Tamper-evident bottle and closure having vents

Abstract

A tamper-evident package with pressurized contents which includes a closure and associated container which cooperate to provide desired tamper-evidence upon initial removal of the closure from the container, while promoting convenient and comfortable removal and use by consumers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application FIG. 1 also depicts one of the rotation-inhibiting projections 27.

Closure 10 is configured for tamper-indication by the provision of a tamper-evident band 26 depending from skirt portion 14, and connected thereto by a suitable frangible connection. Tamper-evident band 16 includes an annular band portion 28, and a plurality of inwardly extending, relatively flexible projections 30, each hingedly connected to an edge portion thereof to annular band portion 28 for movement about a respective horizontal axis. In this illustrated embodiment, closure 10 includes four, evenly circumferentially spaced flexible projections, or tabs, 30.

The desired frangible connection between the tamper-evident band 26 and the skirt portion 16 of the closure 10 is provided by a plurality of circumferentially spaced, frangible bridges 32 which extend integrally between band portion 28 and skirt portion 16. In a preferred form, frangible bridges 32 are molded integrally with the band portion 28 and the skirt portion 26, with the closure thereafter scored, at score line 34, to thereby distinguish the band portion from the skirt portion, and to cut and score each of the frangible bridges 32 so that each bridge defines a frangible, residual portion. Alternatively, inwardly extending, non-flexible projections such as “nibs” can be used instead of hingedly connected tabs.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, container 12 illustrated therein includes a neck portion 36 defining an open mouth of the container, and at least one external, helical thread formation 38 configured for cooperating and mating, threaded engagement with internal thread formation 18 of closure 10. Container 12 may also be configured to define vent passages 40, traversing the thread formation 38, to facilitate release of gas pressure from within the associated container during closure removal.

In this embodiment of the present tamper-evident package, container 12 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, outwardly extending locking elements 42, sometimes referred to as segments or projections of a segmented locking ring. Each of the locking elements 42 includes an inclined retention surface 43 against which a respective one of the projections 30 of tamper-evident band 26 coact and engage during closure removal for effecting fracture of frangible bridges 32. Each of the locking elements 42 preferably includes a guide surface 44, positioned generally opposite retention surface 43. Each guide surface 44 can be engaged by one or more of the flexible projections 30 of the tamper-evident band 26 during closure application, thereby urging the projections 30 upwardly and outwardly toward band portion 28, while avoiding fracture of frangible bridges 32 during closure application.

In this embodiment of the present tamper-evident package, container 12 is provided with a stop element 46, engageable by closure 10 during application when the closure is moved to its fully applied position on the container. In the illustrated form, stop element 46 is positioned and configured for engagement by the start of closure thread formation 18, but as will be recognized, the stop element on the container, and associated cooperating feature on the closure, can be otherwise configured.

As shown, stop element 46 includes a radially oriented stop surface 48 engaged by the thread formation 18 of the closure, and an inclined guide surface 50, spaced from the stop surface 48.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the closure illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein instead of integral plug seal element 20, the closure includes a separate sealing liner 20′, which may be configured as shown to include an annular plug seal portion, which fits generally within the mouth of the associated container, and an outer seal portion formed generally adjacent to an annular lip 23 of the closure shell.

Operation of the tamper-evident package of this embodiment will be readily appreciated. Stop element 46 is positioned in predetermined relationship to the locking elements 42. Similarly, the flexible projections 30 of the closure tamper-evident band 26 are positioned in predetermined relationship to the start of thread formation 18, or other like element on the closure configured for cooperative engagement with the stop element 46. The sealing portion of the closure is positioned relative to the thread formation to move out of sealing engagement with the container after engagement of the tamper-evident band with the locking elements 42, to fracture the frangible connection provided by frangible bridges 32 (as shown in FIG. 1). The arrangement of the flexible projections, relative to the thread formation, provides the desired movement of the closure from its fully applied position through the desired predetermined angle prior to actuation of the tamper-evident feature.

FIG. 6A illustrates an alternate configuration for the container, designated 12′, for this embodiment of the present tamper-evident package, which differs from the previously-described embodiment in that the stop surface of the container, engageable by the closure for limiting rotation beyond it fully applied position, is provided by one of the locking elements of the container, designated 42′.

In this embodiment, container 12′ cooperates with closure 10 generally as described above during closure removal, to provide the desired tamper-evidence after the closure is rotated through the desired predetermined angle from its fully applied position. However, rather than providing a separate stop element such as 46 in the previous embodiment, at least one of, and preferably all of the locking elements 42′ of this embodiment define a respective radially oriented stop surface 48. Each locking element further defines the desired inclined retention surface, designated 43, as well as a guide surface, designated 44′, generally opposite the retention surface 43′.

In this embodiment, the closure 12′ is preferably configured to define an inclined recessed region 49, having a relatively reduced diameter, which is positioned generally adjacent to the associated stop surface 48′. By this arrangement, during closure application, one of the flexible projections 30 on the associated closure can engage one of the stop surfaces 48′ during closure application to limit rotational movement of the closure beyond its fully applied position. Because the stop surface 48′ is positioned generally beneath the associated guide surface 44′, this locking cooperation does not take place until the closure is sufficiently applied so that one or more of the projections 30 can move beneath the guide surface 44′ for engagement with the stop surface 48′.

