JP2010502529A - Composite lid with outer gripping layer - Google Patents

Abstract

  The combined lid for the combined container is configured to facilitate gripping and handling by the consumer as well as handling of the lid by automated equipment. The lid consists of an inner lid cap and an outer gripping layer applied at least around the skirt portion of the lid cap. In particular, the lid cap can have at least one outwardly protruding element that protrudes to the surface of the outer gripping layer. In one aspect of the invention, there are provided a plurality of protruding elements in the form of an annular element protruding along the respective edge ahead of the surface of the outer gripping layer, thereby facilitating handling by automated equipment. . In another aspect of the invention, the protruding portion consists of an image element that extends through the outer gripping layer to enhance gripping and visual radius.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to molded plastic lids, and more particularly to a composite lid with a lid cap provided with an internal thread and a combined integral outer gripping layer for gripping and manipulation by a consumer. And a lid that is easy to handle with automated equipment and that is configured to avoid undesirable damage to the relatively soft outer gripping layer. An enhanced visual appeal is achieved in the form of graphic elements protruding through the outer gripping layer.

  Molded plastic lids have found widespread application in the market for packaging of all methods of food and beverages. Such lids typically have a generally cylindrical shape with a top wall portion and a downwardly extending annular skirt portion. The sealing ability of such a lid can be improved by providing a sealing liner or similar component for hermetic bonding with the container being combined.

  Of course, the easy and convenient use of such a lid by the user is of utmost concern, and therefore the molded plastic lid can be gripped on the outside to facilitate gripping and operation by the user. It is common to have ribs or similar parts. However, it is further desirable that such lid features that facilitate consumer use enhance the multi-faceted application of such products.

  The present invention is subject to the construction of a composite lid that is configured to improve gripping and operation by the consumer. At the same time, the lid is configured to facilitate handling by automated equipment, further minimizing damage to the lid that may occur with normal handling, storage, and transportation of such lids. It is also configured as follows.

  The present invention is directed to a composite lid having an integral outer gripping layer made of a relatively soft plastic material to facilitate enhanced gripping and manipulation of the lid by the consumer. It is noted that the outer gripping layer extends at least around the skirt portion of the lid, thereby facilitating removal of the lid from the threaded container or the like with which the lid is combined. The lid further includes a specially designed feature to facilitate handling of the composite lid by automated equipment while at the same time avoiding damage to the lid during normal packaging, storage, and transportation. Note that it is configured to enhance the presentation of image elements that extend through the layers.

  In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the composite lid includes a molded lid cap having a top wall portion and an annular skirt portion that is lowered and provided with an internal thread. According to the invention, the lid further comprises an outer gripping layer applied to at least the outer periphery of the skirt portion of the lid cap. The outer gripping layer, which can be formed by overmolding on the lid cap or by coin injection molding as known in the art, is formed from a relatively soft plastic material, which makes it easier and easier for consumers to grip It would be desirable to provide a lid having a peripheral surface that can be manipulated.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the lid cap of the composite lid comprises at least one protruding portion that extends to the surface of the outer gripping layer. In one aspect of the invention, the protruding portion is configured in the form of one or more image elements that extend through the outer gripping layer and are generally visible within the outer gripping layer. By configuring the lid cap and the outer gripping layer in contrasting colors, the aesthetic appeal of the image element is enhanced. Positioning the image elements generally to extend through the outer gripping layer further facilitates gripping and manipulation of the composite lid.

  In another aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the protruding portion of the lid cap extends beyond the outer gripping layer so that the protruding portion facilitates handling of the lid by automated equipment. In particular, the outer gripping layer may exhibit a relatively high coefficient of friction or “tackiness”, which may interfere with lid supply and / or transport by automated equipment, which is undesirable. The protruding portion of the lid cap extends beyond the outer gripping layer to provide a sliding surface for mating with handling equipment, and at the same time may occur when a relatively flexible outer gripping layer is mated with the equipment. Avoid certain interruptions. Furthermore, it is desirable that the integrity and appearance of the gripping layer be maintained.

  The protruding portion, in one form, comprises an annular element protruding outward from the free end of the skirt portion of the lid cap. The protruding portion can be provided in the form of an annular element that protrudes upwardly from the top wall portion of the lid cap, also prior to the surface of the outer gripping layer. The annular projecting portion is preferably provided in both forms, i.e., projecting from the skirt portion and the top wall portion generally along the respective edges of the gripping layer.

