EP0460813A2 - Threaded closure with integral sealing means - Google Patents

A linerless closure (10) for use on a bottle (12) or other container, having a threaded neck (15), has a cylindrical sidewall (25), with mating threads (27), and a top (26). An integral sealing ring (29), including a continuous flexible central member (31), is mounted below the top. Threading movement between the closure and the container positions the central member between the neck and the top to form a continuous seal.

• The present invention is primarily directed to a linerless closure for bottles or other types of generally liquid carrying containers. A normal application would be in connection with a carbonated beverage bottle which could either be a glass bottle or a plastic bottle.

• However, the present invention may be utilized in connection with other types of bottles and containers.

• United States Patent No. 4,156,490 discloses an

  annular boss

  12 which extends into a bottle mouth.

• United States Patent No. 4,206,852 is directed to a linerless closure which includes an

  annular wall

  30 which also extends within a bottle neck 36.

• United States Patent No. 4,343,408 discloses a plastic closure which includes annular ridges 34 which engage the upper end of the neck portion 5 of a

  container

  3.

• Early plastic closures which were designed to replace conventional metal sealing closures usually incorporated a liner to compensate for unevenness on the top lip of the glass or plastic bottles. The development of plastic materials, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, has enabled linerless closures to be developed.

• It is the object of the present invention to provide a new and improved linerless closure for use in numerous applications including hermetic applications and carbonated beverage applications.

• The present invention provides a linerless closure for use on a bottle or other container which includes an upper end having a threaded neck. The linerless closure includes a one-piece body, which is normally a plastic body. The body has a cylindrical skirt or sidewall and a top. The container neck and the body sidewall define mating threads. An internal sealing ring is mounted below and adjacent the top of the body. The sealing ring includes a continuous flexible central member. Upward threading movement between the container neck and the cap positions the flexible central member between the neck and the top of the cap to form a continuous seal.

• Preferably, the sealing ring also includes a downwardly extending side member. The neck engages the side member to form a side seal and a corner seal in addition to the top seal formed by the flexible central member and the top.

• The invention will now be exemplified by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a linerless closure, according to the present invention, positioned on the neck of a container;
• Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing the linerless closure in a sealed position;
• Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a linerless closure, according to the present invention, positioned over the neck of a bottle;
• Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a linerless closure, according to the present invention;
• Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of still another embodiment of a linerless closure, according to the present invention; and
• Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

• A linerless closure, according to the present invention, is indicated in Fig. 1 by the

  reference number

  10. A

  plastic container

  12 has an

  upper end

  13 and a

  neck

  14 which defines

  threads

  15. The

  plastic container

  12 is commonly constructed of polyethylene terephthalate. However, the container may be constructed of numerous materials, such as metal, glass or thermoplastics, including polypropylene, high density polyethylene, nylon or polyvinyl chloride.

• Referring to Fig. 4, a linerless closure 10' is shown positioned over a

  glass bottle

  18 having an

  upper end

  19 and a

  neck

  20 which defines a

  continuous thread

  21.

• The

  linerless closures

  10 and 10' are preferably constructed of a plastic material. The plastic material is normally a thermoplastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, nylon, blends of such materials and other resins.

• The

  linerless closure

  10 has a one-

  piece body

  24 including a cylindrical skirt or

  sidewall

  25 and an

  integral top

  26. The

  sidewall

  25 defines

  threads

  27 on its interior. The

  threads

  27 mate with the threaded

  neck

  14 of the

  container

  12. When the

  linerless closure

  10 is rotated relative to the

  container

  12, the assembly is moved from an unsealed position shown in Fig. 1 to a sealed position as shown in Fig. 2.

• Referring to Fig. 1, an

  integral sealing ring

  29 is mounted below and adjacent the

  top

  26. The

  sealing ring

  29 includes a downwardly extending

  circular side member

  30 and a flexible

  central member

  31. The

  circular side member

  30 and the

  top

  26 define a continuous circular receiving groove 32.

• In a preferred embodiment, a depending circular "V" shaped ridge is defined on the inner surface of the

  top

  26 of the

  body

  24.

• Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, as the

  linerless closure

  10 is moved between the unsealed position in Fig. 1 to the sealed position in Fig. 2, the

  upper end

  13 of the

  container

  12 engages the

  circular sealing ring

  29. Further upward movement urges the flexible

  central member

  31 upwardly into the receiving groove 32 with the flexible

  central member

  31 being tightly positioned in a seal position between the

  upper end

  13 of the

  container

  12 and the

  top

  26 of the

  body

  24 of the

  closure

  10. As shown in Fig. 2, when the

  linerless closure

  10 is in this sealed position, the flexible

  central member

  31 is also pushed tightly against the V-shaped

  circular ridge

  33 in the

  top

  26 to ensure a positive top seal. At the same time, when the

  upper end

  13 of the

  container

  12 is moved into the Fig. 2 seal position a side seal and a corner seal are defined between the

  upper end

  13 of the

  container

  12 and the rigid continuous

  circular side member

  30 of the

  sealing ring

  29. This side seal and corner seal with the

  side member

  30 is formed as the flexible

  central member

  31 is moved or positioned within the receiving groove 32, as best shown in Fig. 2.

• The glass bottle embodiment shown in Fig. 4 operates in a similar manner. As the linerless closure 10' is threaded onto the

  neck

  20 of the

  glass bottle

  18, the side sealing, corner sealing, and top sealing occur.

• It has been found that a linerless closure, according to the present invention, provides a good seal, particularly on carbonated beverage containers, and also a cost effective seal.

• Another embodiment of a linerless closure, according to the present invention, is indicated in Fig. 5 by the

  reference number

  40. The

  closure

  40 includes a

  continuous angle groove

  41.

• As the

  linerless closure

  40 is moved to its sealed position, the upper end 13' of the container 12' engages the circular sealing ring 29'. Further movement urges the flexible central member 31' upwardly into and against the

  continuous angle groove

  41. This forms a side seal, a corner seal and a top seal between the upper end 13' of the container 12' and the

  closure

  40.

• Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, another embodiment of a linerless closure, according to the present invention, is indicated by the

  reference number

  50. The

  closure

  50 includes a cylindrical skirt or sidewall 25' and an integral top 26'. The sidewall 25' defines threads 27' on its interior. An integral sealing ring 29' is integrally mounted below the top 26'.

• A plurality of reinforcing

  ribs

  52 depend downwardly from the top 26' of the

  closure

  50. In the present embodiment, the

  ribs

  52 are the shape of a cross, however, differing shapes and numbers of ribs may be used. The ribs serve to retard deflection of the top 26' of the

  closure

  50 when under pressure.

• Numerous revisions may be made to the linerless closure described above without departing from the scope of the following claims.

1. A linerless closure for use on a bottle or other container including an upper end and a threaded neck, said linerless closure, comprising, in combination, a one-piece body having a cylindrical sidewall and a top, said sidewall defining threads which mate with such threaded neck of such bottle or container, an integral sealing ring mounted below and adjacent said top, said sealing ring including a continuous flexible central member, whereby upward threading movement of such neck engages said sealing ring and further movement positions said central member between such neck and said top to form a continuous seal.

2. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 1, said sealing ring including a downwardly extending side member and a flexible central member, wherein upward threading movement of such neck engages said sealing ring and further movement of such neck forms a continuous side seal with said side member, a corner seal and a top seal with said flexible central member and said top.

3. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said side member and said top define a circular receiving groove and wherein said flexible central member is position within said groove when in a seal position.

4. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said side member and said top define an angular receiving groove and wherein said flexible central member is positioned within said groove when in a seal position.

5. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said top has an outer and inner surface, a depending circular ridge on said inner surface of said top, said flexible inner wall engaging said depending circular ridge when in a seal position.

6. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said depending circular ridge is generally "V" shaped.

7. A linerless closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims constructed of a plastic material.

8. A linerless closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including means on said top for retarding deflection of said top.

9. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 8, wherein said retarding means comprises at least two downwardly depending ribs on said top.

10. A linerless closure as claimed in claim 1 for use on a bottle or container including an upper end and a threaded neck, said linerless closure comprising, in combination, a one-piece plastic body having a cylindrical sidewall and a top, said top having an outer surface and an inner surface, said sidewall defining threads which mate with such threaded neck of such bottle or container, an integral sealing ring mounted below and adjacent said top, said sealing ring, including a downwardly extending side member and a flexible central member, wherein upward threading movement of such neck engages said sealing ring and further movement of such neck forms a continuous side seal with said side member, a continuous corner seal and a top seal with said flexible central member and said top, a depending circular ridge on said inner surface of said top, said flexible inner wall engaging said depending circular ridge when in the seal position.