Tethered closures

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a tethered closure for sealing contents within an interior of a container. The tethered closure may include a single-layer of thermoformed PET. The tethered closure can include a closure portion that is coupled to a tamper evidence band by an anchor. The anchor can keep the closure portion coupled with the tamper evidence band. The closure portion can threadably engages with a finish portion of the container for sealing contents in the interior of the container. The anchor can remain unbroken and allow the closure portion to be tilted away from the finish portion.

Description

TETHERED CLOSURESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 569,045, filed March 22, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 742,509, filed January 07, 2025, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates to plastic bottles and preforms. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to tethered closures and methods for keeping a closure coupled with a plastic container after the closure has been unsealed to access contents within the container.BACKGROUND

[0003] Pharmaceutical, beverage, and many other containers are conventionally prepared from polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), while closures of the containers are conventionally prepared from high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) or polypropylene (“PP”) through injection molding. Injection molding of the closures may limit the thinness of the parts of the closures due to flow rate restrictions and ability to eject the closures from the mold. Additionally, the incompatibility of HDPE and PP with the PET recycle stream requires that the closures be sorted away from the associated containers by post-consumer recycling processing facilities. Therefore, there is a need in the art for closures formed from materials that are more readily recyclable and are formed to be anchored to containers to reduce the environmental impact of misplaced closures while maintaining the convenience and enjoyment often associated with drinking beverages by way of plastic containers.SUMMARY

[0004] Disclosed herein is a tethered closure for sealing contents within an interior of a container, comprising: a closure portion that comprises external threads for threadably engaging with a finish portion of the container; a tamper evidence band for being attached to the finish portion; and an anchor for keeping the closure portion coupled to the tamper evidence band subsequent to the closure portion being removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced thin connections couple the tamper evidence band to the closure portionand are configured to separate from one of the closure portion or tamper evidence band in response to loosening of the closure portion from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured such that only the thin connections separate from one of the closure portion or the tamper evidence band during loosening of the closure portion. In some embodiments, the tamper evidence band is configured to remain engaged with the finish portion subsequent to the closure portion being removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the tamper evidence band includes multiple folded portions that keep the tamper evidence band engaged with the finish portion during, and subsequent to, the closure portion being removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured to retain the tethered closure in a position that does not obstruct access to the finish portion of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the external threads of the closure portion are configured to interlock with threads of the finish of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

[0005] Also disclosed herein is a method of unsealing contents within an interior of a container, the method comprising: providing a container having a threaded finish portion and a tethered closure formed of polyethylene terephthalate, the tethered closure including, a closure portion having external threads threadably engaged with the threads of the threaded finish portion; a tamper evidence band removably attached to the finish portion; and an anchor coupled to the tamper evidence band and the closure portion, unthreading the closure portion from the threaded finished portion; and maintaining a connection between the closure portion and the tamper evidence band with the anchor, subsequent to the closure portion being removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: separating a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced thin connections between the tamper evidence band and the closure portion during the unthreading step to remove the closure portion from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the tethered closure is configured such that only the thin connections separate from one of the closure portion or the tamper evidence band during the unthreading step. In some embodiments, the tamper evidence band includes multiple folded portions that keep the tamper evidence band engaged with the finish portion during, and subsequent to, the closure portion being removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the multiple folded portions are configured to deform relative to the tamper evidence band to allow the tamper evidence band to move axially relative to the finish portion of the container as the closure portion is removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured to retain the tethered closure in a position that does not obstruct access to the finish portion of the container when the closureportion is removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, interlocking the threads of the finish portion with the external threads of the finish of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion. In some embodiments, the anchor has a length that extends co- radially with the tamper evidence band when the closure portion is threaded onto the finish. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a first anchor and a second anchor, and each of the first and second anchors include a first end coupled to the tamper evidence band and a second end coupled to the closure portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure that is coupled with a finish portion of a container preform, according to the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure that is loosened from the finish portion of a container preform, while a tampered evidence band remains coupled with the finish in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 3 illustrates the tethered closure of Fig. 2 with a closure portion of the tethered closure moved away from the finish portion, while a tampered evidence band remains coupled with the finish, according to the present disclosure;

[0010] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the tethered closure of Fig. 2 comprising a single anchor keeping the closure portion attached to the tamper evidence band that is coupled with the finish in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0011] Figures 5A-5F illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure that includes a strap portion having a length that allows a closure portion to be moved to a side of a finish portion of a container, where the external threads of the closure interlock with the threads of the finish of the container in order to retain the closure in the open position.

[0012] Figures 6A-6F illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure that includes a dual tether, each having a length that allows a closure portion to be moved up and over a finish portion of a container.

[0013] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the tethered closure and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first container,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first container” is different than a “second container.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

[0015] In an example, the present disclosure provides closures formed from a polymer that may be recycled in the same recycling stream as the containers closed by the closures. Examples of suitable polymers from which the closures described herein may be formed may include polyester resins, including bio-modified polyesters, such as co-polymers of PET and polyethylene furandi carb oxy late (“PEF”), which may include from 0 to 100 mole percent of each of PET and PET (for example, 100 mole percent or less of PET, with the remainder, if any, being PEF), and co-polymers modified by isophthalic acid (“IP A”) or other additives or co-monomers. In certain examples, closures may be made of a polyester resin that includes PEF of up to 90 mole percent (0.90 mole fraction) of the polyester resin. In other examples, the PEF may be derived from a reaction of furandi carb oxy late (“FDCA”) with ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) and / or diethylene glycol (“DEG”). In still other examples, closures may be made from a polyester resin having a total comonomer content of the reaction product of FDCA with ethylene glycol, PEG, and / or DEG of up to 50 mole percent (0.5 mole fraction) of the polyester resin. The polyesterresin may be prepared by a process including melt blending PEF with PET, or by a process that includes reacting ethylene glycol with FDCA. In still other examples, closures may be made by injection molding or compression molding a polyester resin including a total comonomer content of the reaction product of FDCA with ethylene glycol, PEG, and / or DEG of up to 90 mole percent (0.90 mole fraction) of the polyester resin), or up to 50 mole percent (0.50 mole fraction) of the polyester resin, or from 5 to 25 mole percent (from 0.05 to 0.25 mole fraction) of the polyester resin, or from 12 to 15 mole percent (0.12 to 0.15 mole fraction) of the polyester resin. In still other examples, closures may be made by thermoforming a polyester resin having a total comonomer content of the reaction product of FDCA with ethylene glycol, PEG, and / or DEG of up to 50 mole percent (0.50 mole percent) of the polyester resin, or from 0.5 to 20 mole percent (from 0.05 to 0.20 mole fraction) of the polyester resin, or from 1 to 8 mole percent (from 0.01 to 0.08 mole fraction) of the polyester resin. In still other examples, a container may be made of a polyester or polyester resin described herein. A closure comprising a polyester or polyester resin described herein may be heat shrunk to a finish or thermally or ultrasonically bonded to a finish of a container comprising a polyester or polyester resin described herein.