  In order to avoid unwanted damage such as scratches or nicks on the relatively soft outer gripping layer, this composite lid avoids damage to the outer gripping layer of another similar composite lid during handling It is preferable to have an inner free end radius of the skirt portion that defines a sufficient radius. This radius is preferably provided and arranged from about 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) to about 2.29 mm (0.090 inch), most preferably about 1.78 mm (0.070 inch).

  By constructing and positioning the image element in a preferred manner with respect to the mold parting line defined by the lid, it is easy to manufacture the present composite lid that includes protrusions in the form of image elements on the outer periphery of the skirt portion. As will be appreciated by those familiar with the present technology, the exterior of the lid of the composite lid of the present invention can be efficiently manufactured with a split mold, and the lid is a mold that combines the mold parts. Define the dividing line. In order to facilitate the shaping of the image element of the lid and to improve its visual appeal, it is preferred that the side of the image element extends perpendicular to the mold parting line.

  Manufacture is further facilitated by providing the image elements in first and second groups arranged diametrically on both sides. Each group of image elements is preferably disposed within a respective quadrant of the lid, and each quadrant is preferably positioned perpendicular to the mold parting line defined by the lid.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

1 is a perspective view of a composite lid that embodies the principles of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the lid cap of this composite lid. It is a front view of the composite cover of this invention. It is a top view of the lid cap of this lid. It is the front view which made the cross section partially this book lid. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite lid constructed in accordance with the present invention.

While the invention may be considered in various forms of embodiments, it should be understood that the disclosure is to be considered as an example of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to this particular embodiment. A preferred embodiment will be described below.

  Reference is made to the drawings in which a composite lid 10 embodying the principles of the invention is illustrated. The composite lid 10 comprises a molded plastic lid cap 12 and an outer gripping layer 14 of a relatively soft material applied to at least the outer periphery of the lid cap 10. The lid cap 12 is preferably formed from polypropylene or polyethylene, while the outer gripping layer 14 is preferably formed from a relatively soft thermoplastic elastomer material.

  The lid cap 12 is preferably of a one-piece construction and includes a top wall portion 16 and a skirt portion 18 having a female screw 20 lowered therefrom.

  In order to enhance consumer grip and manipulation, the outer gripping layer 14 preferably extends less along the height of the skirt portion 18 in general. Since the outer gripping layer 14 typically exhibits a relatively large coefficient of friction compared to the lid cap 12, the lid cap 12 includes at least one protrusion that extends to the surface of the outer gripping layer 14. .

  In the illustrated embodiment, two such projecting elements are provided that extend beyond the surface of the outer gripping layer and provide a sliding surface for contacting automated equipment, thereby providing an outer gripping layer. It is desirable to act so as to facilitate the handling of the lid by the facility while avoiding contact with the device.

  In particular, an outwardly projecting annular element 22 is provided at the free end of the skirt portion 14 which projects ahead of the outer surface of the outer gripping layer 14. In a preferred form, another outwardly projecting element is provided in the form of an annular protrusion 24, which is also the top wall portion of the lid cap that also precedes the outer surface of the outer gripping layer 14. 16 is formed. In this way, the annular projecting portions 22 and 24 are positioned along the respective edges of the gripping layer 14.

  In particular, the free end of the skirt portion 18 is preferably configured to minimize damage to the outer gripping layer 14 that may occur with storage and transport of the lid. In particular, the relatively soft outer gripping layer 14 can be scratched, worn, or otherwise damaged when the outer gripping layer 14 of one lid contacts the relatively hard cap cap 12 of another lid. (See schematic diagram in FIG. 6).

  Thus, the inner free end of the skirt portion 18 defines a radius R sufficient to avoid damage to the outer gripping layer of another similar composite lid during handling. This radius is shown in FIG. 5 and is preferably between about 1.50 mm (0.050 inch) and about 2.29 mm (0.090 inch). This embodiment of the present invention has a radius of about 1.78 mm (0.070 inch). Scratching, abrasion, or other damage to the outer gripping layer of another similar composite lid is desirably avoided.

In order to facilitate handling by automated equipment, it is preferred to provide a protrusion on the lid cap 12 of the lid, but in another aspect of the invention, the outer gripping layer 14 extends from the skirt portion 18 of the lid cap. One or more protrusions are provided in the form of image elements that extend outwardly through. For this purpose, the lid cap comprises an outwardly projecting part in the form of an image element 26. This portion preferably passes through the outer gripping layer 14 and is flush with the outer surface of the outer gripping layer. The colors of the lid cap 12 and the outer gripping layer 14 are preferably chosen to be appropriately conspicuous so that the image element 26 is not only visually pleasing, but also facilitates lid operation for the consumer. It is desirable to act to signal the presence of an outer gripping layer for the purpose.

