Process and apparatus for molding liners in container closures
AssigneeH-C Industries, Inc.
InventorsSheldon L. Wilde, Thomas J. McCandless, Robert M. Saunders
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for making a composite closure having a plastic cap with specially configured pedestals that are interconnected to a plastic liner. In one embodiment, the pedestals are each formed with an overhang, such as a mushroom-shaped overhang, to provide a mechanical interlock with the liner. In other embodiments, the pedestals are each formed with a fusible heat concentration zone that is fused to the liner as the liner is compression molded and heated in the cap. In one embodiment, each of the fusible pedestals are formed with a cylindrical configuration. In another embodiment, each of the fusible pedestals are formed in the shape of a pyramid.
Claims56
A process of making a composite closure for a container, comprising the steps of:
- forming a plastic cap having a top wall portion with a depending annular skirt and a plurality of plastic liner-engaging pedestals integrally extending from said top wall portion in the direction of said skirt, each of said plastic liner-engaging pedestals being spaced from each other to define liner-receiving passageways therebetween, said plastic liner-engaging pedestals including a series of pedestals extending generally across said top wall portion of said cap;
- depositing molten liner-forming plastic into said liner-receiving passageways of said plastic cap;
- compression molding said liner-forming plastic against said plastic liner-engaging pedestals and said top wall portion of said cap so that said liner-forming plastic flows upon and engages said pedestals and said top wall portion of said cap to form a plastic liner in said plastic cap.
A process of making a composite closure for a container comprising the steps of:
- forming a plastic cap including a top wall portion, an annular skirt portion, an inwardly extending annular liner-retaining lip, and liner retention means integral with the top wall portion;
- placing a predetermined amount of moldable plastic in said cap;
- and
- forming a liner with said moldable plastic so that said moldable plastic flows against said lip and said lip retains said liner within said cap.
A process for making a composite closure for a container, comprising the steps of:
- forming a cap having a top wall portion, an annular skirt, a plurality of liner-engaging pedestals extending from said top wall portion in the direction of said skirt, including spacing portions of said liner-engaging pedestals from each other to define liner-receiving passageways therebetween, and a continuous annular liner-retaining lip;
- depositing molten liner-forming material in said liner-receiving passageways of said cap;
- and
- connecting said liner-forming material to said liner-engaging pedestals of said cap to form a liner in said cap.
A process for making a composite closure for a container, comprising the steps of:
- filling a cap-shaped cavity in a die with molten moldable thermoplastic;
- compressing the filled cavity with a cap-forming plunger having external threads and a pedestal-forming plunger-head to form a cap having a top wall portion, an internally threaded annular skirt and a grid-like array of liner-engaging pedestals extending from said top wall portion in the direction of said skirt, each of said pedestals having a free end and said free ends of said pedestals being spaced from each other to define liner-receiving passageways therebetween;
- removing said cap from said plunger;
- depositing molten fusible liner-forming plastic in said plastic cap;
- compressing said fusible liner-forming plastic in said cap with a liner-forming plunger for a sufficient period of time so that said fusible liner-forming plastic flows upon, engages and fuses to said liner-engaging pedestals and said top wall portion while preventing said liner-forming plastic from contacting said internally threaded skirt to form a plastic liner in said plastic cap;
- and
- removing said liner-forming plunger from said cap.
A process of making a composite closure for a container, comprising the steps of:
- forming a plastic cap with a top wall portion and an annular skirt;
- forming a plurality of plastic pedestals extending integrally from said top wall portion generally in the direction of said skirt, and a continuous liner-retaining annular lip;
- positioning said pedestals in spacial relationship to each other to define a plurality of liner-receiving passageways;
- placing a predetermined amount of moldable plastic in said plastic cap;
- and
- forming a liner with said moldable plastic in said liner-receiving passageways to form a composite closure.
A process for making a composite closure for a container comprising the steps of:
- forming a plastic cap with a top wall portion and an annular skirt;
- forming a plurality of plastic pedestals integrally with said top wall portion wherein said pedestals are distributed substantially evenly across said top wall portion and define liner-receiving passageways therebetween;
- forming an upstanding annular lip in said cap in spaced relation to said pedestals;
- placing liner-forming plastic into said cap;
- and
- compressing said liner-forming plastic to flow into said passageways and against said annular lip to form a liner.
An apparatus for making a composite closure for a container, comprising:
- means for forming a plastic cap with a top wall portion and an annular skirt;
- means for forming a plurality of plastic pedestals extending integrally from said top wall portion generally in the direction of said skirt and for positioning said pedestals in spaced relationship to each other to define a plurality of liner-receiving passageways;
- means for placing a predetermined amount of moldable plastic in said plastic cap;
- and
- means for forming a liner with said moldable plastic in said liner-receiving passageways to form a composite closure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.