WO2009117771A1

WO2009117771A1 - A closure with nozzle and peelable seal

Info

Publication number: WO2009117771A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Arthur Bird; Ian Ronald Cox; Mathew Cormack
Original assignee: CORMACK PACKAGING Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CORMACK PACKAGING Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-25
Filing date: 2009-03-25
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-25

Abstract

A closure (1) for sealing a container, including a cap body (6) which has an inner wall (8), for engaging with and sealing a rim of the neck of the container, a skirt (7) depending from the wall (8), for screw engagement with the neck, a nozzle (2) adapted to be mounted relative to a neck of the container and a peelable seal covering an outlet (4) of the nozzle (2), a lid (12) connected to the cap body (6), which inhibits external contact with the nozzle (2).

Description

CLOSURE

Related Applications

This application claims priority from Australian Patent Application Number 2008901435, , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the sealing of containers.

Background of the Invention

A container, such as a sports drink bottle, needs to be sealed in an airtight manner prior to use.

Sealing needs to prevent the ingress of oxygen and other contaminants, in order to keep the contents fresh. One form of sealing is effected using a hermetic seal foil which is fixed over a neck of the bottle using an induction welding technique, where a magnetic field is applied to the foil in order to heat the foil and weld it to the bottle.

The induction welding takes place on a bottle filling line, after the sports drink has been filled into the bottle. A cap is the fitted to the bottle with a tamper evident device such as a removable plastic strip or wrapper, which needs to subsequently be removed to access and remove the foil prior to consuming the sports drink.

The tamper evident seal and the foil inform the user as to the integrity of the seal and freshness of the contents of the bottle, however, the process of removing the cap and the need to responsibly discard the tamper evident device can generate a degree of annoyance with the user.

A problem can arise in the sealing process in so far as the filling line may operate at variable speeds from time to time, which can cause some of the foils to be "over cooked" and thereby difficult to later remove. The over cooking can also deform a neck of the bottle which, in turn, causes difficulties with both fitting the cap and maintaining an adequate liquid seal between the cap and the neck of the bottle.

Another problem exists in that the effectiveness of the seal is not readily evident until the contents have been loaded into the bottle and the entire bottle and contents need to be discarded if a seal is found to be faulty. Once the cap is in place, direct testing of the seal is not possible and quality control is assessed on the basis of quite rudimentary testing applied to random samples, such as by conducting visual tests to see if the level of sports drink in the bottle is lower than it should be, suggesting loss of vacuum and failure of the seal.

Consideration has been given to dispensing with the seal foil by making the seal between the bottle and the cap itself airtight, however, the mechanical forces required to reliably seal the cap would then not allow for easy opening. Further, there would no longer be a ready visual indication of seal integrity and freshness provided by the foil.

Object of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a closure with a modified seal arrangement and/or associated methods of closure production and seal testing.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a closure for sealing a container, including a nozzle adapted to be mounted relative to a neck of the container and a peelable seal covering an outlet of the nozzle.

Preferably, the closure includes a cap body which anchors the nozzle to the container, whilst allowing access to the peelable seal.

In another aspect, there is provided a container with a closure, as described above, providing an airtight seal over a neck of the container. Preferably, the container is a beverage bottle.

In another aspect, there is provided a closure suitable for closing a drink bottle, the closure including: a cap body which has an inner wall, for engaging with and sealing a rim of a neck of the bottle, a skirt depending from the wall, for screw engagement with the neck; a nozzle integral with or coupled to the inner wall and having an outlet for liquid in the bottle; a lid connected to the cap body, which inhibits external contact with the nozzle; and a peel away seal connected to the outlet of the nozzle to provide an airtight seal for the contents of the bottle.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of sealing contents in a container, including filling the contents into the container and fitting a closure, as described above, to the container.

Preferably, the method includes screwing a cap body of the closure onto the container to effect an airtight seal between the closure and the container.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a closure for a container, including fixing a peelable seal over the outlet of a nozzle, the nozzle being adapted for use in the above described closure. Preferably, the method includes integrally moulding the nozzle with a cap body adapted to couple the nozzle to the container.

