US008528757B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Bisio
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,528,757 B2
`Sep. 10, 2013
`
`(54) CAP FOR CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH
`GUARANTEE SEAL
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Inventor: Luigi B1s1o,A1essandria (IT)
`(75)
`(73) Assignee: Guala Pack S.p.A., Castellazzo Bormida
`(IT)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 585 days.
`
`(21) App1.No.: 12/422,553
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apt 13, 2009
`
`3,770,156 A
`3,812,991 A
`4,480,761 A
`4,529,096 A
`4,744,479 A
`4,744,480 A
`4,796,770 A
`4,813,562 A
`4,844,272 A
`2
`
`11/1973 Yates, Jr.
`5/1974 VV_ur1_
`11/1984 Aichinger
`7/1985 Chart"
`tal.
`5/1988 Schotltfir e
`5/1988 L h t
`1.
`1/1989 B221; a
`3/1989 Begley
`7/1989 Dutt
`£12371‘;
`.
`(Centmued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0688724 B1
`12/1995
`
`4/2004
`1407977 A1
`(Continued)
`
`EP
`
`EP
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`Us 2009/0223963 A1
`Sell 10’ 2009
`Related U_S_ Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. PCT/IT2007/000426,
`filed on Jun. 15, 2007.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`International Search Report received in corresponding International
`3. CS .
`Patent)App1ication No. PCT/IT2007/000426 dated Oct. 22, 2007 (3
`P g
`
`(C0I11iI111ed)
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(IT) ............................ .. BS2006A0190
`
`Oct. 27, 2006
`(51)
`Int. Cl.
`B65D 53/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ......... .. 215/252; 215/307; 215/258; 220/304;
`222/92; 222/153.05
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ............. .. 215/252, 307, 258; 222/92, 153.06
`See application file for complete Search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,601,273 A
`8/1971 Kutcher
`3,767,077 A
`10/1973 Rhoades
`
`Primary Examiner — .1. Gregory Pickett
`Assistant Examiner — James Way
`(74) Attorney) Agent) or Firm i Kflyk & Bowersoxa
`P'L'L'C'
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`.
`.
`.
`A Cap is prevlded Wlth a guarantee seal. The guarantee seal
`has guarantee .pOI‘t1OI1S. which have an engagement portion
`and a connecting portion. The seal further has bridges for
`001111001111g.adJa00111 9131311100 P01110115 10 0110 311011101 3110 3
`safety portion that makes the engagement portion integral
`with the handling portion. The safety portion is structurally
`suitable for keeping the engagement portion constrained in
`the broken seal configuration, for preventing the forming of
`dangerous spikes.
`
`16 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1001
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`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,249,704 A
`10/1993 Boetzkes
`5,648,037 A
`7/1997 Franchet et al.
`5,853,095 A
`12/1998 MafS11a11e1a1~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 215/252
`5,992,661 A
`11/1999 Zumbuhl
`
`*
`
`5,202,871 B1 *
`6,264,052 B1
`6327770 B1
`6’581’792 B1
`65604547 B1
`6,685,061 B2
`
`7a413a097 B1
`,
`,
`7,513,377 B1
`7,575,123 B2
`2002/0088814 A1
`2004/0200797 A1
`
`2006/0043056 A1
`
`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 215/307
`3/2001 K611)’
`7/2001 Schmitz
`12/2001 Konefal at 31
`6/2003 Limanjaya
`8/2003 Luburic
`2/2004 Wolf et al.
`%/Ivcfihry ettali
`8/2008 A: man 0 3 ~
`MUS
`4/2009 C1111eY
`61 511
`8/2009 L€1Ve€11111
`7/2002 Belfance et al.
`10/2004 H1C1<S 61 €11,
`Echwarz et al.
`ee
`3/2006 Lee
`
`EP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`W0
`W0
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1 676 783 A1
`7/2006
`10.131753
`7/1993
`2002404447
`412002
`2004231229
`8 2004
`2004-331124
`11/2004
`WO 2004/045977 A1
`6/2004
`WO 2004/108545 A1
`12/2004
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Communication issued by the European Patent Oflice dated Feb. 10,
`2012 concerning the observations by a third party concerning the
`patentability of corresponding European Patent Application No.
