US20050284836A1 - Container with snap-on closure - Google Patents
Container with snap-on closure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050284836A1 US20050284836A1 US10/531,776 US53177605A US2005284836A1 US 20050284836 A1 US20050284836 A1 US 20050284836A1 US 53177605 A US53177605 A US 53177605A US 2005284836 A1 US2005284836 A1 US 2005284836A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- neck
- closure
- container
- ridge
- container according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000009455 aseptic packaging Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920010126 Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004798 oriented polystyrene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000003739 neck Anatomy 0.000 description 40
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000000071 blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000011049 filling Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 241000607720 Serratia Species 0.000 description 3
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004587 chromatography analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007799 cork Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- KEUKAQNPUBYCIC-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethaneperoxoic acid;hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO.CC(=O)OO KEUKAQNPUBYCIC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009969 flowable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010102 injection blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011169 microbiological contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012536 packaging technology Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009928 pasteurization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001967 plate count agar Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011112 polyethylene naphthalate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013618 yogurt Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- B65D41/46—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
- B65D41/48—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
- B65D41/485—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics with integral internal sealing means
Definitions
- the invention relates to a container suitable for the aseptic packing of microbiologically sensitive food products.
- microbiologically sensitive food products will have a restricted shelf life when not properly preserved. Commonly such products are treated to eliminate the relevant microbial load using for instance pasteurisation or sterilisation. In order to prolong the shelf life of pasteurised or sterilised products, methods of hygienic or aseptic packaging the food products have been developed.
- the packaging is tamper-proof or provides evidence of tampering as it may occur in a shop.
- a heat-sealed foil shows that tampering has taken place, since the foil is disturbed/damaged when tampered with Screw caps may be provided with a ring or a break-lock that is torn off or broken when the container is opened for the first time.
- EP 1122168 describes a method for moulding and filling aseptic containers. The method comprises the steps of sterilising preforms, heating the sterilised preforms to a temperature appropriate to orientation, moulding the heated preforms into containers by an orientation blow moulding process, filling the moulded containers with an aseptic liquid and hermetically closing the filled containers each with an aseptic closure.
- the containers are capped with sterilised caps, which are not described in detail.
- CH 595255 describes a sterile closable container with a snap-on cap, suitable for packing liquid or solid pharmaceuticals.
- the container is tamper-proof, see column 2 , lines 25 - 31 and is reclosable.
- the container is hermetically closed since tap 12 is forced into the neck 9 of the container and the upper rim 8 of the cylindrical upper part of the container is forced into the ring-shaped recess 13 .
- a relatively high amount of material is used in the cap, further the cap is only suitable for closing small diameter necks.
- the top of the neck of the bottle has to be very accurately dimensioned otherwise the bottle will not be aseptic.
- the press-on force for snapping on the cap is also high.
- the described bottle is preferably of glass, which will result in a container having a high weight.
- FR 2744100 describes a snap-on closure, comprising a peripheral skirt with a ridge, intended for engagement with the inner surface of the neck wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck.
- the closure shows tamper evidence, see the tear-off strip 4 . It may be opened using one hand after the tear-off strip has been removed. No use for aseptic packaging has been described in FR 2744100.
- WO 99/61337 describes a plastic bottle comprising an extrusion blow-moulded body and an injection moulded neck and cap assembly, wherein the cap is fitted to the neck in order to provide a leak free resealable closure.
- the closure is sealed with a foil ( 70 ).
- This bottle has the same disadvantages as described above for other foil-sealed closures.
- a separate step to connect the neck and cap assembly to the container body is needed.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,723 described a package for flowable media having a snap-on lid, providing an aseptic closure.
- the aseptic closure is realised with an annular sealing lip, which is brought into sealing engagement with the inside surface of the edge of the package. Since the sealing area is the inside surface of the edge, the seal may easily be damaged when this inside surface is damaged. Damage may easily occur in the handling the package or the pre-forms (blanks), since the edge is always exposed, and therefore the sealing surface is not protected.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a container with a closure that may reliably be reclosed after initial opening.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a container with closure that is tamper-proof or shows tamper evidence.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a container with closure that is light in weight.
- Other objects are to provide a closure that has a low snap-on pressure, that is easily recyclable and that has a simple construction, and to provide a container in which the sealing surface is protected against damage.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide a container with closure that may be reliably opened and closed after initial opening using one hand and remains connected to the container after opening.