This form of the present invention desirably acts to position the closure on the container to achieve the desired predetermined delay as the closure is moved from its fully applied position, while avoiding premature fracture of the frangible bridges 32. By way of example, closure 10 can typically be formed such that the frangible connection provided between the tamper band and closure skirt by frangible bridges 32, and the associated score line 34 can exhibit a torque-carrying capacity of up to 15 inch-pounds, the intended torque at which the frangible connection fails. During closure application with automated equipment, capping heads can be adjusted to apply a pre-selected torque, for example, 15 inch-pounds of application torque.

During closure application, the frangible bridges are not excessively loaded since the tamper-evident band 26 does not meet resistance to application as the flexible projections 30 engage the guide surfaces 44′ and move past the locking elements 42′. However, as the closure approaches its fully applied position, the projections 30 move generally beneath the level of the guide surfaces 44′, while at the same time the sealing portion of the closure is being urged into sealing engagement with the associated container. Formation of the sealing interface typically creates resistance on the order of 12 inch-pounds, with subsequent engagement of one or more of the projections 30 with a respective stop surface 48′ thus further providing, for example, 3-inch-pounds of resistance, at which point the capping head releases. As will be appreciated, the frangible bridges 32 are thus only subjected to torque on the order of the 3-inch-pounds of resistance created when one or more of the projections 30 engages a respective one of the stop surfaces 48′.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, therein is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present tamper-evident package. In this embodiment of the present tamper-evident invention, features of the construction generally corresponding to those of the previously-described embodiment are designated by like reference numerals in the 100 series.

In this embodiment, container 112 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements, again sometimes referred to as a segmented locking ring, or locking ring projections. Notably, this embodiment of the present disclosure does not require the provision of a stop element such as at 46, to provide the desired predetermined angular movement of the closure from its fully applied position during initial closure removal.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 6, closure 10 is illustrated as including a separate sealing liner, indicated at 121, with the pilfer band 126 of the closure including a relatively larger number of circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending flexible projections 130, each movable about a respective horizontal axis at an edge thereof joined to band portion 128 of the pilfer band. In this illustrated embodiment, the tamper-evident pilfer band 126 is provided with 12 of the circumferentially spaced projections or tabs 130). In this embodiment, the locking elements on the container, designated 152, are configured to engage and “trap”, and retain one of more of the flexible projections 130 of the associated tamper-evident band. To this end, each of the locking elements 152 defines a lower retention surface, including an inclined guide surface 154 terminating in a downwardly extending stop surface 56 156. Notably, the guide surface subtends an arc at least as large as the predetermined angle though which the closure rotates from its fully applied position prior to temper-evident band actuation.

The inwardly extending projections 130 of the tamper band are positioned and configured so that at least one of the projections is disposed between adjacent ones of the locking elements 152 when the closure is in its fully applied position. This one of the projections 130 is engageable with a respective one of the stopped stop surfaces 156 during opening movement of the closure from the fully applied position. By the provision of the inclined guide surface 154, the closure is movable through the predetermined angle prior to engagement of the projections 130 with the respective one of the stops stop surfaces 156, thus providing the desired delay prior to tamper-evident band actuation after movement of the closure from its fully applied position.

Depending upon the particularly desired configuration of the locking elements 152, stop surface 156 may be generally vertically oriented. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the lower retention surface of each of the locking elements 152 further defines a locking notch at the stop surface 156, defined by the further provision of lower portion 158 of each locking element, which forms a generally V-shaped configuration, together with stop surface 154. This V-shape configuration of each locking element desirably acts to trap and retain a respective one of the flexible projections 130 of the tamper-evident band during closure removal.

This embodiment of the present tamper-evident package provides another construction which achieves the desired minimal, predetermined delay during rotational removal of the closure before starting actuation of the tamper-evident event during removal. As will be recognized, the segmented locking reconstruction, including locking elements 152, provides the desired lead-in ramp/angles on the application side of the locking elements to prevent tamper-band immobilization during application. An advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is that the current Application Angle Distribution Variability does not need to be reduced in order to achieve the minimal predetermined delay during closure removal. As noted, the downwardly angled guide or cam surface 154 of the locking segments 152, subtends an arc which corresponds to the predetermined angle through which the closure is rotated from its fully applied position, prior to tamper-evident actuation. The end of the downward angling cam, in the unscrewing direction, terminates in the blunt stop surface 156, which can be vertically oriented, with the illustrated embodiment including a short horizontal, or near horizontal segment 158 extending back in the application direction. A “notch feature” is formed at the unscrewing end of each downwardly angled guide surface 154. Alternatively, the end of each downwardly angling guide surface 154 can terminate in a blunt vertical stop surface, such as 156, without the provision of the short horizontal or near horizontal segment 158 extending back in the application direction. The advantage of this alternate embodiment is that the tamper-evident band drop can be maximized to improve clear visual evidence of prior opening or tampering.

