Closures

Abstract

A closure comprises an upper wall (25) defining an opening (36) and a cylindrical snap tube (30) depending from the upper wall. The snap tube comprises threads (34) designed to mate with external threads on the bottle neck. The threads on the snap tube and the threads on the bottle neck pass over each other when the closure is snapped onto the bottle during manufacturing. The snap tube comprises a resistance recess (42) and a guide recess (70). The resistance recess and the guide recess accommodate a force-applying element (50) on the bottle shoulder (80) and allow the closure to be twisted open. The walls (44, 46) of the resistance recess are preferably symmetrical.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Many personal care products are sold in plastic bottles. Examples of these products are shower gel and shampoo. While dispensing shower gel or hair care products from a bottle is convenient for the consumer, plastic bottles are often discarded after a single use and sometimes end up in landfills undesirably. Although plastic bottles are sometimes recycled, both the transportation to the recycling plant and the recycling itself use energy. Therefore, it would be preferable if the packaging could be reused rather than discarded after a single use.

[0002] While some existing commercial bottles can theoretically be reused by consumers, the ease with which this can be done is often unsatisfactory. For example, it may be difficult for consumers to adequately remove the closure to gain access to the body of the bottle. This creates a considerable obstacle to the goal of minimizing plastic use and disposal. Therefore, there is a need for a bottle having a closure that can be easily removed by the consumer. Importantly, once the consumer refills the container, she should be able to easily secure the closure to the bottle again.

[0003] Consumers certainly want easy access to the interior of the bottle, but the bottle design must not make the closure too easy to separate from the bottle. Otherwise, the product will be released from the container at an inappropriate time, such as during shipping. Moreover, the goal of an easily separable closure must be balanced with the competing goals of easy placement of the closure on the bottle during manufacturing and the concomitant minimization of production costs.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 8,365,933 to Jackel discloses a closure system comprising a snap-on closure that can be pressed onto a spout, wherein two interacting elements are displaced toward or over each other due to their flexibility. The closure can only be removed with difficulty in a strictly axial / vertical direction by applying a certain force, but can be removed by a rotational motion that is said to be easier to perform than an axial removal motion. The closure comprises a recess in a cylindrical snap-on tube that engages a force-applying element on a shoulder of the container. The sides of the recess are designed so that the gradient at a point on one side is less than the gradient at the same point on the other side.

[0005] WO 2017 / 108697 discloses a snap-on / twist-off closure (22) and a bottle in combination with the closure. The closure comprises an upper wall defining an opening and a cylindrical snap-on tube (30) depending from the upper wall. The snap-on tube comprises a thread designed to cooperate with an external thread on a bottle neck. The snap-on tube comprises a resistance recess (42) and a guide recess (70).

[0006] US Patent No. 4,456,137 discloses interruptions in closure and bottle threads. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to an improved snap / twist-off closure which does not have some of the disadvantages of existing closures. It can be easily and conveniently snapped on during manufacturing, but easily twisted off by the consumer. It is very durable, as can be seen in standard industry drop tests. The present invention also relates to a package including the closure, such as a bottle in combination with the closure.

[0008] The base of the closure of the present invention includes an upper wall defining an opening and a cylindrical snap tube, which is suspended from the upper wall and extends vertically / axially to the end of the bottom tube. The cylindrical snap tube includes threads (preferably on the inner wall) that are designed to cooperate with threads on the bottleneck (preferably on the outside). The closure base is snapped onto the bottleneck, whereby the threads of the cylindrical snap tube pass over and temporarily lock under the threads of the container neck. Although the threads can be arranged so that they are either located inside the snap tube and outside the bottleneck, or located outside the snap tube and inside the container neck, the present invention will be described using an embodiment of internal snap tube threads / external bottleneck threads.

[0009] The cylindrical snap tube of the closure includes at least one resistance recess and at least one guide recess at its bottom end. The resistance recess and the guide recess function when the closure is unscrewed, whereby the closure can be easily removed for refilling. The resistance recess includes a first wall and a second wall that are opposite to each other and defined by the cylindrical snap tube. Preferably, the gradient of the wall is substantially the same at each point located at the same axial vertical height. That is, preferably, the first resistance recess wall and the second resistance recess wall are substantially symmetrical. Alternatively, the resistance recess wall has a gradient wherein the gradient of one wall is less than the gradient of the other wall at a point located at the same axial / vertical height at least at one point.