- the container comprises an injection blow-moulded container body ( 1 ) and neck ( 2 ) and a closure ( 3 ), characterised in that the closure ( 3 ) is a snap-on closure ( 3 ) characterized in that the snap-on closure ( 3 ) comprises a peripheral skirt ( 4 ) with a ridge ( 5 ), intended for engagement with the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge ( 5 ) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck, characterised in that the snap-on closure ( 3 ) and the neck comprise means ( 7 , 8 ) for substantially fixing the ridge ( 5 ) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed.
- the invention further provides a plastic container comprising an injection blowmoulded container body ( 1 ) and neck ( 2 ) and a closure ( 3 ), wherein the closure ( 3 ) is a snap-on closure ( 3 ), filled with a sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product having a pH between 6 and 8.
- the closure of the container according to the invention is a snap-on closure. This means that the closure according to the invention is to be pressed onto the neck of the container after the container has been filled to achieve an aseptic seal. This is opposed to sealing with foil, crown cork or turning on a screw cap as disclosed in the prior art. According to the invention a mechanically easy sealing of the container is achieved and the weight of the container and closure is low. Cap and closure are used herein as synonyms.
- FIG. 1 Vertical section of the top part of a container and the snap-on closure according to the preferred embodiment
- FIG. 2 Section of circumferential part of snap-on cap showing web ( 8 )
- FIG. 3 Enlarged bottom plan view of the snap-on closure
- the snap-on closure ( 3 ) comprises a peripheral skirt ( 4 ) with a ridge ( 5 ), intended for engagement with the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge ( 5 ) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck ( 2 ), and the snap-on closure ( 3 ) and the neck ( 2 ) comprise means ( 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ) for substantially fixing the ridge ( 5 ) in the axial direction of the neck ( 2 ), when the container is closed.
- the length of the skirt ( 4 ) is such that, when the snap-on closure ( 3 ) is snapped onto the neck ( 2 ) and the ridge ( 5 ) is in engagement with the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ), the ridge ( 5 ) is at a depth of 0.2 D or more, more preferably 0.3-0.5 D, wherein D is the inside diameter of the neck ( 2 ) and the depth is measured from the top rim of the neck to the middle of the ridge ( 5 ).
- These webs ( 8 ) have such a height that the bottom touches the top rim of the neck when the snap-on closure ( 3 ) is snapped onto the neck ( 2 ) of the container.
- a protrusion ( 7 ) of the neck ( 2 ) lies against an inclined part ( 10 ) of the bottom part of the closure ( 3 ), which prohibits a downward movement of the ridge ( 5 ), whereas a web ( 8 ) lies against the upper ridge ( 9 ) of the neck ( 2 ), which results in a fixation of the ridge ( 5 ) in upward direction.
- Closing a container filled with sterile product in the way described above provides a commercially aseptic packed product.
- the tolerance of movement of the ridge ( 5 ) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed, is smaller than the height (H in FIG. 5 ) of the contact surface between the ridge ( 5 ) and the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ).
- the neck ( 2 ) has an inner surface ( 6 ), having no grooves having a width of 0.5 ⁇ m or larger. These measures will further reduce the risk of microbiological contamination.
- the closure according to the invention is made from plastic material that is injection moulded.
- the container is made preferably in two steps. In the first step a preform is produced by injection moulding, this assures a high accuracy in the neck of the container.
- the preform is designed as such that the seal area cannot be touched by other preforms during handling and transport from preform injection to Blow moulding.
- the container body is shaped by blow-moulding. The seal area inside of the preform neck will not be touched by any object to avoid scratches.
- the seal area is the part of the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ) that is in contact with the ridge ( 5 ), when the container is sealed.
- the Blowing, Sterilisation, Filling and Capping operation are to be executed preferably in one operation avoiding any mechanical contact between the inner surface of the neck and the equipment.
- the above-described process ensures an accurate smooth inner surface without scratches from handling.
- the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge ( 5 ) is lower than the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck ( 2 ). This causes that the material of the ridge may easily fill any grooves in or surface roughness of the inner surface of the neck, resulting in an improved sealing of the container.
- the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge ( 5 ) is preferably 65 or less, more preferably 60 or less and the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck ( 2 ) is preferably 70 or more, more preferably 80 or more.
- the Shore D hardness may be measured with an apparatus known as a Durometer and consequently is also known as ‘Durometer hardness’.
- the hardness value is determined by the penetration of the Durometer indenter foot into the sample. Because of the resilience of rubbers and plastics, the indentation reading my change over time—so the indentation time is sometimes reported along with the hardness number.
- the ASTM test method designation is ASTM D2240 00, which is used herein. Related methods include ISO 7619 and ISO 868; DIN 53505; and JIS K 6301, which was discontinued and superseded by JIS K 6253.