[0016] In another example, a closure may include a plurality of layers of polyester resins. In certain examples, an inner layer of a plurality of layers may be more compliant than an outer layer of the plurality of layers to more readily deform to the finish and provide a better seal. Additionally, or alternatively, an outer layer may provide more aesthetic appeal than an inner layer, which may be more functional than an outer layer. Examples of techniques for preparing a closure including a plurality of layers of polyester resins may include thermoforming, compression molding, and injection molding.

[0017] As described herein, examples of closures made from polyester resin, such as PET and / or PEF, may have a number of advantages over closures made from conventional materials, such as HDPE and / or PP. For example, the polyester resin closures described herein may help to avoid contaminating a recycle stream and may be made from a high fraction of recycled polyester resin, such as recycled PET (“rPET”). The rPET supply may be cleaner and more readily accessible than HDPE supplies. In certain examples, the polyester resins may be supplemented with bio-based PET (“bio-PET”) or virgin-PET. Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the polyester resin closures described herein may be that the polyester resin closures may increase the oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier compared to HDPE and PP, thereby increasing the resulting shelf-life of beverages due to the improvement in barrier. In certain examples, an oxygenbarrier of closures including PET may be at least 10 times greater than an oxygen barrier of closures made from HDPE. In other examples, the oxygen barrier of closures may even further increase if the closures also include FDCA. Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the polyester resin closures described herein may be that the polyester resin closures will not float and may reduce the tendency of closures to contaminate the environment.

[0018] Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the polyester resin closures described herein may be that the polyester resin closures may provide for lighter container finishes, which may reduce the cost of materials and the amount of material wasted. Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the polyester resin closures described herein may be that because the coefficient of thermal expansion of a polyester resin closure described may closely match the coefficient of thermal expansion of a PET finish of a container, the ability to successfully seal a lighter finish may improve. Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the polyester resin closures described herein may be that during a deformation caused by an external force, such as during storage or transportation, a closure and a finish may deform similarly due to the material of the closure and the finish being similar, resulting in the sealing between the closure and finish remaining intact.

[0019] Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the polyester resin closures described herein may be that because the polyester resin closures are made from a material similar to, or the same as, the container, such as, for example, PET, the closures may be thermally or ultrasonically welded to the finish of the container. In some examples, a polyester resin closure described herein may be welded to a PET finish at one or more locations. In certain examples, a closure may be welded to a top rim of a finish to provide an additional seal between the closure and the finish. In other examples, one or more spot welds may be included so as to provide evidence of lack of tampering. The ability to weld a closure to a PET container may also offer a unique way to meet the tethering requirements of the European Union and considered for the United States. In still other examples, a polyester resin closure described herein may include a tamper-evident (“TE”) band, a spiral tether, or another feature such as a hinge that is spot welded at one or more terminal points to the container, providing a tether with controlled strength.

[0020] In an example, the closures described herein may require from 10 N to 20 N of force for removal.

[0021] In an example, polyester resin closures described herein may be made via a thermoforming process. Thermoformed closures may be designed to balance wall thickness and tuning for an interference fit with container finishes within the elastic limit of PET or any of the other polymers described herein, such as by, for example, including a plug seal or an external seal. Because of the relatively higher stiffness of polyester resins, such as PET, compared to HDPE and PP (for example, on the order of two times higher), the seal designs for conventional HDPE and PP closures may be ineffective for thermoformed polyester resin disclosures described herein, because the seal designs for conventional HDPE and PP closures rely upon a relatively high level of elastic deformation that is generally not achievable with thermoformed polyester resin closures described herein. Accordingly, in certain examples, the seal configurations of thermoformed polyester resin closures may be tailored to provide sufficient sealing with less material strain.

[0022] In an example, closures described herein may be made by vacuum forming. In certain examples, closures described herein may be made via pressure-assisted vacuum forming at pressures up to 4 bar, preferably up to 24 bar, and more preferably up to 40 bar. In other examples, a thermoformed polyester resin closure with a plug seal may include a relatively wide sealing surface that may be designed to bridge defects (for example, scratches) that may be present in the finish of a container. By contrast, plug seals of conventional HDPE and PP closures take advantage of the relative softness of the HDPE and PP material and are designed with relatively high levels of elastic deformation that result in relatively smaller areas of sealing contact with the finish. In still other examples, a polyester resin closure described herein, such as a thermoformed polyester resin disclosure, may include a sealing surface of a plug seal with a width of 0.7 millimeters that may be configured for a finish with an inner diameter of 26 millimeters, and a width of 1.5 millimeters that may be configured for a finish with an inner diameter of 48 millimeters.

[0023] In an example, a plug seal of a closure described herein may be configured for providing an interference fit with a finish, such that a sealing surface of the closure may provide sufficient pressure against a mating surface of the finish and provide sufficient sealing, including for containing pressurized contents, such as carbonated liquids. An amount of interference may refer to a difference between a radius of a sealing surface of a closure and a corresponding sealing surface of a finish. The amount of interference may vary depending on a diameter of a finish and a wall thickness of a closure. In certain examples, an amount of interference may range from 0.02 millimeters to 0.2 millimeters for material thicknesses in a range of from 0.2 millimeters to 0.5millimeters. In other examples, an amount of interference for a closure thermoformed from a sheet of PET having a thickness of 0.5 millimeters may be 0.05 millimeters. An amount of interference may be adjusted, for example by changing a behavior of the polyester resin such as by including FDCA and / or DEG, such that a softer polymer may result in a larger interference fit and / or a larger thickness. The values for interference disclosed herein are nominal interference values provided as examples, and variations from the disclosed values may occur due to manufacturing variability.

