AU2001211579A1 - Resealable gas impermeable sealing assembly - Google Patents
Resealable gas impermeable sealing assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- AU2001211579A1 AU2001211579A1 AU2001211579A AU2001211579A AU2001211579A1 AU 2001211579 A1 AU2001211579 A1 AU 2001211579A1 AU 2001211579 A AU2001211579 A AU 2001211579A AU 2001211579 A AU2001211579 A AU 2001211579A AU 2001211579 A1 AU2001211579 A1 AU 2001211579A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- neck
- foil
- container
- spout
- sealing assembly
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims description 32
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 30
- 210000003739 neck Anatomy 0.000 description 26
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 7
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 3
- 150000000994 L-ascorbates Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000010323 ascorbic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229940123973 Oxygen scavenger Drugs 0.000 description 1
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001299 aldehydes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910003481 amorphous carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007799 cork Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001684 low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004702 low-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003566 sealing material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
Description
RESEALABLE GAS IMPERMEABLE SEALING ASSEMBLY
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas impermeable sealing assembly for a container of pressurised fluid. The invention is particularly applicable to gas impermeable containers such as PET or glass bottles.
Technical Problem
In order to achieve a significant shelf life, a container of pressurised fluid must be sealed in such a manner that gas cannot escape. For larger containers of, for example, carbonated drinks, the consumer a does not wish to use all of the contents at once. There is therefore a demand for a resealable closure.
Prior Art Solutions
A metal crown cork is a conventional gas impermeable sealing assembly. However it is not resealable and is not suitable for a PET bottle.
Typically PET or glass bottles will have an injection-moulded polyethylene cap that screws on to a preformed neck which is part of the PET or glass bottle. A wad of low density polyethylene sealing material that engages against the open neck is provided in the top of the cap. Alternatively, the cap may have a depending valve, which seats inside the neck.
When PET containers are filled at a pressure of 3 to 5 bar, the CO2 permeability of the container cap assembly of the prior art is not as good as that provided by a glass bottle with a metal cap. The shelf life is also determined by the penetration of oxygen into the container and by migration of aldehydes from the PET container into the product. Glass provides a perfect oxygen barrier. PET, depending upon the
treatment, has an oxygen permeability which varies between 0.0049cm3 per day to
0.0012 cm3 per day. Technical advances continue to be made which reduce the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability of PET containers to levels comparable to that of glass and tin cans. The closure of the container is therefore now of fundamental importance in maintaining the overall performance of the container as an oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier.
It has been proposed to place an oxygen scavenger in the lining of the cap. Ascorbates such as NaSO2 which oxidises to NaSO3 have been employed for this purpose. These ascorbates are relatively expensive and increase the overall cost of the container, which can be commercially critical.
Aluminium seals have been proposed but once removed there is no method of resealing such a closure and maintaining pressure insider the container.
There is, therefore, a technical problem to provide a cap that acts as an oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier such that the overall container in its ex-factory sealed condition loses less than 10% of carbon dioxide over a six-month shelf life. At present a standard untreated PET bottle loses 36% of the carbon dioxide after six months. This can be reduced by the use of so-called "multi-layered" PET bottles or bottles which have been treated with an amorphous carbon treatment on their internal surface, such as that offered by the French company, Sidel (RTM) under the ACTIS trade mark.
Solution of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container having an open neck and a resealable sealing assembly providing an ex-factory sealing condition and a resealed condition for the container; the assembly comprising a foil
providing a primary seal in the ex-factory sealing condition over the neck; a tubular spout surrounding and fitted to the neck; an over cap having means for removable engagement with an outer wall of the spout; a plug connected to the over cap and having a plate sealed to and supporting the foil in the ex-factory sealing condition and adapted to engage within the neck in the resealed condition.
Advantages of the Invention
Although a foil is gas impermeable, a thin foil would be ruptured by the gas pressure if not supported. The present assembly provides the necessary support to allow the use of a thin and therefore relatively light and inexpensive foil.
