US20040055991A1 - Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck - Google Patents
Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040055991A1 US20040055991A1 US10/668,780 US66878003A US2004055991A1 US 20040055991 A1 US20040055991 A1 US 20040055991A1 US 66878003 A US66878003 A US 66878003A US 2004055991 A1 US2004055991 A1 US 2004055991A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- neck
- closure
- cap
- threads
- teeth
- Prior art date
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- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
- B65D41/0414—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck
- B65D41/0421—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck and combined with integral sealing means contacting other surfaces of a container neck
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- 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
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/02—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents
- B65D1/0223—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures, designed for pouring contents characterised by shape
- B65D1/023—Neck construction
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- 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
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0471—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with means for positioning the cap on the container, or for limiting the movement of the cap, or for preventing accidental loosening of the cap
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- 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
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/16—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
- B65D41/17—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers push-on and twist-off
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
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- 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
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/0093—Membrane
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- 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
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- 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
- B65D2401/25—Non-metallic tear-off strips
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- 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
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- 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
- B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
- B65D2501/0009—Bottles or similar containers with necks or like restricted apertures designed for pouring contents
- B65D2501/0081—Bottles of non-circular cross-section
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- 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
- B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
- B65D2577/10—Container closures formed after filling
- B65D2577/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers
- B65D2577/2041—Pull tabs
- B65D2577/205—Pull tabs integral with the closure
Abstract
A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. One neck has double lead external threads and, below the threads, a conical wall having external ratchet teeth. The closure has an upper skirt having internal threads mating with the neck threads. A conical lower skirt is connected to the upper skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges. The lower skirt has internal ratchet teeth to mate with the neck ratchet teeth. The cap skirt threads are double pitch and slightly over 360° in length. When the cap is applied to the neck it snaps on in two stages. The lower skirt has a tear tab which, when pulled, fractures the lower skirt on a vertical line. Continued pulling on the tab sequentially fractures the bridges. Another neck has a neck stretch with multiple neck threads and a locking wall below the neck stretch with a plurality of external teeth. The closure has an upper skirt with multiple closure threads which mate with the neck threads and a tamper-evidencing band with a plurality of internal teeth shaped and positioned to engage the external teeth. The teeth are shaped to guide the teeth into side-by-side interengage during axial application of the cap to the neck.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/210,716, filed Jul. 30, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/746,882, filed Dec. 22, 2000 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,412, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/356,063, filed Jul. 19, 1999 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,853, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/071,625, filed May 1, 1998 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,321, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/781,453, filed Jan. 10, 1997 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,348, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/456,741, filed Jun. 1, 1995 and now abandoned, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/029,177, filed Mar. 10, 1993 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,376, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/830,133, filed Jan. 31, 1992 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,661, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/772,945, filed Oct. 8, 1991 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,224, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/565,638, filed August9, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,178. The entire disclosures of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a new and improved container closure and container neck structure and more particularly to a structure wherein the closure is applied with a single one-dimensional axial downward force onto the neck and is held in such position by a tamper-evident band. The consumer destroys a frangible connection between the cap and the band during initial removal, preferably by tearing away the band enabling the closure to be unscrewed from the container neck. When the cap is used for reclosure purposes, it may be screwed on and screwed off in the same manner as screw caps have heretofore been used.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Prior snap-on, screw-off structures may be classified under either of the following categories: (1) Those with thread engagement as initially applied; and (2) Those without.
- The major advantages of the no-thread initial engagement systems are that they are conceptually simple, careful alignment of the closure and the container is not necessary upon application of the closure, and easy (low force) application is possible since no thread-jumping is required. This version can be an aesthetically pleasing, straight wall cap design, and good re-seal is achieved on reclosure because of the torque advantage of threads. On the other hand, the disadvantages of such a system are that it may be confusing to the consumer because initial removal is merely by lifting the cap off the neck but subsequent use requires twisting the cap relative to the neck. Further, it is difficult to use the system with a lined closure because of the height relationships between the finish and the cap, and finally the cap must be relatively tall, which forces the use of fine threads, which can be difficult to mold. None of these disadvantages are present in this invention.
- A closure such as Crisci U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,553 has a number of problems. The tamper evident feature of the closure may be circumvented by being able to engage the threads of the neck and closure (thereby creating a mechanical advantage) and back off the cap while the tamper-evident band is intact. Secondly, the device is confusing to the consumer since the cap is screwed off during removal only by inwardly distorting the cap skirt. The cap is reapplied as a standard snap cap.
- Full thread engagement as the cap is initially applied has a number of conceptual advantages. Consumer confusion is eliminated since initial removal is by unscrewing. A number of seal systems, including foil, full liner, plugs or other linerless seals can be used. However, full engagement systems heretofore have been difficult to achieve in practice. A disadvantage of a closure such as Carr U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,875 is that there is no practical, consistent means to orient the cap relative to the container so that, after application, the cap must be turned at least slightly to ensure a tight seal. This defeats the purpose of a push-on cap. Also, the use of a stretch snap-band tamper evident ring excessively increases the application force necessary to seat the cap.
- The present invention provides full thread engagement by reason of unique thread design and, more particularly, a unique tamper-evident band (i.e., lower skirt portion) attached to the upper part of the cap by multiple bridges or by means of a continuous line of weakness between the cap and tear band, as well as a means of orienting closure and bottle threads to achieve registration prior to straight axial application.
- The present invention has considerable advantages over prior structures for the reasons above noted, among others.
- The present invention comprises an improved closure or cap and an improved neck finish. The cap skirt and neck are provided with mating threads of such shape that the cap may be applied in a simple downward vertical movement, the cap skirt and neck flexing sufficiently to permit the threads to slip past each other.
- The threads may be continuous or interrupted. Also, instead of there being two threads—one on the neck and one on the cap, one external thread may be replaced with a groove. The term “helical engagement means” is sometimes used herein to encompass all such screw retention means.
- The cap has a tamper-evident tear band below the skirt which is connected to the skirt by a plurality of bridges or by a continuous line of weakness. Ratchet teeth are positioned on the inside of the tamper evident band. Correspondingly, the container neck below the threads is formed with external ratchet teeth. The mating ratchet teeth of the cap and container neck are engaged by the initial downward movement of the cap relative to the neck. In other words, in order to engage the ratchet teeth it is not necessary to rotate the cap relative to the neck, thereby differing from conventional threaded tamper-evident caps. It is merely necessary to provide alignment means on the cap and on the container so that the cap is initially properly oriented in such position that a direct single vertically downward movement of the cap relative to the neck causes the threads to slip relative to each other and the ratchet teeth to lock in final position. Chamfers on the ratchet structure of either closure or container can be used as a “fine” orientation system as the closure is initially applied.
- To achieve proper registration of threads when a simple direct axial application force is used, both the neck threads and closure threads must be oriented. Orientation of the container is relatively easy. Generally, containers are either non-circular or have non-circular features which may be used for proper orientation. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention shown herein, the closure has a downward projecting tab similar to the tear tab used on push-on tear-off closures. The vertical tear tab characteristic of the present closure is an excellent orientation feature. However, other means for orienting the cap and container may be used.
- Thread design is another feature of the invention. A large number of threads per inch of axial height is desirable for two reasons. First, a fine thread may be used and such a thread does not have to be as deep as a coarse thread, and hence the forces required for threads to jump during application are minimized. Secondly, fine threads minimize the height required to achieve a standard design criterion of 360° or more of thread engagement which permits a lighter closure weight.