`07790158 (9 pages).
`Response to the observations by a third party filed with the European
`Patent Office dated Mar. 8, 2012 (2 pages).
`Communication issued by the European Patent Oflice dated Oct. 2,
`2012 concerning the observations by a third party concerning the
`patentability of corresponding European Patent Application No.
`07790158 (3 pages),
`Response to the observations by a third party filed with the European
`Patent Oflice dated Oc(t. 31, 2012 concerning European PatentAppli-
`cation No. 07790158 1 page .
`
`2009/0152269 A1
`
`6/2009 Pucci
`
`* cited by examiner
`
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`US 8,528,757 B2
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`1
`CAP FOR CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH
`GUARANTEE SEAL
`
`This application is a continuation of International Appli-
`cation No. PCT/IT2007/000426, filed Jun. 15, 2007, which
`claims priority from Italian Patent Application No.
`BS2006A000190, filed Oct. 27, 2006.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a cap for container with
`guarantee seal, that is a cap provided with a seal which upon
`the first opening, undergoes breakage, thus indicating the
`occurrence of the opening or tampering of the container.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`As known, caps with guarantee seal have become 1nuch
`widespread since they allow the consumer to ensure that the
`container has not been already opened or tampered. Such
`guarantee is especially appreciated in the field of containers
`for alimentary pastas or liquids, for example fruit juices,
`wherein the opening of the container could cause the deterio-
`ration of the contents or sometimes,
`the introduction of
`undesired substances in the container.
`
`Fruit juice containers, in particular, are normally used by
`children, so a set of more or less strict standards according to
`the Country, prescribe some safety requirements the caps
`must meet.
`
`The standards usually impose some restrictions on the cap
`dimensions so as to prevent the possibility that they are swal-
`lowed by the children.
`For the caps currently known, once the cap is unscrewed
`the guarantee seal breaks into a set of portions that remain
`associated to the cap body, so the possibility that such por-
`tions are swallowed by the children should be substantially
`prevented.
`However, besides being weakly associated to the cap body,
`they form spikes that dangerously protrude from the cap body.
`The spikes could harm hurt the child’s eyes or they could be
`detached from the cap body with the teeth and swallowed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The object of the present invention is to make a cap for
`containers provided with a guarantee seal which should be
`especially safe to be used even by children.
`Such object is achieved by a cap suitable for being associ-
`ated to a coupling portion of a container and suitable forbeing
`disconnected by rotation about an axis of rotation from the
`coupling portion. The coupling portion comprises resistant
`elements suitable for engaging the cap.
`The cap comprises a handling portion, suitable for being
`rotated by a user for disconnecting the cap from the container,
`and a guarantee seal, integral with the handling portion and
`comprising a plurality of guarantee portions, wherein the seal
`has breaks in a broken seal configuration.
`At least one ofthe guarantee portions comprises an engage-
`ment portion, having at least one engagement element suit-
`able for engaging with the resistant elements of the coupling
`portion for preventing the rotation of the guarantee seal, and
`a connecting portion, connected to the engagement portion,
`having at least one connecting element which makes the
`connecting portion integral to the handling portion.
`The guarantee seal comprises at least one bridge which
`connects adjacent guarantee portions to one another,
`the
`
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`bridge being suitable for breaking by rotation of the handling
`portion relative to the guarantee seal.
`The guarantee seal further comprises a safety portion that
`makes the engagement portion integral with the handling
`portion, the safety portion being structurally suitable for
`keeping the engagement portion constrained in the broken
`seal configuration.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a perspective bottom view of the cap accord-
`ing to the present invention, provided with a guarantee seat in
`an intact seal configuration.
`FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of the cap of FIG.
`
`1.
`
`FIG. 3 shows a plan side view ofthe cap of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 shows a closing device comprising the cap accord-
`ing to the present invention and a coupling portion to the
`container, wherein the guarantee seal is in an incipient break-
`age configuration.