[0010] Using symmetrical first and second resistance walls is advantageous because they are easier to manufacture than walls having different angles.

[0011] When the closure is closed, the force-applying element from the container is at least partially contained within the resistance recess. In embodiments with symmetrical resistance recess walls, the threads on the snap tube and the mating threads on the neck of the bottle are arranged at an angle that facilitates rotation of the closure in an opening direction from a closed position and resists rotation of the closure in an opposite direction from a closed position. Alternatively, in embodiments with an asymmetrical recess, the resistance recess wall with a higher gradient contacts the force-applying element wall with a steeper gradient, which resists rotation of the closure in one (non-opening / tightening / closure securing) direction (typically clockwise).

[0012] In both embodiments, contact between the opposing walls of the resistance recess and the force element forces the closure slightly upward as the closure is rotated in the opposite direction or the opening / unscrewing / closure removal direction. In the case of an asymmetric resistance recess, such opposing walls will have a more gradual gradient than the walls encountered in the closing direction. Likewise, the force element wall that contacts the resistance recess wall in the opening direction will have a more gradual gradient than the opposing force element wall. In the case of symmetric resistance recess walls, the gradient of each resistance recess wall will be the same, and the gradient of the front and rear force element walls may be the same.

[0013] During this initial rotation, the threads on the cylindrical snap tube maintain their position below the container neck threads as the closure travels axially upward relative to the container neck. The presence of the bottle neck threads above the snap tube threads keeps the closure associated with the bottle at that point and prevents its premature removal. The axial movement is caused by the fact that the threads are angled; the net result of the angled rotational movement is axial movement.

[0014] As the closure is further rotated in the counterclockwise or unscrewing / opening direction, the force-applying element on the bottle encounters the rear end of the resistance recess, then encounters the bottom edge of the snap tube, and then enters the guide recess. During the rotation of the closure in the unscrewing / opening direction, the guide recess first extends upward from the bottom end to allow the cylindrical snap tube to be lowered relative to the container neck while the mating threads on the closure cylindrical snap tube and the container neck contact each other, but maintain a position that allows the bottle threads to be above the snap tube threads. Thereafter, with the cylindrical snap tube and the neck threads still engaged, as the closure is further rotated in the unscrewing / opening / closure removal direction, the guide recess includes a gradient that gradually decreases downward toward the bottom end of the cylindrical snap tube.

[0015] The downward gradient of the guide recess, and the resulting relative upward movement of the closure (which is consistent with the gradient of the matching threads on the container neck and skirt), provides guidance and minimal resistance to the rotation of the closure in the unscrewing / opening direction. The consumer can continue to rotate the closure with minimal resistance, thereby ultimately removing the closure. The presence of the guide recess also facilitates the reverse process, in which the consumer rotates the closure in the closing direction (usually clockwise) after refilling the bottle. It is believed that without the guide recess, the bottom of the snap tube would prevent the engagement of the threads when the closure is screwed on. Ultimately, the closure is unscrewed to a point where one or both threads are interrupted, which allows the threads to pass over each other and release the closure from the bottle.

[0016] The force-applying element does not need to contact the guide recess wall; the guide recess provides space for the movement of the force-applying element when the closure is rotated in unison with the angle of the bottle neck and the bayonet tube threads.

[0017] The closure may include a closure element that contacts and / or covers the top wall of the closure base to seal the closure opening, but which can be removed from the opening to dispense the product. Preferably, the closure element remains associated with the closure base when removed to dispense the product, for example, as a result of a hinge or other attachment.

[0018] The length of the bottom edge of the snap tube extending between the resistance recess and the guide recess is preferably at least 2 mm and up to 5 mm, in particular from 2 mm to 4 mm, so as to maximize the durability of the closure, including promoting a good, comfortable, tight fit of the closure on the bottle during extended use.

[0019] The closure of the present invention allows the closure to be securely placed on the bottle neck during manufacturing, but the consumer can easily remove the closure from the bottle and reapply the closure to the bottle, thereby encouraging the removal of the closure to refill the container. The closure is durable, e.g., resistant to wear and tear. Symmetrical embodiments of the resistance recess wall are easier to manufacture than prior asymmetrical forms.

