Thus, the surface 52 is tangential to and uniformly interconnects with the surfaces 42, 50. The central portion of the liner 36 on the base wall 24-that is, radially inward of the flange 48-can be of any suitable configuration. As best seen in Figure 4, the axial edge of the rim 48 is convex and the radially inward surface of the rim 48 is concave. When the closure 14 is secured on the termination 16 of the container 12 (Figure 2), the interengaged threads are tightened to bring the sealing surface 18 of the container finish 16 into an opposite coupling engagement with the flat surface 52 of the liner 36. At this point, the edge of the outer sealing surface or diameter "E" of the finish 16 engages the surface 42 of the flange 40. Prolonged tightening of the closure on the container finish compresses these surfaces of the liner, with a compression on surface 52 of approximately 0.0127 cm (0.005 inches) which is an accepted standard. (Figures 2 and 5-7 illustrate the surface configurations as the container comes in contact with the surface 52 and before further compression.The finish configuration of the nominal container is shown in solid lines, while the lines discontinuous illustrate the finished tolerance ranges). In the configuration of Figure 2, the surface 42. of the rim 40 is also engaged and compressed by the edge of the diameter. external opposite of the sealing surface of the finish. Thus, in service in conjunction with the container 12 having a standard industrial MCA-2 finishing configuration, the sealing engagement is effected with the sealing surface 18 and the outer diameter of the sealing surface 18. The broken lines in the Figure 2 (and in Figures 5-7) illustrate the tolerance limits on the configuration of the standard finish. Figure 5 illustrates the closure 14 used in conjunction with a 28 mm glass container 12a having an industrial standard MCA-1 finish configuration. In this configuration, the wall E of the container finish will contact the flange 40 during further compression and at extreme tolerance conditions. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate closure 14 in conjunction with 28 mm PET containers 12b, 12c of industrial standard PCO and BPF termination configurations respectively. The use in conjunction with a standard industrial grade MCA-3 glass configuration vessel would be similar to FIG. 2 in the area of the sealing surface. Thus, in each of these standard 28 mm finishing configurations, the inner liner 36 makes a sealing contact with the container finish on the surface 52 of the axially oriented inner liner and preferably either the concave surface 42 or the surface concave 50 or both. Thus, a single closure 14 is used in conjunction with the glass container 12, 12a having standard MCA-1, MCA-2 and MCA-3 finishing configurations and with PET containers 12b, 12c having PCO finishing configurations. and standard BFP. In the currently preferred 28 mm embodiment of the closure 14 illustrated in the drawings, the axial edges of the surfaces 42, 50 - that is, the spaced edges of the surface 52 and the base wall 24, have a radial spacing in the range from 0.60 cm (0.238 inches) to 0.655 cm (0.258 inches), preferably approximately 0.638 cm (0.248 inches) (ie, 0.630 cm (0.348 inches) +/- 0.25 cm (0.010 inches)). (All exemplary dimensions are nominal unless otherwise indicated). The surface 42 has a radius of curvature in the range of 0.084 cm (0.033 inches) to 0.119 cm (0.047 inches), preferably about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches (ie, 0.102 cm (0.040 inches) +/- 0.018 cm (0.007 inches)) and the surface 50 has a radius of curvature in the range of 0.071 cm (0.028 inches) to 0.107 cm (0.042 inches), preferably about 0.089 cm (0.035 inches) (ie, 0.089 cm (0.035 inches) +/- 0.018 cm (0.007 inches)) The axial dimension of the surface 48 of the surface 52 is in the range from 0.074 cm (0.029 inches) to 1.09 cm (0.43 inches), preferably approximately 0.091 cm (0.036 inches) - (that is, 0.091 cm (0.036 inches) +/- 0.018 cm (0.007 inches)) and the dimension axial of the surface 50 of the surface 52 is in the range of 0.061 cm (0.024 inches) to 0.086 cm (0.034 inches), preferably 0.074 cm (0.029 inches) (i.e. 0.074 cm (0.029 inches) +/- 0.013 cm (0.005 inches)). Although these dimensions are illustrated in conjunction with various finishing configurations that have a diameter of 20 cm. At 28 mm, which is particularly prevalent in the non-alcoholic beverage market, these dimensions will also be applied in conjunction with containers having the same finished configurations but of different thread diameter. The diameter at the axial edge of the surface 50 in the exemplary closure of 28 mm is in the range of 1811 cm
(0.713 inches) to 1836 cm (0.723 inches), preferably
1. 823 cm (0.718 inches) (that is, 1824 cm (0.718 inches)
+/- 0.127 cm (0.005 inches)) and the axial edge diameter of the surface 42 is in the range of 2.440 cm (0.961 inches) to 2.466 cm (0.971 inches) preferably 2.454 cm (0.966 inches (ie, 2.454 cm (0.966 inches) +/- 0.123 cm (0.005 inches)) The circle of tangency between the surfaces 42, 52 has a diameter in the range of 2.304 cm (0.907 inches) to 2.339 cm (0.921 inches), preferably about 2.322 cm (0.914 inches) (that is, 2.322 cm (0.914 inches) +/- 0.0168 cm (0.007 inches.)) It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the practice said invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.