- the material of the ridge is most relevant for the sealing and it may be different from rest of the material of the snap-on closure, it is preferred that the whole snap-on closure, including the ridge, is made of the same material, for reasons of simplicity and recycleability.
- Suitable materials for the container body are resilient plastic materials that may be injection-blow-moulded, such as Polyethylene terepthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) or PEN, or mixtures thereof.
- Suitable materials for the snap-on closure are plastic materials that may be injection moulded such as various types of polyethylene, for example linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
- LLDPE linear-low density polyethylene
- the snap-on closure has a hinge ( 11 ).
- the hinge ( 11 ) is a click-hinge ( 11 ), which is even more comfortable in use, since it fixes the closure in two positions, opened and closed.
- the snap-on closure comprises a circumferential tear-off strip ( 12 ).
- This tear-off strip provides evidence of tampering.
- the tear-off strip may preferably be supplied with a grip ( 13 ).
- the container is a bottle, but the invention is not limited to bottles. Other containers such as jars, goblet, etc. may also benefit from the invention.
- the invention is only related to food products, which are not required to be packed under pressure, so that the packing of e.g. carbonated beverages is excluded.
- the container and closure After the container and closure have been prepared, they are preferably sterilized, e.g. by spraying with desinfectant liquid (for example a 4.5 wt % Oxonia, Henkel Ecolab Germany) and subsequent rinsing with sterilised water. Any other sterilising method may also be used.
- desinfectant liquid for example a 4.5 wt % Oxonia, Henkel Ecolab Germany
- sterilised water any other sterilising method may also be used.
- the container After sterilisation, the container is filled with a food product and is sealed by pressing on the sterilised snap-on closure.
- the invention further relates to a container as described herein filled with a sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product.
- the container according to the invention is especially suitable for microbiologically sensitive food product has a pH between 6 and 8.
- the microbiologically sensitive food product may have any state or appearance: it may be a liquid, a pourable material, a spoonable or spreadable material or solid paste or particles.
- the food product is a liquid, squeezable or pourable product.
- Containers with snap-on closure having a volume of 250 ml according to FIGS. 1-3 were made.
- the material of the container was polyethylene terephtalate (PET) suitable for biaxial blown-moulding, having a Shore D hardness of 83.
- the material of the snap-on closure was linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a Shore D hardness of 53.
- Preforms were prepared by injection-blowmoulding. Snap-on caps were injection moulded.
- Preforms were fed into a Husky blow-moulding machine and the preforms were blow-moulded whereby the neck of the preforms was only held on the outside.
- the resulting bottles and the snap-on caps were sterilised by means of Gamma-irradiation. After desinfection they were kept in a sterile environment until closure of the bottles with the snap-on caps.
- the bottles were filled with sterilised cream and were closed with the snap-on caps in a high hygiene environment.
- a sleeve oriented polystyrene foil
- the aseptic containers thus prepared were tested as follows.
Abstract
The invention relates to a container suitable for aseptic packing of microbiologically sensitive food products comprising a blow-moulded container body (1) and neck (2) and a closure (3), characterised in that the closure (3) is a snap-on closure (3) wherein the snap-on closure (3) comprises a peripheral skirt (4) with a ridge (5), intended for engagement with the inner surface (6) of the neck (2) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge (5) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck, characterised in that the snap-on closure (3) and the neck comprise means (7,8) for substantially fixing the ridge (5) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed.
Description
- The invention relates to a container suitable for the aseptic packing of microbiologically sensitive food products.
- Many food products are prone to microbiological spoilage. Such products are herein designated as microbiologically sensitive food products. Microbiologically sensitive food products will have a restricted shelf life when not properly preserved. Commonly such products are treated to eliminate the relevant microbial load using for instance pasteurisation or sterilisation. In order to prolong the shelf life of pasteurised or sterilised products, methods of hygienic or aseptic packaging the food products have been developed.
- For non-carbonated liquid or pourable microbiologically sensitive food products, such as for instance milk products, fruit juices etc. several ways of aseptic packaging are known.
- J. Goursaud describes in Food Packaging Technology, Vol. 2, Chapter 35, Editors G. Bureau and J.-L Multon, VCH Publishers Inc. (1996) methods of aseptic packing of milk products. Some commercial methods such as Tetra Brik, Aseptic Combiblock and Elopak use a cardboard laminate structure to form a container, which is sealed after filling with sterilised milk. Other methods, such as those developed by Bottle-pack, Remy, Serac and Erca use plastic containers. The plastic containers are closed using a heat sealed aluminium foil (tin foil) or a screw cap. For yogurts, jars and goblets may be used that are usually heat-sealed with (aluminium) foil (tin foil).