The presence of the tubular spout allows the assembly of the spout, over cap and foil to be prepared separately and fitted to the neck of the container after filling. This makes for efficient operation in the filling plant and allows for a wider filing hole on the bottle (allowing faster filling) and a pouring neck and cap assembly with a diameter of choice.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the invention may be well understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the over cap, spout and foil of the resealable sealing assembly above a bottle neck;
Figure 2 shows the resealable sealing assembly in its ex-factory sealing condition; and
Figure 3 shows the resealable sealing assembly in its resealed condition.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
The resealable sealing assembly 2 comprises an over cap 4, a tubular spout 6 and a foil 8. In the present embodiment, the resealable sealing assembly 2 is described as a cap closure for a bottle neck 10. The bottle may be a PET or PVC bottle formed from an injection-moulded preform that is blow moulded to the required shape, or a glass jar or bottle.
The neck 10 of the bottle is open and is provided with a projecting flange 12 to limit downward movement of the resealable sealing assembly during fitting and a rib 14 which projects from an outer wall of the neck to interlock with an inwardly projecting rib 16 of the spout 6.
The foil 8 may be a polymer foil or a polymer foil laminated to an aluminium foil or aluminium. The foil is selected so that it is capable of being bonded on both sides and torn with minimal user force. Any layer of polymer must also be sufficiently thin so as not to inhibit the tearability of the foil. A foil of aluminium of thickness between 12 and 25 microns with polymer layers on both sides of between 15 and 30 microns will tear easily in use while maintaining the necessary gas tight seal when supported by the over cap. Thinner polymer layers are also possible. The foil 8 is preferably supplied already bonded within the resealable sealing assembly.
The spout 6 is preferably an injection moulded polyethylene or PET component. It surrounds and is fitted to the neck 10 of the bottle. The spout comprises a skirt 20 that surrounds the neck and terminates in an inwardly projecting rib 16. A shoulder 22 is formed in the spout where it seats on top of the open mouth of the neck 10 and sandwiches the foil 8 between a surface 24 of the spout and an upper face of the open
mouth of the neck. Both these co-operating surfaces may be stepped as shown in
Figure 1 to facilitate correct engagement during the assembly process.
The spout 6 has a tubular outer wall 26 extending upwardly from the shoulder 22. In an outer surface of the wall 26 a screw thread or a plurality of projecting ribs 30 are formed to co-operate with corresponding formations 32 on an inner surface of an outer wall 34 of the over cap 4.
The over cap 4 has a plug 36 which depends from a top of the cap within the outer wall 34. A base of the plug 36 is formed by a circular plate 40. In this embodiment the plate 40 is a separate component which is mounted to a wall of the plug by means of an annular latching ring 42 which defines an outwardly facing recess 44 into which an annular inwardly projecting edge 46 of the wall of the plug fits. This assembly allows the plate 40 to swivel relative to the rest of the over cap.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the plate 40 is integrally moulded with the depending wall of the plug.
An open top of the plug 36 is closed by means of a cavity plug 50 which push fits within them top to give a neat finish.
Method of Use
The ex-factory sealing condition of the resealable sealing assembly is shown in
Figure 2. The over cap 4 is screwed onto the spout sot that the plate 40 supports the sealing foil 8 which lies in the open plane of the mouth of the neck 10. The foil 98 is welded to the base of the plate 40, and the surface 24 of the spout and the upper surface of the neck. The over cap 4, spout 6 and foil 8 are provided pre-assembled so that only the step of fitting the skirt 20 of the spout to the neck and heat sealing the
assembly together is left to be completed. The sealing of the foil 8 over the open mouth of neck 10 provides the primary seal in this ex-factory sealing condition.
In this ex-factory sealing condition there is an exposed annular gap 52 between the base of the wall 34 and the shoulder 22. The presence of this gap 52 serves as evidence that the resealable sealing assembly has not been tampered with while the product was on the shelf. Alternatively (not shown) a tamper evident tear band at the base of the wall 34 of the cap can be used to cover the gap 52.