In this embodiment of the present tamper-evident package, the axially flexible tabs 130 of the closure tamper-evident band are symmetrically placed on the inside edge of the tamper band. These readily flexible tabs are folded inwardly and upwardly into the closure shell during closure manufacturing, and remain folded in a generally inward and upward direction prior to application of the closure on the container. The folded length of each closure or tab is nominally equal to the radial clearance between the inside wall of the closure band portion 128, and the outside diameter of the container finish, between the locking rings segments, with either a slight amount of clearance or interference being acceptable. It is thus possible for the tabs to flex downwardly into a horizontal position with minimum effort or torque.

The number of flexible tabs 130, and their circumferential length and location, are designed so that minimally one tab will always be located between each set of bottle finish locking elements during application, irregardless regardless of the variability associated with the closure Application Angle Distribution. The remainder of the tabs 130 end up radially sandwiched between the locking elements 152 and the inside surface of the band portion 128, and thus their free ends are unable to engage the underside of the cam surfaces of the locking elements 52 152. These tabs easily slip by the locking elements 152 during removal of the closure. When a consumer unscrews the closure to open the package, the free ends of the flexible tabs, located between the locking elements 152, quickly engage the undersides of the downwardly angling guide surfaces 154 immediately adjacent to their fully applied location. The action of each guide surface or cam is to fold its engaged tab downwardly into a horizontal position, at which time the tab engages the vertical wall of the stop surface 156 at the end of the guide surface 154 (see FIG. 8A, 8B, 8C). Because the length of the tabs 130 is specifically designed that only a slight amount of clearance or interference exists between the inside wall of the tamper band, and the outside diameter of the container between the locking ring segments, the folding of the tabs 130 into a final horizontal position takes an extremely small amount of torque, and thus is not a concern with respect to adding to the torque necessary to initially break the static coefficient of friction at the container/closure sealing interface.

The final engagement of the tabs 130 in the notches of the locking elements 154, or against the blunt vertical stop surface such as in the above-described alternative embodiment, effectively immobilizes the tamper band, and further opening rotation acts to break the frangible bridges 132 connecting the tamper-evident band to the closure shell. Since the guide or cam surfaces 154 have a minimum subtended arc corresponding to the desired predetermined angle, such as a minimum of 15 degrees, the tamper-evident band is always forced to rotate a minimum of this arc (e.g., 15 degrees) before the flexible tabs 130, originally located between the locking elements 152, are trapped in the notches, and the tamper band is immobilized. Thus, the required minimum predetermined delay (e.g., 15 degrees) necessary to break the static coefficient of friction at the seal interface is achieved without having to reduce the variability associated with the typical Application Angle Distributions.

Another advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is that when the tabs 130 are in a horizontal position, and loaded circumferentially, they are at their maximum strength with respect to resisting rotational movement, and thus become very effective in immobilizing the tamper band on the container finish.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a modification of the container, designated 112′, for this embodiment of the present tamper-evident package. This embodiment includes segmented locking ring elements in the form of circumferentially spaced locking elements 152′ and 153, wherein locking ring elements 152′ have been configured for weight savings, while still providing the desired cooperation with the associated tamper-evident flexible tabs of the closure of the package. Locking elements 153 provides the desired locking function, while including a lug which can be formed at the parting line of a mold within which the neck portion fo the container is formed.

FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of the container, designated 113, for this embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the container, locking elements 152″ have been configured for weight-savings, with locking elements 153′ again configured to provide a lug at the parting line of a mold within which the neck portion is formed.

FIG. 12A illustrates a further embodiment of the container, designated 113′, for this embodiment of the present tamper-evident package, wherein locking elements 155 include cam or guide surfaces on the application side of the locking elements, engageable by the flexible tabs 130 of the associated closure during application. The locking elements 155 further include a horizontal extension of the lower guide surface, which can be configured to provide the desired delay as the associated closure is moved from its fully applied position.

A further embodiment of the present tamper-evident package is illustrated in FIGS. 13-16 A-C, including closure 210, and associated container 212. Elements of this embodiment which generally correspond to those of the previously-described embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals in the 200-series.

In the above-described embodiments of the present tamper-evident package, frangible bridges (32, 132) connecting the tamper band to the associated closure shell are configured to fail primarily in shear. As a consequence, a significant amount of opening torque is still required to break the tamper band for tamper-evidence. Even though this torque is delayed by the minimum predetermined angle (e.g., 15 degrees) of opening rotation, and therefore is no longer additive to the torque necessary to break the static coefficient of friction of the container/closure sealing interface, the consumer may still find the level of torque necessary to break the tamper band to be somewhat objectionable.

This further embodiment of the present tamper-evident package provides the desired minimum predetermined angular rotation from the fully applied position of the closure before the tamper-evident band breakage event, while also loading the frangible bridges of the closure in a combination of tension and shear to reduce the total torque necessary to break the tamper ban.

In this embodiment, the container 212 includes a segmented locking ring in the form of circumferentially spaced locking elements 252 configured for cooperation with the tamper-evident band during removal of the closure from the container for fracturing the frangible connection between the pilfer band and the associated skirt portion of the closure. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the locking elements 252 includes a lower, generally horizontal guide or cam surface 253, and an inclined retention surface 255 extending at an angle downwardly from the respective guide surface 253. The horizontal guide surface 253 may be configured to subtend an arc on the order of approximately 20 degrees, leading into the downwardly angling cam or retention surface 255, having a subtended arc such as on the order of approximately 17 degrees. Thus, the guide surface 252 subtends an arc at least as large as the predetermined angle through which the closure is rotated from its fully applied position prior to tamper-band actuation.

