Push-on caps and airtight containers

Abstract

The irreversible push-on cap 10 comprises a tubular sleeve 13 extending along an elongated axis X'-X', with a rim 16 at one end of the cap 10 projecting radially from the tubular sleeve 13. The push-on cap is made of a polymeric material capable of withstanding high-temperature sterilization cycles and comprises a stopper wall 17 extending from the rim 16 across a surface defined by the rim 16. The stopper wall 17 has a height variation relative to the rim 16 ranging from -1% to 1% of a characteristic dimension of the stopper wall 17. The cap further comprises a plurality of, preferably three, protrusions 21 protruding from a front surface 17A of the stopper wall 17. The protrusions 21 are complementary in shape to a gripping head of a filling device and guide the gripping head during installation of the cap 10.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to claim 1 of preamble To It relates to a push-on cap as defined and to a sealable container having such a push-on cap, in particular a push-on cap of the irreversible type. [Background technology]

[0002] Push-on caps are known in the art for use on sealable containers or bags and are made from multi-layer or polylaminate films.

[0003] The sealable containers may be embodied as flexible, semi-rigid or rigid containers, and typically have volumes ranging from tens to hundreds of liters.

[0004] Typically, such containers are filled using a suitable filling device that is mechanically coupled to the neck of the container to fill the container with the product, and then the container is closed using the push-on cap described above.

[0005] The push-on cap is configured to be associated with the neck of the container and to close the container once introduction of the product, preferably a food product such as a tomato-based product, fruit juice, vegetable soup, dairy product, cream, etc., into the container is completed.

[0006] That is, push-on caps designed for use with such containers are adapted to irreversibly cap the container, i.e., once the container is opened, the cap cannot be removed or opened without the use of a special tool that leaves the container in a permanently deformed state.

[0007] Such closed containers may also be stored outdoors for long periods of time without risk of losing / altering the integrity of the product contained therein.

[0008] For example, referring also to Figures 1A and 1B, which show a push-on cap configured to closely mate with the mouth of the neck of a sealable container, the push-on cap 1 is shown as comprising a tubular sleeve 2 having a cavity 3 extending along an extension axis XX and terminating in a domed bottom 4.

[0009] The tubular sleeve 2 has a shoulder 5 which projects radially therefrom and engages the inner wall of the neck to ensure irreversible opening when the cap 1 is placed tightly against the mouth.

[0010] The tubular sleeve 2 projects radially from the sleeve 2 and engages the inner surface of the neck to ensure reversible closure, i.e. As explained below, It is provided with a number of sealing rings 6 which allow reopening and / or reclosing.

[0011] It should be noted that the thickness of the dome may vary by ±2 mm from the thickness of the tubular sleeve 2 such that the combination of the shoulder 5, the thickness of the dome and the shape of the bottom 4 will provide a resistance of on the order of several hundred Newtons to about 1000 Newtons to a force applied to the cap to remove it from the container.

[0012] The neck of the container is designed such that if the removal force exceeds a certain limit, it will deform and the container cannot be re-closed by the cap.

[0013] The push-on cap further has a rim 7 at one of its free ends, i.e. its upper end which is outside the container when the cap is closely associated with the container. This rim projects radially from the tubular sleeve 2.

[0014] The rim 7 is adapted to be gripped by a filling device and arranged so that a dispensing head can dispense the product and subsequently be capped by a push-on cap.

[0015] Once capping is complete, some product may end up falling from the dispensing head into the bottom 3 of the cap 1 .

[0016] Excess food falling from the dispensing head to the bottom of the cap 1 does not affect the integrity of the product inside the container, but may still cause mold growth and microbial growth, with obvious and conceivable consequences in terms of both hygiene and appearance.

[0017] This problem is exacerbated when the product in the container has a low acidity, making it more susceptible to exposure to microbial contamination.

[0018] To prevent product accumulation within the cavity, the cap 1 and neck of the container are cleaned and / or sterilized using a disinfectant to help preserve the sterility of the container both at the end of the manufacturing cycle and at the end of the filling operation.

[0019] Nevertheless, depending on the shape of the cap 1, the cleaning and / or sterilization process is not always effective.

[0020] Such a shape prevents cleaning of the surface since the cavities 3 act as receptors.