[0024] In an example, a polyester resin closure described herein may be thermoformed from a sheet of polyester resin described herein having a thickness of from 0.20 millimeters to 2.00 millimeters. In certain examples, a sheet of polyester resin may have a thickness of from 0.20 millimeters to 1.95 millimeters, or to 1.90 millimeters, or to 1.85 millimeters, or to 1.80 millimeters, or to 1.75 millimeters, or to 1.70 millimeters, or to 1.65 millimeters, or to 1.60 millimeters, or to 1.55 millimeters, or to 1.50 millimeters, or to 1.45 millimeters, or to 1.40 millimeters, or to 1.35 millimeters, or to 1.30 millimeters, or to 1.25 millimeters, or to 1.20 millimeters, or to 1.15 millimeters, or to 1.10 millimeters, or to 1.05 millimeters, or to 1.00 millimeters, or to 0.95 millimeters, or to 0.90 millimeters, or to 0.85 millimeters, or to 0.80 millimeters, or to 0.75 millimeters, or to 0.70 millimeters, or to 0.65 millimeters, or to 0.60 millimeters, or to 0.55 millimeters, or to 0.50 millimeters, or to 0.45 millimeters, or to 0.40 millimeters, or to 0.35 millimeters, or to 0.30 millimeters, or 0.25 millimeters; or from 0.25 millimeters, or from 0.30 millimeters, or from 0.35 millimeters, or from 0.40 millimeters, or from 0.45 millimeters, or from 0.50 millimeters, or from 0.55 millimeters, or from 0.60 millimeters, or from 0.65 millimeters, or from 0.70 millimeters, or from 0.75 millimeters, or from 0.80 millimeters, or from 0.85 millimeters, or from 0.90 millimeters, or from 0.95 millimeters, or from 1.00 millimeters, or from 1.05 millimeters, or from 1.10 millimeters, or from 1.15 millimeters, or from 1.20 millimeters, or from 1.25 millimeters, or from 1.30 millimeters, or from 1.35 millimeters, or from 1.40 millimeters, or from 1.45 millimeters, or from 1.50 millimeters, or from 1.55 millimeters, or from 1.60 millimeters, or from 1.65 millimeters, or from 1.70 millimeters, or from 1.75 millimeters, or from 1.80 millimeters, or from 1.85 millimeters, or from 1.90 millimeters, or from 1.95 millimeters to 2.00 millimeters; or any range that may be formed from any two of the foregoing numbers, including any subranges therebetween. Preferably, a sheet of polyester resin may have a thickness of from 0.50 millimeters to 0.90 millimeters, including any of 0.50 millimeters, 0.55 millimeters, 0.60 millimeters, 0.65 millimeters, 0.70 millimeters, 0.75 millimeters, 0.80 millimeters, 0.85 millimeters, or 0.90 millimeters, including any ranges or subranges therebetween. In other examples, a desirable or preferable thickness of a sheet of apolyester resin described herein used to prepare a polyester resin closure described herein may be a determinable function of a diameter of a polyester resin closure.

[0025] In an example, so as to enable a plug seal of a closure described herein to deform when engaging a finish, a thermoformed polyester resin closure may be configured with sufficient radial clearance between an outer surface of the finish and an outer wall of the closure, which encloses the outer surface of the finish. Without a radial clearance, a plug seal of a closure may not be able to fully insert within a finish, or stress on a closure may be high enough to cause failure.

[0026] In an example, a thermoformed polyester resin closure described herein may be configured with an external seal that seals with an outer surface of a mouth of a finish. The external seal may be achieved with an interference fit with the finish. An amount of interference may depend on the application. Examples of interferences and wall thicknesses disclosed above for the plug seal may be used for the external seal. In certain examples, a sealing of the external seal may be enhanced by taking advantage of an ability of a polyester resin to heat shrink by heat shrinking a closure after capping.

[0027] To achieve a suitable interference of a seal, such as a plug seal and / or an external seal, with the finish, and in certain examples, a suitable clearance between an outer wall of a closure and a finish, the dimensions of the interference and the clearance may be well controlled during manufacture by thermoforming a closure using a male mold that matches a shape of a desired interference with the finish while accounting for shrinkage. The features of the closure that may provide the interference and clearance with the finish may be in contact with the mold.

[0028] Because thermoformed polyester resins are relatively stiff, a sealing surface of a polyester resin closure may have a relatively low surface roughness. In certain examples, a low surface roughness may be achieved by polishing regions of a thermoforming mold that form the sealing surfaces. In other examples, portions of a thermoforming mold that do not form the sealing surfaces of the closure are not polished, or are not polished to the same degree as portions that do form the sealing surface so as to avoid a closure sticking to the mold and being difficult to release. Examples of a roughness of sealing surface(s) of a closure may include about 0.2 microns (an Ra value of 0.2 or an N4 finish).

[0029] In various examples, a seal, a thread-engagement, and / or a TE band of a polyester resin disclosure described herein may be configured to provide an opening torque in a range of from 0.45 N-m to 1.24 N-m, and preferably 1.02 N-m. In various examples, a closure may be configuredto provide a pressure retention of less than or equal to 2 bar, and preferably less than or equal to 10 bar.

[0030] In an example, a polyester resin used in thermoformed closures described herein may include some amount of FDCA and / or DEG, which may provide numerous advantages. For example, FDCA and DEG may interfere with crystal formation, so resulting material may have a longer processing window in which to form features on the closure. Additionally, including FDCA and / or DEG may make material of a closure sufficiently different from material of a finish such that the closure does not fuse to the container during storage. Additionally, including FDCA and / or DEG may lower a modulus of material of a closure, which may allow for higher material strains, and higher material strains may be useful for increasing a seal between a closure and a finish.