- The greater the number of thread leads, the less actual turning action is required to remove or reapply the cap. In addition, multiple thread leads promote more “squareness” during straight axial application. In other words, the cap seats horizontally on the neck because the termini of the threads are statically balanced. However, additional leads require a higher thread pitch assuming constant threads per inch and excessively high thread pitch results in a situation where the closure may back off or unscrew itself from sealed position.
- In accordance with the present invention, a preferred thread for a blow-molded, high density polyethylene bottle is 12 threads per inch and two leads. If bottle finish processing permits, it would be advantageous to design for higher threads per inch and more leads. For example, if the bottle is made with injection blow mold equipment, a very fine bottle thread is possible. In that case, it might be preferable to use, for example, a 16 thread-per-inch, 4 lead, 4 pitch thread. The more leads, the more squarely the cap sets on the neck and the more effectively the closure will be seated by a direct downward, axial application force.
- Also, consumer advantages of quick release and reapplication can be achieved with multiple lead threads.
- In order to provide a tamper-evident feature, the closure should not be removable without some apparent closure characteristic changing. Generally, this requirement is satisfied by incorporating a frangible section which is destroyed during initial closure removal. One type of frangible section is a continuous thinned tear line, but in a cap of the present invention, such a system may not be the best choice, although permissible and is disclosed as a modification of the first embodiment of the invention. A preferred tamper-evident feature provides a frangible section having a number of frangible connections or bridges between the closure skirt and a tamper-evident ring below the bottom edge of the skirt. The preferred approach is to incorporate enough bridges around the circumference such that the combined strength of the bridges prevents unscrewing. The tamper evident band must be removed to allow unscrewing. Sequential breaking of the many bridges around the circumference simulates a continuous tear. A second approach is to incorporate only a few bridges around the circumference of the skirt such that the combined strength of the bridges is not sufficient to prevent unscrewing and the bridges rupture as the cap is initially unscrewed. With this second approach the broken bridges give evidence of opening. A major advantage of using bridges rather than a continuous tear strip is that a wide range of material choices is possible. Therefore a multiple bridge simulated tear structure is generally preferred over continuous tear frangible sections and this approach is used in the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, in a modification of the invention an uninterrupted horizontal shoulder between the upper and lower portions of the cap is used, which shoulder is formed with a line of weakness. The alternative modification eliminates the space between the bridges to create a continuous frangible line. This modification is used successfully only when the cap is formed of a low density polyethylene and is not successfully used with higher density plastic materials. One of the advantages of the elimination of the spaced bridges is that of cleanliness in that the continuous shoulder prevents dirt and liquids from contacting any portion of the neck surface above the bottom edge of the cap.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter described in detail, the closure is first oriented by means of its tear tab and the containers are likewise oriented. The closure and bottle are snapped together and the orientation allows registration of both the threads and the ratchets which hold the cap in place until the tamper-evident band is removed. Seal of the container may be made with a liner, foil or a linerless feature such as a plug or flap. Before initial removal, the multiple bridges are collectively sufficiently strong to prevent unscrewing and also resist any tendency of the closure to back off the neck. During initial removal, in the preferred embodiment the tear band is removed through sequential breaking of the bridges, thereby simulating a continuous tear strip but allowing the use of such plastic materials as polypropylene and high density polyethylene. Once the tear band is removed, the system functions as with normal threaded closures. Alternatively the upper and lower portions of the cap skirt are connected by a reduced number of angularly spaced bridges. Merely by twisting the upper skirt portion the bridges may be severed, giving evidence of tampering, and making it possible to unscrew the cap.
- One of the features of the present invention is that the lower skirt portion, which includes tamper-evident features and, more particularly, contains ratchet teeth mating with corresponding teeth on the container neck, is formed with a vertical line of weakness and a tear tab adjacent thereto. When the lower skirt is removed it tears along the vertical line of weakness as well as along the line of weakness between the upper part of the cap and the lower skirt (i.e., tamper-evident band.) This feature has a number of advantages:
- First, it prevents defeating the tamper-evident feature. Were it not for the vertical line of weakness, a dishonest patron might unscrew the upper cap, remove the contents of the container and replace the cap. It is somewhat difficult to observe that the line of weakness between the upper cap and tamper-evident band has been severed. When the vertical line of weakness is severed, this is not a problem since the lower skirt cannot be replaced.
- Second, if the molds for the cap are not perfectly supported, plastic material may fill some or all of the voids between bridges joining the upper cap to the tamper-evident band. This makes it difficult for some users to remove the tamper-evident band. The vertical line of weakness makes it much easier to remove the lower skirt or band. Indeed, the bridges between the upper cap and band may be made thicker or some of the voids between bridges may be eliminated.
- Thirdly, the intact tamper-evident band may create a danger to wildlife if the head of a bird, fish or small animal is entrapped therein. Splitting the band along the vertical line of weakness eliminates this hazard.
- A further feature of the invention is the fact that the cap ratchet lug on the interior of the lower cap skirt is located between two external lugs on the neck finish when the cap is applied so that on application the cap cannot rotate outside of its “tolerance range”, that is, there is an orientation feature of the cap and bottle ratchets for proper engagement.
- Another advantage of the invention is that the cap may be applied to the neck in two stages (i.e., “double click”). When the container is filled with milk or certain other liquids, entrapped air or other gases tend to cause foam. The thread structure of the present invention makes it possible to press the cap down until one set of threads passes the other. This holds the cap on the neck and holds it properly aligned relative to the neck ratchet. However, the cap is not tight and hence air and gas may escape. Then the cap is pressed down once more to tightly engaged and sealed position. To insure two “clicks” the closure thread has to jump two neck threads during application. This means that if the cap threads extend a full 360° around the cap skirt inner wall (180° each for double lead threads), the finish threads have to be repetitive at some point of the circumference. This also means that either the cap threads or the finish thread must be repetitive vertically. I.e., the threads must overlap on either the neck or cap in order to make possible the double click.
- More specifically, the caps pass down a conveyor overlying the path of the containers and as each container passes the end of the conveyor, a cap drops onto the neck. The cap and neck then pass under a roller which preliminarily presses the cap down on the neck. One of the features of the thread construction of the present invention is that there is more than one full turn of thread engagement of the threads. Hence, the roller pushing the cap through the first step or snap prevents the latter from falling off the neck when it is subjected to such action as milk foaming in the interior of the container. Hence the cap stays on the bottle, although not being tightly sealed thereto, until the bottle passes under the conventional capping machine belt or pressure plate which fully seats the cap on the neck. This is a second step or snap of the cap on the bottle and insures that both threads are tightly engaged.
- When the first snap of the cap on the bottle occurs, the ratchet teeth of the cap engage the ratchet teeth of the neck but a slight twisting is possible within the range of tolerance of approximately 20°. Such a rotation of the cap relative to the neck changes the height of the cap only about 0.009 inches. However, this turning ability of the cap relative to the neck with such slight changes in the height of the cap relative to the neck insures proper final alignment of the ratchet teeth of the cap and neck, while permitting release of foam or excess air.