[0021] That is, the cavity 3 has a flat surface 3A and a side wall 3B extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flat surface 3A. The side wall 3B terminates in a corner radius 3C that is connected to the free end of the cap.

[0022] It should also be noted that some polymeric materials used to form the caps may become unstable when exposed to high temperature steam (e.g. steam at temperatures above 140°C) or disinfectants, so cleaning and / or sterilization may not be as effective depending on the chemical and physical properties, such as the acidity, of the packaged product or the type of material used to form the cap.

[0023] As a result, the caps need to be manufactured from materials with different characteristics depending on the chemical and physical properties of the product to be stored in the container, which leads to a clear increase in costs for both manufacturers and users of the push-on caps and / or containers.

[0024] Patent document 1 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,193), Patent document 2 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 290754) and Patent document 3 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 023893) show push-on caps for containers or bags based on the preamble of claim 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0025] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,193 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 290754 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 023893 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0026] From the above, it can be seen that manufacturers of sealable containers or bags with non-reclosable or irreversible push-on caps feel the need to ensure that even low acid products do not encounter issues of high temperature resistance and safe product filling.

[0027] The present invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a push-on cap and an associated sealable container capable of containing a product having chemical and physical properties ranging from strongly basic to strongly acidic, without making any modifications to the equipment designed to dispense the product and to close, clean and sterilize the container.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide a push-on cap and associated sealable container that is more hygienic and allows for safer filling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0029] This problem is solved by a push-on cap as defined by the features of claim 1.

[0030] In addition, the problem is 13 The problem is solved by a sealable container having a push-on cap as defined by the features of: Effect of the Invention

[0031] The present invention can provide a non-reopenable push-on cap that can be more easily cleaned of residue and is made from a sterilization-stable material.

[0032] Additionally, the present invention can provide a cap that can be easily used with existing filling equipment, meaning that the cap is compatible with current filling equipment without requiring substantial modification of such equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained on the basis of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and without limitation with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a side view of a prior art push-on cap. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the prior art push-on cap taken along line II. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2a is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a push-on cap of the present invention. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a push-on cap of the present invention. [Figure 3a] FIG. 3a is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a push-on cap. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a push-on cap. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a push-on cap of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the neck of a container associated with the cap of FIGS. 2a and 2b when the cap is in a reversible closed position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a container with the cap of FIGS. 2a and 2b. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The accompanying figure shows a push-on cap 10 designed to irreversibly associate with the neck (or spout) 12 of a sealable container or bag 11 after the step of filling the container. The cap 10 is preferably formed from a multi-layer film or a polylaminate film.

[0035] The sealable container 11 may be of the flexible, rigid or semi-rigid type and, once stoppered, is capable of maintaining the sterility of the product stored therein.

[0036] The sealable container or bag 11 is manufactured using well known techniques and will not be described further below.

[0037] The neck 12 of the container 11 extends along an elongated axis X'-X' and forms an inlet mouth or opening through which the product, preferably a food product such as tomato, carrot, papaya, mango, banana or apple puree, milk, eggs, dairy products, or a medicinal product, flows.

[0038] For this purpose, special filling devices are used (not shown), which inter alia have a dispensing head.

[0039] The push-on cap 10 has a tubular sleeve 13 extending along an elongated axis X'-X'. The tubular sleeve 13 is designed to be permanently secured to the mouth of the container 11.

[0040] It should be noted that the extension axis X'-X' of the push-on cap 10 coincides with the extension axis of the neck 12 of the container 11 when the push-on cap 10 is in intimate association with the mouth of the container, meaning that both axes are coaxial.

[0041] Located at one end of the push-on cap 10 is a rim 16 which projects radially from the tubular sleeve 13 .

[0042] It should be noted that the end of the push-on cap 10 with the rim 16 is the end that remains outside the container 11 when the cap 10 is associated with the neck 12 .

[0043] In other words, the rim 16 defines the upper end of the push-on cap 10 that is outside of a container when the cap 10 is in intimate engagement with the mouth of the container.

[0044] In one embodiment, the rim 16 has a shape that allows a filling device to engage it.

[0045] In particular, the push-on cap rim 16 is suitably sized for ease of use with commercially available filling equipment, thereby providing seamless operation without the need for substantial modification of such filling equipment.

[0046] This provides significant savings and advantages to manufacturers, for example food manufacturers.