[0031] In an example, a closure may be made by injection molding or compression molding a polymer resin. In certain examples, the polyester resin may include some amount of FDCA and / or DEG. The FDCA and / or DEG content may sufficiently reduce the modulus of the material such that a closure may easily eject from various cavities of a mold. For example, a modulus of the amorphous phase of the material may be in the range of 1 to 3 GPa. An increased FDCA content may increase the processing window such that ejection of a closure is easier, because the polyester resin may remain soft for a longer period of time. The amount of FDCA and / or DEG in a polyester resin that is submitted to injection molding or compression molding may be relatively higher than an amount of FDCA and / or DEG in a thermoformed closure because of a need for greater compliance in injection molding or compression molding. In certain examples, an ability of a material to flow during injection molding or compression molding may be increased by limiting an intrinsic viscosity of the material. Examples of methods of limiting an intrinsic viscosity of the material may include limiting the duration of solid-state polymerization of the polyester resin after synthesizing the polyester resin. In certain examples, an intrinsic viscosity may be in a range of from 0.4 dL / g to 0.8 dL / g, for example the intrinsic viscosity can be about 0.7 dL / g to 0.8 dL / g. Similar to thermoformed closures, by including FDCA and / or DEG in a polyester resin closure described herein, the closure material may be made sufficiently different from a finish material such that the closure may not fuse to the container during storage. Further, by including FDCA and / or DEG in a polyester resin closure described herein, the modulus of the closure material may be lowered, which may allow for higher material strains, and which may increase the seal between the closure and the finish.

[0032] In an example, a movable core component may be used in injection molding or compression molding in order to reduce the need of warm threads so as to strip stiff PET, which is conventionally performed with injection molded HDPE. In certain examples, an FDCA-, PEG- , and / or DEG-modified polyester resin may be used in combination with a movable core.

[0033] In certain examples, closures may be colored using dye or dyeing processes that are compatible with recycling. For example, a dye used to color a closure may be compatible with recycling. In other examples, a dye or an ink may be removable via washing. In still other examples, a nanocoating may be deposited on a surface of a closure.

[0034] Closures may be configured to fit custom or industry standard finishes. Examples of industry standard thread finishes may include 26 / 22, 29 / 25, 29 / 21, 28PCO1881, 30 / 25, 38 / 33, and 48 mm.Closures Made of Copolymers of PET and PEF (“PETF”)

[0035] In an example, a closure may be made of a PET -based copolymer that may be particularly suited for injection molding and / or thermoforming. The PET -based copolymer incorporates a co-monomer to control crystallization and reduce melt processing temperatures. In certain examples, the present disclosure provides a copolymer of PET and PET (also referred to as a FDCA-modified PET copolymer, or “PETF”). In other examples, the FDCA may be incorporated at a range of amounts such as to enhance the polymer reaction rates during both melt and solid state polymerization, and such as to allow polymer performance that may match traditional PET controlled by adding an amount of IPA. In still other examples, FDCA may be substituted for or added to PET in addition to IPA so as to make PETF. In still other examples, FDCA may be added in a low fraction, and the PETF copolymer product may be made following the same process as to make PET.

[0036] In an example, the present disclosure provides a FDCA-modified PET copolymer that incorporates FDCA at an amount that may allow appropriate retardation of crystal formation in PET during closure forming. In certain examples, the PETF may include less than 10 mole % FDCA, or less than 9 mole % FDCA, or less than 8 mole % FDCA, or less than 7 mole % FDCA, or less than 6 mole % FDCA, or less than 5 mole % FDCA, or less than 4 mole % FDCA, or less than 3 mole % FDCA, or less than 2 mole %, or less than 1 mole % FDCA, or an amount in a range formed from any two of the foregoing numbers, including all ranges and subranges therebetween. In other examples, the PETF may include as low as 0.5 mole % FDCA, and retardcrystal formation sufficiently. In still other examples, the PETF may include from 0.5 mole % to 5 mole % FDCA, of from 0.5 mole % to 4 mole % FDCA, or from 0.5 mole % to 3 mole % FDCA, or from 0.5 mole % to 2 mole % FDCA, or from 1 mole % to 5 mole % FDCA, or from 1 mole % to 4 mole % FDCA, or from 1 mole % to 3 mole % FDCA, or from 1 mole % to 2 mole % FDCA; or about 1.1 mole % FDCA, or about 1.2 mole % FDCA, or about 1.3 mole % FDCA, or about 1.4 mole % FDCA, or about 1.5 mol % FDCA, or about 1.7 mol % FDCA, or about 1.8 mol % FDCA, or about 1.9 mol % FDCA, or about 2 mol % FDCA, or an amount in a range formed from any two of the foregoing numbers, including all ranges and subranges therebetween.

[0037] In an example, the copolymers provided herein may include repeating units (L), (M), and (N), or any salts thereof:

[0038] Repeating unit (L) may be a polyethylene furanoate (“PEF”) repeating unit based on furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). In an example, repeating unit (L) may be present in an amount of from 0.5 mol % to 90.0 mol %, or to 85.0 mol %, or to 80.0 mol %, or to 75.0 mol %, or to 70.0 mol %, or to 65.0 mol %, or to 60.0 mol %, or to 55.0 mol %, or to 50.0 mol %, or to 45.0 mol %, or to 40.0 mol %, or to 35.0 mol %, or to 30.0 mol %, or to 25.0 mol %, or to 20.0 mol %, or to 15.0 mol %, or to 10.0 mol %, or to 9.5 mol %, or to 9.0 mol %, or to 8.5 mol %, or to 8.0 mol %, or to 7.5 mol %, or to 7.0 mol %, or to 6.5 mol %, or to 6.0 mol % of the copolymer; or from 6.5 mol %, or from 7.0 mol %, or from 7.5 mol %, or from 8.0 mol %, or from 8.5 mol %, or from 9.0 mol %, or from 9.5 mol %, or from 10.0 mol %, or from 15.0 mol %, or from 20.0 mol %, or from 25.0 mol %, or from 30.0 mol %, or from 35.0 mol %, or from 40.0 mol %, or from 45.0 mol %, or from 50.0 mol %, or from 55.0 mol %, or from 60.0 mol %, or from 65.0 mol %, or from 70.0mol %, or from 75.0 mol %, or from 80.0 mol %, or from 85.0 mol % to 90.0 mol % of the copolymer; or any range made from any two of the foregoing numbers, including any subranges therebetween. In certain examples, repeating unit (L) may be present in an amount of from 0.5 mol % to 6.0 mol % of the copolymer, including all subranges therebetween. In other examples, repeating unit (L) may be present in an amount of up to 90.0 mol % of the copolymer. As the mole percent of FDCA is increased, the rate and degree of crystallization of PET may decrease.