- Still another feature of the invention is an internal shoulder at the intersection of the underside of the disk and the top of the upper cap skirt. This shoulder prevents the cap from being turned or torqued to jump threads or strip the threads. The inner plug of the cap tends to push the neck of the bottle outward against the shoulder and the shoulder then prevents turning or stripping. Further, the fit of the shoulder against the neck tends to reduce leakage and rigidifies the cap.
- Another feature of the present invention is that the cap is provided with a plug or inner skirt which fits inside the bottle neck. The length of this plug is related to the positioning of the screw threads on the cap in such manner that the threads of the cap and bottle neck engage before the plug engages the neck. Thus a quarter-turn of each of the double lead threads occurs before the plug contacts the neck. This feature reduces the possibility of cross-threading when the cap is applied to the neck as a reclosure cap.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cap and neck before assembly, the cap being partially broken away in section to reveal internal construction.
- FIG. 2 is a bottom plan of the cap.
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan of the cap.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are, respectively, enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken along lines4-4 and 5-5 of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 6 is a top plan of the neck.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 are, respectively, enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken along lines7-7 and 8-8 of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view through an assembled cap and neck taken in the positions of line4-4 of FIG. 2 and 7-7 of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 taken in the positions of line5-5 of FIG. 2 and 8-8 of FIG. 6.
- FIG. 10A is a view similar to FIG. 10 of a modification.
- FIGS. 11A, 11B and11C are schematic views showing progressive “double click” cap attachment wherein the cap thread has one turn and the neck has multiple threads.
- FIGS. 12A, 12B and12C are views similar to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C wherein the neck thread has one turn and the cap thread multiple turns.
- FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a cap.
- FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a cap taken along line14-14 of FIG. 13.
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a cap taken along line15-15 of FIG. 13.
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along line16-16 of FIG. 15.
- FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a cap applied to a neck.
- FIG. 17A is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a cap applied to a neck.
- FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a container.
- FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of an another embodiment of a cap.
- FIG. 20 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along line20-20 of FIG. 19.
- FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a cap, shown partly in cross section.
- FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a neck.
- FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, top plan view showing the cap applied to a container.
- FIG. 24 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of another embodiment of a cap.
- FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a cap applied to a container.
- FIG. 26 is a fragmentary plan view of a capping machine, showing a cap positioned within the chute.
- FIG. 27 is a partial top plan view of a capping machine, showing a container positioned on the conveyor or belt.
- FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a neck.
- FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the neck of FIG. 28.
- FIG. 30 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along line30-30 of FIG. 29.
- FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of a cap.
- FIG. 32 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along line32-32 of FIG. 19.
- FIG. 33 is view similar to FIG. 32 of another embodiment of a cap.
- Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
-
Cap 21, hereinafter described in detail, is used with acontainer neck 22.Neck 22 has acentral neck opening 23 and extending outwardly thereof a downward-outward slantedlip flange 24 which terminates in avertical stretch 28. The exterior ofneck 22 is hereinafter described. The interior thereof forms no part of the present invention. With a blow-molded bottle finish as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the interior contour of the neck generally tends to follow that of the exterior. However, it will be understood that other types of bottles may be used and in such instances the internal neck shape may vary from that of the exterior. - Extending outward of
stretch 28 are threads 29. In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 there are two threads 29 designated 29 a and 29 b. In the embodiment, the finish has twelve threads per inch with a double lead, each thread being six pitch and extending slightly in excess of 360° of a full thread. Thus theupper terminus 31 of the first thread is vertically displaced approximately 0.166 inch from the lower terminus 32 thereof. Theupper terminus 33 of the second thread is displaced 180° relative toterminus 31 and itslower terminus 34 is approximately diametrically opposite terminus 32. It is understood that the threads can be extended greater than 360° to achieve increased thread engagement. Also, additional thread leads and different linear thread density (threads per inch) are permitted and may be advantageously chosen. In order to permit the threads of the cap to slip past the threads of the neck, as shown in FIG. 7, theupper flank 36 of thread 29 slants downwardly and outwardly at approximately 45° while thelower flank 37 slants downwardly and inwardly at an angle of about 10°. Preferably thethread apex 38 is made with as large a radius as possible. Aportion 41 ofvertical stretch 28 is located below the threads 29 extending down toupper shoulder 42, which is horizontal. - As stated previously, instead of threads on the inside of the skirt and outside of the neck, one thread may be replaced by a groove. Further, instead of threads29 being continuous, they may be interrupted.
- Below
shoulder 42 is lockingarea wall 46 which slants downward/outward at an angle of about 10°.Wall 46 terminates inlower shoulder 47 which is also approximately horizontal. Outwardly of and belowshoulder 47 is a lowervertical stretch 48 which at its lower end merges with the container. Bumper ring segments 49 (here shown as four in number) may be formed in thestretch 48 to facilitate gripping the container during filling and loading and also to provide certain vertical flexibility to the neck during the capping operation. - On opposite sides of
neck 22 projecting out fromwall 46 areteeth 51. As illustrated in FIG. 6, there are typically three such teeth on one side of the container neck and three teeth on the opposite side. The total extent of the three teeth on each side is approximately 90°. Each tooth has atop surface 52 which can be co-planar with the surface ofshoulder 42.Outer surface 53 slants downward/outward at an angle of approximately 10°, terminating inshoulder 47. The front edges 54 viewed from above in plan as in FIG. 6 (assuming a right-hand thread) are disposed at varying angles from about 45° to about 0° relative to a radial line drawn perpendicular to the vertical axis and are approximately vertical. - A preferred
cap 21 used with theneck structure 22 previously described is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. The cap has a generally flattop disk 61 from the periphery of which depends substantially vertical shortupper skirt 62. The lower edge ofskirt 62 merges with slantedstretch 63, which, in turn, merges withvertical stretch 64. Aninternal shoulder 65 is formed at the intersection ofstretches Members vertical ribs 66 spaced therearound to enable the user to grip the cap.Chamfers 67 are preferably formed on the upper edges ofribs 66. The ribs of the cap are thus, in effect, rounded but extend higher. Hence they are more severely gripped by the user when screwing or unscrewing the cap. - On the interior of
skirt 66 are formedthreads threads neck 22. Thebottom edge 72 ofskirt 64 is connected toshoulder 73 and generally downwardly/outwardly slantedlower skirt 74 by a plurality ofbridges 76 which in fact constitute the lower edges ofribs 66. The bridges and voids therebetween are sometimes referred to herein as “horizontal lines of weakness”.Skirt 74 has a generally horizontallower edge 77. -
Teeth 81 spaced and dimensioned to match theteeth 51 ofneck 22 are formed on the inside ofwall 74. Theinner edges 82 of the teeth are positioned close toinner surface 46 after cap application. The leadingedge 83 of eachtooth 81 is formed at an angle of approximately 45° to a radial line, thereby ensuring good interlock with thecomplementary surface 54 ofneck 22. This angular relationship biases thecap 21 into a more secure locking arrangement with theneck 22. -