When the assembly is to be opened the user rotates the over cap 4 relative to the spout 6. This causes a shearing force on the foil 8 which tears the foil in the annular region surrounding the plug 36. The swivel mounting of the plate 40 relative to the over cap allows the over cap to start rotating before the foil starts to tear. This allows the cap to be opened with a smaller starting torque. Once the cap is loosened the upward movement of the plug will reduce the support for the foil 8 and the pressure within the container will assist in rupturing the foil 8.
Figure 3 shows the resealed condition of the resealable sealing assembly. In this condition the foil 8 is no longer intact. When the over cap 4 is screwed fully down onto the spout 6 the edge of the wall 34 rests on the shoulder 22. This limits further downward movement of the cap. In this position, the plate 40 has entered the mouth of the neck 10 and a secondary seal is formed by the engagement of the edge of the plate 40 with an inner edge of the mouth of the neck as shown at the region marked A. Preferably, the plate 40 has a bevelled edge in order to permit easy entry into the mouth of the neck and to ensure that a secondary seal is formed even if the dimensions of the necks of the bottles vary.
It will be appreciated that the shelf life of the product stored in a container sealed with such a resealable sealing assembly is considerably extended because the primary seal provided by the foil has a high level of gas impermeability.
The use of separate spout 6 results in a saving in the amount of neck material used in the preform of the bottle.
Claims (5)
1. A container having an open neck and a resealable sealing assembly providing an ex-factory sealing condition and a resealed condition for the container; the assembly comprising a foil providing a primary seal in the ex-factory sealing condition over the neck; a tubular spout surrounding and fitted to the neck; an over cap having means for removable engagement with an outer wall of the spout; a plug connected to the over cap and having a plate sealed to and supporting the foil in the ex-factory sealing condition and adapted to engage within the neck in the resealed condition.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is mounted to the plug so that it can rotate relative to the plug.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is integrally formed with the plug.
4. A resealable sealing assembly of spout, over cap and foil for fitting to a container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
5. A resealable sealing assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2000/004211 WO2002036455A1 (en) | 2000-11-02 | 2000-11-02 | Resealable gas impermeable sealing assembly |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2001211579A1 true AU2001211579A1 (en) | 2002-07-18 |
| AU2001211579B2 AU2001211579B2 (en) | 2006-08-24 |
Family
ID=9886205
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2001211579A Ceased AU2001211579B2 (en) | 2000-11-02 | 2000-11-02 | Resealable gas impermeable sealing assembly |
| AU1157901A Pending AU1157901A (en) | 2000-11-02 | 2000-11-02 | Resealable gas impermeable sealing assembly |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU1157901A Pending AU1157901A (en) | 2000-11-02 | 2000-11-02 | Resealable gas impermeable sealing assembly |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6877630B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1334041B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE304977T1 (en) |
| AU (2) | AU2001211579B2 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE60022794T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK1334041T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2248140T3 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA03003851A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ525258A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002036455A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003062061A1 (en) * | 2002-01-25 | 2003-07-31 | Spreckelsen Mcgeough Limited | Container closures |
| DE20209664U1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2003-10-23 | Weener Plastik GmbH & Co KG, 26826 Weener | Closure with pouring device |
| US20050167430A1 (en) * | 2004-02-03 | 2005-08-04 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Double rib overcap for a container with a removable membrane |