[0020] It will be apparent that changes such as tightening / unscrewing direction and thread position may require adjustment of the position and shape of the resistance and guide recesses.

[0021] For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a side view of a bottle and closure of the present invention, with the closure in cross section.

[0023] Figure 2 is a front view of a bottle of the present invention with a portion of the neck cut away and showing the closure base thereover in cross section with the closure cap removed.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a closure according to the invention in the open position.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A bottom plan view of a closure.

[0026] Figure 5 is a side view of the package of the present invention with the closure partially rotated in the twist-off / opening / closure removal direction and a portion of the closure broken away to reveal the cylindrical snap tube.

[0027] Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of the container with portions of the closure broken away and the closure in the fully closed position.

[0028] Figure 7 is a side view of the closure with parts broken away.

[0029] Figure 8 is a side view of an upper portion of a container of an embodiment having symmetrical walls for a resistance recess, with portions of the closure broken away, and the closure in a fully closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The closure 22 is located on the bottle 20 ( Figure 5 , 6 and 8). The closure 22 includes a closure base 24 connected to a closure cap 26 by a hinge 28, but other possible arrangements will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The closure base 24 includes a generally cylindrical snap-on tube 30 (e.g. Figure 1 and 2 2), which depends downwardly from the upper wall 25. A cylindrical snap tube 30 is positioned to engage the neck 32 of the bottle 20. The inner wall of the cylindrical snap tube 30 includes one or more internal threads 34 protruding inwardly.

[0031] The closure base 24 includes a dispensing opening 36 centrally disposed within the upper wall 25. Although the opening 36 is shown and described as being centrally disposed, it may be off-center if desired. Structures may be disposed above and / or below the opening 36 to aid in pouring or sealing, such as a ring 38. When the closure base 24 is positioned on the bottle 20, the opening 36 communicates with the interior of the bottle 20 through the inner and outer closure base walls 23 of the snap tube 30. The closure cap 26 includes a stopper 40 to help seal the closure and ultimately the bottle.

[0032] The neck 32 of the bottle 20 includes an externally threaded protrusion 60 .

[0033] like Figure 5-7 As best seen, the cylindrical snap-on tube 30 includes a resistance recess 42 extending upwardly from a bottom end or edge 43. The edge 43 extends generally perpendicular to the downwardly extending axis of the tube. Figure 1 It can be seen that the second resistance recess 42a can exist 180° away from the resistance recess 42. The resistance recess 42 includes two walls 44, 46 formed in the cylindrical snap tube 30. As will be discussed below, in one embodiment, the walls of the resistance recess are symmetrical. In another embodiment, in particular Figure 6 and Figure 7 As can be seen in , the wall is asymmetric. In a latter embodiment, the shape of walls 44, 46 will depend on the desired direction in which the closure is rotated so that the closure is released from the bottle, thereby the closure can be removed.

[0034] Typically, the closure is unscrewed / opened / removed by turning counterclockwise, so for the purposes of this specification, counterclockwise unscrewing / opening will be assumed. However, it is clear that different directions may be used if desired, and the shape of the walls 44, 46 and 104, 106 and the position of the guide recess 70 described below will be adjusted accordingly.

[0035] like Figure 6 As best seen in FIG. 4 , when the closure is in the closed position, the resistance recess 42 receives at least a portion of a force-applying element 50 , which is a protrusion permanently associated with the bottle shoulder 80 .

[0036] The rear resistance recess wall during unscrewing / opening rotation (at Figure 7 44 in the illustrated embodiment) comprises at its lower end 45 a gradient that is more gradual than the gradient of the opposing (front) recess wall 46; the gradient is more severe or steeper at the lower end of the resistance recess wall 46. The force applying element 50 also comprises two side walls 54, 52 having different gradients.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, Figure 8 As shown, the walls of the resistance recess can also be symmetrical or substantially symmetrical, and the resistance recess 102 includes a front wall 104 and a rear wall 106, which are symmetrical mirror images of each other, so that at each point located at the same axial vertical height, the gradient of the wall is the same. Similarly, the walls 11 and 112 of the force-applying element 108 are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical.