`FIG. 5 shows the closing device of FIG. 4 in an intact seal
`configuration.
`FIG. 6 shows a section view obtained according to line
`VI-VI of FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 7 shows a perspective view ofthe cap according to the
`present invention, in a broken seal configuration.
`FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the cap, coupling por-
`tion, and container according to the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`With reference to the armexed figures, reference numeral 1
`globally indicates a cap suitable for being associated to a
`coupling portion 100 of a container 101, preferably deform-
`able.
`
`The coupling portion 100 of the container is generally
`provided with a tubular straw 102, for dispensing the contents
`from the container, to which the cap is associable.
`At the base of straw 102, the coupling portion 100 com-
`prises at least one resistant element 104 suitable for engaging
`the cap for preventing the rotation thereof, at least upon the
`first opening of the container.
`According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling por-
`tion 100 further comprises welding walls 106 for welding the
`coupling portion 100 to the container walls.
`Cap 1 is suitable for being disconnected from the coupling
`portion 100 of the container, generally by rotation about an
`axis ofrotation Z-Z, and comprises a guarantee seal 10 which,
`upon the first opening of the container, that is, upon the first
`unscrewing of cap 1 from the coupling portion 100, under-
`goes breakage that proves the occurrence of the opening.
`Cap 1 comprises a handling portion 2 suitable for being
`rotated by a user for disconnecting cap 1 from the container.
`According to a preferred embodiment, the handling por-
`tion 2 extends axially from a bottom edge 4, close to the
`guarantee seal 10, to an upper edge 6. In particular, the guar-
`antee seal 10 axially protrudes underneath the lower edge 4 of
`the handling portion 2.
`Preferably, moreover, the lower edge 4 of the handling
`portion 2 radially extends externally to the guarantee seal 10.
`According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, cap 1
`comprises an inner armular wall 12, for example internally
`threaded for allowing the screwing and/or unscrewing of cap
`1 from the coupling portion 100.
`The inner annular wall 12 axially extends between a lower
`edge 14, close to the guarantee seal 10, and an upper edge 16.
`
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`US 8,528,757 B2
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`3
`Cap 1 further comprises a closing bottom 18, arranged at
`the upper edge 16 of the inner annular wall 12, for closing
`thereof and thereby the container.
`According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, cap 1
`comprises at least one tongue 20, for example flat, arranged
`on a longitudinal plane passing by the axis of rotation Z-Z of
`the cap. In particular, cap 1 comprises four tongues 20,
`arranged angularly equally spaced.
`The tongues 20 connect the handling portion 2 to the inner
`annular wall 12.
`
`According to a preferred embodiment, the cap comprises
`safety passages 21 passing through the outer enclosure of the
`cap, for example through the handling portion 2.
`Advantageously, the safety passages allow the passage of
`air through the handling portion in the event the cap, while
`meeting the strictest standards envisaged on this subject, is
`accidentally swallowed.
`According to a preferred embodiment, the safety passages
`21 are obtained between the tongues 20 for the connection
`between the handling portion 2 and the inner annular wall 12.
`The guarantee seal 10, which extends as a tape annularly
`about the axis of rotation Z-Z, comprises a plurality of guar-
`antee portions 22, connected to one another in an intact seal
`configuration, that is, prior to the first opening of the con-
`tainer, and separate from each other in a broken seal configu-
`ration, that is, after the first opening of the container.
`The guarantee portion 22 comprises an engagement por-
`tion 24 having at least one engagement element 26 suitable
`for engaging with the resistant elements 104 of the coupling
`portion 100, for preventing the rotation of the guarantee seal.
`Moreover, the guarantee portion 22 comprises a connect-
`ing portion 28, connected to the engagement portion 24 and
`having at least one connecting eleme11t 30 which makes the
`connecting portion 28 integral to the handling portion 2.
`Moreover, the guarantee seal comprises at least one bridge
`32 that connects the guarantee portions 22 to one another. The
`bridge 32 is suitable for breaking by rotation of the handling
`portion 2 relative to the guarantee seal 10.