Alternatively, the method includes separately moulding the nozzle.

Preferably, the nozzle is formed with a seal at a base of the nozzle. The seal may be of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. Alternatively, one or more seals are formed on the cap body.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of testing a closure as described above, including testing the peelable seal prior to the closure being fitted to the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectioned perspective view of a closure;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure fitted to a container;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the closure;

Figure 4 is a sectioned perspective view of another closure; and

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the closure of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention A closure (1) is shown in Figure 1 as including a nozzle (2) with a peel away or peelable seal (3) fitted over an outlet (4). The nozzle (2) has an annular base (5) integrally formed with a cap body (6) which has a depending annular skirt (7). An internal wall (8) of the cap body includes multiple seals (9), specifically in the form of, for example, a wedge seal (10) and sealing shoulder (11).

A cap lid (12) is hinged to the body (6) to cover the nozzle (2) when not in use. The lid (12) has a seal (13), which extends downwardly from an underside (14) of the lid (12) to provide water tight engagement with a side wall (15) of the nozzle (2), when the lid (12) is closed.

Referring now to Figure 2, the closure (1) is shown fitted to a container (20), which may be in the form of a beverage bottle. The cap body (6) is screwed on to a neck (21) of the container by the screw threaded engagement of an internal thread (22) on the skirt (7) and a matching external thread (23) on the neck (21).

The cap body can be tensioned to a degree sufficient to fully energise one or more of the seals (9), (10), (1 1), in order to provide an airtight seal there between. A conventional sports drink bottle requires the cap to be removed, since the cap needs to be unscrewed by a user to access and remove the peel away seal prior to drinking. As such, only limited tension could be applied to the cap. In the present case, however, the intention is for the cap body (6) to remain fixed to the bottle and considerably more tension can be applied to achieve an effective airtight seal as a result.

To access the contents of the container (20), the lid (12) is simply flipped open and the seal (3) removed.

The lid may be provided with a bridge (24), as shown in dashed lines in Figure 2, which extends over and may abut with the outlet (3) of the nozzle (2), in order to provide structural reinforcement to the underside (14) of the lid (12). This assists in resisting top load applied to the lid (12), that may otherwise cause the lid (12) to splay outwardly. The lid (12) may also be provided with an external grip portion (25), to facilitate one-handed and easy opening of the lid (12), and a tamper evident security band (26), if needed, as shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 4, another closure (30) is shown. Many of the components of the closure (30) are the same as those of closure (1) and like reference numerals will be used to denote like parts.

The main difference between the two closures (1), (30) is that the nozzle (2) and capy body (6) of closure (30) are moulded as two separate parts.

In the configuration shown, the closure (30) is assembled by inserting the nozzle (2) through the cap body (6). The nozzle (2) is ideally elliptical in shape as this has been found to present a more desirable form for drinking. In order to avoid any obstruction from the lid (12) while drinking, it is important that a hinge (31) connecting the lid (12) to the body (6) be orientated peripherally, along a longitudinal axis of the elliptical shape. To ensure correct orientation, the nozzle (2) has a key (32) which registers with a corresponding rebate (not shown) in the body (6) so that the nozzle (2) and body (6) are properly aligned when connected together.

As may be appreciated, any sealing of the closure (30) with the container (20) will also be effected by screw threaded engagement of the body (6) with the container. In this case, however, the airtight seal is formed by a bi-material or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) seal (33) provided at the base (5) of the nozzle (2). Essentially, the body (6) will serve to clamp the seal (33) against a neck (21) of the container (20). A TPE seal is preferred in this case as the nozzle is likely to be formed of a polypropylene plastics material, which is relatively hard and not particularly good for sealing so the nozzle (2) is provided with a softer sealing material in the form of a suitable thermoplastic elastomer, or the like, which may be formed during the same moulding process as the nozzle (2). As an alternative, the nozzle is formed separately and the primary sealing with the container (20) is instead provided by one of more seals, preferably multiple seals, carrier by the cap body (6).