[0038] Symmetrical recess wall embodiment ( Figure 8 ) operates in the same manner as described for the asymmetric recess wall embodiment, except that neither recess wall 104 nor recess wall 106 includes a steep gradient to prevent the closure from rotating. Instead, this embodiment relies primarily on the thread angles on the bayonet tube and bottle neck to prevent or substantially block the closure from rotating. Figure 8 The position shown is rotated in the closing direction.

[0039] for Figure 6In the asymmetric embodiment shown, starting from the initial closed position shown in the figure, if the closure is rotated in a clockwise direction when the consumer turns the closure, the steep gradient of the force-applying element side wall 52 faces the steep gradient on the resistance recess wall 46 and prevents rotation. On the other hand, when the closure is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the initial closed position, the force-applying element side wall 54 with the shallower gradient faces the resistance recess wall 44, which has the shallower gradient in its lower half near its base (e.g., at 45). The effect of this contact between the shallower gradient walls is that, instead of preventing rotation from occurring at the steeper gradient, the force-applying element 50 forces the resistance recess wall and the depending cylindrical bayonet tube 30 slightly upward. Rotation of the closure in the opening direction results in axial upward movement caused by the angle of the bottle neck and bayonet tube threads.

[0040] for Figure 8 In a symmetrical embodiment, similarly, when the closure is rotated counterclockwise from the initial closed position, the side wall 11 of the force-applying element 108 with a gentle gradient faces the resistance recess wall 106, which has a gentle gradient at least in its lower half near its base (e.g., at 45). The contact effect between the walls of the gentle gradient is that, instead of preventing rotation ( Figure 6 When the gradient in the embodiment is steeper), the force-applying element 108 forces the resistance recess wall and the depending cylindrical bayonet tube 30 slightly upward. Here again, continued rotation in the opening direction carries an axial upward component generated by the angle of the bottle neck and the bayonet tube threads.

[0041] The resistance recess wall 44 is at 45 ( Figure 7) and the gradient of wall 106 are similar or identical to the gradient of the corresponding side wall 54, 11 of the force applying element of the container, which faces the resistance recess wall 44, 106 during unscrewing / opening. The gradient of wall 44 at section 45 is in the range between 10 degrees greater and 10 degrees less than the gradient of wall 54. The gradient of wall 106, at least at the location where it will contact the force applying element 108, is in the range between 10 degrees greater and 10 degrees less than the gradient of wall 11. Thus, if wall 54 is 45 degrees, the gradient of wall 44 at section 45 is in the range of 35 degrees to 55 degrees. Thus, if wall 11 is 45 degrees, the gradient of wall 106 at the location where it will contact wall 11 is in the range of 35 degrees to 55 degrees. Each of walls 44 and 106 and 11, 54 is in the range of 30 degrees to 85 degrees. The gradient of the wall 44 at the section 45 and the gradient of the wall 106 at the point where it contacts the force-exerting element are measured relative to a horizontal line drawn through the edge section 56. The gradients of the walls 54, 11 are measured at the points where they first contact the walls 44, 106, respectively, during their rotation, and are measured relative to a horizontal line intersecting the points of contact of the walls 44, 106, which line is parallel to or coincident with the bottom edge section 56.

[0042] Further counterclockwise rotation of the closure 22 during closure removal by the consumer will cause the force applying element 50 or 108 to leave the resistance recess wall 44 or 106 and the top 58 of the force applying element to contact the section 56 of the bottom edge 43 of the cylindrical snap tube. Upon further counterclockwise rotation of the closure 22 to unscrew / open, the top 58 of the force applying element 50 or 108 encounters the guide recess 70, see e.g. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The guide recess 70 includes a wall 72 extending upward and then a wall 74 extending downward, the wall 72 having a gradient within a range of 90 degrees and 135 degrees relative to a horizontal line drawn through the section 56 of the bottom edge, and the wall 74 having a gradient within a range of 90 degrees and 135 degrees relative to a horizontal line drawn through the section 56 of the bottom edge. Figure 5 ) and the tube bottom 43 is drawn with a horizontal line at an intersection 75 in the range of 0 to 10 degrees, particularly in the range of 4 to 10 degrees with a less severe gradient. The top wall 58 of the force-applying elements 50 and 108 preferably does not contact the first and second guide walls during the rotation process. Instead, the guide recess allows the bayonet tube 30 to rotate freely, in accordance with the inclination of the bottleneck and the bayonet tube thread, during which the force-applying element 50 or 108 is accommodated in the space of the guide recess.