- One requirement for aseptic packaging is that the packaging is tamper-proof or provides evidence of tampering as it may occur in a shop. A heat-sealed foil shows that tampering has taken place, since the foil is disturbed/damaged when tampered with Screw caps may be provided with a ring or a break-lock that is torn off or broken when the container is opened for the first time.
- The known closures for the aseptic packages have a number of disadvantages. Heat-sealed aluminium foils cannot be re-closed, so therefore an additional screw cap is often added when reclosability is desired. Moreover an aluminium foil (tin foil) is vulnerable. The screw cap needs to be unscrewed to open the container and re-applied after use, which may be difficult in use. Further a screw cap will be separated from the container after opening and may than get lost and is prone to fouling.
- It is known to use blow-moulded containers for aseptic packaging using injection moulded preforms. EP 1122168 describes a method for moulding and filling aseptic containers. The method comprises the steps of sterilising preforms, heating the sterilised preforms to a temperature appropriate to orientation, moulding the heated preforms into containers by an orientation blow moulding process, filling the moulded containers with an aseptic liquid and hermetically closing the filled containers each with an aseptic closure. The containers are capped with sterilised caps, which are not described in detail.
- CH 595255 describes a sterile closable container with a snap-on cap, suitable for packing liquid or solid pharmaceuticals. The container is tamper-proof, see
column 2, lines 25-31 and is reclosable. The container is hermetically closed sincetap 12 is forced into theneck 9 of the container and theupper rim 8 of the cylindrical upper part of the container is forced into the ring-shaped recess 13. As a result of this construction, a relatively high amount of material is used in the cap, further the cap is only suitable for closing small diameter necks. The top of the neck of the bottle has to be very accurately dimensioned otherwise the bottle will not be aseptic. The press-on force for snapping on the cap is also high. Further the described bottle is preferably of glass, which will result in a container having a high weight. - FR 2744100 describes a snap-on closure, comprising a peripheral skirt with a ridge, intended for engagement with the inner surface of the neck wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck. The closure shows tamper evidence, see the tear-off
strip 4. It may be opened using one hand after the tear-off strip has been removed. No use for aseptic packaging has been described in FR 2744100. - WO 99/61337 describes a plastic bottle comprising an extrusion blow-moulded body and an injection moulded neck and cap assembly, wherein the cap is fitted to the neck in order to provide a leak free resealable closure. The closure is sealed with a foil (70). This bottle has the same disadvantages as described above for other foil-sealed closures. Moreover according to WO99/61337 a separate step to connect the neck and cap assembly to the container body is needed.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,723 described a package for flowable media having a snap-on lid, providing an aseptic closure. The aseptic closure is realised with an annular sealing lip, which is brought into sealing engagement with the inside surface of the edge of the package. Since the sealing area is the inside surface of the edge, the seal may easily be damaged when this inside surface is damaged. Damage may easily occur in the handling the package or the pre-forms (blanks), since the edge is always exposed, and therefore the sealing surface is not protected.
- It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container suitable for the aseptic packing of microbiologically sensitive food products. Another object of the invention is to provide a container with a closure that may reliably be reclosed after initial opening. A further object of the invention is to provide a container with closure that is tamper-proof or shows tamper evidence. Another object of the invention is to provide a container with closure that is light in weight. Other objects are to provide a closure that has a low snap-on pressure, that is easily recyclable and that has a simple construction, and to provide a container in which the sealing surface is protected against damage. Still another object of the invention is to provide a container with closure that may be reliably opened and closed after initial opening using one hand and remains connected to the container after opening.
- One or more of these objects are attained according to the invention in that the container comprises an injection blow-moulded container body (1) and neck (2) and a closure (3), characterised in that the closure (3) is a snap-on closure (3) characterized in that the snap-on closure (3) comprises a peripheral skirt (4) with a ridge (5), intended for engagement with the inner surface (6) of the neck (2) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge (5) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck, characterised in that the snap-on closure (3) and the neck comprise means (7,8) for substantially fixing the ridge (5) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed.
- The invention further provides a plastic container comprising an injection blowmoulded container body (1) and neck (2) and a closure (3), wherein the closure (3) is a snap-on closure (3), filled with a sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product having a pH between 6 and 8.
- The closure of the container according to the invention is a snap-on closure. This means that the closure according to the invention is to be pressed onto the neck of the container after the container has been filled to achieve an aseptic seal. This is opposed to sealing with foil, crown cork or turning on a screw cap as disclosed in the prior art. According to the invention a mechanically easy sealing of the container is achieved and the weight of the container and closure is low. Cap and closure are used herein as synonyms.
