MX2012007949A - Combined lip and shoulder seal for threaded cap. - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved cap is provided for sealing an opening formed in an associated bottle. The cap is preferably internally threaded for receipt over a threaded portion of the bottle. A flap extends from a planar surface of the cap and is directed for receipt in the associated bottle opening. A shoulder also extends outwardly from the planar surface and is spaced inwardly from the flap to engage the seal flap as the cap is threaded onto the bottle. The cap is preferably formed of a rigid plastic such as high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Description

COMBINED COVER AND REVERSE SEAL FOR THREADED COVER Ca m po of the I n ve n c i n Blow-molded containers and bottles are used for a wide variety of fluid products, and find particular use in the dairy industry for milk, juices, flavored waters, etc. The bottle typically includes a raised shoulder or neck surrounding an opening that is used to introduce or fill the fluid within the bottle, and likewise, the same opening is often used to dispense the fluid from the bottle. In some cases, the opening can be used to only fill or dispatch and in any situation, a closure lid is typically placed over the opening once the bottle is full.

Precedent of the n n a tion Frequently, the cap has internal threads and cooperates with the external threads in the neck surrounding the opening of the bottle (see, for example, WO2008 / 091 936, developed by the same inventors, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference). reference). It is desirable that the opening be sealed from the external environment. This can be achieved in several ways. For example, a sheet or packing seal is commonly placed over the opening and secured with the bottle. Although this arrangement provides an effective seal and provides a clear indication as to whether the seal has been violated, the leaf seal represents an additional material, that is, the packaging or sheet, as well as additional processing includes the equipment, associated materials and additional time in the processing line to secure the packing seal / sheet over the opening to be used together with the lid .

In other cases, the opening is sealed in a different way. For example, an inner surface of the lid includes a series of concentric ribs, spaced very close apart, that is, a series of concentric projecting surfaces, placed under axial compression, since the ribs are compressed or clamped essentially against the outer radial surface of the ribs. neck, as a result of imposing a high torque on the cap, as the cap is screwed onto the bottle. Because the ribs are compressed, the material used, preferably, is a softer material with the ability to be compressed, for example, polypropylene is commonly used. This arrangement does not provide a characteristic of evidence of violation. In addition, when the threads are not well formed, the torque developed between the neck and the cap may be insufficient to develop the desired force to compress the ribs and provide an effective seal. Similarly, an imperfect neck finish (for example, a burr left on the neck) will prevent the ribs from being compressed properly. As a result, the lid is not properly sealed with the lid.

An alternative way to seal the bottle is to use a flexible flap that extends from the inner surface of the cap and forms an interference seal with a shoulder on the neck of the bottle. The flap extends downwardly from the inner surface of the lid and has an external radial dimension larger than the internal diameter of the opening of the bottle. The cross-sectional thickness of the flap preferably decreases as the flap extends outwardly from the flap. In addition, the distal end of the flap is placed for reception within the neck that forms the bottle and advantageously centers or orients the lid in place on the neck. Again, a softer material, such as polypropylene, is typically used for such a lid in order to provide sufficient flexibility to the lid, as the lid is pushed towards its sealing engagement with the inner wall surface of the lid. shoulder forming the opening. This seal arrangement also requires a fine adjustment or otherwise the fin will not be properly oriented relative to the neck and there is no other structure in the arrangement that holds or guides the fin to its correct location. In addition, this seal arrangement does not provide evidence of violation.

It is desirable to locate the seal at the edge of the opening or preferably within the throat of the opening. However, this is difficult to achieve with existing cover designs.

Brief Description of the Invention An improved cap is provided which provides an effective seal with the opening of the bottle, and essentially lowers the cost per cap.

The lid includes a generally flat surface that overlaps the opening of the bottle. A sidewall extends from the flat surface and surrounds the opening of the bottle. A lip extends from the flat surface and is directed inwards from the side wall to be received in the opening of the bottle. A shoulder extends outwardly from the flat surface and is separated laterally or radially inwardly from the lip to engage with the lip of the seal.

Preferably, the lip has a variable thickness along the length thereof.

The lid, preferably, is formed of a rigid plastic, such as H DPE. The shoulder extends outward from the generally flat surface a smaller dimension than the lip extends outwardly from the same surface.

In addition, a stop surface may be provided on the lid for operatively engaging a corresponding stop shoulder on the bottle to limit or define a maximum force imposed on the lip and shoulder.

A draining opening can be incorporated in a generally flat member, and a closing lid hinged with the lid.