| GB0415204D0 (en) * | 2004-07-07 | 2004-08-11 | Dubois Ltd | Packaging article |
| US7454883B2 (en) * | 2005-08-18 | 2008-11-25 | Robert Q. Hoyt | Device, kit and method for use in handling containers |
| GB2433496B (en) * | 2005-12-22 | 2007-11-21 | Bapco Closures Res Ltd | Tamper evident drinking fitment |
| US8328036B2 (en) | 2006-05-08 | 2012-12-11 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Double rib overcap with plug for a container with a removable membrane |
| US20070262077A1 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2007-11-15 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Dual function overcap for a container with a removable membrane |
| WO2008024775A1 (en) * | 2006-08-21 | 2008-02-28 | Tropicana Products, Inc. | Closure for container |
| WO2008024774A2 (en) * | 2006-08-21 | 2008-02-28 | Tropicana Products, Inc. | Container having improved pouring characteristics |
| WO2008103343A1 (en) * | 2007-02-23 | 2008-08-28 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Hinged overcap from a container |
| US8141309B2 (en) * | 2008-05-26 | 2012-03-27 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Energy absorptive impalement protective cover apparatus |
| PH12012500889A1 (en) * | 2009-11-05 | 2012-11-12 | Liquid Health Labs Inc | Universal domed closure to supply dose |
| WO2012080766A1 (en) | 2010-12-13 | 2012-06-21 | Elocap Ltd | Assembly for obturating a container |
| BR112015002362A2 (en) * | 2012-08-12 | 2017-07-04 | Bevaswiss Ag | push-button closure to initiate molded capsule emptying in this closure |
| ES2610737T3 (en) * | 2013-12-23 | 2017-05-03 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Opening device of a container and procedure for manufacturing such opening device |
| EP3153415B1 (en) * | 2015-10-05 | 2018-09-19 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | An apparatus for capping a container |
| CN105480517B (en) * | 2015-11-25 | 2017-09-19 | 华东交通大学 | A kind of sealed reagent bottle |
| DE102016107596A1 (en) * | 2016-04-25 | 2017-10-26 | Bericap Gmbh & Co. Kg | Screw cap for large containers |
| CN110482010A (en) * | 2019-07-13 | 2019-11-22 | 中山市华宝勒生活用品实业有限公司 | A kind of plunger type capping |
| WO2022189029A1 (en) * | 2021-03-10 | 2022-09-15 | Sig Technology Ag | Pouring element and composite packaging with improved opening behavior |
| NO348224B1 (en) * | 2022-12-22 | 2024-10-07 | Elopak Asa | Cellulose based fiber material closure device for a paper or paperboard-based package |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2849755A1 (en) * | 1978-11-16 | 1980-05-29 | Eckes Fa Peter | DEVICE FOR REPEATING OPENING AND CLOSING AN OPENING IN A LID OF A CONTAINER |
| US4747499A (en) * | 1983-02-14 | 1988-05-31 | Sunbeam Plastics Corporation | Tamper indicating closure with adhesive-attached gasket |
| CH669575A5 (en) * | 1985-08-20 | 1989-03-31 | Alfatechnic Ag | |
| BE904849A (en) * | 1986-05-30 | 1986-09-15 | Calwag Sa | PLUG FOR SEALING A CONTAINER, THE PORT OF WHICH IS CLOSED BY A SOLIDARIZED LID THEREOF BY INDUCTION OR CONDUCTION. |
| PT86049A (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1988-12-15 | Astra Plastique | COVER FOR INITIALLY CLOSED CONTAINER WITH PERFURABLE OPCULTURE |
| CH672626A5 (en) * | 1987-06-16 | 1989-12-15 | Alfatechnic Ag | |
| FR2766464B1 (en) * | 1997-07-25 | 1999-09-17 | Thierry Jore | DEVICE FOR DRILLING A PACKAGE |
| GB2350105B (en) * | 1999-05-20 | 2001-04-11 | Spreckelsen Mcgeough Ltd | Resealable gas impermeable sealing assembly |
-
2000
- 2000-11-02 EP EP00973023A patent/EP1334041B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-11-02 AU AU2001211579A patent/AU2001211579B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-11-02 WO PCT/GB2000/004211 patent/WO2002036455A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-11-02 DE DE60022794T patent/DE60022794T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-11-02 NZ NZ525258A patent/NZ525258A/en unknown
- 2000-11-02 ES ES00973023T patent/ES2248140T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-11-02 AU AU1157901A patent/AU1157901A/en active Pending
- 2000-11-02 DK DK00973023T patent/DK1334041T3/en active
- 2000-11-02 AT AT00973023T patent/ATE304977T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-11-02 MX MXPA03003851A patent/MXPA03003851A/en active IP Right Grant
-
2003
- 2003-04-09 US US10/414,558 patent/US6877630B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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