- The details of the invention will be illustrated by the following description of a preferred embodiment, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures.
-
FIG. 1 : Vertical section of the top part of a container and the snap-on closure according to the preferred embodiment -
FIG. 2 : Section of circumferential part of snap-on cap showing web (8) -
FIG. 3 : Enlarged bottom plan view of the snap-on closure - Preferably the snap-on closure (3) comprises a peripheral skirt (4) with a ridge (5), intended for engagement with the inner surface (6) of the neck (2) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge (5) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck (2), and the snap-on closure (3) and the neck (2) comprise means (7,8,9,10) for substantially fixing the ridge (5) in the axial direction of the neck (2), when the container is closed.
- In a preferred embodiment, the length of the skirt (4) is such that, when the snap-on closure (3) is snapped onto the neck (2) and the ridge (5) is in engagement with the inner surface (6) of the neck (2), the ridge (5) is at a depth of 0.2 D or more, more preferably 0.3-0.5 D, wherein D is the inside diameter of the neck (2) and the depth is measured from the top rim of the neck to the middle of the ridge (5).
- Preferably a number of webs (8) extending from the top of the closure in the direction of the top rim of the neck fix the ridge in the downward direction. These webs (8) have such a height that the bottom touches the top rim of the neck when the snap-on closure (3) is snapped onto the neck (2) of the container.
- In a preferred embodiment as shown in
FIG. 2 , a protrusion (7) of the neck (2) lies against an inclined part (10) of the bottom part of the closure (3), which prohibits a downward movement of the ridge (5), whereas a web (8) lies against the upper ridge (9) of the neck (2), which results in a fixation of the ridge (5) in upward direction. - Closing a container filled with sterile product in the way described above provides a commercially aseptic packed product.
- Preferably the tolerance of movement of the ridge (5) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed, is smaller than the height (H in
FIG. 5 ) of the contact surface between the ridge (5) and the inner surface (6) of the neck (2). - Advantageously the neck (2) has an inner surface (6), having no grooves having a width of 0.5 μm or larger. These measures will further reduce the risk of microbiological contamination.
- The closure according to the invention is made from plastic material that is injection moulded. The container is made preferably in two steps. In the first step a preform is produced by injection moulding, this assures a high accuracy in the neck of the container. The preform is designed as such that the seal area cannot be touched by other preforms during handling and transport from preform injection to Blow moulding. In a subsequent step, the container body is shaped by blow-moulding. The seal area inside of the preform neck will not be touched by any object to avoid scratches. The seal area is the part of the inner surface (6) of the neck (2) that is in contact with the ridge (5), when the container is sealed. The Blowing, Sterilisation, Filling and Capping operation are to be executed preferably in one operation avoiding any mechanical contact between the inner surface of the neck and the equipment. The above-described process ensures an accurate smooth inner surface without scratches from handling. Preferably the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge (5) is lower than the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck (2). This causes that the material of the ridge may easily fill any grooves in or surface roughness of the inner surface of the neck, resulting in an improved sealing of the container.
- The Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge (5) is preferably 65 or less, more preferably 60 or less and the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck (2) is preferably 70 or more, more preferably 80 or more. The Shore D hardness may be measured with an apparatus known as a Durometer and consequently is also known as ‘Durometer hardness’. The hardness value is determined by the penetration of the Durometer indenter foot into the sample. Because of the resilience of rubbers and plastics, the indentation reading my change over time—so the indentation time is sometimes reported along with the hardness number. The ASTM test method designation is ASTM D2240 00, which is used herein. Related methods include ISO 7619 and ISO 868; DIN 53505; and JIS K 6301, which was discontinued and superseded by JIS K 6253.
- Though the material of the ridge is most relevant for the sealing and it may be different from rest of the material of the snap-on closure, it is preferred that the whole snap-on closure, including the ridge, is made of the same material, for reasons of simplicity and recycleability.
- Suitable materials for the container body are resilient plastic materials that may be injection-blow-moulded, such as Polyethylene terepthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) or PEN, or mixtures thereof.
- Suitable materials for the snap-on closure are plastic materials that may be injection moulded such as various types of polyethylene, for example linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
- Preferably the snap-on closure has a hinge (11). This allows the container to be opened using one hand, after initial opening and removal of the tear-strip. Advantageously the hinge (11) is a click-hinge (11), which is even more comfortable in use, since it fixes the closure in two positions, opened and closed.
- Preferably the snap-on closure comprises a circumferential tear-off strip (12). This tear-off strip provides evidence of tampering. The tear-off strip may preferably be supplied with a grip (13).
