LEAK-PROOF AND TAMPER PROOF CAP

Abstract

ABSTRACT Title : LEAK-PROOF AND TAMPER PROOF CAP A leak-proof and tamper proof cap (100) configured to fit on a bottle neck, wherein the cap (100) includes a seal part (10) with a circular top wall (1), an annular outer side wall (2) extending downward from the periphery of the top wall (1), featuring an outer surface (2a) for enhanced grip and an inner surface (2b) to engage on the container neck; and a plug part (3) such that the annular inner plug radially inward from the outer side wall, tapering to align with the container neck and forming a seal to prevent fluid leakage when engaged with the inner surface of the container neck. The cap (100) may also have a ratchet ring (4) having a larger circumference than the outer side wall (2a) and is separated from the seal part by a circumferential gap (5), with connectors (6) bridging the gap to connect the ratchet ring (4) to the seal part (10). To, The Controller of Patents, The Patent Office, Mumbai

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a two-component cap designed for sealing containers, such as bottles, that hold liquids and more particularly to a cap designed for sealing and that ensures leak-proof closure and facilitates easier removal of tamper-evident seals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conventional containers designed for liquids, the caps are often equipped with foam liners to create a seal, preventing leakage. However, these foam liners add material and labor costs during manufacturing. Additionally, if the foam liner becomes damaged, the sealing capacity can degrade, leading to leakage. Pressure changes within the container, such as those caused by freezing and thawing, can also compromise the seal, resulting in liquid loss.
To ensure tamper-evidence, plastic shrink sleeves are typically applied to containers, covering the cap and extending over part of the container. While effective in preventing tampering, these shrink sleeves are often difficult for consumers to remove.
In the prior art, dispenser caps, like the one described in US-A1-20090139882 by Dejonge, have been introduced. However, these caps are permanently attached to the vessel, thus eliminating the flexibility of mixing beverages and flavorings from different containers.
In another disclosure by Kim et al. (EP-A1-2899137), a stopper for a food-beverage container is described. This stopper also seals the container, and to access the functional beverage stored inside, a cover must be removed and a seal broken to release the contents.
A similar concept is discussed in US-B-3156369 by Bowes et al., where a bicameral container is designed to store, mix, and dispense two different materials that are kept separate until just before use. However, like the previous examples, these containers are permanently fixed to the bottle, and access is gained by breaking a seal.
Moscovitz's disclosure (US-A1-2002/066677) involves a container for storing and dispensing food or drug compositions. The container features a seal that must be broken to release its contents into the bottle.
Coon's disclosure (US-A1-2011/0174642) describes a container with a frangible membrane that is torn to release the contents. The container is then unscrewed from the bottle to fully open it.
A common theme among these prior art examples is that they describe containers designed to dispense products
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the cap according to the present invention, taken along the vertical axis.
Fig. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the cap engaged on mouth of a container according to present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is described herein in reference to certain embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The figures provided are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated for clarity. Structural and functional details are presented as examples and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.
This invention provides a leak-proof closure for containers that also simplifies the removal of tamper-evident seals. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the cap is designed to fit a container with a neck, typically holding a liquid. This liquid may also be carbonated.
The cap (100) as proposed by the present invention consists of 2 parts: a seal part (10) and a plug (3). The materials used for manufacturing of the cap part can be of plastic, including but not limited to High Density Poly Ethylene, Polyprolylene, etc. The materials used for manufacturing of the plug part can be rubber, plastic, silicone, etc.
The seal part (10) features a generally circular top wall (1) with a top face(1a) and a bottom face(1b). An annular outer side wall (2) extends downward from the periphery of the top wall (1), and the outer surface of the annular outer side wall (2a) may be ribbed for enhanced grip. The outer side wall (2a) may also have any other mechanism for fitting to mouth of some dispenser. The inner surface of the outer side wall (2b) has a threaded portion designed to engage with corresponding threads on the container's neck. Other methods of attaching the cap to the container are also contemplated. This includes but is not limited to press fit locking mechanisms. The seal part (10) may optionally also comprise a ratchet ring (4) which will be explained in detail.
The cap(100) includes a plug (3), which is designed to seal the interior of the container neck. This plug (3) is radially inward from the outer skirt and assists in positioning the cap. The plug (3) may have a slight taper to help align it with the container's neck. It is understood that the specific dimensions of the inner plug (3) and seal part (10) may vary. Various other designs of the plug to achieve the functional objective are contemplated in the present invention.