[0039] Repeating unit (M) may be based on terephthalic acid (“PTA” or “TP A”). In an example, repeating unit (M) may be present in an amount of from 10.0 mol % to 99.5 mol %, or to 99.0 mol %, or to 98.5 mol %, or to 98.0 mol %, or to 97.5 mol %, or to 97.0 mol %, or to 96.5 mol %, or to 96.0 mol %, or to 95.5 mol %, or to 95.0 mol %, or to 94.5 mol %, or to 94.0 mol %, or to 93.5 mol %, or to 93.0 mol %, or to 92.5 mol %, or to 92.0 mol %, or to 91.5 mol %, or to 91.0 mol %, or to 90.5 mol %, or to 90.0 mol %, or to 85.0 mol %, or to 80.0 mol %, or to 75.0 mol %, or to 70.0 mol %, or to 65.0 mol %, or to 60.0 mol %, or to 55.0 mol %, or to 50.0 mol %, or to 45.0 mol %, or to 40.0 mol %, or to 35.0 mol %, or to 30.0 mol %, or to 25.0 mol %, or to 20.0 mol %, or to 15.0 mol %, or to 10.0 mol %; or from 10.0 mol %, or from 15.0 mol %, or from 20.0 mol %, or from 25.0 mol %, or from 30.0 mol %, or from 35.0 mol %, or from 40.0 mol %, or from 45.0 mol %, or from 50.0 mol %, or from 55.0 mol %, or from 60.0 mol %, or from 65.0 mol %, or from 70.0 mol %, or from 75.0 mol %, or from 80.0 mol %, or from 85.0 mol %, or from 90.0 mol %, or from 90.5 mol %, or from 91.0 mol %, or from 91.5 mol %, or from 92.0 mol %, or from 92.5 mol %, or from 93.0 mol %, or from 93.5 mol %, or from 94.0 mol %, or from 94.5 mol %, or from 95.0 mol %, or from 95.5 mol %, or from 96.0 mol %, or from 96.5 mol %, or from 97.0 mol %, or from 97.5 mol %, or from 98.0 mol %, or from 98.5 mol % to 90.0 mol %; or any range made from any two of the foregoing numbers, including any subranges therebetween. In certain examples, repeating unit (M) may be present in an amount of from 94 mol % to 99.5 mol %, including all subranges therebetween. In other examples, repeating unit (M) may be present in at least 10.0 mol % of the copolymer.

[0040] Repeating unit (N) is based on IP A, and may be optional. In certain examples, repeating unit (N) may be present in an amount of from 0 mol % to 4 mol %, including all subranges therebetween.

[0041] In an example, the FDCA-modified PET copolymers described herein may act as a polymerization / melt-processing aid and may lead to several processing advantages, including, for example: improving the melt-phase polymerization times and / or process temperatures; allowinglower melt phase processing temperatures, which may reduce thermal degradation by-products and may improve b* (yellow) color of the copolymer; as FDCA concentration increases, decreasing process temperatures and protecting the polymer from thermal degradation by-products that may be associated with FDCA polymers produced at typical, unmodified PET process temperatures; reducing the melt temperatures of the copolymer to allow lower processing temperatures in closure forming; reducing the melt temperatures without reducing the melt viscosity in closure forming; producing polymers with high intrinsic viscosity (“IV”) at polymerization times and temperatures associated with unmodified PET; and / or producing high IV polymers with high IV at solid-state polymerization times and temperatures associated with unmodified PET.

[0042] In an example, crystal nucleation in PETF including FDCA in amounts of <2 mol % may be accelerated by nano-particles that have the ability to nucleate crystals in PET. In another example, the rate nucleation of PETF including FDCA in amounts of >2 mol %, and even over 5 mol%, may be increased by using crystallization additives such as graphene.

[0043] In an example, a PEF component may have less entanglement density than PET.

[0044] In an example, the PETF provided herein may have low PEF yellowing due to lowFDCA fractions used.

[0045] In an example, pellet blending for PETF concentration may be another route to PET with a low mole percent of FDCA.

[0046] In an example, PETF for use in the polyester resin closures described herein may be made by esterification of ethylene glycol (“EG”) and PTA in the presence of FDCA and optionally IPA. In certain examples, FDCA may be present in a range of from 0.05 mol % to 6 mol %, or from 1.5 mol % to 2 mol %, including all ranges and subranges therebetween. In other examples of PETF, in which IPA is also incorporated, IPA may be present in a range of from 0.01 mol % to 2 mol %, including all subranges therebetween.PTA-Based Melt Polymer Process

[0047] In an example, the initial reaction of the PTA-based polymer process may react PTA with EG under a pressure of 40-50 psig at 250-270°C. Water may be evolved and separated using a distillation column. The reaction may be carried out under pressure because of the low solubility of PTA in EG at the boiling point of EG of 197°C. After most of the theoretical amount of waterhas been collected, the pressure may be reduced to atmospheric as the remaining water is evolved. The resulting bi s(2-hydroxy ethyl) terephthalate (“BHET”) may be heated in the presence of a suitable catalyst (such as antimony triglycolate), and EG is extracted in a kind of ester-interchange as two molecules of BHET form a dimer. If the released EG is removed from the system by distillation, further reactions may be possible. In certain examples, a dimer may react with another BHET molecule to form a trimer; two molecules of dimer may form a tetramer. By such stepwise growth process, a high-molecular-weight polymer may be produced.

