Closure

Details Closure Closure

1999-12-23

2001-10-09

Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)

Bottles and jars

Closures

Closure pivoted about receptacle opening

C215S245000, C215S253000, C215S305000, C215S306000, C215S317000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06299005

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a closure for a container.
The present invention relates particularly, although by no means exclusively, to a closure that is an alternative to conventional internally threaded closures that are adapted to be positioned on complementary externally threaded necks of aerated beverage containers.
The threaded necks of aerated beverage containers formed from plastics materials, such as polyethylene terepthalate, account for a significant proportion, typically 10%, of the total weight of the containers. The relatively high materials requirements for the container necks is necessary to provide neck constructions that can cooperate with threaded closures to provide an adequate seal to withstand internal pressures generated when containers are filled with an aerated beverage and to enable adequate resealing of the containers after the containers have been opened and portions of the contents consumed.
It can readily be appreciated that the relatively high materials requirements for the container necks is a substantial cost component in the manufacture of the containers.
An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative closure that is suitable for use with containers for aerated beverages.
According to the present invention there is provided a closure for a container, the container having an opening, the closure comprising a cap to close the container opening, the cap including:
(i) a top wall,
(ii) a side wall,
(iii) a closure member that can be moved into a closed position in which the closure member engages a reaction surface of the container and thereby resists release of the cap from the container and generates a downwardly-acting force which results in a seal being formed between the cap and a rim of the container which defines the container opening, the closure member being connected to the side wall so that it can move in an overcentre action between an open position in which the closure member does not engage the reaction surface and the closed position in which the closure member engages the reaction surface.
It is preferred that the reaction surface be part of an outer surface of the container.
The reaction surface may be of any suitable configuration.
It is preferred that the reaction surface be in the form of an undercut surface in the outer surface of the container.
It is preferred that the undercut surface extend around the circumference of the container at that location on the container.
The closure member may be any suitable configuration.
It is preferred that the closure member be a lever.
It is preferred particularly that the lever be connected at its fulcrum to the side wall of the cap and comprises:
(i) one end for contacting the reaction surface; and p
1
(ii) an opposed end that can be manipulated by a person to move the closure member between the open and the closed positions.
The closure may include an internal circumferential bead on the side wall of the cap which contacts a section of the outer surface of the container with an interference fit when the closure member is in the open position and forms a seal between the cap and the container. Thus, with this arrangement the closure seals the container opening even in situations where the closure member is in the open position.
It is preferred that the bead contact the section of the outer surface of the container with the interference fit after being snap-fitted over an external bead of the container.
Preferably the external bead of the container is at a location that is closer than the reaction surface to the container opening.
It is preferred that the closure means comprise two webs, one on each side of the lever and that the webs connect together the side wall of the cap and one or more of sections of the lever located between the fulcrum and the said opposed end of the lever.
It is preferred that the joint between each web and the side wall, as viewed in front elevation, be upwardly curved away from the lever. The applicant has found that the upward curve of the webs contributes to the overcentre action of the lever.
It is preferred that the cap be formed from a plastics material.
It is preferred that the closure further comprises a tamper evident means.
It is preferred that the tamper evident means comprises a band connected to the cap by frangible bridges.
According to the present invention there is also provided an assembly of a container and a closure, as described above.


REFERENCES:
patent: D. 970037 (2000-08-01), Gilfillan
patent: 2778520 (1957-01-01), Hyde, Jr.
patent: 3405830 (1968-10-01), Hayashida
patent: 3603473 (1971-09-01), Winberg
patent: 4531650 (1985-07-01), Friendship
patent: 5251770 (1993-10-01), Bartley et al.
patent: 5348181 (1994-09-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5842592 (1998-12-01), Beck
patent: 2452766 (1976-05-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Closure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Closure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Closure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2602398