When the cap(100) is secured onto the container, the plug (3) engages the inner surface of the container neck, forming a seal that prevents fluid leakage. This interference fit ensures the liquid remains contained even when internal pressures fluctuate, such as during freezing and thawing.
The cap (100) also features a ratchet ring (4), which has a larger circumference than the outer side wall (2). This sealing ring is separated from the outer side wall (2) by a circumferential gap (5) and is connected to the seal part (10) by connectors (6) that bridge the gap.
The ratchet ring (4) of the cap (100) fits over raised ratchets on the container neck. These ratchets together act as radial locks. The ratchet ring (4) contains ratchets (8) of the cap of the container that engage with the ratchets on the neck of the container, preventing the container cap (100) from turning and accidently unscrewing the cap from the container.
The ratchets), also known as ratchet teeth, on the neck of the container are typically oriented to face spirally outwards in clockwise or anticlockwise direction or downwards. This means they point towards the opening of the container. When the cap is twisted on, these teeth engage with the teeth on the cap.
The ratchets, also known as ratchet teeth, on the cap of the container are oriented to face spirally inwards in clockwise or anticlockwise direction or upwards, towards the base of the cap. This allows them to interlock with the teeth on the container neck when the cap is screwed on.
The interlocking of these teeth ensures that the cap stays securely in place and provides tamper evidence when first opened.
When the cap (100) is screwed on a container, the ratchets (8) on the ratchet ring (4) are engaged with the ratchets on the neck of the container as at the time of screwing of the cap (100) as ratchets are oriented in the same direction. However, at the time of opening the container for the first time, the unscrewing of the cap makes the ratchets on the neck of the container and ratchets (8) on the ratchet ring (4) oriented in the opposite direction. Therefore, there is an increased pressure on the connectors (6) as ratchet ring is locked rotationally whereas the seal part (10) is pressured to move rotationally. Accordingly, the connectors (6) are broken. This makes the proposed cap (100) temper proof.
In certain embodiments, there are more than one sets of ratchets running in different directions on the same ratchet ring (4). This is beneficial for temper proof design for push fit caps, wherein the cap is slid from top to bottom to engage the ratchets in locking position. This causes arresting the movement of the cap (100) in rotational as well as vertical directions.
The cap (100) seats itself onto the mouth of the container. There is no clearance between the mouth of the container and the two sides of the inner plug (3) of the cap. The container is hermetically sealed on the top and inner side of the lip of the container. This can be seen from Fig 2.
This portion forms a seal around the container mouth, creating a hermetic seal to prevent oxygen ingress, which could degrade the liquid in the container or reservoir, and to prevent liquid loss from extended shelf life or rough handling. This seal also ensures the liquid in the container is not dispensed when cap is screwed on the mouth of the container when there is a screw-on type of locking of the seal part (10), or when the seal part (10) is press fitted for such type of locking of the cap.
After the seal part (10) is unscrewed or removed for the first time and the connectors (6) are broken, the push fit cap (10) or the screw-on cap (10) work as usual.
The manufacturing of the cap (100) can be done by injection moulding. The injection moulding can be single component injection moulding, or 2 or 3 component injection moulding for the above said components seal part (10), including the ratchet ring (4) or separately, and plug (3). The injection moulding can be vertical injection moulding or horizontal injection moulding.
The different components can be adhered using various adhering methods, at the time of manufacturing of the cap or at the time of engaging the cap to the container. These methods include but are not limited to chemical bonding, ultrasonic welding, using adhesives, etc.
One advantage of this cap design is its ability to prevent oxidation of liquid energy supplements, which can occur when the contents come into contact with foam liners. The cap's impermeability to oxygen extends the shelf life of these products.
In some embodiments, the top wall of the cap is concave, allowing the tamper-evident shrink sleeve to partially extend into the concavity. This design offers a convenient point for consumers to grip and remove the shrink sleeve. The cap's side wall, which surrounds the top wall, reinforces the structure to prevent breakage and provides a lightweight yet durable design.
In another one of such embodiments, the concave top wall is designed to be thin and/or designed to have less material used. This makes it easier to pierce the concavity of the top wall by a dispenser. In such embodiments, it is ensured that the contents of the bottle are transferred to the dispenser without tempering or spilling.
The concavity and the rim of the cap create a shadow box effect that highlights any logo or branding on the top face, enhancing the cap's aesthetic appeal and brand visibility.
Inventive step-
The present invention relates to a leak-proof closure for containers, specifically designed to simplify the removal of tamper-evident seals. The invention is illustrated through various embodiments and figures, which are meant to be exemplary rather than limiting in scope.
Technical Features:
1. Container Compatibility: The cap is designed to fit a container neck, typically intended for holding liquids.
2. Cap Structure:
o Top Wall: The cap features a generally circular top wall, consisting of a top face and a bottom face. This top wall can also be concave and this concave portion may use less material to make it pierceable by a dispenser.
o Outer side wall: An annular outer side wall extends downward from the periphery of the top wall, optionally ribbed on its outer surface to enhance grip. The outer surface can also be designed to fit the cap into a dispenser.
o Inner side wall: The inner surface of the outer side wall includes threads designed to engage with corresponding threads on the container neck. Alternative attachment methods may also be employed, including but not limited to push fit locks.
3. Plug:
o The cap incorporates an annular inner plug, positioned radially inward from the outer side wall. This inner plug serves to seal the interior of the container neck and lip of the mouth of the container neck, and assists in the positioning of the cap.
o Tapered Design: The inner skirt may feature a slight taper to facilitate alignment with the container neck.
o Various other designs of the plug to achieve the functional objective are contemplated in the present invention.
4. Ratchet Ring:
o The cap may include a ratchet ring with a circumference larger than that of the outer side wall. This ratchet ring is separated from the side wall by a circumferential gap and connected via connectors that bridge the gap.
o The ratchet ring fits over raised ratchets on the neck of the bottle, which serve as rotational and/or vertical movement locks. The ratchet ring includes locking protrusions that engage with the raised ratchets, preventing the cap from rotating during unscrewing of the outer casing.
o In certain embodiments, the ratchet rings may contain more than one sets of ratchets running in different directions for rotationally and/or vertically locking the cap in both directions for push fit caps.
5. Sealing Mechanism:
o When the cap is secured, the inner plug engages the inner surface of the container neck and lip of the mouth of the bottle, creating a leak-proof seal. This interference fit prevents fluid leakage even under fluctuating internal pressures, such as those experienced during freezing and thawing cycles.
6. Locking Mechanism:
o The inner side wall of the cap incorporates a locking of the cap with the neck of the bottle such that the cap can be engaged and disengaged later.
o The ratchet ring locks the cap in temper proof manner such that once connector is broken, said locking mechanism wouldn't work again.
o When pressed or screwed onto the bottle neck, engagement of these locking mechanisms prevents any unintended twisting of the cap.
7. Ratchet Configuration:
o The effectiveness of the raised ratchets, also known as ratchet teeth, is enhanced through the use of multiple circumferentially adjacent stops aligned Spirally inwards in clockwise or anticlockwise direction or upwards with the bottle neck.
o The design may include diametrically opposite ratchets to improve performance by facilitating engagement with corresponding ratchets on the cap.
8. Central Portion:
o The cap features a central portion that accommodates the bottle mouth, defined by a protrusion and an aperture extending from the base partition of the socket.
o This portion creates a hermetic seal around the bottle mouth, preventing oxygen ingress and preserving the integrity of the liquid, which is crucial for products.
9. Material Composition:
o The cap with or without the ratchet ring is preferably manufactured through injection molding from materials such as polypropylene or a co-polymer of polypropylene and ethylene propylene or High Density Poly Ethylene.
o The plug is preferably manufactured through injection molding from materials such as rubber, silicone or any of the plastics.
10. Manufacturing procedure:
o The cap is manufactured using one component or multiple component injection molding. The cap, plug and ratchet ring can be manufactured as one component. The cap and ratchet ring as one component and plug as second component. The cap as one component, the plug as second component and the ratchet ring as third component.
o Manufacturing can be done of components separately and then adhered using different adhering methods for engaging the cap to the container.
o The injection molding can be either vertical injection molding or horizontal injection molding.
11. Tamper-Evident Design:
o The cap's top wall may feature a concave shape that allows a tamper-evident shrink sleeve to extend into the concavity, providing a convenient grip point for removal.
o The rim surrounding the top wall reinforces the cap's structure, providing durability without excessive weight.
o This concave shape may also be particularly designed for coupling with a dispenser, such that the top wall is broken for temperproof dispensing.
12. Aesthetic Considerations:
o The concave design and rim create a shadow effect, enhancing visibility for any logos or branding on the cap's top face.
13. Modification Flexibility:
o While specific embodiments are described, the invention allows for various modifications without departing from its scope. The technical features outlined herein serve to support potential patent claims related to the closure design.
Various tests have been conducted to test proper sealing and locking of the cap. Accordingly results stating "no crack" and "neither leakage nor damage" have been observed in closure leakage test, drop test, normative stress crack resistance, vibration test, etc.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it is understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The description provided is for illustrative purposes, and the invention is not limited to the particular features disclosed.