Tear tab 86 extends downwardly fromlower edge 77 and an upper side edge thereof merges with a weakened vertically extendingline 87 formed inskirt 74. Use of weakenedline 87 is optional, but preferably used to prevent the ring-like skirt 74 being a hazard to wildlife and to accomplish the other objects set forth earlier in this description. When theconsumer grips tab 86, bridges 76 are severed and the vertical weakenedline 87 is broken. Thus pulling thetab 86 sequentially fractures weakenedline 87 and then each of the bridges 76 (i.e., the horizontal weakened line). Removal of thelower skirt 74 removes theratchet teeth 81 and hence frees the upper portion of the cap so that it can be unscrewed. However, such removal of the lower skirt gives evidence of the opening of the cap and hence is a tamper-evident feature. Alternatively, the user may twistupper skirt 64, severing bridges 76. To prevent defeating the tamper-evident features of the cap, the bridges may be made stronger. A combination of circumferentially spacedthin bridges 76 and arcuate continuous areas relieved by circular arc tear lines may be used. - Although various liners may be used to secure the under side of
disk 61 to thelip flange 24 ofneck 22, in the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment shows an inner skirt or plug 91 extending downward fromtop disk 61 and fitting inside theneck opening 23. Preferably the outer bottom edge ofskirt 91 is formed with abevel 92 to facilitate seating of thecap 21 on theneck 22. Acircular rib 94 on the underside ofdisk 61 is located betweenplug 91 andskirt 62 and engagesneck lip flange 24 to provide a secondary seal. - The
threads cap 21 are double lead and each extends around the circumference of the cap in excess of 180°, i.e., approximately 200°. Thethreads bottom edge 72 ofvertical stretch 64.Threads neck 22 originate spaced somewhat downwardly from the top onvertical stretch 28. As has previously been stated in the summary of this invention, in conventional capping machines,cap 21 is deposited onneck 22. Because of the fact that thethreads cap 21 tends to rest on theneck 22 approximately horizontally. The first step inseating cap 21 is to pass under a roller which pushes thecap 21 downwardly. The threads on the cap slip over the uppermost threads on theneck 22 during this first step which may be termed a “first snap”. At this point the cap is not fully seated, still resting at least one bottle thread above its fully seated and applied position. If the container has been filled with a substance such as milk which tends to foam, the first snap action permits some of the air in the container to escape since the cap is not completely sealed on the neck. Thereafter, the cap and container pass under a seating belt or pressure plate which forces thecap 21 downward until it is completely seated on theneck 22, thereby completing the second snap or step. To achieve this advantageous “double snap application” the relative axial movement of cap and bottle neck to a fully sealed and seated position must involve a portion of the cap threads jumping at least two neck threads or vice versa. - The first step in the seating of the cap on the neck (first snap) brings the
teeth 81 of the cap into partial engagement with theteeth 51 of the neck, but within about a 20° tolerance. This permits the aforementioned foaming without allowing cap rotation away from proper orientation. The second step of the seating causes theteeth - Another feature of the invention best shown in FIG. 9 is the function of the
shoulder 65 ofcap 21. Theinner plug 91 tends to push thelip 24 outwardly. Hence theshoulder 65 tightly engages thesurface 28 and promotes effective sealing. - Directing attention now to FIG. 10A, instead of
bridges 76 being formed connecting the shoulder 73 a to the lower end ofvertical stretch 64 a, the shoulder 73 a is continued inward but the material is very thin. In other words, a horizontal line of weakness 97 replaces thebridges 76 but the line of weakness is continuous. Hence the lower skirt 74 a may be removed by tearing away the line of weakness 97. - The use of the modification of FIG. 10A is particularly suited when the cap is made of a material such as low density polyethylene. An advantage of having a line of weakness rather than separated bridges is that dirt and water cannot enter in the voids between the bridges and collect between the cap and neck.
- In other respects the modification of FIG. 10A resembles that of the preceding modification and the same reference numeral followed by the subscript a is used to designate corresponding elements.
- Preferred Operation I
- After the container has been filled, it is transported through a capping machine. As is well understood in the bottling art, and in a manner similar to that whereby push-on, pull-off caps are applied, the
caps 21 are fed one at a time out of a bowl in the capping machine along a conveyor, thetear tabs 86 orienting the caps so that they are all discharged in a pre-determined orientation relative to the containers which pass therebelow. Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, each container has a square cross-section or some other variation from a round shape which permits thecontainer neck 22 to be oriented relative to thecap 21. The structure of capping machines is well known in the bottling art. Because of the relative orientation of thecap 21 andcontainer neck 22, theteeth 81 of the cap are in vertical alignment with the gaps betweenteeth 51 ofneck 22. An axially downward force is applied to cap 21 causing it to move down. As it moves down, theinner skirt 91 fits insideneck opening 23. Thethreads threads slanted surfaces 36 facilitating such movement. As has been stated, the sealing is preferably in two steps or snap actions. Thecap 21 is sufficiently resilient so that it expands outward sufficiently to permit the threads to slip. As thecap 21 seats on theneck 22, theteeth 81 engage between theteeth 51 to fully seat theteeth 81 in place.Flange 24 then engages the under side ofdisk 61 and the outer wall ofinner skirt 91, sealing the container. The engagement of threads 71 and 29 retain the cap tightly to the neck. - FIGS. 11A, 11B and11C illustrate schematically the two-step seating heretofore described. In FIG. 11A the single
turn cap thread 71 b rests on the top of the uppermost neck thread. In FIG. 11B thethread 71 b of the cap has been pushed overneck thread 29 a but the cap is not fully seated. Hence gases may escape from the container. In FIG. 11C the second click occurs, whenthread 71 b seats underthread 29 b. - FIG. 12A shows a reverse situation wherein
thread 29 a on the neck rests under thecap thread 71 b. In FIG. 12B the first click has occurred andthread 29 a is betweenthreads thread 29 a is abovethreads - After the
cap 21 has been fully seated onneck 22 it cannot be removed without giving evidence of tampering. Thus the interengagement ofteeth - When it is desired to open the container, the user grips the
tab 86 and breaksline 87, then pulls circumferentially around the container causing thelower skirt 74 to be removed, thereby removing theteeth 81. This gives evidence of tampering. However, it also permits the user to grip theribs 66 and unscrew thecap 21 fromneck 22. - To replace the cap, it is merely necessary to reverse the direction of turning. Directing attention now to the structure shown in FIG. 1, another feature of the relationship between the
plug 91 andthreads cap 21 above thelower skirt 74 is used as a reclosure cap, that proper seating of the reclosure cap be insured so that the reclosed bottle does not leak. In FIG. 1 the reference letter X is used to designate the vertical distance between the upper edge ofthreads flange 24 ofneck 22 contacts the slantedsurface 92 ofplug 91. The reference letter Y is used to designate the minimum vertical dimension between the top edge ofvertical stretch 28 ofneck 22 and the underside of thethread start 31. A feature of the structure is that at some position of the cap the dimension X be greater than the dimension Y. Hence when the reclosure cap is placed on the container neck, the threads interengage, preferably a quarter-turn or more before the upper edge of the container neck engages the inner skirt or plug. This prevents cross-threading or stripping of the threads when the reclosure cap is tightened on the neck. - As used in the claims, the term “thread” is used not only to include external threads but internal ones as well and to include continuous and interrupted threads or other “helical engagement means”. In the specification and claims, the cumulative turn total for multi-lead threads or other such helical engagement means is the sum total of the number of turns of the individual multi-lead threads around either the neck stretch portion or the upper skirt portion. For multi-lead threads, “in excess of one turn total” means that the sum total of the number of turns of the individual threads is in excess of 360°. The language “at least one vertically extending arc stretch” refers to a portion of the upper skirt or neck stretch where the threads overlap or are repetitive vertically, whereby a vertical line drawn within the arc stretch will intersect at least two threads. When the threads on either the cap or the neck overlap (i.e. a vertical line drawn within the arc stretch will traverse the helical engagement means at least two times), the application of the cap onto the container with at least two “clicks” is ensured.