In this embodiment, a plurality of axially flexible projections or tabs 230 are provided on the inside of band portion 238 of the closure tamper-evident band 226. The flexible projections 230 are folded inwardly and upwardly into the closure shell during the closure manufacturing process, and remain folded in a generally inward and upward direction prior to application of the closure to the container. The folded length of each projection 230 is significantly longer than the radial clearance between the inside surface of the tamper band portion 238, and the outside diameter of the container finish, between the locking elements 252. This dimensioning prevents the projections from easily folding downward into a horizontal position after the closure is fully applied to the container.

As illustrated, all of the tabs or projections 230 have a “finger feature”, provided in the form of a relatively flexible extension element 231 for projecting from a free edge portion of each of the projections 230. In this embodiment, the extension element 231 is located at approximately one-half the subtended arc of each of the projections 230, with the thickness of the extension element 231 being approximately one-half the thickness of the associated projection 230 (see FIG. 15).

One function of the extension element 231 is to hold the associated projection 232 radially outward of the locking elements 252 during closure application, and to prevent the free end of the projection 230 from folding under the horizontal guide surface 253 of a locking element 252 prematurely. A further purpose of the extension element 231, as will be further described, is to prevent the free end of the projections 230 which are positioned for insufficient angular delay from the fully applied position of the closure (termed “non-working tabs” or “non-working projections”) from engaging the cam or guide surfaces of the locking elements 252 prematurely upon removal of the closure from its fully applied position.

During closure application, some of the projections or tabs 230 (termed “working tabs”) are geometrically ensured to end up positioned between the locking elements 252, regardless of the application angle variability. The free ends of these “working tabs” are now properly positioned to engage the horizontal guide surface 253 and subsequently the downwardly angled retention or cam surface 255 during removal of the closure, and will provide the force necessary to break the frangible bridges 232 connecting the tamper band to the closure shell.

The free ends of the remainder of the tabs or projections 230 (termed “non-working tabs”) are still held radially outboard of the locking ring segments by their respective extension elements 231, and will naturally slip by the locking elements 252 during closure removal. Whether a particular tab or projection becomes a “working tab” or a “non-working tab” is dependent on the ultimate application angle of the closure in the fully applied position. However, the number of tabs or projections, and their positioning coupled with the number of locking elements 252, guarantee that a predetermined number of the tabs or projections 230 will always end up as “working tabs”.

The first event that occurs during removal of the closure by the consumer is that the relatively fragile extension elements 231 on the “working tabs” engage the removal edges of the locking elements 252, and are deflected and folded backward in a circumferential direction into a recess 233 (FIG. 15) defined in the free edge portion of the tab or projection 230. Thus, by this action, the extension element 231 is movable into the recess 233 when at least one of the projections 230 engages the guide surface 253 of an associated one of the locking elements 252 during movement of the closure from its fully applied position.

By this action, the free end of the projection 230 remains under the horizontal guide surface 253 during initial closure removal.

During further rotation for removal, the “working tabs” then travel a minimal predetermined angle (e.g., 15 degrees) horizontally before they engage the angled retention surface 255 of the locking elements 252. This travel under the horizontal guide surface 253 provides the required delay, allowing breaking of static coefficient of friction at the container/closure seal interface to occur before the tamper band actuation event occurs, and thus desirably eliminates the additive torque effect of these two events.

Once the “working tabs” engage the downwardly angled retention surface 255, frangible bridges 232 are loaded in a combination of shear and tension, which will reduce the torque required to break the tamper band away from the closure shell. Also, since the closure shell is moving axially upwardly under the influence of the container thread helix angle, and simultaneously the tamper band is being forced axially downward by the helix angle of the downwardly angled retention surface 255, the speed of separation between the closure shell and the tamper band is significantly increased. The net effect of this separation speed increase is to cause the frangible bridges 232 to fail earlier than they would if the speed of separation were less.

As illustrated in FIG. 16A, each of the locking elements 252 is preferably provided with ramped or cammed lead-in surfaces 257 and 259, which desirably act to guide the projections 230 of the closure over the locking elements during closure application to the container while avoiding premature fracture of frangible bridges 232.

FIGS. 16B, 16C illustrate an alternate embodiment for the flexible projections of this embodiment, with this configuration of the flexible projections designated 230′, with each projection including an extension element 231′. As illustrated, each of the extension elements 231′ defines a camming surface for engagement with a guide surface of a respective one of the locking elements 252 during closure removal, whereby the extension element is deflected radially outwardly. As described above, this action of the extension element provides the desired cooperation with the locking element 252 to permit movement of the closure, during removal, through the desired predetermined angle prior to actuation of the tamper-evident band by engagement of one or more of the flexible projections 231′ with a retention surface 255 of a respective one of the locking elements 252.

FIG. 17 is a further illustration of the container 212, including locking ring segments in the form of locking elements 252, each having a horizontal guide or cam surface 253, and an inclined retention of cam surface 255.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure, the present invention provides a tamper-evident package including a threaded closure and container which cooperate to provide closing of the package at a sealing interface thereof, with the closure including a plurality of frangible bridges or like fracturable connections to provide the package with a tamper-evident feature. In accordance with the present invention, a planned or predetermined delay is provided when the closure is moved from its fully applied position prior to actuation of the tamper-evident feature, and/or before development of significant torque of actuation.