[0048] In certain examples, suitable catalysts used for PET polymerization may include Sb- and Ti-based catalysts. In other examples, phosphoric acid and phosphates may be added to perform one or more of several roles, including, for example to serve as a catalyst or to minimize thermal oxidation. In still other examples, impurities in PTA may be less than 1 ppm of one or more of Fe, Co, Mo, Ni, Ti, Cr, Ca, Al, MG, Na, and K. Impurities of greater quantity may be present in PTA, and the impurities may act as chain terminators or cause discoloration.

[0049] For melt-phase polymerization, high temperatures, such as from 265 to 300°C, may be required, and the pressure above the melt polymer must be reduced to approximately 1 torr so as to facilitate the high molecular weights required for polymer performance. In production plants, multi-stage steam or glycol ejectors may be used to achieve the low pressure of approximately 1 torr.PTA-Based Solid-State Polymerization (“SSP”)

[0050] Polyesters may be polymerized in the solid state as well as in the melt phase. In an example, to achieve solid-state polymerization, the polymer chip produced in the melt polymer process may be heated to high temperatures, such as from 200 to 210°C, under vacuum or in a stream of inert gas, such as nitrogen. The SSP process may allow high molecular weights to be achieved without the problems associated with processing hot, extremely viscous melts. Further, because the reaction temperature of the SSP process is lower than melt polymerization, thermal degradation of the polymer may be minimal.

[0051] During melt polymerization, degradation reactions may lead to the formation of acetaldehyde (“AA”) and carboxyl end groups. The SSP process acts as a “cleaning” process that may remove the melt phase degradation products and may reduce AA levels in polymer chips to 1 ppm or lower. Reduction of AA levels may be important for polymers used to make food-gradebottles destined to contain sodas and water, because even trace amounts of AA may produce off- flavors.

[0052] The main reaction in SSP is polyesterification, a result of the dehydration reaction between carboxyl and hydroxyl end groups on the polymer chains. The results of the polyesterification process gives SSP the ability to increase the viscosity and reduce the carboxyl end group (“CEG”) level in the polymer, both of which may be desirable properties in downstream applications. Furthermore, SSP also removes the cyclic oligomers formed in the melt phase polymers that may cause deposition problems in downstream polymer applications.

[0053] The rate of SSP may be governed by the diffusion of water and glycol out of the polymer chip and / or the rate of removal of AA. The reaction rate may be highly dependent upon a size of a polymer chip and there may be a molecular weight gradient from a surface to a center of a polymer chip.

[0054] In an example, toners may be used to adjust a color of the resulting PETF.

[0055] In an example, PETF for closures may be produced by melt mixing or blending pellets including FDCA in higher concentrations with PET that does not include FDCA. In certain examples, 10 mol % PET including an FDCA content of 10% blended with 90 mol % PET without FDCA yields PET including 1% FDCA.

[0056] Turning, now, to Figs. 1-5, Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure 100 that is coupled with a finish portion 104 of a container preform 108, according to the present disclosure. The tethered closure 100 may comprise a single-layer of thermoformed PET, though other configurations using PET are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. As discussed above, thermoformed PET closures have distinct design consideration due to the difference in the material properties outlined herein. Thus, the instant tethered closures provide for anchors, or tethers, which are capable of meeting industry and governmental standards with a closure formed from thermoformed PET.

[0057] In an embodiment, the tethered closure 100 can include a closure portion 112 that can be coupled to a tamper evidence band 116 by way of an anchor 120 and a multiplicity of thin connections (not shown). For example, the multiplicity of thin connections can be referred to as a bridge portion and can be frangible as the closure portion 112 is removed from the finish portion 104. In an embodiment, when the closure portion 112 is unthreaded from the finish portion 104,as shown in Fig. 1, the thin connections can break to allow the tamper evidence band 116 to separate from the closure portion 112, with the anchor 120 maintaining the closure portion 112 attached to the tamper evidence band 116. As shown in Fig. 1, the anchor 120 can allow the closure portion 112 to be rotated away from the opening of the finish portion 104 to allow the contents of the container to be accessed by a user while the closure portion 112 is retained relative to the tamper evidence band 116. As such, the closure portion 112 is more likely to be recycled along with the container, instead of being disposed in the regular garbage stream or littered on the ground.

[0058] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure 200 that can be coupled with a finish portion 204 of a container preform 208 in accordance with the present disclosure. The tethered closure 200 may comprise a single-layer of thermoformed PET, though other configurations using PET are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. The tethered closure 200 can include a closure portion 212 that can be coupled with a tamper evidence band 216 by way of an anchor 220 and a multiplicity of thin connections 224. The tamper evidence band 216 can be attached to the finish portion 204 by way of multiple folded portions 228. For clarity, the multiple folded portions 228 are folded upward from a lower edge of the tamper evidence band 216 such that folded portions 228 are disposed between the tamper evidence band 216 and the finish portion 204 in an assembled configuration. In an example, the folded portions 228 can have room between the tamper evidence band 216 and the finish portion 204 to allow for the folded portions 228 to pivot about the lower edge of the tamper evidence band 216 and move radially inward and outward, relative to the tamper evidence band 216.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 2, when the closure portion 212 can be unthreaded from the finish portion 204, the folded portions 228 can keep the tamper evidence band 216 attached to the finish portion 204 due to interference with portions of the finish portion 204, and thereby can cause the thin connections 224 to break. Once the multiplicity of thin connections 224 are broken, the closure portion 212 can be partially separated from the tamper evidence band 216 while the anchor 220 maintains the closure portion 212 attached to the tamper evidence band 216.

