Lightweight closure and container package

Abstract

A closure and container package for pressurized products, such as carbonated beverages, includes a closure comprising a closure cap having a top wall portion, and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. Features of the closure construction, and selection of the polymer from which the closure is formed, permits the closure to meet sealing, impact resistance, and other performance criteria, with desirably reduced use of polymeric material. Significant cost savings can thus be achieved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to a closure and container package for carbonated beverages and the like, wherein the closure has been specifically configured for reduced use of polymeric material, while at the same time providing the required sealing performance for the carbonated contents of the package.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Molded plastic closures formed from suitable polymeric materials have met with widespread acceptance in the marketplace. Closures of this nature, typically formed by compression molding or injection molding, have proven to be especially effective for use on containers having carbonated or otherwise pressurized contents. Experience has shown that providing effective sealing of a package having carbonated contents ordinarily requires a highly engineered closure to ensure effective sealing under a range of temperature and handling conditions. Additionally, closures of this nature typically include tamper-evident features, s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present closure has been developed using high-density polyethylene polymer having a density of 0.9 to 0.97 g / cm, which provides the desired level of closure performance while minimizing the use of expensive polymeric materials. The closure is designed to have consistent dimensions regardless of variations in the polymer formulation, which includes a nucleator to minimize dimensional variations and 0.2 to 0.3% lubricant. To improve sealing performance, the closure has reinforcement elements on the inside surface of the skirt portion radially outwardly of the outer seal element, which limit outward deflection of the outer seal element and enhance sealing cooperation with the associated container. The internal thread formation of the closure cap is specifically configured to promote closure performance, while minimizing the use of polymeric material by providing a variation in retention force which decreases in a direction away from the top wall portion of the closure cap.

Problems solved by technology

As will be appreciated, a significant cost associated with closures of this nature is the polymeric material from which the closures are molded.

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