Tamper evident closure with integrated venting and method of manufacturing

• US 20030150833A1
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation (Crown Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation (Crown Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shenkar, Emanuel
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/252
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/3423 with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt B65D41/3404 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/145 by means of an additional element connected directly to the container

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a vented tamper evident closure of the J-hook type to a container involves a closure of the type including a base, a downwardly depending sidewall portion and a tamper evident band. The tamper evident band is frangibly connected to the sidewall portion and includes a main band portion and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining elements and a corresponding plurality of flexible web elements. Advantageously, the retention member is originally molded in a first position wherein it is positioned substantially beneath and in alignment with the main band portion of the tamper evident band. This molding position creates substantial manufacturing advantages. When the closure is installed onto the container, the retention member is circumferentially compressed and folds inwardly as it is moved to a second, engaged position wherein it is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container. The substantial circumferential compression of the retention member is enabled by the provision of the flexible web elements. In addition, ventilation openings are preferably defined within the flexible web elements. The ventilation openings provide a dual benefit in that they further promote efficient moldability of the closure and that they permit the entire container assembly, including the closure, to be washed after packaging to remove any food material that may be left after filling permit the closure.

Claims

1. A tamper evident closure, comprising:

a body portion comprising a base and a downwardly depending sidewall portion; and

a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising;

a main band portion, and

a J-hook retention member that includes

a plurality of retaining elements, at least some of said retaining elements being constructed and arranged to engage a container to which said closure may be mounted in order to retain said tamper evident band on the container when said body portion is removed from the container; and

a plurality of flexible web elements, said flexible web elements being sufficiently flexible to render said J-hook retention member circumferentially compressible from a first molded position wherein said retention member is positioned substantially beneath and in alignment with said main band portion of said tamper evident band to a second engaged position wherein said retention member is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container for retention purposes;

whereby said closure may be manufactured in an efficacious molding position while still providing effective tamper evident packaging assurance.

2. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein each of said flexible web elements are interposed between an adjacent two of said retaining elements.

3. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein each of said retaining elements is constructed and arranged to engage the container for retention purposes.

4. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said flexible web elements is shaped so as to have a predetermined crease line about which said web element will begin to fold as said J-hook retention member is circumferentially compressed.

5. A tamper evident closure according to claim 4, wherein said flexible web element is shaped so that said predetermined crease line is positioned radially inwardly from the nearest retaining element, whereby said flexible web element will be caused to fold radially inwardly as said J-hook retention member is circumferentially compressed.

6. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said flexible web elements has a ventilation opening defined therein.

7. A tamper evident closure according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of said flexible web elements have a ventilation opening defined therein.

8. A tamper evident closure according to claim 6, wherein said ventilation opening is defined in an upper portion of said flexible web element that is proximate to said main band portion of said J-hook retention member.

9. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said retaining elements are tapered in their circumferential dimensions so as to narrow at distal ends thereof that are distal to said body portion of said closure.

10. A tamper evident closure according to claim 9, wherein said flexible web elements are inversely tapered with respect to said retaining elements.

11. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said flexible web elements are sufficiently flexible to render said J-hook retention member circumferentially compressible by at least 10 percent.

12. A tamper evident closure according to claim 11, wherein said flexible web elements are sufficiently flexible to render said J-hook retention member circumferentially compressible by at least 20 percent.

13. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said first molded position is characterized by said retention member being positioned so that a longitudinal axis of one of said retaining elements is no more than 20 degrees divergent from a longitudinal axis of said downwardly depending sidewall portion of said closure.

14. A tamper evident closure according to claim 13, wherein said first molded position is characterized by said retention member being positioned so that a longitudinal axis of one of said retaining elements is no more than 10 degrees divergent from a longitudinal axis of said downwardly depending sidewall portion of said closure.

15. A method of applying a tamper evident closure of the J-hook type, comprising steps of:

(a) providing a container having an opening;

(b) providing a closure of the type including a base, a downwardly depending sidewall portion and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to the sidewall portion that includes a main band portion and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining elements and a plurality of flexible web elements, the retention member being oriented in a first molded position wherein it is positioned substantially beneath and in alignment with the main band portion of said tamper evident band; and

(c) installing the closure onto the container so that the retention member is circumferentially compressed and is moved to a second engaged position wherein said retention member is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container for retention purposes.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein step (c) is performed so as to circumferentially compressed said J-hook retention member by at least 10 percent.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein step (c) is performed so as to circumferentially compressed said J-hook retention member by at least 20 percent.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein said first molded position is characterized by said retention member being positioned so that a longitudinal axis of one of said retaining elements is no more than 20 degrees divergent from a longitudinal axis of said downwardly depending sidewall portion of said closure.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said first molded position is characterized by said retention member being positioned so that a longitudinal axis of one of said retaining elements is no more than 10 degrees divergent from a longitudinal axis of said downwardly depending sidewall portion of said closure.

20. A method according to claim 15, wherein step (b) is performed with a closure that further has a ventilation opening defined in at least one of said flexible web elements.