[0047] Note that tubular sleeve 13 defines an outer surface 13A and an inner surface 13B, with a shoulder 14C on outer surface 13A.

[0048] The shoulder 14C is configured to abut and engage the inner surface 12A of the neck 12 of the container 11, thereby irreversibly sealing the mouth such that it cannot be reopened.

[0049] The shoulder 14C simply consists of a change in diameter of the tubular sleeve 13 intended to lock the cap in the direction of the axis X'-X'.

[0050] To abut against the neck 12, the shoulder 14C is a first portion 14C′ extending perpendicular to the extension axis X′-X′; a second portion 14C″ extending transversely to the extension axis X′-X′; a third portion 14C''' connecting the first portion 14C' with the second portion 14C'', the third portion 14C''' extending in a direction parallel to the extension axis X'-X';

[0051] It should be noted that the first portion 14C' of the shoulder 14 is the portion designed to engage the inner surface 12A of the neck 12 in order to lock the cap in the direction of the axis X'-X'.

[0052] In one embodiment, prior to filling with product, the sealable container 11 is reversibly capped, i.e., allowing the cap 10 to be removed without irreparable damage to the neck 12 of the container 11.

[0053] For this purpose, a plurality of sealing projections 14 and 14A project radially from the tubular sleeve 13 and have a recessed or curved profile at their respective free ends.

[0054] Such sealing projections 14 and 14A engage with the inner surface 12A of the neck 12 for reversible plugging of the mouth of the container 11, for example, as shown in Figure 5. This allows the cap 10 to be removed by applying a force of about 300 Newtons due to the face-removal configuration.

[0055] That is, when the mouth of the sealable container 11 is first capped, the sealing projections 14 and 14A abut against the inner surface 12A of the neck 12, deforming such surface.

[0056] Once the container 11 is filled with product, the push-on cap 10 is fitted onto the neck 12 until the shoulder 14C abuts the inner surface 12A of the neck 12, irreversibly deforming and bonding to the inner surface 12A.

[0057] The annular sealing projections 14 and 14A now reach and engage the "non-contact" areas of the inner neck surface 12A (ie, areas other than those deformed during the initial capping operation).

[0058] The push-on cap 10 includes a closure wall 17 extending from the rim 16 across a plane defined by such rim 16 for closure of the mouth of the neck of the container 11. The tubular sleeve 13 is oriented across the closure wall 17.

[0059] In particular, the closure wall 17 extends transversely to the extension axis X'-X' and forms the ceiling of the push-on cap 10.

[0060] The plug wall 17 varies in height relative to the rim 16 over its entire surface in the range of -1% to 1% of its characteristic dimension. Figure 6 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the plugging wall 17 has a circular plan shape, where the characteristic dimension is defined by the diameter of the plugging wall 17. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the plugging wall 17 has a square plan shape, where the characteristic dimension is defined by the length of a side of the plugging wall 17. In alternative embodiments not shown, the plugging wall 17 may have any plan shape, wherefore the characteristic dimension will be defined for each shape as required.

[0061] Advantageously, the capping wall 17 is configured to prevent the formation of food deposits, in other words, the capping wall 17 does not have any recesses in which food deposits may accumulate.

[0062] To this end, the plugging wall 17 is formed by a substantially smooth surface, in other words, the plugging wall 17 is free of notches or recesses.

[0063] In one embodiment, wall 17 comprises a front surface 17A and a bottom surface 17B, where front surface 17A is the surface that faces the outside of container 11 when push-on cap 10 is in the closed position, while bottom surface 17B is the surface that faces the volume formed within the container when push-on cap 10 is in the closed position.

[0064] The plug wall 17 also has an abutment surface 17C opposite the front surface 17A and separated from the lower surface 17B by the tubular sleeve 13. This abutment surface 17C has a substantially annular shape and is configured to abut against the upper edge 12B of the neck 12 when the push-on cap 10 is in its irreversible closed position. This advantageously prevents the formation of contaminating deposits between the push-on cap 10 and the neck 12.

[0065] Preferably, the front surface 17A of the capping wall 17 is a non-recessed surface.

[0066] It will be appreciated that because there are no recesses in the capping wall 17, the front surface 17A of the wall 17 has no areas which may act as a receptor for food that is accidentally spilled from the dispensing head and accumulates on the capping wall 17, thereby allowing residue to be washed away more effectively.

[0067] In the embodiment shown, the capping wall 17 is substantially flat, in other words, the capping wall 17 is oriented perpendicular to the extension axis X'-X'.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the capping wall 17, and in particular the front face 17A, may have a slightly concave shape, in which case the bottom part of the front face 17A, located substantially on the extension axis X'-X', is lower than the rim 16 by 1% of a characteristic dimension of the capping wall 17.

[0069] Likewise, the plugging wall 17, and in particular the front face 17A, may have a slightly convex shape, in which case the upper part of the front face 17A, located substantially on the extension axis X'-X', is higher than the rim 16 by 1% of a characteristic dimension of the plugging wall 17.

[0070] It will be appreciated that the presence of such a concave or convex shape and / or inclined surface of the plug wall 17 ensures that the surface 17A is cleaned even if the water and / or steam used for this purpose is at low pressure.

[0071] Here, the concave or convex profile of the plugging wall 17 is preferably symmetrical with respect to the axis of extension, and the tubular sleeve 13 and the radially projecting rim 16 are symmetrical and coaxial with respect to the axis of extension X'-X'.

[0072] The cap further comprises alignment means 20 arranged on the capping wall 17. Such alignment means 20 are configured to guide a gripping head (not shown) of a filling device during application of the cap to said container 11. In particular, the gripping head may be specially shaped to be coupled with the alignment means 20 during application of the cap. Thus, the gripping head can ensure an even distribution of forces over the capping wall 17 such that the cap is optimally attached to the container 11.

[0073] More specifically, the alignment means 20 comprises a plurality of protrusions 21 projecting from the closure wall 17, in particular from the front face 17A.

[0074] The protrusions 21 are particularly arranged on the peripheral portion 17D of the closure wall 17. Furthermore, the protrusions 21 are arranged at equal angular intervals with respect to the extension axis X'-X'. Furthermore, the protrusions 21 are equidistant from the extension axis X'-X'.

[0075] In the embodiment of Figures 3a and 3b, the protrusion 21 extends seamlessly from the outer limit 17E of the closure wall 17. Conversely, in the embodiment of Figures 2a and 2b, the protrusion 21 is spaced apart from the outer limit 17E of the closure wall 17.

[0076] In one embodiment of the push-on cap 10, the material comprising the push-on cap 10 is a polymeric material capable of withstanding high temperature sterilization cycles and / or sterilization cycles using chemicals known to those of skill in the art.

[0077] Please note that the high temperature of the sterilization cycle ranges from 95 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius.

[0078] This ensures that mold and microbial flora formation is prevented, since the sterilization cycle depends on the chemical-physical properties of the food, and the closer these properties are to a neutral pH, the greater the chance of microbial contamination occurring due to sterilization failure.

[0079] This advantageously allows the outer surface 13A of the sleeve 13, as well as the portions of the push-on cap 10 that are exposed when the cap is irreversibly tightly bonded, to be sterilized regardless of the pH value of the food product as well as the particular type of material used to form the cap.

[0080] Preferably, the material used to form the push-on cap is nylon PA66 and similar resins in order that the cap will withstand steam sterilization cycles at the temperatures described above.

[0081] Alternatively, push-on cap 10 may be formed using polypropylene.

[0082] Advantageously, the configuration of wall 17 (which extends seamlessly across the surface defined by rim 16) in combination with the material of push-on cap 10 can prevent mold formation.

[0083] In one embodiment of the invention, the cap 10 comprises a single tubular sleeve 13 intended to fit over the mouth of a container.

[0084] In particular, a single tubular sleeve 13 extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the closure wall.

[0085] In other words, there is no skirt or lip extending from rim 16 to at least partially cover the outside of outer surface 13A of tubular sleeve 13.

[0086] This allows for safer and easier cleaning of the push-on cap 10 since all surfaces of the cap and / or the neck of the container that are exposed to product contamination can be directly cleaned with water and / or steam.

[0087] In one embodiment, not shown, the capping wall 17 may be connected to the rim 16 along a plane that intersects the capping wall 17 .

[0088] That is, this plane is substantially parallel to the extension axis X'-X'.

[0089] Preferably, the push-on cap 10, the tubular sleeve 13, the neck 12 and the rim 16 of the container 11 have a circular plan shape.

[0090] Here, the diameter of the rim 16 of the push-on cap 10 is greater than the diameter of the neck 12 (and shoulder 14C) so that it protrudes from the tubular sleeve 13. The tubular sleeve 13 has a larger diameter than the neck 12 to the extent that it ensures that the cap 10 fits into the mouth of the neck at the sealing projections 14 and 14A, providing a tight fit between the cap and the neck.

[0091] The invention further relates to a method for closing a container. This method in particular comprises the step of attaching a dispensing head to the neck 12 of the above-mentioned sealable container 11. The product to be stored is then dispensed from the dispensing head. The dispensing head is subsequently removed.

[0092] As described above, the irreversible push-on cap 10 is placed on the neck 12. The gripping head is then placed on the front surface 17A of the closure wall 17. In particular, the projections 21 on the closure wall 17 fit into corresponding recesses (not shown) formed on the gripping head. Advantageously, this ensures proper positioning of the gripping head relative to the cap 10.

[0093] A force is then applied to the cap 10 via the gripping head, which presses the cap 10 towards the neck 12 of the container 11, irreversibly locking the cap.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will clearly appreciate that many variations are possible to the above-described push-on cap and containers having such push-on caps that still fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A system for closing a mouth of a container (11), comprising: A push-on cap (10) for closing the mouth of a container (11), made of a polymeric material capable of withstanding high temperature sterilization cycles, said push-on cap (10) comprising: - a tubular sleeve (13) extending along an elongated axis (X'-X') and adapted to be irreversibly locked onto the mouth of the container (11); - a rim (16) projecting radially from said tubular sleeve (13) at one end of said push-on cap (10); a plugging wall (17) oriented transversely to said tubular sleeve (13) and extending from said rim (16) over the entire surface defined by said rim (16), said plugging wall (17) having an outwardly facing front surface (17A), - said push-on cap (10) has a number of projections (21) extending from said front surface (17A); - a push-on cap (10), said front surface (17A) having a height different from said rim (16) over the front surface (17A) from -1% to 1% of a characteristic dimension of said plugging wall (17), said plugging wall (17) having a circular plan shape and said characteristic dimension being defined by the diameter of said plugging wall (17) or said plugging wall (17) having a square plan shape and said characteristic dimension being defined by the length of a side of said plugging wall (17); a filling device configured for attachment to the neck (12) of said container (11) and having a dispensing head for dispensing the food product and a gripping head for mounting said push-on cap (10) on said container (11), A system, characterized in that said gripping head has a recess for receiving a projection (21) of said capping wall (17).

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions (21) are arranged in a peripheral area (17D) of the front surface (17A) of the plugging wall (17).

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said projections (21) are equally spaced angularly with respect to said axis of extension (X'-X').

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the projection (21) extends seamlessly from the outer limit (17E) of the plugging wall (17).

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plugging wall (17) is free of any notches or recesses.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plugging wall (17) is substantially flat.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front surface (17A) of the plugging wall (17) is concave or convex, in particular not flat.

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure wall (17) is connected to the rim (16) via a surface that transverses the closure wall (17).

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular sleeve (13) comprises a plurality of sealing projections (14, 14A) projecting radially from the tubular sleeve (13).

10. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubular sleeve (13) comprises a radially protruding shoulder (14C) having a first portion (14C') extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension axis (X'-X'), a second portion (14C'') extending transversely to the extension axis (X'-X'), and a third portion (14C''') connecting the first portion (14C') to the second portion (14C''), the third portion (14C''') extending in a direction parallel to the extension axis (X'-X').

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the polymeric material comprises nylon PA66.

12. 1. A method of closing a container, comprising the steps of: - providing a sealable container; - mounting a dispensing head of a filling device on the neck (12) of said sealable container (11); - dispensing food from said dispensing head and storing it in said container (11) and subsequently removing said dispensing head; - placing a push-on cap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 onto said neck (12); - contacting the front surface (17A) of the capping wall (17) with a gripping head of a filling device by inserting the projections (21) on the capping wall (17) into the corresponding recesses on the gripping head; - applying a force to the push-on cap (10) via the gripping head in order to press the push-on cap (10) towards the neck (12) of the container (11) and to irreversibly lock the push-on cap (10) to the neck (12).

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