`The guarantee seal 22 further comprises a safety portion 34
`that makes the engagement portion 24 integral with the han-
`dling portion 2. The safety portion 34 is structurally suitable
`for keeping the engagement portion 24 connected to the han-
`dling portion 2 in the broken seal configuration.
`In other words, even when the guarantee seal undergoes
`breakage, thus indicating the occurrence ofthe opening ofthe
`container, the safety portion 34 keeps the engagement portion
`24 constrained, so as not to form dangerous spikes.
`Moreover, for higher safety, according to a preferred
`embodiment, the safety portion 34 comprises a reinforcing
`element 36 that connects the safety portion 34 to tongue 20.
`Preferably, moreover, a loop 38 is obtained between the
`engagement portion 24 and the connecting portion 28, which
`advantageously allows settling the engagement portion 24
`and the connecting portion 28 in the broken seal configura-
`tion.
`
`Innovatively, the cap according to the present invention is
`especially safe, especially to be used by children.
`In particular, even when detached from one another due to
`the tearing undergone by the bridges which makes them
`break, the guarantee portions maintain a limited length, so as
`not to form dangerous spikes.
`the guarantee portions are
`Advantageously, moreover,
`strongly constrained to the inner annular wall, so as to not be
`torn away, for example with the mouth.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A cap suitable for being associated to a coupling portion
`of a container and suitable for being disconnected by rotation
`
`5
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`about an axis of rotation from the coupling portion, wherein
`the coupling portion comprises resistant elements suitable for
`engaging the cap; and wherein the cap comprises:
`a handling portion suitable for being rotated by a user for
`disconnecting the cap from the container;
`a guarantee seal, integral with the handling portion and
`comprising a plurality of guarantee portions, wherein
`the seal exhibits breaks in a broken seal configuration;
`wherein at least one of the guarantee portions comprises:
`an engagement portion having at least one engagement
`element suitable for engaging with the resistant ele-
`ments ofthe coupling portion for preventing the rotation
`of the guarantee seal;
`a connecting portion, connected to the engagement por-
`tion, having at
`least one connecting element which
`makes the connecting portion integral to the handling
`portion;
`an inner annular wall axially extended between a lower
`edge, close to the guarantee seal, and an upper edge;
`a closing bottom arranged at the upper edge, for closing the
`inner annular wall;
`wherein the inner annular wall is integral with the handling
`portion and the lower edge ofthe inner armular wall is radially
`internal to the guarantee seal, wherein the inner annular wall
`is internally threaded for allowing the screwing and/or
`unscrewing from the coupling portion of the container;
`and wherein the guarantee seal comprises at least one bridge
`which connects adjacent guarantee portions to one another,
`the bridge being suitable for breaking by rotation of the han-
`dling portion relative to the guarantee seal;
`and wherein the guarantee seal further comprises a safety
`portion that makes the engagement portion integral with the
`handling portion, the safety portion being structurally suit-
`able for keeping the engagement portion constrained in the
`broken seal configuration.
`2. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the safety portion
`connects the engagement portion of the guarantee seal with
`the inner annular wall.
`
`3. A cap according to claim 2, wherein the safety portion
`connects the engagement portion of the guarantee seal with
`the lower edge of the inner annular wall.
`4. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the handling portion
`extends annularly about the inner annular wall, radially
`spaced therefrom, and axially between a bottom edge, close
`to the guarantee seal, and an upper edge.
`5. A cap according to claim 4, wherein the lower edge
`radially extends externally to the guarantee seal.
`6. A cap according to claim 4, comprising at least one
`tongue which connects the handling portion to the inner armu-
`lar wall.
`
`7. A cap according to claim 6, wherein the tongue is flat and
`laying on a longitudinal plane passing through the axis of
`rotation.
`
`8. A cap according to claim 6, wherein the tongues are in a
`number of four, angularly equally spaced.
`9. A cap according to claim 6, wherein the safety portion of
`the guarantee seal comprises a reinforcing element that con-
`nects the engagement portion to the tongue.