If multi seals are used, the nozzle (2) would be made of polyethylene to aid in sealing. It is, however, important to form the closure body (6) of polypropylene for hinge function as polyethylene cannot currently be used for hinges to great effect, whilst the nozzle can be polypropylene or polyethylene or any other softer material that enhances seal integrity with the container (20).

In either case, with both closure (1) and (30), the removable seal (3) is either elliptical or ovoid to match the shape of the nozzle (2). The seal is formed of an induction foil material, well know in the art and specific material details are omitted as they would be well known to a skilled addressee.

With a conventional sports drink bottle, the foil seal is applied using a sealing method commonly referred to as "Induction Cap Sealing", which requires a cap lined with a suitable foil or heat-seal membrane. The cap is torqued on to the bottle and the foil is pressed hard against a sealing land area of the bottle. After capping, the container passes through an induction sealing machine where coil windings generate an electromagnetic field sufficient to rapidly heats the seal, melting the heat-seal layer. As the heat seal material begins to cool, still under pressure from the cap, a bond is formed between the membrane and the container.

The induction sealing system used with the present invention may be referred to as "Cap- less Sealing", as it is not necessary to firstly fit the cap on the bottle in order to form the hermetic seal. More particularly, the method of forming the seal utilizes a punch and seal system which uses a single stroke foil cutting, locating and sealing method.

The seal is in the form of a foil supplied in a reel which is fed through a tool which die- cuts into the required profile and uses a vacuum to hold it on the head. The tool continues to move down, transporting the foil onto location, (the raised land area on the top of the spout). Once the foil is located, the head maintains the pressure required for sealing and the induction cycle is activated.

With this method, a hermetic seal can be made to the spout without the conventional requirement of a cap and screw method mentioned above. i

During this process, heat is generated within the foil itself with the head remaining cold. When the required sealing temperature is reached (typically 0.3 to 0.7 seconds) the induction power is switched off but head pressure can be maintained to allow the seal to cool whilst still being held against the nozzle.

The nozzle is transported for further processing using either a linear conveyor, using a lead-screw or with an accumulator and a flighted belt for higher output. The number of sealing heads is determined by the required output rates.

The seal used in the above process is preferably a one-piece top-tabbed seal that incorporates an easily gripped semicircular tab as an easy open feature. The tab is attached to the top of the seal disc, facilitating easy removal of the membrane from the nozzle in one piece by pulling upward. Sealing properties of this structure provide ease of removal and a secure seal.

However, a factor that needs to be addressed in the seal formation stage is how to seal a non-circular seal, such as adopted with the closures (1), (30). In particular, it has been found that the electromagnetic field needs to be modulated along the different arcs of the ellipse when the container is subject to the electromagnetic field, otherwise overcooking of the seal can result in certain sections.

Accordingly, a particular induction field is required. The field applicator is, during production of the closures (1), (30), located over a top of the seal (3), energised and then de-energised in order to provide appropriately moderated non-circular electromagnetic radiation to the seal (3).

Another factor associated with induction welding the seal (3) to the closures (1) and (30) is to avoid excessive bonding between the seal (3) between the seal as a whole and the nozzle

(2), which might otherwise cause the seal (3) to be very difficult to remove. Accordingly, a small dimension rib (34) is provided to project above the outlet (4) so as to minimise the contact surface of the nozzle (2) and seal (3), to facilitate easy opening of the container

(20). A determination of the specific dimensions and surface area of the rib (34) will depend on the particular circumstances, the type of foil material and required release strength. Such information is considered to be well within the knowledge of a skilled addressee.

It can be appreciated from the above, however, that the closure (1), (30) presents a significant deviation from conventional sealing arrangements which require a cap to firstly be removed to access and release a foil seal. In the present case, the seal (3) is accessible without the need to remove the cap body (6), which means the cap body (6) can be tensioned to a much greater degree, sufficient to effect an airtight seal between the nozzle

(1), (30) and the container (20). Provision of the hermetic foil seal (3) still provides a consumer with an indication of seal integrity and that the contents of the container are fresh.