-
Closure 121, hereinafter described in detail, is used with acontainer neck 122. The interior of the neck forms no part of the present invention. With a blow-molded bottle finish, the interior contour tends to follow that of the neck exterior. However, it will be understood that other types of bottles may be used, with the internal shape of the neck varying from that of the exterior. -
Neck 122 has acentral opening 123 and a downward-outward slantedlip flange 124 terminating in anupper neck stretch 128.Threads 129 extend outward ofstretch 128. In the illustrated embodiment, there are twothreads upper flank 136 ofthread 129 slants downwardly/outwardly at approximately 45° while thelower flank 137 slants downwardly/inwardly at approximately 10°, permitting the threads on the interior of the cap to slip past the threads on the neck finish. Preferably, thethread apex 138 is made with as large a radius as possible, but being sufficient to insure that the cap must be unscrewed and not pulled from the neck. - Instead of cooperatively shaped threads on the upper neck stretch and the inner surface of the closure, one thread may be replaced by a groove. Further,
threads 129 may be interrupted, instead of being continuous. - The container neck includes a tamper-evidencing portion40 below the
upper neck stretch 128 which includes an outward extendingshoulder 142, a lockingwall 146 offset outwardly relative to theupper neck stretch 128, and a lower outward extendingshoulder 147. A plurality of upward projectingteeth 151 are formed on the tamper-evidencing portion of the neck. Avertical stretch 148 depends fromshoulder 147. To facilitate gripping the container during filling and loading,vertical stretch 148 may be formed with a number of bumper ring segments 149 (here shown as four in number). - The
teeth 151 extend upwardly from theshoulder stretch 147. The teeth are shaped and positioned to cooperate with internal teeth formed on the closure, the interengagement between the teeth resisting unscrewing of the cap from the neck. Typically, multiple teeth 151 (FIG. 18) are formed on either side ofneck 122, with the total extent of the multiple teeth being approximately 90°. - A cap for use with
neck structure 122 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 17. The cap has a top 160 from the periphery of which depends downward extendingupper skirt 161. As illustrated, the top comprises a generally flat top disk; however, other configurations may be substituted. Theupper skirt 161 is formed with a generally verticalupper edge 162 which merges with outward-downwardslanted stretch 163, which in turn merges withvertical stretch 164. Aninternal shoulder 165 is formed at the intersection ofstretches bead 168 depends from the underside oftop 160. When thecap 121 seats on the neck,bead 168 engageslip flange 124,internal shoulder 165 engages the upper edge ofvertical stretch 128 and inner skirt or plug 191 engageslip flange 124, substantially sealing the container.Members vertical ribs 166 to enable the user to grip the cap. - As is shown in FIG. 17A, the
internal shoulder 165 provides an inward projecting portion 161 a of theupper skirt 161 which cooperates with the exterior of theneck stretch 128. Since the circumference of the upper portion 128 a ofneck stretch 128 is greater than the interior circumference of thecap 121 at the inward projecting portion 161 a of the skirt, a tight fit is formed between the inward projecting portion and the neck stretch exterior. The tight fit between the upper skirt portion above thread 171 a and the exterior of theneck stretch 128 abovethread 129 a promotes an effective seal between the exterior of theplug 191 and theinterior edge 124 a of thelip 124. When thecap 121 is applied to theneck 122, theupper skirt 161 is biased outward as the inward projecting portion 161 a engages the exterior of theneck stretch 128. Since the closure is resilient, theinner plug 191 of the cap is urged toward thelip 124 to form a seal between the generally seamlessinterior edge 124 a of the lip and exterior of theplug 191. In other words, the inward projecting portion provides a means for biasing the upper skirt and the plug outward to urge the plug into sealing engagement with thelip 124. The fit of the shoulder against the neck tends to reduce leakage and rigidify the cap, preventing the cap from being turned or torqued to jump threads or strip the threads. Theinner plug 191 of thecap 121 tends to push the neck of the bottle outward against the shoulder and the shoulder then prevents turning or stripping. -
Threads 171 a and 171 b, which are selected to mate withthreads 129 ofneck 122, are formed on the interior of the skirt. The shape ofthreads threads 171 a and 171 b are double lead and each extend around the circumference of the cap in excess of 180°, for example, approximately 200°. In conventional capping machines,cap 121 is deposited onneck 122. Sincethreads 171 a, 171 b are diametrically opposed, the cap tends to rest horizontally onneck 122, facilitating the application of the cap onto the neck with a downward, axial force. - In order for the closure and container threads to effectively slip past each other during direct axial application it is necessary that the threads be finer than would be appropriate for a threaded closure applied by conventional rotary application. As threads become finer, a greater amount of total thread engagement is often necessary to prevent excessive forward stripping on reapplication. For the present embodiment, which includes a linear density of twelve threads per inch and is formed with double leads, a thread engagement of approximately 200° for each of the two cap threads is satisfactory (i.e. 400° of total thread engagement). Finer threads such as sixteen or twenty threads per inch would require greater total thread engagement.