`10. A cap according to claim 1, wherein a loop is obtained
`between the engagement portion and the connecting portion
`of the guarantee seal for settling the engagement portion and
`the connecting portion in the broken seal configuration.
`11. A cap according to claim 1, comprising safety passages
`passing through an outer enclosure of the cap.
`12. A cap according to claim 11, wherein the safety pas-
`sages are obtained through the handling portion.
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`5
`13. A closing device for a container comprising:
`a coupling portion provided with a tubular straw, the cou-
`pling portion being suitable for being associated to the
`container;
`a cap associated to the coupling portion, suitable for being
`disconnected by rotation about an axis of rotation from
`the coupling portion;
`wherein the cap comprises:
`a handling portion suitable for being rotated by a user for
`disconnecting the cap from the container;
`a guarantee seal, integral with the handling portion and
`comprising a plurality of guarantee portions, wherein
`the seal exhibits breaks in a broken seal configuration;
`wherein at least one of the guarantee portions comprises:
`an engagement portion having at least one engagement
`element suitable for engaging with resistant elements of
`the coupling portion for preventing the rotation of the
`guarantee seal;
`a connecting portion, connected to the engagement por-
`tion, having at least one connecting element which
`makes the connecting portion integral to the handling
`portion;
`an inner annular wall axially extended between a lower
`edge, close to the guarantee seal, and an upper edge;
`a closing bottom arranged at the upper edge, for closing the
`inner annular wall;
`wherein the inner armular wall is integral with the handling
`portion and the lower edge ofthe inner armular wall is radially
`internal to the guarantee seal, wherein the inner armular wall
`is internally threaded for allowing the screwing and/or
`unscrewing from the coupling portion of the container;
`and wherein the guarantee seal comprises at least one bridge
`which connects adjacent guarantee portions to one another,
`the bridge being suitable for breaking by rotation of the han-
`dling portion relative to the guarantee seal;
`and wherein the guarantee seal further comprises a safety
`portion that makes the engagement portion integral with the
`handling portion, the safety portion being structurally suit-
`able for keeping the engagement portion constrained in the
`broken seal configuration.
`14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the coupling
`portion comprises welding walls for welding the coupling
`portion to the container walls.
`
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`15. A container assembly comprising
`a container;
`a closing device coupled to the container, wherein the
`closing device comprising
`a coupling portion provided with a tubular straw, the cou-
`pling portion being suitable for being associated to the
`container;
`a cap associated to the coupling portion, suitable for being
`disconnected by rotation about ar1 axis of rotation from
`the coupling portion;
`wherein the cap comprises:
`a handling portion suitable for being rotated by a user for
`disconnecting the cap from the container;
`a guarantee seal, integral with the handling portion and
`comprising a plurality of guarantee portions, wherein
`the seal exhibits breaks i11 a broken seal configuration;
`wherein at least one of the guarantee portions comprises:
`an engagement portion having at least one engagement
`element suitable for engaging with resistant elements of
`the coupling portion for preventing the rotation of the
`guarantee seal;
`a connecting portion, connected to the engagement por-
`tion, having at
`least one connecting ele111e11t which
`makes the connecting portion integral to the handling
`portion;
`an inner annular wall axially extended between a lower
`edge, close to the guarantee seal, and an upper edge;
`a closing bottom arranged at the upper edge, for closing the
`inner annular wall;
`wherein the inner annular wall is integral with the handling
`portion and the lower edge ofthe inner armular wall is radially
`internal to the guarantee seal, wherein the inner annular wall
`is internally threaded for allowing the screwing and/or
`unscrewing from the coupling portion of the container;
`and wherein the guarantee seal comprises at least one bridge
`which connects adjacent guarantee portions to one another,
`the bridge being suitable for breaking by rotation of the han-
`dling portion relative to the guarantee seal;
`and wherein the guarantee seal further comprises a safety
`portion that makes the engagement portion integral with the
`handling portion, the safety portion being structurally suit-
`able for keeping the engagement portion constrained in the
`broken seal configuration.
`16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the con-
`tainer is deformable.
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