The planned delay is intended to provide removal torque control by separating the torque necessary to break the static coefficient of friction of the seal from the torque necessary to actuate the tamper-evident feature, thereby eliminating potential additive effect of these two distinct torque distributions. By the present invention, a tamper-evident package is provided such that less than 15% of all packages never exceed a predetermined removal torque. This predetermined value is preferably 20-inch-pounds, more preferably 17-inch-pounds, and most preferably 15-inch-pounds.

The present tamper-evident package is configured such that the unscrewing angle of tamper-evident actuation is preferably less than 180 degrees, more preferably less than about 90 degrees, and most preferably less than about 60 degrees.

Appended Test Protocols set forth procedures for determining removal torque performance of plastic closures, and closure carbonation retention to provide Carbonated Soft Drink sealing performance. In one form of the present invention, a tamper-evident package is provided that provides: (1) Carbonated Soft Drink sealing performance; (2) an opening torque of no more than about 17 inches-lbs.; (3) fracture of the frangible connection of the tamper band prior to sealing the sealing portion of the closure moving out of sealing engagement with the container at a probability of 20-200 in 10,000.

Test Protocols

Elevated Temperature Carbonation Retention

For Regions Where The Climate Is Extremely Hot

1. PURPOSE:

• • 1.1. This test is for determining the ability of the plastic closure to retain carbonation when subjected to storage and shipping conditions which occur in climates where temperatures reach 108° F./42° C.
    • 1.1.1. This test is intended for carbonated soft drink.

2. REQUIREMENTS:

• • 2.1. Samples subjected to elevated temperatures must retain carbonaton levels equal to that of a control.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • 3.1. The Laboratory Manager and Supervisor are responsible for maintaining this procedure.
  • 3.2. The Laboratory Manager, Supervisor, and Laboratory Technicians are responsible for performing this procedure.
  • 3.3, The Calibration Technician is responsible for maintaining calibration as scheduled and notify all Laboratory Personnel of any equipment found to be out of tolerance.
  • 3.4. The Calibration Technician is responsible for maintaining calibration as scheduled and notifying all Laboratory personnel of any equipment found to be out of tolerance.

4. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

• • 4.1. Safety glasses MUST be worn in designated areas.
  • 4.2. Safety shoes MUST be worn in designated areas.
  • 4.3. The No Jewelry policy MUST be adhered to in designated areas.
  • 4.4. Be sure to properly vent test packages prior to removing from test fixture.
  • 4.5. Glass bottles MUST be encased in a protective shield to prevent injury to the technician during testing.

5. SAMPLE COLLECTION:

• • 5.1. To be determined by the requestor.
  • 5.2. A control closure MUST accompany a test closure.
  • 5.3. Recommended that closures and bottles be randomly selected from the same lots to reduce the effect of variation in the test results.
  • 5.4. Test and control closures should be collected from the same molding and lining machine if testing material properties.

6. SAMPLE PREPARATION:

• • 6.1. Closures and bottles must be inspected and must be within respective blueprint specifications, unless specified by the requestor.
    • 6.1.1. Refer to Closure Measurement Procedure 654-037 and Bottle Finish Measurement Procedure 654-035 for instructions on performing measurements.
  • 6.2. Closures must be applied to Alcoa CSI specifications or per the requestors' needs.
    • 6.2.1. If Necessary—Refer to Alcoa CSI Closure application and Specifications Manual.
    • 6.2.2. The requestor may specify certain parameters, which need to be documented.
  • 6.3. The product can be obtained from a bottling line or acquired in a laboratory fill.
  • 6.4. Sample packages, both test and control, are to be randomly filled according to the specifications for the package being filled. Refer to filling specification guidelines, test number 654-033/Item ID 003676157.
  • 6.5. PET or glass packages are to be randomly selected from the fill before conditioning.

7. SAMPLE SIZE:

• • 7.1. Sample size may be selected from the 28 mm Protocol and Sample Size charges provided in the Document Management System.
  • 7.2. To be determined by the requestor or by the needs of the test.
  • 7.3. Recommended sample size is 12 samples per variable per data point.

8. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

• • 8.1. Zahm Nagel Tester, Lan Monitor, or equivalent equipment for calculation of amount of dissolved carbon dioxide gas.
  • 8.2. Appropriate chart, table or formula for calculation of amount of dissolved carbon dioxide gas.
  • 8.3. Filling equipment or chemicals capable of filling at 4.0+/−0.2 volumes carbonation.
  • 8.4. Alcoa 201 capping machine or equivalent, to apply closures to manufacturer's specification.
  • 8.5. Environmental chamber capable of maintaining the temperatures stated in 6.5.