The emptying opening includes a thin-walled evidence of violation member that is integrally molded with a generally planar member.

A major advantage associated with the present invention is the improved sealing associated with the new cap.

Another advantage that resides in this invention is related to the essentially reduced costs of production.

Another benefit is associated with the reduced quality required of the neck finish.

Another advantage resides in the elimination of components (such as a separate package or a sheet seal), as well as a reduced processing time in the manufacture of the bottle.

Another advantage resides is associated with the ability to provide an obvious violation characteristic without additional costs.

Other benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent after reading and understanding the detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neck of the bottle and the associated lid of an arrangement of the prior art.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lid of another arrangement of the prior art.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a new lid with an articulated lid, shown in an open position.

Figure 4 is a plan view of an external surface of the lid of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the new lid, taken generally along lines 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the enclosed region of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an amplified view similar to Figure 6, but illustrating the cap secured with the bottle.

Figures 8-10 illustrate plan, elevated and cross-sectional views of a rupture panel that may be included in the lid.

Detailed description of the invention Figure 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a cap received in the neck of a known bottle 1 00. In particular, the bottle or container 100 is a thin-walled, blow-molded plastic bottle as conventionally used in the dairy industry. The bottle has a weight to volume ratio in the order of sixty to seventy grams per gallon and an average wall thickness in the order of 0.010-0.01 5 millimeters, although the weight to volume ratio may be different, without departing from the scope and intention of the present invention. As mentioned in the Background, the bottle includes an opening 1 02 formed by the neck or wall 104, which often protrudes outwardly from a surface 1 06 of the bottle. Typically, the neck includes a threaded portion, such as helically shaped threaded portions 1 08 extending at least partially around a circumference or an outer surface 10 of the neck wall 1 04. An internal surface 120 of the wall 1 04 defines the opening 1 02 through the bottle. The advantageous opening is used to fill the fluid content within the bottle and is often used to also serve as the pouring opening for selectively dispensing the fluid content from the bottle.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the inner surface 120 forms a sharp corner or edge 122 with an upper surface 1 24 of the wall 104. The sharpened defined edge 122 has the dimensions for engagement with the fin 140, which extends outwardly from the lid 142, in particular, the flat portion 144 thereof. The flap typically depends on the bottom surface of the flat portion 144 in a separate region, radially inwardly from the side wall 146 of the lid. The side wall, in the same way, includes a threaded portion 148 such as the internal thread portions cooperating with the external thread portion 1 08 of the neck. As the cap is screwed onto the bottle, the flap 140, and in particular, the surface 150 thereof, engages with the sharp edge 22 of the shoulder. Another axial advance of the lid over the shoulder, when the lid is rotated on the bottle, results in greater deflection of the lip 140 and the sealed coupling with the edge 1 22 and the inner surface of the neck.

This interference fit between the flap of the cap with the inner shoulder of the neck encounters the following problems - there is not always a perfect fit and can develop leaks in the cap, has no evidence of evidence of violation and instead, requires additional expenses of an additional sheet seal.

An alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 2. For purposes of brevity and ease of understanding, the reference numbers will refer to similar components, while the new reference numbers will identify new components. The flap is removed in this embodiment, and instead a package or series of ribs 1 70 extends axially inward from the inner face of the flat member 144, in a radially inwardly spaced location from the side wall 146 from the top. Again, the cap is preferably internally threaded, as represented by the reference numeral 148, and the shoulder / wall 104 preferably is screwed externally as represented by the threaded portions 108. After the axial advancement of the lid relative to the shoulder, through the selective rotation of the lid relative to the bottle, the upper surface 124 of the shoulder engages with the ribs 170. The ribs are compressed or clamped in order to make a seal between the lid and the bottle. However, as with the embodiment of Figure 1, there may be disadvantages with this arrangement (no evidence of violation, imperfect neck finish, when a burr prevents effective sealing, imperfect threads that do not generate the desired sealing force). , etc.).