[0043] The distance between the resistance recess 42 or 102 and the guide recess 70 is measured along the bottom edge section 56 from the point where the wall 44 or 106 meets the bottom end or edge 43 of the clip tube to the point where the guide recess wall 70 begins to rise at the beginning of the wall 72. The distance between the resistance recess and the guide recess in the unscrewing / opening direction is preferably at least 3 mm. This distance is typically 2 mm up to 5 mm, in particular 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0044] In addition to the resistance recess, the presence of the guide recess also facilitates the rotation of the closure in the opposite closing direction (usually clockwise). When the closure is rotated in the clockwise closing direction, at point 75 ( Figure 5 ), the force applying element 50 or 108 will be located below the gradually upwardly sloping wall 74 of the guide recess 70, then the steeper downward slope of the wall 72, then contacting the edge 43 at the section 56, and finally will be disposed between the resistance recess walls 44 or 106 and 46 or 104 in the closed position, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 8 visible.

[0045] In operation, during the manufacturing process of the package, the closure 22 is snap-fitted onto the neck 32 of the bottle 20 (e.g., Figure 2 ). Because the bottle and closure are made of flexible materials, and / or because the presence of one or more recesses in the tube allows the cylindrical snap tube 30 to elastically expand radially, the internal threads 34 on the cylindrical snap tube pass over the external threads 60 on the container neck, and the closure snaps onto the neck. Thus, the closure is securely attached to the container, and a consumer or other external force requires a great deal of effort to separate them using a strictly vertical or upward axial motion. Alternatively, the closure 22 can be initially applied to the container 20 by rotating it thereon to engage the threads.

[0046] In normal use, the product is dispensed with the cap 26 removed from the opening 36. The cap 26 is then closed so that the plug 40 seals the opening when the product is not in use.

[0047] When the bottle is substantially empty of shampoo, body wash, lotion or other initially contained product, the consumer removes the closure 22 from the package for refilling and reuse. To begin removing the closure, Figure 6 or Figure 8Starting from the position shown in FIG. 1 (where the force-applying element 50 or 108 is at least partially contained within the recess 42 or 102), the consumer typically rotates the closure in a counterclockwise direction. As the closure is rotated as described above, the force-applying element 50 or 108 pushes the closure 22 slightly upward. As the closure is rotated, the cylindrical bayonet tube threads 34 maintain their position below the container neck threads 60, at least until the force-applying element reaches a position below the second guide recess wall 72, and preferably until the force-applying element reaches a position other than the position below the second guide recess wall. That is, the threads maintain their relative axial position until the force-applying element reaches a position where one or more interruptions in the threads allow them to pass over each other and release the closure from the bottle. During rotation, the angle of the bottle neck and the bayonet tube threads results in an axial upward motion component of the closure.

[0048] Returning more specifically to the interaction between the force-applying element and the snap tube, after passing through the resistance recess, the force-applying element 50 or 108 next encounters the section 56 of the bottom edge 43 of the cylindrical snap tube, and the closure / snap tube is then further rotated, bringing the force-applying element below the upwardly extending wall 72 of the guide recess 70. The latter allows the cylindrical snap tube to lower itself axially toward the container neck and accommodate the force-applying element so that it does not interfere with the rotation of the snap tube. The cylindrical snap tube threads 34 remain below the bottle threads 60, so the closure remains on the bottle and the consumer can continue to use normal rotation to unscrew the closure from the container neck. Figure 5 The force applying element 50 is shown in the recess 70. The force applying element 108 will also be accommodated in the recess 70. Preferably, when the bayonet tube / closure is rotated, the force applying elements 50, 108 do not contact the first and second guide recess walls, but are accommodated in the recess. Alternatively, this unscrewing rotation can be optionally further promoted by the force applying element top 58 contacting the downwardly extending wall 74 of the guide recess 70. The optional contact of the top 58 with the downwardly extending wall 74 can raise the cylindrical bayonet tube of the closure to support the normal unscrewing action of the closure, thereby easily removing the closure. The inclination of the bayonet tube and the bottleneck thread is similar to the gradient of the wall 74, that is, 0 to 10 degrees, especially 4 to 10 degrees.