9. PROCEDURE:

• • 9.1. Condition the filled packages at 108° F./42° F./1° C.+/−2° F./1° C. for 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 day time periods.
    • 9.1.1. Glass packages are to be conditioned at 122.2° F./50° C.+/−2° F./1° C. for 1, 3, 7, and 10 day time periods.
  • 9.2. At the required time points, remove the samples from the elevated temperature conditioning, and store the samples at ambient temperatures (72° F./22° C.+/−2° F./1° C.) for 24 hours prior to testing.
  • 9.3. After stabilizing the samples at ambient conditions for 24 hours, check the carbonation level.
  • 9.4. Follow the appropriate SOP for use of the equipment used.
    • 9.4.1. Zahm Nagel SOP test number 654-009.
    • 9.4.2. Computerized Zahm Nagel SOP test number 654-110.
  • 9.5. Repeat testing until all samples have been tested.
  • 9.6 Repeat above steps at each test interval.
  • 9.7 After all testing is performed enter the data into the appropriate form, calculating the average, standard deviation, minimum and maximum readings.
  • 9.8. Enter any comments or observations on the appropriate form.
  • 9.9. Dispose of the test packages according to Laboratory Recycling Policy, test number 654-036.
    • 9.10.1. Use a “T” test to determine the difference between two means.
    • 9.10.2. Use a one-way Anova to compare the differences between three or more variables.

Removal Torque Test Procedure

1. Purpose:

• • 1.1. The test is designed to determine the removal torque performance of a plastic closure applied to a bottle filled with either carbonated or non-carbonated product.
    • 1.1.1. This test is intended for carbonated product, beer, nitrogen induced product, liquor, or non-pressurized packages.

2. Requirements:

• • 2.1. Removal Torque value should be within respective closure specifications.

3. Responsibilities:

• • 3.1. The Laboratory Manager and Supervisor are responsible for maintaining this procedure.
  • 3.2. The Laboratory Manager, Supervisor, and Laboratory Technicians are responsible for performing this procedure.
  • 3.3. The Laboratory Manager, Supervisor and Laboratory Technicians performing the test are responsible for verifying that calibrations are current on the equipment being used and that values obtained during validations are within the respective control limits which are posted.
  • 3.4. The Calibration Technician is responsible for maintaining calibration as scheduled and notifying all Laboratory personnel of any equipment found to be out of tolerance.

4. Safety Requirements:

• • 4.1. Safety glasses MUST be worn in designated areas.
  • 4.2. Safety shoes MUST be worn in designated areas.
  • 4.3. The No Jewelry policy MUST be adhered to in designated areas.

5. Sample Collection:

• • 5.1. To be determined by the requestor.
  • 5.2. Recommended that closures and bottles be randomly selected from the same lots to reduce the effect of variation in the test results.
  • 5.3. Test and control closures should be collected from the same molding and lining machine if testing material properties.

6. Sample Preparation:

• • 6.1. Closures and bottles must be inspected and must be within respective blueprint specifications, unless specified by the requestor.
    • 6.1.1. Refer to Closure Measurement Procedure 654-037 and Bottle Finish Measurement Procedure 654-035 for instructions on performing measurements.
  • 6.2. Closures must be applied to Alcoa CSI specifications or per the requestors' needs.
    • 6.2.1. If Necessary—Refer to Alcoa CSI Closure Application and Specifications Manual.
    • 6.2.2. The requestor may specify certain application parameters, which need to be documented.
  • 6.3 The product can be obtained from a bottling line or acquired in a laboratory fill.
  • 6.4 Sample packages, both test and control, must be randomly filled according to the specifications for the package being filled. Refer to filling specification guidelines, test number 654-033/Item ID 003676157.
  • 6.5. Packages must be randomly selected from the fill and conditioned at the following temperatures, unless otherwise stated in appropriate form:
    • 6.51. 40° F./4.4° C.+/−2° F./1° C.
    • 65.2. 70° F./21.2° C.+/−2° F./1° C.
    • 6.5.3. 100° F./37.7° C.+/−2° F./1° C.
    • 6.5.4. 108° F./42.2° C.+/−2° F./1° C.

7. Sample Size

• • 7.1. Should be determined by the requestor or the needs of the test.
  • 7.2. Recommended sample size is 12 per variable.

8. Equipment

• • 8.1. Secure Pak MRA meter or equivalent.
  • 8.2. Storage areas capable of maintaining temperatures as specified in 6.5.
  • 8.3. Equipment needed for filling as per the closure requirement:
    • 8.3.1. Filling equipment capable of filling at 4.0+/−0.2 volumes carbonation
    • 8.3.2. Supply of still water
    • 8.3.3. Balance to verify water weight if needed
  • 8.4. Alcoa 201 capping machine or equivalent, to apply closures to manufacturer's specification.

