Greif has filed a patent for a closure assembly for plastic containers. The assembly includes a neck insert and a closure cap or plug, which can be fixed and sealed to the container through insert-molding or ultrasonic welding. The closure cap also features a tamper-indicating anchor piece that can be secured to the neck insert using ultrasonic welding. This allows for a sealed fluid communication between the container and the passageway of the closure assembly. GlobalData’s report on Greif gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Greif, extrusion-based additive manufacturing was a key innovation area identified from patents. Greif's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Closure assembly for plastic containers with tamper-indicating anchor piece
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230146015A1) describes a closure assembly for containers. The closure assembly includes a neck insert made of plastic material that has a through-going passageway, an annular base flange for sealingly securing the opening of the container, and an open end for dispensing fluid. A closure plug or cap can be removably secured to the neck insert to provide a fluid-tight seal. The closure cap or plug also features a tamper-indicating anchor piece made of plastic material, which is attached to the closure cap or plug through a frangible connection. The tamper-indicating anchor piece extends adjacent to the annular base flange, allowing the closure assembly to be insert molded into the container opening, with the container material sealingly molded around the annular base flange and the tamper-indicating anchor piece.
One notable feature of this closure assembly is the inclusion of an ultrasonic energy-directing protrusion that spans between the tamper-indicating anchor piece and the annular base flange. Additionally, an annular ultrasonic energy-directing ridge extends from the lower surface of the annular base flange. These features enable the tamper-indicating anchor piece to be secured to the annular base flange and the annular base flange to be secured to the outer wall surface of the container through ultrasonic welding. This welding process ensures a sealed fluid communication between the passageway and the container opening.
The closure assembly also includes means for mechanical interengagement or resilient sealing between the annular base flange and the container opening. This can be achieved through a snap-in collar, which facilitates the placement and retention of the closure assembly within the container opening. The closure assembly can be used with pre-molded containers or within a mold tool for the formation of containers through insert molding.
The tamper-indicating anchor piece can be annular in shape and may comprise multiple ridge-shaped segments. The closure assembly may also feature multiple tamper-indicating anchor pieces spaced around its periphery. The closure cap or plug can include a bail handle, and the frangible connection between the tamper-indicating anchor piece and the closure cap or plug can be partially broken when the bail handle is hinged upwardly.
Overall, this closure assembly patent introduces innovative features such as ultrasonic energy-directing protrusions and ridges, as well as mechanical interengagement means for secure sealing and tamper-indication. These features enhance the functionality and security of closure assemblies for containers.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Greif, buy the report here.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