With reference to Figures 3 to 7, the present invention relates to a new seal arrangement in a bottle. Again, to facilitate understanding and for reasons of brevity, the same reference numbers refer to similar components where possible, while the new elements are identified by the new reference numbers. More particularly, the lid 190 is formed entirely of a high density polyethylene, a preferred construction material. Even with the use of this harder material, the lid has the ability to effectively seal along an interior region of the neck of the bottle opening. The cover 190 includes a flat portion 192 and a side wall 194 that is disposed essentially perpendicular to the planar portion. The side wall is preferably threaded internally, as represented by the threaded region 196 (such as a helical thread) cooperating with the external threaded portion 108 of the shoulder / wall 102 in the same manner as described above with with respect to prior art arrangements. Here, however, seal flap 200 (sometimes referred to as flap valve), extends downwardly from the flap, preferably, from the interior face of flat region 192, in the radially inwardly spaced region from the bottom. interior surface of the side wall 194 of the lid. The fin 200 has a tapered shape in the preferred array, which decreases in thickness as it extends away from the planar portion 192 toward an external terminal end 202. This tapered configuration provides greater flexibility in the flap adjacent its outer terminal end.

The interconnection region of the flap with the inner surface of the lid is preferably radially inwardly spaced from the side wall 194 to accommodate the cross-sectional thickness of the shoulder 120 extended from the bottle. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 6, the interconnection region of the fin with the inner surface of the lid is approximately 0.027 cm apart from the inner surface of the side wall of the lid and the terminal end of the fin in a non-deviated state is separated a greater distance from the internal surface of the side wall of the lid. As an example only, the terminal end 202 is spaced approximately 0.297 cm from the inner surface of the side wall of the lid, although these dimensions are intended to be exemplary and not limiting. The general purpose of the internal fold and the tapered fin configuration is to provide the centering of the seal flap / cover relative to the opening of the bottle as it is screwed onto the shoulder of the bottle and the cap axially advanced on the shoulder.

The seal assembly of the present invention also includes a rigid perforated rib or shoulder 21 0 that is disposed radially inwardly of the fin. In particular, the rib is separated by a radial recess 212 from the fin. The perforated rib extends generally normal outwardly from the underside or inner surface of the flat lid portion at an essentially reduced height relative to the height of the fin. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rigid perforated rib has a height about one-half the height of the fin. The rigid perforated rib is also illustrated as joining from the central depressed region of the lid, although it can be seen that the rib can also be formed as an annular projection extended from the underside of the lid and over the axial boundary, when so be desired Preferably, the rigid material of the lid forming the perforated rib can handle the compressive forces. In this way, as the lid is rotated on the bottle, the radially inward forces imposed on the fin 200 form an effective internal diameter seal between the fin and the bevel or tapered surface 214 of the opening of the bottle. As shown, the bevel 214 is preferably defined at the intersection or interface of the wall / shoulder 1 02 and the upper surface 124 of the shoulder. Furthermore, the inward deflection of the fin, however, is impeded by the butt engagement between the fin 200 and the rigid perforated rib 21 0. In this way, as the radially external face of the fin engages sealingly with the shoulder of the bottle along the bevel 214, the inner or opposite face of the fin engages sealingly with the perforated rib 21.

This arrangement allows to impose a significant torque on the lid to create the seal. The bevel shoulder of the body serves as a guide or self-centering portion to ensure proper placement of the lid flap at the neck opening. In addition, the perforated rib 210 serves as a stop to limit the torque imposed on the fin.

In addition, because sufficient torque can be imposed in the order of approximately 9 kilograms in the lid (compared to approximately 0.9-2.25 kilograms in the prior art) there is no need for a separate sheet seal, no packing is needed and when desired, the structure can be made so that the lid is never removed from the bottle. That is, it is contemplated that the opening can only be used to fill the bottle, the cap is then put in place and an anti-violation member or ring 240 (shown in dotted lines in Figure 6) provided in the extension down from the side wall 194 of the lid. The anti-violation ring 240 is secured by circumferentially spaced brittle portions 242. An undercut region 244 fits in place on the radial projection 246 extended from the shoulder, but when the cap is removed after the shoulder, the brittle connections will break, and thus, a clear indication of the attempted removal of the cap is provided. top, that is, the violation.

Alternatively, the arrangements of Figures 3 through 7 can also be used in a dispatch opening. For example, with additional reference to Figures 3-5, a drain opening and a drain lip is provided with a hinged lid (refer to PCT Application Co-pending Serial No. PCT / US09 / 057336, filed Jan. 17). September 2009, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). By moving the emptying edge outward to the surface extending radially outward from the side wall, the total height of the bottle can be reduced, and therefore, less plastic is required in the bottle.