- The closure includes a tamper-evidencing
band 170 below theupper skirt portion 161 provided with a plurality ofinternal ratchet teeth 181. In the present embodiment, the tamper-evidencingband 170 comprises anannular shoulder 173 below theupper skirt 161 and anouter skirt portion 174 extending downwardly from theshoulder 173. Theband 170 is joined to theupper skirt 161 by a frangible section which allows theband 170 to be at least partially torn from the cap. The frangible section includes a number of radially spacedbridges 176 interconnecting theshoulder 173 and the upper skirt portion, the bridges being provided by the lower edges ofribs 166. Alternatively, the frangible section may be provided by a line of weakness formed along the intersection ofshoulder 173 andupper skirt 161. In the illustrated embodiment, theshoulder 173 andouter skirt portion 174 divide the band into two sections, with the outer skirt portion being oriented at an angle relative to the annular shoulder. In a modified embodiment, discussed in relation to FIG. 24, the tamper-evidencing band may comprise a single, curved section which extends generally outward and downward from the upper skirt portion. The tamper-evidencing band may also take many other forms. - The tamper-evidencing band includes a plurality of the
internal ratchet teeth 181 depending from theshoulder 173. The generally downwardly dependingteeth 181 are positioned to engageteeth 151 whencap 121 is pushed ontoneck 122.Teeth 181 include aninclined surface 183 for facilitating the application of the cap toneck 122 and a workingsurface 184 which cooperates with the working surface of one of theteeth 151 on the neck to resist unscrewing of the closure. As the closure is moved downwardly on the neck, theinclined surface 183 slides alongtooth 151 to thereby guidetooth 181 to a position between adjacent ones ofteeth 151. The downward dependingtooth 181 is retained between theteeth 151, with the interengagement between theteeth cap 121 on the neck so long as the tamper-evidencingband 170 is intact.Teeth 181 are located on the shoulder in the present embodiment; however, the teeth may alternatively be positioned at other locations on the tamper-evidencingband 170, such as along the inner surface ofouter skirt portion 174. - The interlocking engagement between the teeth on the cap with those on the neck prevents twisting of the cap relative to the container while the tamper-evidencing
band 170 is intact. To remove the closure from the neck, theband 170 is at least partially removed from theupper skirt 161 to disengageteeth 181 from theteeth 151 on the neck. The separation of the tamper-evidencingband 170 from theupper skirt 161 is accomplished by rupturing thebridges 176. The ruptured bridges warn the consumer that the container has been opened and the contents tampered with. - A
tear tab 186 is connected to the lower edge of the tamper-evidencingband 170. In the present embodiment, the tear tab provides means for removing the lower band and may additionally be used to orientcap 121 relative to the container prior to application if desired. The tamper-evidencingband 170 is formed with a line of weaknessadjacent tab 186, generally indicated by 187, extending throughouter skirt portion 174 andshoulder 173 of the band. The line of weakness facilitates removal of theband 170 from the closure, and is another tamper-evidencing feature of the present invention. When initially opening the container, the consumer pullstab 186 to removelower band 170, rupturingline 187 andfrangible section 176. The absence of theband 170 more dramatically alerts the consumer to possible tampering with the contents. An inattentive consumer may fail to notice the fractured bridges, therefore the removal of the tamper-evidencing band is a more obvious indication of tampering. In the preferred form, completely removinglower band 170 fromupper skirt 161 aesthetically enhances the appearance ofcap 121, which is used to reseal the container. However, in other forms of the present invention the lower band may be only partially removed from the upper skirt portion for separatingteeth 151 fromteeth 181 to unscrew the cap from the container. - When a consumer desires to initially open the container, he grips
tab 186 and pulls circumferentially around the container detachinglower band 170 fromupper skirt 161. Ratchetteeth 181 are thereby removed from interlocking engagement with upward projectingteeth 151, enabling the consumer to unscrewcap 121 fromneck 122 and providing evidence that the container has been opened. To replace the cap, the consumer merely reverses the direction of twisting. - A modification of the cap is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The modified
cap 121 c may be applied to a container having a neck configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 18. Thecap 121 c includes a tamper-evidencing band 170 c which includes a number of downward dependingteeth 181 c. Theshoulder 173 c of the band extends horizontally outward from the lower edge of upper skirt portion 161 c, and the outer skirt portion 174 c depends from the shoulder. A frangible section composed of a plurality of circumferentially spacedbridges 176 c connectsshoulder 173 c to the lower edge of upper skirt 161 c. Theteeth 181 c are dimensioned and positioned to engage the upwardly extendingteeth 151 formed on the neck. To facilitate application ofcap 121 c,teeth 181 c include a beveledinner surface 183 c. When pushing the closure onto the neck,inner surface 183 c directs theteeth 181 c into interengagement withteeth 151. The workingsurface 184 c engages the working surface of one of theteeth 151 on the neck to resist unscrewing of thecap 121 c from the neck. -
Teeth 181 c andteeth 151 cooperate to restrain unscrewing ofcap 121 c relative to the neck while the lower skirt remains intact. To unscrew the cap, lower band 170 c is removed from upper skirt portion 161 c by rupturingfrangible bridges 176 c. The modified cap may include a tear tab and a line of weakness extending through the lower skirt, as described with reference to the previously discussed embodiment for facilitating removal of tamper-evidencing band 170 c. Alternatively,cap 121 c may be twisted, fracturing the bridges, and unscrewed from the container with lower band 170 c remaining aroundneck 122. The use of a tear tab and line of weakness is preferred, as it provides a clearer and more obvious indication of tampering, facilitates recycling of the container and substantially eliminates risk of injury to wildlife. - An alternative modification of the
cap 121 d andneck 122 d of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 21 to 23.Neck 122 d is formed withseveral teeth 151 d circumferentially spaced along shoulder stretch 147 d. A pair ofadjacent teeth 151 d are separated by a space, generally designated 152, formed for receiving the teeth of the closure. When the closure is applied to the neck, a tooth formed on the closure is positioned withinspace 152 between theadjacent teeth 151 d, thereby preventing rotation of the closure relative to the neck. -
Cap 121 d (FIG. 21) includes a domed top 160 d having aninner skirt 191 d depending from the underside of the domed top.Inner skirt 191 d engages lip flange 124 d when the cap seats on the neck, forming an internal seal between the cap and the neck. In this embodiment, thelower band portion 170 d comprises a number ofteeth 181 d generally depending from lower edge 68 of upper skirt 61 d. The tamper-evidencing means are provided by theteeth 181 d. Theteeth 181 d are shaped and positioned forinterengaging teeth 151 d, with onetooth 181 d slipping intospace 52 as thecap 121 d is applied toneck 122 d. Theteeth 181 d have an inclined surface 83 d which slides along thetooth 151 d to position thetooth 181 d in thespace 52. The working surface 84 d of the tooth engages thetooth 151 d on the neck to resist unscrewing of thecap 121 d relative to theneck 122 d. The interengagement betweenteeth 151 d andteeth 181 d substantially restricts twisting of the closure relative to the neck, preventing unscrewing of the cap with the tamper-evidencing structure intact. - To remove
cap 121 d fromneck 122 d, theband 170 d, which is formed with the downward dependingteeth 181 d, must be severed fromupper skirt portion 161 d. As is shown in FIG. 21, a line ofweakness 179 extends about the circumference of the closure between theupper skirt portion 161 d and theband 170 d. To open the container for the first time, theband 170 d is torn away at the line of weakness, facilitating unscrewing of the closure. Removal of theband 170 d is facilitated by a tear tab which is gripped while initiating a continuing tearing away of the lower skirt portion. As is shown in FIG. 23, one of the downward extendingteeth 181 d may be extended to provide a tear tab. When the cap is applied to the neck, the tear tab is deformed outward by depressed section 143 of shoulder stretch 147 d. The consumer grips the tear tab shown in FIG. 23 and removes thelower band portion 170 d to separate theinterengaged teeth - Another modification of a
cap 121 e of the present invention is shown in FIG. 24. Thecap 121 e may be used with a neck of the type shown in FIG. 18. Thecap 121 e includes anupper skirt 161 e having a generallyvertical portion 164 e and alower band portion 170 e. Thelower band 170 e extends generally outward and downward from the lower edge ofvertical portion 164 e, and is formed with acurved section 180. A number ofinternal teeth 181 e are formed on the interior of thecurved section 180 of the lower band. A frangible section, provided in the present embodiment by a line ofweakness 176 e, joins thelower band 170 e to theupper skirt portion 161 e. Atear tab 186 e depends from thelower band 170 e. When thecap 121 e is applied to theneck 122, threads 171 e slip past andinterengage threads 129.Curved section 180 slips over outward extendingshoulder 142 andlower neck portion 146, with theteeth 181 e being shaped and positioned tointerengage teeth 151. As with the previously described modifications, to open the container the consumer pullstab 186 e, fractures the line ofweakness 176 e and separates the lower band from the upper skirt, disengagingteeth 181 e fromteeth 151. - Turning to FIG. 25,