- Preferably the container is a bottle, but the invention is not limited to bottles. Other containers such as jars, goblet, etc. may also benefit from the invention.
- The invention is only related to food products, which are not required to be packed under pressure, so that the packing of e.g. carbonated beverages is excluded.
- After the container and closure have been prepared, they are preferably sterilized, e.g. by spraying with desinfectant liquid (for example a 4.5 wt % Oxonia, Henkel Ecolab Germany) and subsequent rinsing with sterilised water. Any other sterilising method may also be used.
- After sterilisation, the container is filled with a food product and is sealed by pressing on the sterilised snap-on closure.
- The invention further relates to a container as described herein filled with a sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product. The container according to the invention is especially suitable for microbiologically sensitive food product has a pH between 6 and 8.
- The microbiologically sensitive food product may have any state or appearance: it may be a liquid, a pourable material, a spoonable or spreadable material or solid paste or particles. Preferably the food product is a liquid, squeezable or pourable product.
- Containers with snap-on closure having a volume of 250 ml according to
FIGS. 1-3 were made. The material of the container was polyethylene terephtalate (PET) suitable for biaxial blown-moulding, having a Shore D hardness of 83. The material of the snap-on closure was linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a Shore D hardness of 53. - Preforms were prepared by injection-blowmoulding. Snap-on caps were injection moulded.
- Preforms were fed into a Husky blow-moulding machine and the preforms were blow-moulded whereby the neck of the preforms was only held on the outside.
- The resulting bottles and the snap-on caps were sterilised by means of Gamma-irradiation. After desinfection they were kept in a sterile environment until closure of the bottles with the snap-on caps.
- The bottles were filled with sterilised cream and were closed with the snap-on caps in a high hygiene environment. A sleeve (oriented polystyrene foil) was shrunk around the bottle covering the body and the neck of the bottle, including the fixation ring of the cap under the tear-off strip, but not the cap.
- The aseptic containers thus prepared were tested as follows.
- Test of the Aseptic Containers
- The top of 32 bottles produced as described above, were sprayed with a fresh culture of Serratia marescens using a chromatography atomiser (approximately 2 ml of 10E9 bacteria/ml). The spraying was repeated during 2 consecutive days. After each treatment, the sprayed bottles were incubated at 30° C., in total for 6 days.
- All samples were investigated microbiologically by dissemination on Plate Count Agar and no Serratia marescens or any other bacteria was found in any of the 32 containers. A repetition of this test with another batch of 32 bottles resulted again in that no spoilage was found in any of the 32 containers.
- As a
blank test 4 bottles were opened and inoculated with the Serratia marescens culture. Strong growth occurred within 2 days at 30° C. and resulted in visible deterioration of the cream.
Claims (15)
1. Plastic container suitable for aseptic packaging of microbiologically sensitive food products comprising an injection blowmoulded container body (1) and neck (2) and a closure (3), wherein the closure (3) is a snap-on closure (3), characterized in that the snap-on closure (3) comprises a peripheral skirt (4) with a ridge (5), intended for engagement with the inner surface (6) of the neck (2) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge (5) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck, characterised in that the snap-on closure (3) and the neck comprise means (7,8) for substantially fixing the ridge (5) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed.
2. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the tolerance of movement of the ridge (5) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed, is smaller than the height of the contact surface between the ridge and the inner surface of the neck.
3. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the neck has an inner surface (6), having no grooves having a width of 0.5 μm or larger.
4. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge (5) is lower than the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck (2).
5. Container according to claim 4 , wherein the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge (5) is 65 or smaller and the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck (2) is 70 or higher.
6. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the container is provided with a foil around the bottle covering large part of the body and the neck of the bottle, but not the cap.
7. Container according to claim 6 , wherein the foil comprises oriented polystyrene.
8. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the snap-on closure has a hinge (9).
9. Container according to claim 8 , wherein the hinge (9) is a click-hinge (9).
10. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the snap-on closure comprises a circumferential tear-off strip (10).
11. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the material of the ridge substantially consists of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
12. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the container is a bottle.