9. Procedure:

• • Test the Packages at Conditioning Temperature. Remove No More than 2 Samples at a Time to Test from the Respective Conditioning Room.
  • 9.1. Center the holding pegs on the torque meter.
  • 9.2. Validate the torque meter using required Vibrac Gold Bottle (SOP #654-183),
  • 9.3. Securely tighten the bottle in the holding pegs. (Do not allow the bottle to rotate when force is applied)
    • 9.3.1. For the MRA—Tighten by turning the knob on the right hand side of the meter.
  • 9.4. Place the indicator/readout at “0” on the torque meter.
    • 9.4.1. For the MRA—Turn the two knobs located under the face of the scale inward so as to locate the indicators at the zero mark on the scale.
  • 9.5. Engage the closure:
    • 9.5.1. Using the Secure Pak MRA, grip the closure securely by hand (unless stated by the requestor to use a hand chuck).
  • 9.6. Remove the closure.
    • 9.6.1. Using the Secure Pak MRAv, turn the closure counter-clockwise in a slow continuous motion at 2 in-lbs per second until the closure seal begins to slip on the bottle finish. (The closure does not need to be turned to the point of venting.) NOTE: DO NOT RE-GRIP THE CLOSURE, SNAP THE WRIST, OR USE A RAPID JERKING MOTION WHEN TAKING THE REMOVAL TORQUE.
  • 9.7. Record the torque that the closure seal broke loose from the bottle finish.
  • 9.8. Continue testing following steps 9.3 through 9.6 until all samples have been tested for the given test period.
  • 9.9. After all testing is complete, validate the torque meter again and record value.
  • 9.10. From the data obtained calculate the average, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and 3 sigma readings.
  • 9.11. Document any comments or observations in your report.
  • 9.12. Create an excel spreadsheet for the data. Include the average, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum for each variable tested
  • 9.13. Dispose of the PET bottles and closures according to the recycling policy. Lab SOP number 654-036/Item ID 003686608.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident bottle comprising:

a neck having:

an outer thread helix;

a lower ring;

circumferentially spaced locking elements disposed between said outer thread helix and said lower ring;

a stop element disposed axially above said locking elements and axially below said outer thread helix; and,

a flange defining an open mouth and an upper interior wall;

a removable closure comprising:

a closed top wall;

an annular seal depending from an interior portion of said closed top wall;

a skirt depending from said closed top wall, said skirt comprising:

an inner thread helix;

circumferentially spaced vent grooves traversing the inner thread helix to vent gas pressure within said bottle;

a tamper-evident band comprising circumferentially spaced inwardly extending flexible projections;

frangible bridges connecting said tamper-evident band to said skirt; and, rotation-inhibiting projections;

wherein said removable closure is rotatable on said neck between:

a sealed closed position having an angle a1, wherein said inner thread helix of said removable closure sealingly engages said outer thread helix of said neck, said annular seal sealingly engages said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial unsealing position having an angle A10 wherein said inner thread helix of said removable closure initially unseals from said outer thread helix of said neck, said annular seal initially unseals from said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial fracturing positing position having a Band Break angle wherein said locking elements of said neck cooperate with said flexible projections of said tamper-evident band to initially fracture said frangible bridges; and,

an unsealed open position wherein said frangible bridges are fractured and said closure is removed from said neck;

wherein an initial Unlock Torque is required to rotate said removable closure from said sealed closed position to said initial unsealing position.

2. The tamper-evident bottle of claim 1, wherein said rotation-inhibiting projections engage said neck when said closure is rotated from said sealed closed position to said unsealed open position.

3. The tamper-evident bottle of claim 2, wherein said rotation-inhibiting projections create a Projection Resistive Torque when said closure is rotated from said sealed closed position to said unsealed open position.

4. A tamper-evident closure for a container having a neck having an outer thread helix, a lower ring, circumferentially spaced locking elements disposed between the outer thread helix and the lower ring, a stop element disposed axially above the locking elements and axially below the outer thread helix, and a flange defining an open mouth and an upper interior wall, said closure being removable and comprising:

a closed top wall;

an annular seal depending from an interior portion of said closed top wall;

a skirt depending from said closed top wall, said skirt comprising: an inner thread helix; and circumferentially spaced vent grooves traversing the inner thread helix to vent gas pressure within the container;

a tamper-evident band comprising circumferentially spaced inwardly extending flexible projections;

frangible bridges connecting said tamper-evident band to said skirt; and

rotation-inhibiting projections;

wherein said closure is rotatable on said neck between:

a sealed closed position having an angle a1, wherein said inner thread helix of said removable closure sealingly engages said outer thread helix of said neck, said annular seal sealingly engages said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial unsealing position having an angle A10 wherein said inner thread helix of said removable closure initially unseals from said outer thread helix of said neck, said annular seal initially unseals from said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial fracturing position having a Band Break angle wherein said locking elements of said neck cooperate with said flexible projections of said tamper-evident band to initially fracture said frangible bridges; and

an unsealed open position wherein said frangible bridges are fractured and said closure is removed from said neck;

wherein an initial Unlock Torque is required to rotate said removable closure from said sealed closed position to said initial unsealing position.

5. The tamper-evident closure of claim 4, wherein:

said rotation-inhibiting projections engage said neck when said closure is rotated from said sealed closed position to said unsealed open position.

6. The tamper-evident closure of claim 5, wherein:

said rotation-inhibiting projections create a Projection Resistive Torque when said closure is rotated from said sealed closed position to said unsealed open position.

7. A tamper-evident package comprising:

a container having a neck, the neck including an outer thread helix formation, a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements, a stop element disposed axially between said locking elements and said outer thread helix formation, and an upper interior wall defining an open mouth; and

a closure including a closed top wall, an annular seal depending from an interior portion of said closed top wall, a skirt portion depending from said closed top wall, said skirt portion including an inner thread helix formation, a plurality of circumferentially spaced vent grooves traversing the inner thread helix formation to vent gas pressure within said package, a tamper-evident band comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending flexible projections; and frangible bridges connecting said tamper-evident band to said skirt portion;

wherein said removable closure is rotatable on said neck between:

a sealed closed position having an angle a1, wherein said inner thread helix formation of said closure sealingly engages said outer thread helix formation of said neck to form an annular seal, said annular seal sealingly engages said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial unsealing position wherein said inner thread helix formation of said closure initially unseals from said outer thread helix formation of said neck, said annular seal initially unseals from said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial fracturing position having a Band Break angle wherein said locking elements of said neck cooperate with said flexible projections of said tamper-evident band to initially fracture said frangible bridges; and

an unsealed open position wherein said frangible bridges are fractured and said closure is removed from said neck.