cap 121 is shown seated oncontainer 125. With the present invention, the closure may be conveniently oriented relative to the container prior to applying the closure to the neck. Thetab 186 and the non-circular cross section of the container are directed by the capping machine during the capping process to align the cap and container relative to one another, positioningteeth teeth 181 formed on the closure into interengagement with theteeth 151 formed on the neck. By first orienting the cap, full thread engagement may be achieved once the cap is pushed onto the neck. However, it is to be understood that in many instances, full thread engagement or complete interengagement of theteeth - FIGS.28-32 illustrate another embodiment of a
neck 122 f and cap 121 f in accordance with the present invention. Theneck 122 f includesmultiple threads 129 f on theupper neck stretch 128 f. As shown in FIG. 29, theneck 122 f includes seventhreads 129 f although it is to be understood that a greater number of threads may be employed if desired. In this embodiment, the thread finish has a linear thread density of more than 17 threads per inch, for example 17.5 threads per inch, and each thread extends more than 200°, for example 215°, around the circumference of theupper neck stretch 128 f. The thread density and length of each thread are also subject to variation within the scope of this invention. - A plurality of
teeth 151 f are formed on the lockingwall 146 f of theneck 122 f. As shown particularly in FIG. 20, theteeth 151 f include a workingsurface 154 and a trailingsurface 155. The workingsurface 154 engages the working surface of a tooth on the cap to resist unscrewing of the cap relative to the neck. The trailingsurface 155 joins the outer edge of the workingsurface 154 of onetooth 151 f to the inner edge of the workingsurface 154 of the adjacent tooth as shown in FIG. 29. In other modifications of the invention, theteeth 151 f may be spaced apart so that the trailingsurface 155 ends at the lockingwall 146 f and is not joined to the adjacent tooth. The trailingedges 155 allow thecap 121 f to be twisted slightly, usually no more than about 50°, to fully seat the cap on the neck after the cap has been substantially applied by pushing the cap in an axial direction onto the neck. - As shown particularly in FIGS. 28 and 30, each
tooth 151 f includes abevel 156 at the upper edge of thetooth 151 f. Thebevels 156 slant downwardly and outwardly to guide thecap teeth 181 f into side-by-side interengagement with theteeth 151 f. In the embodiment of FIGS. 28-30, thebevel 156 is inclined at an angle of about 40° to 50°, such as 45°, relative to a horizontal plane. However, a bevel of an angle in the range of 10° to 70° may be employed. - The
cap 121 f is shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. Thecap 121 f includesmultiple threads 171 f on the interior of theupper skirt 161 f which mate with themultiple threads 129 f on theupper neck stretch 128 f. In the illustrated embodiment, thecap 121 f includes seven threads each having a length of about 180°, and the thread finish has a linear thread density of more than 17 threads per inch, such as 17.5 threads per inch. As withthreads 129 f, it is to be understood that the number of threads, the length of the individual threads, and the linear thread density is subject to considerable variation within the scope of the present invention. - A plurality of
teeth 181 f are provided on the interior of the tamper-evidencing band 170 f. In the illustrated embodiment,teeth 181 f are formed around the entire circumference of the band 170 f, however in other embodiments theteeth 181 f may be arranged in groups spaced around the interior of the band 170 f. Theteeth 181 f have a workingsurface 184 f and a trailingsurface 185. The workingsurface 184 f cooperates with the workingsurface 154 of theteeth 151 f on the neck to resist unscrewing of thecap 121 f from theneck 122 f, while the trailingsurface 185 joins the outer edge of the workingsurface 184 f to either the inner edge of the workingsurface 184 f of an adjacent tooth or ends at the inner wall of the band 170 f. When thecap 121 f is moved downwardly onto theneck 122 f in an axial direction, the lower edge of some of theteeth 181 f contact thebevel 156 on theteeth 151 f, which guides theteeth 181 f into side-by-side engagement with theteeth 151 f. - In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the downward slope of the working
surface 184 f and the trailingsurface 185 follows the slope of the band 170 f. In this instance, both the band 170 f and thesurfaces wall 146 f. However, the band 170 f may also be slanted downwardly and outwardly as shown for example by theband 170 in FIGS. 1-5. The bottom or lower edge of theteeth 181 f of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 31-32 is substantially horizontal. When theneck 122 f is used with thecap 121 f, thebevels 156 provide the primary means for guiding theteeth 151 f and theteeth 181 f into interengagement. Theneck 122 f may also be used with other caps such as a cap 121 g shown in FIG. 33. Theteeth 181 g of the cap 121 g have a bevel orinclined surface 183 g which is slanted in a downward-outward direction. The bevel 183 g cooperates with thebevel 156 to guide theteeth neck 122 f may also be used with caps of the type shown in FIGS. 13-18 and FIGS. 19-20, modified to include threads matching the thread pattern on theneck 121 f. - Except as set forth above, the modifications of FIGS.19-20, 21-23, 24, 28-32 and 33 resemble those of the preceding modifications and the same reference numerals followed by the subscripts c-g, respectively, are used to designate corresponding parts.
- Preferred Operation II
- After the container has been filled, it is transported through a capping machine. The structure of capping machines is well known in the bottling art. As is well understood in the art, and in a manner similar to that whereby push-on, pull-off caps are applied, caps121 are fed one at a time out of a bowl 111 in the capping machine along a chute 112 (FIG. 26). One type of
chute 112 is formed with aslot 113 betweenparallel rails 114, withtear tab 186 orienting the caps for uniform discharge in a pre-determined orientation relative to the containers passing therebelow by fitting into thespace 113 between therails 114. Chutes without slots may be used when the tab does not depend from the lower edge of the tamper-evidencing band or when the cap is not oriented relative to the neck before it is applied. - When orientation is employed, each
container 125 preferably has a non-circular cross section or some other variation from a round shape, such as the rectangular shape shown in FIG. 25, which permits the container to be oriented relative to cap 121. Thecontainer 125 travels along aconveyer belt 116 below the capping machine (FIG. 27).Guide rails 117 adjacent theconveyor belt 116 directionally align the non-circular cross section of thecontainer 125 relative to thetear tab 186 of the cap. Using theslot 113 between theparallel rails 114 and theguide rails 117, thecap 121 andneck 122 may be conveniently oriented relative to one another by the conventional capping machine and conveyor belt system. - As is well known in the art, the container passes below the chute and picks up a
cap 121 such that the cap is resting on theneck 122. If orientation is employed, thethreads Threads 171 a and 171 b slip overthreads slanted surfaces 136 facilitating such movement. The cap is sufficiency resilient so that it expands outward to permit the threads to slip. Ascap 121 seats on the neck,teeth 181 fall behindteeth 151, providing interengagement betweenteeth 151 andteeth 181. Theinclined surfaces 183 ofteeth 181 and/orbevels 156 ofteeth 151 f guide theteeth neck 122, it may not be removed without providing evidence of tampering. The interengagement betweenteeth cap 121 offneck 122. - The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Claims (8)
1. In combination, a container neck and a container closure,
said neck having an upper opening, a downward extending neck stretch portion below said opening, said neck stretch portion having an exterior, at least one first helical engagement means around said exterior of said neck stretch portion, said at least one first helical engagement means having a lower surface, a locking wall portion below said neck stretch portion, at least one first tooth on said locking wall portion,
said closure having a top, said top having an underside, a hollow plug disposed centrally of said underside of said top dimensioned to fit inside said upper opening, a downward extending upper skirt portion depending from said top, said upper skirt portion having an interior, at least one second helical engagement means around said interior of said upper skirt portion shaped to mate with said at least one first helical engagement means, said at least one second helical engagement means having an upper surface, a lower skirt portion below said upper skirt portion, frangible means joining said upper and lower skirt portions together, at least one second tooth on said lower skirt portion shaped to engage said at least one first tooth to prevent unscrewing of said closure relative to said neck without breaking said frangible means,
said at least one first and second helical engagement means being shaped to slip over each other upon direct axial downward movement of said closure on said neck without relative rotation of said closure and said neck and then to interengage,
said plug having a contact point located on said plug where said plug first engages said neck opening when said closure is applied to said neck,
said contact point and said upper surface of said at least one second helical engagement means being separated by a maximum vertical distance, a top of said neck opening and said lower surface of said at least one first helical engagement means being separated by a minimum vertical distance, said maximum vertical distance between said contact point and said upper surface of said at least one second helical engagement means is greater than said minimum vertical distance between said top of said neck opening and said lower surface of said at least one first helical engagement means, thereby ensuring engagement of said at least one first and second helical engagement means prior to contact between said plug and said neck opening.