As generally illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the lid 190 includes an opening 300 that is selectively closed by the hinged lid 302 and in particular, a seal member 304 extending outwardly from the lid 302 to be received. in the opening. A rupture or removable seal panel 31 0 on the lid (of the type generally shown and described in the co-pending PCT application identified above) is preferably molded integral with the lid. The panel 310 is separated around the periphery by a brittle, thin wall portion 31 2, wherein the rupture panel interconnects with the closure surface 314 of the lid. A tongue, such as a ring tongue 320, is secured with the rupture panel 31 and once the consumer opens the lid 302 of the lid assembly, by rotating the lid over the joint 322 to an open position (Figure 8). ), the tab 320 is exposed and the consumer can remove the rupture panel 310 by breaking along the brittle connection. Once the rupture panel is removed, it forms the opening 300 in the lid assembly. In the same way, a seal 304 extended from the underside of the lid 302 has the dimensions for a sliding seal fit as an original seal, and then, reseal the contents of the fluid container. The protection against violations can also be provided by means of the rupture panel 310, that is, the consumer can recognize if the rupture panel is missing and if the content of the container has been compromised. With the use of a rupture panel that can be easily removed by pulling the ring tab 320 and removing the panel 310 from the remainder of the lid assembly 190, advantageously eliminates the need for a separate sheet seal, a packing or a similar structure.

The price of each cap can be reduced by approximately fifty percent (50%) with the current cap, while maintaining the ability to effectively seal along the inside of the neck, which provides the anti-violation feature and provides an effective seal that allows to impose a substantial torque on the cap to create the seal.

The description has been detailed with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to contemplate modifications and alterations after reading and understanding the following detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments be considered as including such modifications and alterations that fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims (19)

1. CLAIMS 1. A cap for selectively coupling an aperture formed in an associated bottle, which includes an external thread portion around the aperture, the cap is characterized in that it comprises: a generally flat surface with the dimensions to be overlapped in the aperture of the bottle associated; a side wall extending from the flat surface including internal thread portions therein with the dimensions for cooperative threaded coupling with the associated bottle thread portion; a lip extended from one of the flat surface and the side wall and directed inwardly from the side wall to be received in the associated bottle opening; Y a shoulder extended outwardly from the flat surface and spaced inwardly from the lip to engage with the seal lip as the cap is screwed into the associated bottle. 2. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the lip has a variable thickness along the length thereof. 3. The lid according to claim 2, characterized in that the lip has a thicker cross-sectional dimension adjacent to the interconnection region with one of the flat surface and the side wall. 4. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the lip has a thicker cross-sectional dimension adjacent to the interconnection region with one of the generally flat surface and the side wall. 5. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid is formed of a rigid plastic such as HDPE. 6. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the lip extends from the generally flat surface and is radially spaced inward from the side wall. 7. The lid according to claim 6, characterized in that the shoulder is separated radially inward from the lip. 8. The lid according to claim 7, characterized in that the shoulder extends outwardly from the generally flat surface a smaller dimension than the lip extends outwardly from the generally flat surface. 9. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoulder extends outwardly from the generally flat surface a smaller dimension than the lip extends outward from the generally flat surface. 10. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoulder is separated radially inward from the lip. eleven . The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a stop surface on the lid that is located to be operatively coupled with a corresponding stop shoulder on the associated bottle to limit the forces imposed on the lip and on the shoulder. 12. A molded plastic lid for a fluid bottle having an opening, the molded plastic lid is characterized in that it comprises: a generally flat member with the dimensions to cover the reception over the opening of the bottle; a side wall extended outward in a first direction from adjacent a perimeter of the generally planar member and surrounding the opening; a lip with contour extending a first dimension from the inner surface of the generally planar member and inwardly from adjacent to a perimeter thereof; Y a shoulder extending a second dimension from the inner surface of the generally flat member and further apart inwardly from the perimeter than the lip to seally engage the lip with the associated bottle. 13. The lid according to claim 12, characterized in that the lip has a reduced thickness at the distal end relative to the proximal end. 14. The lid according to claim 12, characterized in that the lid is formed of a rigid HDPE material. 15. The lid according to claim 12, characterized in that the first dimension of the lip is larger than the second dimension of the shoulder. 16. The lid according to claim 12, characterized in that the side wall includes a thread portion along the internal surface of the same for cooperative threaded coupling with the external thread portion around the opening of the associated bottle. 17. The lid according to claim 12, characterized in that it also comprises a stop surface for limiting the advance of the lid in the bottle on the opening. 18. The lid according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a drainage opening in the generally flat member and a closing lid hinged thereto. 19. The lid according to claim 18, characterized in that the emptying opening includes a thin wall violation evidence member, molded integrally with the generally flat member.