[0060] As shown in Figs. 2-4B, the folded portions 228 can allow the portion of the tamper evidence band 216 nearest to the anchor 220 to move upwards with respect to the finish portion 204. For example, as the closure portion 212 is unthreaded from the finish portion 204, the folded portion 228 proximate to the anchor 220 can move radially outward to allow a portion of the tamper evidence band 216 to slide upward as the anchor 220 applies an upward pulling force on the tamperevidence band 216. Once the closure portion 212 has been fully unthreaded, the tamper evidence band 216 can move back downward, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0061] The upward movement of the tamper evidence band 216 can allow for the closure portion 212 to move upward a sufficient amount to allow the closure portion 212 to be removed from the finish portion 204 without being separated from the finish portion 204. As shown in Figs. 4 A and 4B, the anchor 220 can allow the closure portion 212 to be moved away from an opening 232 of the finish portion 204 while also keeping the closure portion 212 attached to the tamper evidence band 216. The folded portions 228 of the tamper evidence band 216 can keep the tamper evidence band 216 connected to the finish portion 204 and the anchor 220 can maintain the closure portion 212 attached to the tamper evidence band 216 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0062] Figures 5A - 5D illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure 300 that is coupled with a finish portion 304 of a container preform 308 in accordance with the present disclosure. The tethered closure 300 may comprise a single-layer of thermoformed PET, though other configurations using PET are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. The tethered closure 300 can include a closure portion 312 that is coupled to a tamper evidence band 316 by way of an anchor 320 and a multiplicity of thin connections (not shown). The multiplicity of thin connections can be substantially the same as those illustrated in at least Fig. 2. The tamper evidence band 316 can be attached to the finish portion 304 by way of multiple folded portions 328. Similar to what is shown in Fig. 2, when the closure portion 312 is unthreaded from the finish portion 304, the folded portions 328 keep the tamper evidence band 316 attached to the finish portion 304, causing the thin connections break and the closure portion 312 to partially separate from the tamper evidence band 316 while the anchor 320 keeps the closure portion 312 attached to the tamper evidence band 316.

[0063] As shown in Figures 5A-5F, the anchor 320 can be a strap portion that extends from the tamper evidence band 316 to the closure portion 312. The anchor 320 can have a first end attached, fixed, or extending from, the tamper evidence band 316 and a second opposite end that is attached, fixed, or extends from the closure portion 312. For example, the anchor 320 may only have a single attachment point to the tamper evidence band 316. Alternatively, there may be a portion of the multiplicity of thin connections extending between the anchor 320 and at least one of the tamper evidence band 316 and closure portion 312. In an example, the anchor 320 can extend circumferentially aligned, or co-circumferentially, with the tamper evidence band 316. The anchor 320 can have a length that allows the closure portion 312 to be moved away of an opening332 of the finish portion 304 and then positioned adjacent to the finish portion 304. In an embodiment, the length of the anchor 320 can be approximately the same as the diameter of the closure portion 312 or the finish portion 304, however other lengths both larger and smaller than the diameter of the closure portion 312 or the finish portion 304 can be used. This length can allow for the closure portion 312 to be disposed sufficiently away from the finish portion 304 to allow a user to access the contents of the container. For example, in an embodiment, when the closure portion 312 is adjacent to the finish portion 304, the position can allow unobstructed access to the opening 332. In an embodiment, in the open position, the external threads 340 of the anchor 320 can interlock with the external threads 342 of the finish portion 304. Due to the threads being substantially the same between the finish portion 304 and the closure portion 312, the threads can engage with one another in an interference fit, for example. The interlocking of the external threads 340 and threads 342 can permit the tethered closure 300 to remain in the open position when the user tilts the container. Figure 5B provides a side perspective of the interlocked cap embodiment showing interlocking of the external threads 340 of the tethered closure 300 to the threads 342 of the finish portion 304 of the container. Figures 5C and 5D provides a view of the interlocked cap embodiment, showing that the retained closure portion 312 is retained in a position that does not obstruct the opening of the finish portion 304 of the container when the external threads 340 of the tethered closure 300 are interlocked with the threads 342 of the finish portion 304 of the container.

[0064] In an embodiment, the direction that the anchor 320 extends away from the closure portion 312 can have an effect on how the anchor 320 reacts to a closing or opening of the closure portion 312. For example, as shown in Fig. 5A, the anchor 320 can extend clockwise, relative to a top-down view of the closure portion 312. In this configuration, as shown in Figs. 5E and 5F, the anchor 320 can follow the rotation of the closure portion 312 as the closure portion 312 is rotated about the finish portion 304. When the closure portion 312 is rotated back onto the finish portion 304 the anchor 320 can be “pushed” by the rotation and can, in some cases, create a loop. Alternatively, in an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5B, the anchor 320 can extend counterclockwise, relative to a top-down view of the closure portion 312. In this configuration, the anchor 320 can be “pushed” by the rotation and can, in some cases, create a loop. When the closure portion 312 is rotated back onto the finish portion 304, the anchor 320 can follow the rotation of the closure portion 312 as the closure portion 312 is rotated about the finish portion 304.

[0065] Figures 6A - 6F illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a tethered closure 400 that is coupled with a finish portion 404 of a container preform 408 in accordance with the present disclosure. The tethered closure 400 may comprise a single-layer of thermoformed PET, though other configurations using PET are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. The tethered closure 400 can include a closure portion 412 that is coupled to a tamper evidence band 416 by way of a dual anchor 420, including a first and second anchor 422, 424, and a multiplicity of thin connections 426. The multiplicity of thin connections 426 can be substantially the same as those described above with reference to at least Fig. 2. The tamper evidence band 416 can be attached to the finish portion 404 by way of multiple folded portions 428. Similar to what is shown in Fig. 2, when the closure portion 412 is unthreaded from the finish portion 404, the folded portions 428 can keep the tamper evidence band 416 attached to the finish portion 404, causing the thin connections 426 to break and the closure portion 412 to partially separate from the tamper evidence band 416 while the anchor 320 keeps the closure portion 412 attached to the tamper evidence band 416.