Further, in the process of filling the container (20), the seals may be readily tested on an individual basis such as by applying a vacuum to the closure (1), (30) to monitor any leakage or failure of the seal (3). The seal (3) can be tested independently of the filling process, as compared to the conventional bottle filling line, where the induction seal is formed in-line by over-capping the bottle before any testing can be conducted. If a seal (3) is found to be faulty, it can be discarded, without also discarding the contents and the container (20) itself. As such, the invention provides potential for cost savings due to effective and reliable direct testing of the seal (3) prior to fitting the closure (1), (30) to the container (20). The invention has been presented by way of non-limiting example only and many variations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described.

List of Parts

1 - Closure

2 - Nozzle 3 - Peelable seal

4 - Outlet

5 - Base

6 - Cap body

7 - Annular skirt 8 - Internal wall

9 - Sealing points

10 - Wedge seal

11 - Shoulder

12 - Cap lid 13 - Wedge seal

14 - Underside

15 - Side wall

20 - Container

21 - Neck 22 - Internal thread

23 - External thread

24 - Bridge

25 - Grip portion

26 - Security band 30 - Closure

31 - Hinge

32 - Key

33 - Bi-material seal

34 - Rib

Claims

Claims:

1. A closure for sealing a container, including a nozzle adapted to be mounted relative to a neck of the container and a peelable seal covering an outlet of the nozzle.

2. The closure of claim 1, further including a cap body which anchors the nozzle to the container, whilst allowing access to the peelable seal.

3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the cap body and nozzle are integrally moulded and the cap body includes multiple seal points to seal between the neck of the container, an internal shoulder and a skirt of the cap body.

4. The closure of claim 2, wherein the cap body and nozzle are separately moulded.

5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the nozzle carries a seal that is engaged by fixing the cap body to the container so as to clamp the nozzle against the neck of the container.

6. The closure of claim 5, wherein the seal is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

7. The closure of claim 4, wherein the cap body carries one or more seals to engage the container.

8. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the spout of the nozzle and the peelable seal are ovoid.

9. The closure of claim 8, wherein the spout includes a raised rib around the outlet, to which the peelable seal is welded.

10. The closure of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the closure includes a cap lid which is removably covers the nozzle.

11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the Hd includes a seal for providing water tight engagement with an external surface of the nozzle, adjacent the outlet, when the lid is in a closed condition.

12. The closure of claim 10 or 1 1, wherein the lid includes a bridge adapted to extend across a top of the nozzle, when the cap lid is closed, to provide reinforcement to the lid.

13. A container with the closure, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, providing an airtight seal over a neck of the container.

14. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the container is a beverage bottle.

15. A closure suitable for closing a beverage bottle, the closure including: a cap body which has an inner wall, for engaging with and sealing a rim of a neck of the bottle, a skirt depending from the wall, for screw engagement with the neck; a nozzle integral with or coupled to the inner wall and having an outlet for liquid in the bottle; a lid connected to the cap body, which inhibits external contact with the nozzle; and a peel away seal connected to the outlet of the nozzle to provide an airtight seal for the contents of the bottle.

16. A method of sealing contents in a container, including filling the contents into the container and fitting a closure, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, to the container.

17. The method of claim 16, including screwing a cap body of the closure onto the container to effect an airtight seal between the closure and the container.

18. The method of claim 17, including fitting the nozzle through the cap body and screwing the cap body onto the container to clamp a base of the nozzle in sealing engagement with a neck of the container.

19. A method of manufacturing a closure for a container, including fixing a peelable seal over the outlet of a nozzle, the nozzle being adapted for use in the closure, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. The method of claim 19, including integrally moulding the nozzle with a cap body adapted to couple the nozzle to the container.

21. The method of claim 19, including separately moulding the nozzle.

22. The method of claim 21, including forming a thermoplastic elastomer seal at a base of the nozzle.

23. The method of claim 21, including forming one or more seals on the cap body for sealing engagement with the container.

24. A method of testing the closure, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, including testing the peelable seal prior to the closure being fitted to the container.

25. The method of claim 24, including applying a pressure gradient internally of the closure and monitoring any pressure variation, which would indicate leakage through the seal.

26. A closure, substantially as described with reference to the drawings and/or examples.