FIG. 4 illustrates the features of the lid cap 12 that facilitates the manufacture of this composite lid. In particular, the exterior of the lid cap 12 can be efficiently formed by a split mold, in which case the mold components are assembled together along a mold parting line defined by the lid and designated PL. The image element 26 preferably defines a side that extends perpendicular to the mold parting line to facilitate efficient manufacture of the lid. Manufacture is further facilitated by providing image elements 26 as first and second groups diametrically opposed. In this case, each group of image elements is substantially placed in a respective quadrant (ie, 90 ° segment) of the lid, denoted Q ₁ and Q ₂ in the illustrated embodiment. As will be observed, each of the quadrants Q ₁ , Q ₂ is perpendicular to the parting line PL defined by the lid, which further facilitates manufacture.

  As shown in the figure, the image element 26 is preferably provided with a shape having an opening, that is, a region having no image element. Without this region, the flow of plastic material forming the outer gripping layer 14 is closed with the image element (note the opening shapes of the letters R and P in the illustrated embodiment). With this arrangement, the outer ring gripping layer contacts all of the respective sides of the image element 26.

  From the foregoing, it will be observed that many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It should be understood that the limitations associated with the specific embodiments illustrated herein are not intended or should be inferred. The present disclosure is covered by the claims, and all such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (21)

A lid cap having a top wall portion and an annular, internally threaded and skirted skirt portion; and an outer gripping layer applied to at least the outer periphery of the skirt portion;
A composite lid, wherein the lid cap has at least one protruding portion of the cap extending to at least a surface of the outer gripping layer.   The composite lid according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes radially outward from the skirt portion.   The composite lid according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is annular and extends ahead of the surface of the outer gripping layer.   The composite lid according to claim 3, wherein the protruding portion protrudes outward from a free end of the skirt portion.   The composite lid according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes upward from the top wall portion before the surface of the outer gripping layer.   The composite lid according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion is annular.   The composite lid according to claim 3, wherein the lid cap includes a portion that is separate from the projecting portion and has an annular shape and projects upward from the top wall portion before the surface of the outer gripping layer.   The composite lid according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes through the outer gripping layer.   9. A composite lid according to claim 8, wherein the protruding portion comprises one or more image elements, each image element having an open shape so that the outer gripping layer contacts all sides of each image element.   9. A composite lid according to claim 8, wherein the protruding portion comprises one or more image elements, each image element having a side extending perpendicular to a mold separation line defined by the lid.   The lid cap may have a plurality of the protruding portions that are diametrically opposed and each comprise one or more image elements, and the image elements of each protruding portion are each associated with a respective one of the lids. 9. A composite lid according to claim 8, positioned in a quadrant, wherein each of the quadrants is positioned at a right angle with respect to a parting line defined by the lid.   The composite lid according to claim 1, wherein the inner free end of the skirt portion defines a radius sufficient to avoid damage to an outer gripping layer of another similar to the composite lid during handling.   The composite lid according to claim 12, wherein the radius is from about 0.050 inches to about 0.090 inches.   The composite lid according to claim 13, wherein the radius is about 0.070 inches. A lid cap having a top wall portion and an annular, internally threaded and skirted skirt portion; and an outer gripping layer applied to at least the outer periphery of the skirt portion;
From the top wall, the lid cap has a plurality of protruding portions extending at least on the surface of the outer gripping layer and extending radially outward from a free end of the skirt portion; A composite lid having another annular projecting portion extending upward, wherein the projecting portion is positioned along each edge of the gripping layer to facilitate handling of the composite lid.   16. A composite lid according to claim 15, wherein the lid cap comprises a plurality of image elements projecting radially outward of the skirt through the outer gripping layer.   17. A composite lid according to claim 16, wherein each of the image elements has an open shape such that the outer gripping layer contacts all of the sides of each of the image elements.   The image elements are arranged in first and second groups, each group is positioned in a respective quadrant of the lid, and each one of the quadrants is a mold division defined by the lid 14. A composite lid according to claim 13, positioned perpendicular to the line.   19. A composite lid according to claim 18, wherein the surface of the image element extends perpendicular to the mold parting line.   To avoid damage to the outer gripping layer of another similar to the composite lid during handling, the inner free end of the skirt portion is from about 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) to about 2.29 mm (. A composite lid according to claim 15 defining a radius of 090 inches.   21. A composite lid according to claim 20, wherein the radius is about 0.070 inches.

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