[0066] The dual anchor 420 of the tethered closure 400 can provide for an alternative to secure the closure portion 412 to the container preform 408 to prevent the closure portion 412 from being improperly discarded. For example, the dual anchor 420 can be thought of as having a first anchor 422 which extends clockwise from the closure portion 412 and a second anchor 424 which extends counterclockwise from the closure portion 412. As shown in Figs. 6B and 6C, as the closure portion 412 is rotated to unthread the closure portion 412 from the finish portion 404, the first and second anchors 422, 424, can pivot relative to the closure portion 412 and the tamper evidence band 416 to allow the cap to move axially upward and off the finish portion 404, as shown in Fig. 6D. As the closure portion 412 is unthreaded from finish portion 404, the multiple folded portions 428 can move, or pivot, inward or outward, as necessary to allow the tamper evidence band 416 to slide upward relative to the container preform 408. The arc length, or length, of the first and second anchors 422, 424 can be the same. For example, the length of the first and second anchors 422, 424 can allow the closure portion 412 to be lifted up and over the finish portion 404 as shown in Figs. 6E and 6F, to allow a user to access the contents of the container without the closure portion 412 interfering. Alternatively, the length can be shortened, or lengthened, to allow for more or less movement of the closure portion 412 relative to the tamper evidence band 416. In an embodiment, the first anchor 422 and the second anchor 424 can have different lengths, with one being shorter than the other. In some embodiments, one of the first and second anchors 422, 424can be broken from either the closure portion 412 or the tamper evidence band 416 to allow the anchor that is unbroken to function similar to the anchor 320 of Figs. 5A-5F, above.

[0067] In an embodiment, the first anchor 422 can extend clockwise, relative to a top-down view of the closure portion 412. For example, the first anchor 422 can follow the rotation of the closure portion 412 as the closure portion 412 is rotated about the finish portion 404. When the closure portion 412 is rotated back onto the finish portion 404 the first anchor 422 can be “pushed” by the rotation and can, in some cases, create a loop. In an embodiment, the second anchor 424 can extend counterclockwise, relative to a top-down view of the closure portion 312, such that the second anchor 424 can be “pushed” by the rotation and can, in some cases, create a loop. When the closure portion 412 is rotated back onto the finish portion 404, the second anchor 424 can follow the rotation of the closure portion 412 as the closure portion 412 is rotated about the finish portion 404.

[0068] In an embodiment, the various closures and finishes of the above noted embodiments can instead have any mechanical or chemical closures, within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the closure can be affixed to the finish by welding, snap closures, chemical adhesives, chemical welding, interference fit, or others. In each case, the closure can include a tamper evident band that is connected to the closure using one, or more, of the above discussed anchors.

[0069] While the tethered closure and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the tethered closure is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the tethered closure. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process, when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the tethered closure, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the tethered closure found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A tethered closure for sealing contents within an interior of a container, comprising: a closure portion configured to engage with a finish portion of the container; a tamper evidence band removably attached to the finish portion; and an anchor for keeping the closure portion coupled to the tamper evidence band subsequent to the closure portion being removed from the finish portion, wherein, the tethered closure is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

2. The tethered closure of claim 1, wherein a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced thin connections couple the tamper evidence band to the closure portion and are configured to separate from one of the closure portion or tamper evidence band in response to loosening of the closure portion from the finish portion.

3. The tethered closure of claim 2, wherein the tethered closure is configured such that only the thin connections separate from one of the closure portion or the tamper evidence band during loosening of the closure portion.

4. The tethered closure of claim 2, wherein the tamper evidence band is configured to remain engaged with the finish portion subsequent to the closure portion being removed from the finish portion.

5. The tethered closure of claim 1 , wherein the tamper evidence band includes multiple folded portions that keep the tamper evidence band engaged with the finish portion during, and subsequent to, the closure portion being removed from the finish portion.

6. The tethered closure of claim 5, wherein the multiple folded portions are configured to deform relative to the tamper evidence band to allow the tamper evidence band to move axially relative to the finish portion of the container as the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

7. The tethered closure of claim 1, wherein the anchor is configured to retain the tethered closure in a position that does not obstruct access to the finish portion of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

8. The tethered closure of claim 7, wherein the closure portion comprises external threads for threadably engaging with a finish portion of the container, and wherein the external threads of the closure portion are configured to interlock with external threads of the finish portion of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

9. The tethered closure of claim 7, wherein the closure portion comprises external threads for threadably engaging with a finish portion of the container, and wherein the anchor has a length that extends co-circumferentially with the tamper evidence band when the closure portion is threaded onto the finish portion.

10. The tethered closure of claim 9, wherein the anchor includes a first end affixed to the tamper evidence band and a second end affixed to the tamper evidence band, and wherein the anchor is not affixed to the tamper evidence band between the first and second end.

11. The tethered closure of claim 1, wherein the anchor includes a first anchor and a second anchor, and wherein each of the first and second anchors include a first end coupled to the tamper evidence band and a second end coupled to the closure portion.

12. A method of unsealing contents within an interior of a container, the method comprising: providing a container having a threaded finish portion and a tethered closure formed of polyethylene terephthalate, the tethered closure including, a closure portion having external threads threadably engaged with the threads of the threaded finish portion; a tamper evidence band removably attached to the finish portion; and an anchor coupled to the tamper evidence band and the closure portion, unthreading the closure portion from the threaded finished portion; and maintaining a connection between the closure portion and the tamper evidence band with the anchor, subsequent to the closure portion being removed from the finish portion.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: separating a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced thin connections between the tamper evidence band and the closure portion during the unthreading step to remove the closure portion from the finish portion.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tethered closure is configured such that only the thin connections separate from one of the closure portion or the tamper evidence band during the unthreading step.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the tamper evidence band includes multiple folded portions that keep the tamper evidence band engaged with the finish portion during, and subsequent to, the closure portion being removed from the finish portion.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the multiple folded portions are configured to deform relative to the tamper evidence band to allow the tamper evidence band to move axially relative to the finish portion of the container as the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the anchor is configured to retain the tethered closure in a position that does not obstruct access to the finish portion of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises interlocking the threads of the finish portion with the external threads of the finish of the container when the closure portion is removed from the finish portion.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the anchor has a length that extends co-radially with the tamper evidence band when the closure portion is threaded onto the finish.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the anchor includes a first anchor and a second anchor, and wherein each of the first and second anchors include a first end coupled to the tamper evidence band and a second end coupled to the closure portion.