13. Container according to claim 1 filled with a sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product.
14. Container according to claim 14 , wherein the microbiologically sensitive food product has a pH between 6 and 8.
15. Use of a plastic container according to claim 1 , for packing sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP02079347.7 | 2002-10-21 | ||
EP02079347 | 2002-10-21 | ||
PCT/EP2003/011063 WO2004035410A1 (en) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-09-25 | Container with snap-on closure |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050284836A1 true US20050284836A1 (en) | 2005-12-29 |
Family
ID=32103966
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/531,776 Abandoned US20050284836A1 (en) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-09-25 | Container with snap-on closure |
Country Status (17)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050284836A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1554189B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006503760A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100404384C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE334069T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003276062B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR0314500A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2501382A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60307125T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1554189T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2268485T3 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA05004129A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ538995A (en) |
PL (1) | PL200904B1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2332338C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004035410A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200502608B (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100166923A1 (en) * | 2007-06-28 | 2010-07-01 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Method of injection molding opening devices on sheet material for packaging pourable food products, and packaging material and package obtained thereby |
US20110056951A1 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-10 | Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. | Storage containers for test elements |
US20140183200A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-07-03 | Taiwell Tech. Co.,Ltd. | Mildew-resistant packaging |
US9611079B2 (en) | 2015-03-05 | 2017-04-04 | Aptargroup, Inc. | Fitment and overcap therefor |
WO2022006623A1 (en) * | 2020-07-08 | 2022-01-13 | Japeloco Pty Ltd. | Closures and vessels with closures |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0912064D0 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2009-08-19 | Reckitt & Colman Overseas | A bottle with a secure cap |
ES1071297Y (en) * | 2009-10-01 | 2010-05-06 | Goiplastik S L | IMPROVED PLUG |
RU2508230C1 (en) * | 2012-08-20 | 2014-02-27 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ПластикС" | Container |
JP7053144B2 (en) * | 2016-12-22 | 2022-04-12 | プレミアムウォーター株式会社 | Manufacturing method of capped container and capped container |
US11926463B2 (en) * | 2017-10-09 | 2024-03-12 | Microban Products Company | Antimicrobial bottle with antimicrobial seal |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3544338A (en) * | 1968-01-08 | 1970-12-01 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Food container with a tamper proof snap on closure |
US4248030A (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1981-02-03 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Method for assembling plastic sleeve preforms and containers |
US4693392A (en) * | 1986-09-15 | 1987-09-15 | Contreras Sr Joseph P | Hinge, and boss assembly for closure members |
US4919286A (en) * | 1988-05-27 | 1990-04-24 | Robert Linkletter Assoc. | Hinged closure and container |
US5499736A (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1996-03-19 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Reclosable, removable cap for reusable shaker dispenser bottle |
US6041953A (en) * | 1995-04-05 | 2000-03-28 | Goodall; Donald Terry | Containers and closures therefor |
US6260723B1 (en) * | 1996-11-02 | 2001-07-17 | Tetra-Laval Holdings & Finance | Package for flowable media having a snap lid and preform for making same |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH595255A5 (en) * | 1974-12-16 | 1978-02-15 | Behringwerke Ag | |
US4699301A (en) * | 1985-10-25 | 1987-10-13 | Blake William S | Two piece dispensing closure |
DK0564755T3 (en) * | 1992-04-10 | 1997-02-10 | Duma Ab | |
FR2744100B1 (en) | 1996-01-26 | 1998-03-13 | Astra Plastique | PLUG FOR LOCKING ONTO THE NECK OF A CONTAINER |
GB2337740B (en) | 1998-05-26 | 2000-11-15 | Spreckelsen Mcgeough Ltd | Fluid packaging |
JP2001212874A (en) | 2000-02-02 | 2001-08-07 | Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd | Method for molding and filling sterile container |
FR2820110B1 (en) * | 2001-01-29 | 2003-08-15 | Valois Sa | ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING AND FILLING A FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE |
-
2003
- 2003-09-25 ES ES03808709T patent/ES2268485T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-09-25 EP EP03808709A patent/EP1554189B1/en not_active Revoked
- 2003-09-25 CA CA002501382A patent/CA2501382A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-09-25 BR BR0314500-0A patent/BR0314500A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-09-25 DK DK03808709T patent/DK1554189T3/en active
- 2003-09-25 NZ NZ538995A patent/NZ538995A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-09-25 AT AT03808709T patent/ATE334069T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-09-25 US US10/531,776 patent/US20050284836A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-09-25 WO PCT/EP2003/011063 patent/WO2004035410A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2003-09-25 DE DE60307125T patent/DE60307125T2/en not_active Revoked
- 2003-09-25 JP JP2004544093A patent/JP2006503760A/en active Pending
- 2003-09-25 CN CNB038243466A patent/CN100404384C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-09-25 RU RU2005115496/12A patent/RU2332338C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-09-25 AU AU2003276062A patent/AU2003276062B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2003-09-25 MX MXPA05004129A patent/MXPA05004129A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2003-09-25 PL PL375095A patent/PL200904B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2005
- 2005-03-31 ZA ZA200502608A patent/ZA200502608B/en unknown
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3544338A (en) * | 1968-01-08 | 1970-12-01 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Food container with a tamper proof snap on closure |
US4248030A (en) * | 1979-05-04 | 1981-02-03 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Method for assembling plastic sleeve preforms and containers |
US4693392A (en) * | 1986-09-15 | 1987-09-15 | Contreras Sr Joseph P | Hinge, and boss assembly for closure members |
US4919286A (en) * | 1988-05-27 | 1990-04-24 | Robert Linkletter Assoc. | Hinged closure and container |
US5499736A (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1996-03-19 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Reclosable, removable cap for reusable shaker dispenser bottle |
US6041953A (en) * | 1995-04-05 | 2000-03-28 | Goodall; Donald Terry | Containers and closures therefor |
US6260723B1 (en) * | 1996-11-02 | 2001-07-17 | Tetra-Laval Holdings & Finance | Package for flowable media having a snap lid and preform for making same |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100166923A1 (en) * | 2007-06-28 | 2010-07-01 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Method of injection molding opening devices on sheet material for packaging pourable food products, and packaging material and package obtained thereby |
US8454872B2 (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2013-06-04 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Method of injection molding opening devices on sheet material for packaging pourable food products |
US9868587B2 (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2018-01-16 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Method of injection molding opening devices on sheet material for packaging pourable food products, and packaging material and package obtained thereby |
US20110056951A1 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-10 | Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. | Storage containers for test elements |
US8622231B2 (en) * | 2009-09-09 | 2014-01-07 | Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. | Storage containers for test elements |
US20140183200A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-07-03 | Taiwell Tech. Co.,Ltd. | Mildew-resistant packaging |
US9611079B2 (en) | 2015-03-05 | 2017-04-04 | Aptargroup, Inc. | Fitment and overcap therefor |
US10293988B2 (en) | 2015-03-05 | 2019-05-21 | Aptargroup, Inc. | Fitment and overcap therefor |
WO2022006623A1 (en) * | 2020-07-08 | 2022-01-13 | Japeloco Pty Ltd. | Closures and vessels with closures |
US11591141B2 (en) | 2020-07-08 | 2023-02-28 | Veraseal Pty Limited | Closures and vessels with closures |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2003276062B2 (en) | 2007-02-08 |
RU2005115496A (en) | 2006-01-20 |
ZA200502608B (en) | 2006-06-28 |
DE60307125D1 (en) | 2006-09-07 |
RU2332338C2 (en) | 2008-08-27 |
EP1554189B1 (en) | 2006-07-26 |
CN100404384C (en) | 2008-07-23 |
DK1554189T3 (en) | 2006-11-06 |
JP2006503760A (en) | 2006-02-02 |
PL375095A1 (en) | 2005-11-14 |
DE60307125T2 (en) | 2007-02-15 |
CN1688492A (en) | 2005-10-26 |
NZ538995A (en) | 2006-10-27 |
WO2004035410A1 (en) | 2004-04-29 |
AU2003276062A1 (en) | 2004-05-04 |
PL200904B1 (en) | 2009-02-27 |
ATE334069T1 (en) | 2006-08-15 |
ES2268485T3 (en) | 2007-03-16 |
CA2501382A1 (en) | 2004-04-29 |
BR0314500A (en) | 2005-07-26 |
MXPA05004129A (en) | 2005-06-22 |
EP1554189A1 (en) | 2005-07-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
ZA200502608B (en) | Container with snap-on closure | |
US11167903B2 (en) | Spouted pouch adapted to be filled with a flowable product and method of production thereof | |
AU2013240651B2 (en) | Container closure assemblies | |
US20080035600A1 (en) | Closure with Integral Gas Barrier | |
US20160031623A1 (en) | Container for aseptic content | |
US8820550B2 (en) | One-piece packaging comprising a container and a closure | |
AU4773600A (en) | Process for closing bottles and similar containers, and a barrier element, a bottle or similar container and bottling installation related thereto | |
CN110871956B (en) | Seal for capping containers | |
EP0500707B1 (en) | Plastics bottle | |
Verhivker et al. | CONTAINER FOR JUICE-CONTAINING PRODUCTS. COMMODITY ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY OF USE. | |
CA2629094A1 (en) | Method of producing plastic tops for sealed containers of pourable food products, and container plastic tops so produced | |
Pavlenko | CONTAINER FOR JUICE-CONTAINING PRODUCTS. COMMODITY ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY OF USE |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNILEVER BESTFOODS, NORTH AMERICA, DIVISION OF CON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MAJOOR, FRANCISCUS AUGUSTINUS;VERHAAR, FRED;REEL/FRAME:017018/0475 Effective date: 20050322 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |