Closure with Liner Interfacing with Threading

Abstract

A closure for containers, such as beverage containers, is provided. The closure includes a liner to provide improved interactive characteristics between the closure and the container, such as via reducing the coefficient of friction between the closure and the container compared to other closures with liners. The liner extends through at least part of the engagement between the closure and the container. As a result, the closure may be easier to open compared to other closures with liners.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 790,343 filed on Apr. 17, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure is directed generally to closures for containers. The present disclosure relates specifically to beverage container closures with liners.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including a top panel, a body skirt, and a liner. The top panel defines a lower surface, a body skirt extending downward from the lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the body skirt centered on a longitudinal axis, and an engagement element extending from the body skirt. The engagement element is configured to couple the closure to a container, and the engagement element is a first distance from the lower surface of the top panel. The liner includes an upper panel defining an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, the upper surface of the upper panel rigidly coupled to the lower surface of the top panel, and a liner skirt extending downward a second distance from the lower surface of the upper panel greater than the first distance.

[0004] In various embodiments, the closure includes an adhesive that rigidly couples the upper surface of the upper panel to the lower surface of the top panel. In various embodiments, the closure includes a sealing formation extending from the top panel, the sealing formation configured to seal contents of a container that the closure is coupled to. In various embodiments, the closure is formed from a material comprising aluminum. In various embodiments, the body skirt is formed from a material comprising a metal. In various embodiments, the closure is coupled to a container neck of a container, and the container neck is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

[0005] In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a material including a plastic. In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a material including a low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In various embodiments, the liner is formed from a low durometer material.

[0006] In various embodiments, the closure is coupled to a container neck of a container formed from a material comprising aluminum.

[0007] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description included, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

[0008] The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 4 with a container, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of a closure, according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 6, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 6 with a container, according to an exemplary embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a closure are shown. The closure includes a liner. The liner is formed from a material that provides a reduced coefficient of friction when attached to aluminum containers compared to other closures, such as closures that include a liner including rubber. The liner extends through at least part of the engagement, such as threading, between the closure and the container neck. Applicant has observed that reducing the coefficient of friction of the liner facilitates a user opening the closure. Thus, various embodiments include a liner that extends lower than the engagement element of the closure, such as the threading. Extending the liner through the threading reduces the frictional resistance to opening the closure and thus provides an improved user experience when opening the closure.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a closure 110 for closing a container 190 according to an embodiment is shown. Closure 110 includes top panel 120 and liner 150 coupled together. In various embodiments, top panel 120 and liner 150 are centered on axis 112. In various embodiments, the closure 110 is a roll on pilfer proof (ROPP) closure. In various embodiments, top panel 120 and liner 150 are coupled together, such as rigidly coupled.

[0020] Top panel 120 is centered on axis 112. Top panel 120 defines upper surface 122 and an opposing lower surface 124. Top panel 120 includes body skirt 130 extending downward from periphery 126 of top panel 120, such as from lower surface 124 of top panel 120 at periphery 126. In various embodiments, body skirt 130 extends circumferentially around axis 112, and is centered on axis 112. Body skirt 130 includes a plurality of knurls 132 extends radially outward from body skirt 130 with respect to axis. Knurls 132 are configured to facilitate a user opening closure 110 from container neck 192 of container 190.

[0021] In various embodiments, body skirt 130 is formed from a material including a metal, such as aluminum. In various embodiments, body skirt 130 is formed from a material including a metal.

[0022] Closure 110 is coupled to container neck 192 via a container engagement element, such as threading 142 (shown schematically in FIG. 3). Threading 142 is located in engagement element section 140 of body skirt 130. Top 144 of threading 142 defines distance 145 from lower surface 124 of top panel 120, and bottom 146 of threading 142 defines distance 147 from lower surface 124 of top panel 120.

[0023] Liner 150 includes upper panel 152. Upper panel 152 defines upper surface 154 and opposing lower surface 156. In various embodiments, liner 150 is rigidly coupled to top panel 120 via an adhesive that rigidly couples upper surface 154 of upper panel 152 to lower surface 124 of top panel 120. Liner 150 further includes liner skirt 160 extending downward from periphery 158 of liner 150, such as from lower surface 156. Liner skirt 160 extends to a lower end 162, which defines distance 164 from lower surface 124 of top panel 120.

[0024] Closure 110 includes sealing formation 170, which is configured to seal contents of container 190 within container 190. In a specific embodiments, sealing formation 170 includes inner wall 172, outer wall 176, and central wall 180 extending from lower surface of upper panel 152, such as away from top panel 120. Inner wall 172 is radially closer to axis 112 than outer wall 176 and central wall 180, and central wall 180 is radially closer to axis 112 than outer wall 176.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, various aspects of closure 110 being coupled to container neck 192 of container 190 are shown. In various embodiments, container neck 192 interfaces with one or more of outer surface 174 of inner wall 172, inner surface 178 of outer wall 176, and bottom surface 182 of central wall 180, or more specifically two or more of outer surface 174, inner surface 178, and bottom surface 182, or even more specifically all three of outer surface 174, inner surface 178, and bottom surface 182. The interface between container neck 192 and the one or more of outer surface 174, inner surface 178, and bottom surface 182 seals most and / or all of contents of container 190 within container 190.

[0026] In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from a material including a plastic. In various embodiments, the coefficient of friction between the liner 150 and a metal container (e.g., an aluminum container) the closure 110 is coupled to is sufficiently low to facilitate closure 110 being opened compared to if the liner 150 was formed from rubber and / or if liner 150 did not extend between threading 142 of closure 110 and threading of container neck 192. In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from including low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In various embodiments, liner 150 is formed from a low durometer material. Applicant has observed that providing such a liner as described herein improves the user experience for opening the closure 110, such as by providing a more consistent and / or reduced amount of force to initially open the closure 110 from the container 190.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, various aspects of closure 210 are shown. Closure 210 is structurally and functionally the same as closure 110 except as otherwise provided.

[0028] Closure 210 includes top panel 220 and liner 250 coupled together. In various embodiments, top panel 220 and liner 250 are centered on the same axis. In various embodiments, the closure 210 is a roll on pilfer proof (ROPP) closure. In various embodiments, top panel 220 and liner 250 are coupled together, such as rigidly coupled.

[0029] Top panel 220 defines upper surface 222 and an opposing lower surface 224. Top panel 220 includes body skirt 230 extending downward periphery of top panel 220, such as from lower surface 224 of top panel 220 at the periphery. In various embodiments, body skirt 230 extends circumferentially around the same axis as top panel 220 and liner 250. Closure 210 is coupled to container neck 192 via a container engagement element, such as a threading.

[0030] Liner 250 includes upper panel 252. Upper panel 252 defines upper surface 254 and opposing lower surface 256. In various embodiments, liner 250 is rigidly coupled to top panel 220 via an adhesive that rigidly couples upper surface 254 of upper panel 252 to lower surface 224 of top panel 220. Liner 250 further includes liner skirt 260 extending downward from periphery 258 of liner 250, such as from lower surface 256. Liner skirt 260 extends to a lower end 262.

[0031] Closure 210 includes sealing formation 270, which is configured to seal contents of container 190 within container 190. Sealing formation 270 includes projection 272, which defines outer surface 274 facing away from the central axis, opposing inner surface 276 facing towards the central axis, and bottom surface 278 facing away from top panel 220.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, various aspects of closure 210 being coupled to container neck 192 of container 190 are shown. In various embodiments, container neck 192 interfaces with bottom surface 278 of projection 272 to seal contents of container 190 within container 190.

[0033] It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for description purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0034] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.

[0036] Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to any combination of any of the features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilized alone or in combination with any of the features, elements or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

[0037] For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0038] While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

[0039] In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.

Claims

1. A closure for a container comprising:a top panel defining a lower surface;a body skirt extending downward from the lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the body skirt centered on a longitudinal axis;an engagement element extending from the body skirt, the engagement element is configured to couple the body skirt to a container, wherein a top of the engagement element defines a first distance from the lower surface of the top panel; anda liner comprising:an upper panel defining an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, the upper surface of the upper panel rigidly coupled to the lower surface of the top panel; anda liner skirt extending downward from the lower surface of the upper panel, wherein a lower end of the liner skirt defines a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

2. The closure of claim 1, comprising an adhesive that rigidly couples the upper surface of the upper panel to the lower surface of the top panel.

3. The closure of claim 1, comprising a sealing formation extending from the top panel, the sealing formation configured to seal contents of a container that the closure is coupled to.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the body skirt is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the body skirt is formed from a material comprising a metal.

6. The closure of claim 5, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a plastic.

7. The closure of claim 5, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is coupled to a container neck of a container, and wherein the container neck is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a plastic.

10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

11. The closure of claim 1, wherein the liner is formed from a low durometer material.

12. A closure for a container comprising:a top panel defining a lower surface;a body skirt extending downward from the lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the body skirt centered on a longitudinal axis;an engagement element extending from the body skirt, the engagement element is configured to couple the body skirt to a container, wherein a top of the engagement element defines a first distance from the lower surface of the top panel; anda liner comprising a liner skirt interfacing with the engagement element, wherein a lower end of the liner skirt defines a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

13. The closure of claim 12, wherein the body skirt is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

14. The closure of claim 12, comprising a sealing formation extending from the top panel, the sealing formation configured to seal contents of a container that the closure is coupled to.

15. The closure of claim 12, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a plastic.

16. The closure of claim 12, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

17. A closure for a container comprising:a top panel defining a lower surface;a body skirt extending downward from the lower surface of the top panel, the top panel and the body skirt centered on a longitudinal axis;an engagement element extending from the body skirt, the engagement element is configured to couple the body skirt to a container, wherein a top of the engagement element defines a first distance from the lower surface of the top panel; anda liner comprising a liner skirt interfacing with the engagement element, wherein a lower end of the liner skirt defines a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

18. The closure of claim 17, wherein the body skirt is formed from a material comprising aluminum.

19. The closure of claim 17, comprising a sealing formation extending from the top panel, the sealing formation configured to seal contents of a container that the closure is coupled to.

20. The closure of claim 17, wherein the liner is formed from a material comprising a plastic.

Images