Reusable lined containers, and closure systems therefor

Abstract

The closure system 100 for a container comprises a cover 110, which can be fixed across an opening in the container body, either as an assembly or as a parts kit, and which, together with the container body, encloses an internal space for receiving the contents of the container; a liner 114, which can be positioned at least adjacent to the cover to separate the contents of the container from the cover when the cover is installed across the opening; a flange 112, which can be received into an opening 138 penetrating the cover to define a passage 118 penetrating the cover for filling and / or discharging the contents of the container, and which comprises a flange, which can be sealedly fixed to the flange in the circumferential direction of the passage; and an adapter 122, which has a male thread 124 that can engage with a female thread 126 provided on the flange for fixing the flange into the opening. Thus, the adapter 122 can be unscrewed from the flange 126, and the liner and flange can be easily separated from the cover without damaging the liner, flange, adapter, or cover. The adapter 122 is concealed within the closure assembly and protected by any tamper-evident features on the closure member and / or related components such as the overcap 136.

Claims

1. A closure system for containers, available as an assembled unit or as a parts kit. A cover that can be fixed across the opening of the container body, wherein the container body and the cover together enclose an internal space for receiving the contents of the container, To separate the contents of the container from the cover when the cover is installed across the opening, at least a liner that can be positioned adjacent to the cover, A flange receivable into an opening penetrating the cover for defining a passage through the cover for filling and / or discharging the contents of the container, wherein the filling and discharging passage can be closed by a removable closure member, and the liner can be sealed to the flange in the circumferential direction of the passage, To fix the flange within the opening, an adapter having a male thread that can engage with a female thread provided on the flange, A closure system equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The closure system according to claim 1, wherein the flange is configured to be received in a flange pocket formed in the cover, the flange having an outer end distal to the interior of the container when so received, and the outer end of the flange is configured to engage under a complementary inward rim of the flange pocket.

3. The closure system according to claim 2, wherein the adapter comprises a fixed rim having a radially extending shoulder configured to clamp the inward rim of the flange pocket to the outer end of the flange when the adapter is screwed into the flange.

4. The closure system according to claim 3, wherein the internal passage of the fixed rim and / or the adapter comprises a drive function configured for engagement with a complementary drive tool.

5. The closure system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fixed rim extends radially to an adjacent portion of the flange pocket.

6. The closure system according to claim 3, 4, or 5, further comprising a gasket configured for simultaneous sealing engagement of the fixed rim and the inward rim of the flange pocket.

7. The closure system according to claim 6, wherein the gasket is configured for simultaneous sealing engagement with the flange.

8. The closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flange and the adapter are provided with a cooperative anti-returning function.

9. The closure system according to claim 8, wherein the adapter comprises a screw configured for removably securing the closure member to the closure assembly.

10. The closure system according to claim 9, wherein the retaining function is configured to provide sufficient resistance to loosening of the adapter's threads from the flange, which would result from the removal of the closure member.

11. The closure system according to claim 10, wherein the retaining mechanism is configured to allow the adapter to loosen from the flange without causing damage that would prevent the adapter from being reused.

12. The closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the flange has a non-circular cross-sectional shape configured to engage within a complementary portion of the flange pocket in order to fix the flange so as not to rotate.

13. The closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liner comprises a bag.

14. A container lid with a removable liner, comprising the closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A container with a removable liner, comprising the closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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