2. The combination of claim 1 which further comprises means to remove said lower skirt portion from said closure, said means to remove said lower skirt portion comprising a tear tab connected to said lower skirt portion.
3. The combination of claim 1 in which said lower skirt portion is formed with a line of weakness extending through said lower skirt portion.
4. The combination of claim 3 in which said line of weakness is a vertical scoreline.
5. The combination of claim 1 in which said frangible means comprises a plurality of spaced bridges.
6. The combination of claim 1 in which said at least one first and second helical engagement means are multilead, whereby said closure tends to rest horizontally on said neck prior to said downward movement.
7. In combination, a container neck and a container closure,
said neck having an upper opening, a downward extending neck stretch portion below said opening, said neck stretch portion having an exterior, at least one first helical engagement means around said exterior of said neck stretch portion, a locking wall portion below said neck stretch portion, at least one first tooth on said locking wall portion,
said closure having a top, said top having an underside, a hollow plug disposed centrally of said underside of said top dimensioned to fit inside said neck opening, a downward extending upper skirt portion depending from said top, said upper skirt portion having an interior, at least one second helical engagement means around said interior of said upper skirt portion shaped to make with said at least one first helical engagement means, a lower skirt portion below said upper skirt portion, frangible means joining said upper and lower skirt portions together, at least one second tooth on said lower skirt portion shaped to engage said at least one first tooth to prevent unscrewing of said closure relative to said neck without breaking said frangible means,
said at least one first and second helical engagement means being shaped to slip over each other upon direct axial downward movement of said closure on said neck without relative rotation of said closure and said neck and then to interengage,
said closure being formed with an internal shoulder at the intersection of said underside of said top and said interior of said upper skirt portion, said should engaging said neck stretch portion.
8. In combination, a container having a neck and a container closure,
said neck having an upper opening, a lip surrounding said opening, a downward extending neck stretch below said lip, said neck stretch having an exterior, multiple neck helical engagement means on said exterior of said neck stretch, a locking wall below said neck stretch, and a plurality of external teeth on said locking wall,
said closure having a top, a downward extending upper skirt depending from said top adapted to fit over said neck stretch, said upper skirt having an interior, multiple closure helical engagement means on said interior of said upper skirt shaped to engage said neck helical engagement means, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly attached to said upper skirt, a plurality of internal teeth on said tamper-evidencing band interengaging said external teeth to prevent unscrewing of said closure from said neck so long as said tamper-evidencing band is intact,
said neck and closure helical engagement means being shaped and said closure being resilient so that upon application of force to accomplish direct, axial movement of said closure relative to said container without externally imposed relative rotation of said closure and said neck, said neck and closure helical engagement means slip past each other and then interengage and said closure seats on said neck so that said closure cannot be removed from said neck without unscrewing said closure,
said external teeth having a bevel slanted downwardly and outwardly from said locking wall, said bevel guiding said internal teeth and said external teeth into side-by-side interengagement upon contact between at least one of said internal teeth and said bevel of at least one of said external teeth during said direct, axial movement of said closure relative to said neck.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/668,780 US20040055991A1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2003-09-22 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US11/057,952 US20050269282A1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2005-02-14 | Tamper-evident cap and container neck |
Applications Claiming Priority (11)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/565,638 US5190178A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1990-08-09 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US07/772,945 US5213224A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1991-10-08 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US07/830,133 US5267661A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1992-01-31 | Snap-on, screw off cap and container neck |
US08/029,177 US5456376A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1993-03-10 | Snap-on, screw off cap and container neck |
US45674195A | 1995-06-01 | 1995-06-01 | |
US08/781,453 US5755348A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1997-01-10 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US09/071,625 US5975321A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1998-05-01 | Snap-on, screw-off cap with tamper-evidencing skirt and container neck |
US09/356,063 US6173853B1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1999-07-19 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US09/746,882 US6439412B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2000-12-22 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US10/210,716 US6637611B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2002-07-30 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US10/668,780 US20040055991A1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2003-09-22 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/210,716 Continuation US6637611B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2002-07-30 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/057,952 Continuation-In-Part US20050269282A1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2005-02-14 | Tamper-evident cap and container neck |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040055991A1 true US20040055991A1 (en) | 2004-03-25 |
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ID=22102521
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/071,625 Expired - Fee Related US5975321A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1998-05-01 | Snap-on, screw-off cap with tamper-evidencing skirt and container neck |
US09/356,063 Expired - Fee Related US6173853B1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1999-07-19 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US09/746,882 Expired - Fee Related US6439412B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2000-12-22 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US10/210,716 Expired - Fee Related US6637611B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2002-07-30 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US10/668,780 Abandoned US20040055991A1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2003-09-22 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
Family Applications Before (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/071,625 Expired - Fee Related US5975321A (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1998-05-01 | Snap-on, screw-off cap with tamper-evidencing skirt and container neck |
US09/356,063 Expired - Fee Related US6173853B1 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 1999-07-19 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US09/746,882 Expired - Fee Related US6439412B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2000-12-22 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
US10/210,716 Expired - Fee Related US6637611B2 (en) | 1990-08-09 | 2002-07-30 | Snap-on, screw-off cap and container neck |
Country Status (5)
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US (5) | US5975321A (en) |
EP (1) | EP1107919A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU3554699A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2330924A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999057033A1 (en) |
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1998
- 1998-05-01 US US09/071,625 patent/US5975321A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-04-12 AU AU35546/99A patent/AU3554699A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-04-12 CA CA002330924A patent/CA2330924A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-04-12 EP EP99917417A patent/EP1107919A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-04-12 WO PCT/US1999/007951 patent/WO1999057033A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-07-19 US US09/356,063 patent/US6173853B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2000
- 2000-12-22 US US09/746,882 patent/US6439412B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2002
- 2002-07-30 US US10/210,716 patent/US6637611B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 2003-09-22 US US10/668,780 patent/US20040055991A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9233772B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2016-01-12 | Gk Packaging, Inc. | Spirally threaded molded bottle neck having areas of reduced wall thickness |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1999057033A1 (en) | 1999-11-11 |
AU3554699A (en) | 1999-11-23 |
EP1107919A4 (en) | 2003-05-07 |
EP1107919A1 (en) | 2001-06-20 |
US5975321A (en) | 1999-11-02 |
US6439412B2 (en) | 2002-08-27 |
US20020190021A1 (en) | 2002-12-19 |
US6637611B2 (en) | 2003-10-28 |
US20010000602A1 (en) | 2001-05-03 |
CA2330924A1 (en) | 1999-11-11 |
US6173853B1 (en) | 2001-01-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |