EP-4735345-A1 - CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER HAVING A NECK

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a closure (10 or 10a) for a container (100), the closure comprising a top deck (12), a skirt (14) extending from the top deck (12) in an axial direction to define a cavity (16), the skirt (14) comprising an elongated stabilising section (14.1) and a sealing section (14.2), the sealing section (14.2) comprising an attachment arrangement (22) and a seal member (24), the seal member (24) comprising an inner sealing surface (26) lying radially inwardly of the skirt (14) and extending from a base (12.1) of the top deck (12) and an annular seal (28) extending inwardly into the cavity (16) from a first end (28.3) at the skirt (14) to a free edge (28.4) and having an upper surface (28.1) and a lower surface (28.2).

Inventors

• DRUITT, RODNEY MALCOLM

Assignees

• Creanova Universal Closures Limited

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240626

Claims (20)

1. 1. A closure for a container adapted to receive a beverage and having a neck, the neck having a collar, an end finish defining an opening, an outside sealing surface extending from the end finish to an outside sealing surface parting line, and an outer surface distal the outside sealing surface parting line, the closure comprising: a top deck; a skirt extending from the top deck in an axial direction to define a cavity, the skirt comprising: an elongated stabilising section comprising: a frangible connecting line extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the skirt; and a sealing section comprising an attachment arrangement and a seal member, the seal member comprising: an inner sealing surface lying radially inwardly of the skirt and extending from a base of the top deck; and an annular seal extending inwardly into the cavity from a first end contiguous with the skirt to a free edge and having an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein, in the fitted position of the closure, the annular seal is engaged by the neck so that the upper surface contacts at least a portion of the inner sealing surface and at least a portion of the lower surface is provided in sealing engagement with the outside sealing surface and at least a portion of the outer surface below the outside sealing surface parting line.
2. 2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the elongated stabilising section has a protrusion on an inside of the stabilising section, this protrusion being configured to engage the collar of the neck on moving the closure from a fitted position of the closure on the container to an open position relative the container.
3. 3. The closure of claim 1 wherein elongated stabilising section has a band on an inside of the stabilising section, this band being configured to engage the collar of the neck on moving the closure from a fitted position of the closure on the container to an open position relative the container.
4. 4. The closure of claim 3 wherein the band comprises a plurality of flanges, each flange comprising a main member joined to the inner surface of the elongated stabilising section by one or more hinges.
5. 5. The closure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is formed from a synthetic plastics material.
6. 6. The closure of claim 5, wherein the synthetic plastics material is polyethylene or polypropylene.
7. 7. The closure of claim 6, wherein the closure is formed from high density polyethylene (HDPE).
8. 8. The closure of claim 7, wherein the HDPE is a modified HDPE comprising a passive barrier additive influencing the molecular structure of the HDPE to cause a decrease in permeability of a substance through the HDPE.
9. 9. The closure of claim 8, wherein the substance is oxygen and/or vapour.
10. 10. The closure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is formed in one piece with the sealing section contiguous with the top deck and the elongated stabilising section.
11. 11. The closure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate stabilising section has a first thickness substantially along a length thereof.
12. 12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the sealing section is reinforced.
13. 13. The closure of claim 12, wherein the reinforced sealing section has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness of the elongate stabilising section.
14. 14. The closure of claim 13, wherein the top deck has a thickness substantially corresponding to the second thickness.
15. 15. The closure of claim 13 or 14, wherein the first thickness is approximately 0.8 mm and the second thickness is approximately 1.6 mm.
16. 16. The closure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner sealing surface is substantially cylindrical, the annular seal separated from the top deck by the substantially cylindrical inner sealing surface.
17. 17. The closure of claim 16, wherein the inner sealing surface extends between an edge disposed at the base of the top deck and the first end of the annular seal.
18. 18. The closure of claim 17, wherein the annular seal has a length between the first end and the free edge such that the upper surface contacts at least a portion of the inner sealing surface and the edge disposed at the base of the top deck in the fitted position of the closure.
19. 19. The closure of claim 18, wherein the lower surface of the annular seal is in sealing engagement with the outside sealing surface, at least a portion of the outer surface below the outside sealing surface parting line and at least a portion of the end finish of the neck in the fitted position of the closure.
20. 20. The closure of claim 19, wherein the annular seal is pressed between the edge disposed at the base of the top deck and the end finish of the neck proximate the free edge of the annular seal in the fitted position of the closure.

Description

"Closure for a container having a neck" Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001 ] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2023902045 filed on 28 June 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field [0002] The present disclosure relates to a closure. In particular, the disclosure relates to a closure suitable for containers adapted to receive a beverage and having a neck. Background [0003] It is known that containers can suffer from manufacturing defects or damage during use and thereby the quality of the neck finish of such containers can be variable, especially if such containers undergo re-use. Variability in the quality of the neck finish can compromise the ability of closures, particularly linerless or one-piece closures, to form an effective robust seal with the neck finish. This presents a particular problem in the context of beverages where the lack of an effective robust seal results in the ability for fluid to infiltrate the container or escape from the container during storage which can be deleterious to the beverage. For example, an alcoholic beverage can undergo oxidation in the event of oxygen being able to infiltrate the container during storage. The present disclosure is directed to a closure that is suitable for sealing containers having a neck and, in particular, to sealing containers adapted to receive beverages. [0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims. Summary [0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a closure for a container adapted to receive a beverage and having a neck, the neck having a collar, an end finish defining an opening, an outside sealing surface extending from the end finish to an outside sealing surface parting line, and an outer surface distal the outside sealing surface parting line, the closure comprising: a top deck; a skirt extending from the top deck in an axial direction to define a cavity, the skirt comprising: an elongated stabilising section comprising: a frangible connecting line extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the skirt; and a sealing section comprising an attachment arrangement and a seal member, the seal member comprising: an inner sealing surface lying radially inwardly of the skirt and extending from a base of the top deck; and an annular seal extending inwardly into the cavity from a first end contiguous with the skirt to a free edge and having an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein, in the fitted position of the closure, the annular seal is engaged by the neck so that the upper surface contacts at least a portion of the inner sealing surface, and at least a portion of the lower surface is provided in sealing engagement with the outside sealing surface and at least a portion of the outer surface below the outside sealing surface parting line. [0006] The closure may be formed from a synthetic plastics material. The synthetic plastics material may be polyethylene or polypropylene, for example high density polyethylene (HDPE). The HDPE may be a modified HDPE comprising a passive barrier additive. The passive barrier additive may cause a decrease in permeability of a substance through the HDPE. The passive barrier additive may cause a decrease in permeability of the substance through the HDPE by influencing the molecular structure of the HDPE. The passive barrier additive may influence the molecular structure of the HDPE through controlling orientation of polymer crystals such that permeation of the substance through the HDPE is inhibited. The substance may be oxygen and/or vapour. [0007] The closure may be formed in one piece, the sealing section contiguous with the top deck and the elongated stabilising section. The closure may be formed in a mold. The outside sealing surface parting line can be a product of the process of molding the closure. In one embodiment, the elongated stabilising section can have a protrusion on an inside of the stabilising section, this protrusion being configured to engage the collar of the neck on moving the closure from a fitted position of the closure on the container to an open position relative the container. The protrusion can comprise an annular ridge extending circumferentially around the inside surface of the elongated stabilising section. The ridge can be continuous along its entire length or be segmented. [0008] In another embodiment, the elongated stabilising section can have a band on an inside of the stabilising section, this band being configured to engage the collar of the neck on moving the closure f