Reference numerals

100 Cap
10 Seal part
1 Top part
1a Top face of top part
1b Bottom face of top part
2 Outer Side wall
2a Inner surface of side wall
2b Outer surface of side wall
3 Plug
4 Ratchet ring
5 Circumferential gap
6 Connectors

8 Ratchets

, Claims:I CLAIM:

1. A leak-proof and tamper proof cap(100) configured to fit on a bottle neck, wherein the cap (100) includes:
a. a seal part (10) with
o a circular top wall (1) having a top face (1a) and a bottom face (1b);
o an annular outer side wall (2) extending downward from the periphery of the top wall (1), the outer side wall featuring an outer surface (2a) for enhanced grip and an inner surface (2b) with a threaded portion to engage corresponding threads on the container neck or mechanism to push fit the seal part (10) on the container neck; and
b. a plug part (3) such that
o the annular inner plug radially inward from the outer side wall, tapering to align with the container neck and forming a seal to prevent fluid leakage when engaged with the inner surface of the container neck.
2. The cap (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
• a ratchet ring (4) positioned further from the top of the seal part (10) than the outer side wall (2a), wherein the ratchet ring (4) has a larger circumference than the outer side wall (2a) and is separated from the outer side wall (2a) by a circumferential gap (5), with connectors (6) bridging the gap to connect the ratchet ring (4) to the seal part (10);
• wherein the ratchet ring (4) consists of more than one ratchets (8), also known as ratchet teeth, to engage with corresponding ratchets on the neck of the bottle to prevent accidental removing of the cap (100).
3. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratchet ring (4) consists of more than one sets of ratchets running in different directions to prevent any accidental rotational or vertical movement of the cap.

4. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap features a central portion that accommodates the bottle mouth, creating a hermetic seal around the bottle mouth.

5. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said cap is manufactured from materials selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, co-polymers of polypropylene and ethylene propylene, High Density poly ethylene.


6. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top wall of the cap is concave, allowing a tamper-evident shrink sleeve to extend into the concavity and providing a convenient grip for removal; or for connecting to some dispenser.

7. A method of manufacturing the cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the manufacturing is by injection molding.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the injection molding is vertical injection molding or horizontal injection molding.


9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the mold consist of single component, two component or three component.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the components are manufactured separately and adhered using different adhering methods at the time of manufacturing of the cap or at the time of engaging the cap to the container.


Dated this 15th day of November, 2024






HIRAL CHANDRAKANT JOSHI
IN/PA No. 325 AGENT FOR
PRASHANT NISHIKANT JOSHI

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