8. The tamper-evident package of claim 7, wherein the neck further includes a lower ring.

9. The tamper-evident package of claim 8, wherein the circumferentially spaced locking elements are disposed between said outer thread helix formation and said lower ring.

10. The tamper-evident package of claim 7, wherein the closure further includes rotation-inhibiting projections.

11. The tamper-evident package of claim 10, wherein the rotation-inhibiting projections are positioned on the closure to minimize simultaneous disposition of the rotation-inhibiting projections in respective one of said circumferentially spaced vent grooves.

12. The tamper-evident package of claim 7, wherein each of said circumferentially spaced locking elements includes a guide surface and an inclined retention surface, said guide surface being located opposite of the inclined retention surface, said locking elements being configured to engage said flexible projections of said closure during closure application.

13. The tamper-evident package of claim 7, wherein said stop element includes an inclined guide surface and a radially oriented stop surface, said stop element configured to engage said inner thread helix formation of said closure.

14. A tamper-evident closure for a container having a neck having an outer thread helix formation, a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements, a stop element disposed axially between the locking elements and the outer thread helix formation, and an upper interior wall defining an open mouth, said closure comprising:

a closed top wall;

an annular seal depending from an interior portion of said closed top wall;

a skirt portion depending from said closed top wall, said skirt portion comprising an inner thread helix formation, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vent grooves traversing the inner thread helix formation to vent gas pressure within the container;

a tamper-evident band comprising circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending flexible projections; and

frangible bridges connecting said tamper-evident band to said skirt portion;

wherein said closure is rotatable on said neck between:

a sealed closed position having an angle a1, wherein said inner thread helix formation of said closure sealingly engages said outer thread helix formation of said neck, said annular seal sealingly engages said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial unsealing position wherein said inner thread helix formation of said removable closure initially unseals from said outer thread helix formation of said neck, said annular seal initially unseals from said upper interior wall of said neck, and said frangible bridges are unbroken;

an initial fracturing position having a Band Break angle wherein said locking elements of said neck cooperate with said flexible projections of said tamper-evident band to initially fracture said frangible bridges; and

an unsealed open position wherein said frangible bridges are fractured and said closure is removed from said neck.

15. The tamper-evident closure of claim 14, wherein the closure further includes rotation-inhibiting projections.

16. The tamper-evident closure of claim 15, wherein the rotation-inhibiting projections are positioned on the closure to minimize simultaneous disposition of the rotation-inhibiting projections in respective one of said circumferentially spaced vent grooves.

17. A tamper-evident package comprising:

a container having a neck portion defining an open mouth, the neck portion having at least one outer helical thread formation thereon, a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements and a stop element, each of said locking elements including a guide surface and an inclined retention surface; and

a closure comprising a top wall portion, a depending skirt portion having at least one internal, helical thread formation for threaded engagement with a respective one of said external, helical thread formation of said container, a sealing portion configured to sealingly engage said neck portion of said container when said closure is in a fully applied position on said container, a tamper-evident band connected by a frangible connection to said skirt portion for engagement with said container during removal of said closure from said container, said tamper-evident band including a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending flexible projections,

wherein said package defines an angle a1 from said fully applied position at which said sealing portion of the closure and said neck of said container create an initial unlock torque;

wherein said plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements is configured for cooperation with said tamper-evident band during removal of said closure from said container for fracturing said frangible connection,

wherein said stop element is configured to engage said at least one internal, helical thread formation,

wherein said inwardly extending projections on said tamper-evident band are positioned and configured so that at least one of said projections is disposed between adjacent ones of said locking elements on said container when said closure is in said fully applied position,

wherein said one of said inwardly extending projections are engageable with a respective one of said locking elements during opening movement of said closure from said fully applied position, said closure being moveable through a predetermined angle, greater than said angle a1, prior to engagement of said one projection with the respective one of said locking elements for fracturing said frangible connection.

18. The tamper-evident package of claim 17, wherein said predetermined angle is from about 5 to about 20 degrees.

19. The tamper-evident package of claim 17, wherein said closure further includes circumferentially spaced vent grooves traversing the inner thread helix to vent gas pressure within said package.

20. The tamper-evident package of claim 17, wherein each of said stop surfaces is generally horizontally orientated.

21. The tamper-evident package of claim 17, wherein said circumferentially spaced locking elements form a segmented locking ring for axially retaining said temper-evident band on said container.

22. The tamper-evident package of claim 17, wherein the closure further includes rotation-inhibiting projections.

23. The tamper-evident package of claim 22, wherein the rotation-inhibiting projections are positioned on the closure to minimize simultaneous disposition of the rotation-inhibiting projections in respective one of said circumferentially spaced vent grooves.