Container with snap-on closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a container suitable for aseptic packing of microbiologically sensitive food products comprising a blow-moulded container body ( 1 ) and neck ( 2 ) and a closure ( 3 ), characterised in that the closure ( 3 ) is a snap-on closure ( 3 ) wherein the snap-on closure ( 3 ) comprises a peripheral skirt ( 4 ) with a ridge ( 5 ), intended for engagement with the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge ( 5 ) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck, characterised in that the snap-on closure ( 3 ) and the neck comprise means ( 7,8 ) for substantially fixing the ridge ( 5 ) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed.

1 . Plastic container suitable for aseptic packaging of microbiologically sensitive food products comprising an injection blowmoulded container body ( 1 ) and neck ( 2 ) and a closure ( 3 ), wherein the closure ( 3 ) is a snap-on closure ( 3 ), characterized in that the snap-on closure ( 3 ) comprises a peripheral skirt ( 4 ) with a ridge ( 5 ), intended for engagement with the inner surface ( 6 ) of the neck ( 2 ) wherein the free outer diameter of the ridge ( 5 ) is slightly higher than the free inner diameter of the neck, characterised in that the snap-on closure ( 3 ) and the neck comprise means ( 7 , 8 ) for substantially fixing the ridge ( 5 ) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed.  
   
   
       2 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the tolerance of movement of the ridge ( 5 ) in the axial direction of the neck, when the container is closed, is smaller than the height of the contact surface between the ridge and the inner surface of the neck.  
   
   
       3 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck has an inner surface ( 6 ), having no grooves having a width of 0.5 μm or larger.  
   
   
       4 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge ( 5 ) is lower than the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck ( 2 ).  
   
   
       5 . Container according to  claim 4 , wherein the Shore D hardness of the material of the ridge ( 5 ) is 65 or smaller and the Shore D hardness of the material of the neck ( 2 ) is 70 or higher.  
   
   
       6 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is provided with a foil around the bottle covering large part of the body and the neck of the bottle, but not the cap.  
   
   
       7 . Container according to  claim 6 , wherein the foil comprises oriented polystyrene.  
   
   
       8 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the snap-on closure has a hinge ( 9 ).  
   
   
       9 . Container according to  claim 8 , wherein the hinge ( 9 ) is a click-hinge ( 9 ).  
   
   
       10 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the snap-on closure comprises a circumferential tear-off strip ( 10 ).  
   
   
       11 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the material of the ridge substantially consists of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).  
   
   
       12 . Container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a bottle.  
   
   
       13 . Container according to  claim 1  filled with a sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product.  
   
   
       14 . Container according to  claim 14 , wherein the microbiologically sensitive food product has a pH between 6 and 8.  
   
   
       15 . Use of a plastic container according to  claim 1 , for packing sterilised or pasteurised microbiologically sensitive food product.