[0049] At some point in the opening rotation, preferably after the force-applying element has passed a position below the second guide recess wall, an interruption in one or both of the snap-on tube thread and the bottleneck thread will allow the snap-on tube thread to pass over the bottleneck thread, whereby the closure is released from the bottle. Typically, this will occur at a point in the opening direction that is shorter than the opening direction. Figure 5 With further rotation of the force applying member 50 from the position shown, for example, the force applying member 50 will be closer to point 75, and preferably beyond point 75. The flexible material from which the closure is made also facilitates removal.

[0050] After removing the closure, the consumer refills the bottle again with shampoo or other product. She then applies the closure back to the bottle, either by snapping it down in an axial direction onto the neck of the bottle similar to that used in manufacturing, or she screws it back onto the neck of the bottle. If she chooses the latter, the clockwise moving edge 43 of the tube 30 optionally contacts the top 58 of the force applying element (50 or 108). When it reaches point 75 ( Figure 5 ), it is preferably located below a gradually rising wall 74 which allows the tube to drop relative to the bottleneck, consistent with the normal downward tightening of the closure. At this point, the threads are engaged.

[0051] The front and / or top walls of the force-applying element are then preferably located below the walls 72 of the guide recess 70, which accommodates the raising of the tube 30 relative to the bottle neck 32, and then the top 58 of the force-applying element 50 or 108 optionally contacts the section 56 of the rim 43. Upon further rotation of the snap tube, the force-applying element reaches the resistance recess wall 44 or 106, and the tube 30 moves downward as the force-applying element 50 or 108 is received within the recess 42. When the consumer rotates the closure closed, the internal threads 34 of the tube 30 maintain their position below the external threads 60 on the bottle neck 32, thereby keeping the closure attached to the bottle.

[0052] In the asymmetric options, for example Figure 6 As shown, when the force element wall 52 encounters the steep wall 46 of the resistance recess 42, the closure cannot rotate any further. Figure 8 As shown, the angle of the threads tends to prevent further rotation once the force-applying element wall 112 encounters the front resistance recess wall 104. If further prevention of rotation in the closing direction is required when the force-applying element 108 reaches this point, an additional stop mechanism may be provided, such as teeth on the closure that engage a ratchet on the neck or shoulder of the bottle.

[0053] Although threads, snap bars / beads, and other protrusions are generally shown herein as being on the inside of the snap tube and outside of the bottleneck, this could be reversed if desired so that the protrusions would be on the outside of the snap tube and inside of the bottleneck.

[0054] "Threads" used here include traditional bottleneck type threads, snap bars / beads and other protrusions that function like threads. Preferably, snap bars / beads will be used for the "threads" of the snap tube, and more traditional bottleneck threads will be used for the bottleneck.

[0055] When it is mentioned herein that the gradient of each resistance recess wall at each axial height is substantially the same or that the wall is substantially symmetrical, this means that at each axial height, the angle of the wall relative to the edge of the snap tube is within 10% of the angle at the same axial height relative to the resistance recess wall. Preferably, the angle of the wall is within 5%, most particularly within 1%, more preferably within 0.5% of the angle of the relative recess wall, and also preferably, the angle is the same at each axial height.

[0056] The exact height and shape of the resistance recess may be affected by the material from which the closure (particularly the snap tube) is made, and so may be adjusted after testing the plastic part.

[0057] By being placed strictly vertically / axially on the bottle during manufacturing, the closure can be securely and economically placed on the container neck, while refilling of the container is facilitated by providing the consumer with the ability to easily rotate the closure to remove and reapply it to the bottle. The closure 22 can also be applied to the container during manufacturing by rotating to engage the threads.

[0058] References herein to upward or downward movement assume that the container 20 is resting on its base (not shown) at its end opposite the closure.

[0059] The closure may be made of polypropylene or polyethylene or a similar polymeric material and the bottle may be molded of high density polyethylene or polypropylene or PET. The closure is designed to be durable, resisting normal wear and tear caused by opening and closing the closure or even by being dropped.

[0060] Personal care products include those applied to the skin, scalp or mouth, such as shampoo, shower gel, body lotion, etc.

[0061] It should be understood, of course, that the particular forms of the invention shown and described herein are representative only, as certain changes may be made thereto without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Reference should therefore be made to the following appended claims to determine the full scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A closure member (22), comprising: a. an upper wall (25) defining an opening (36); b. a cylindrical snap-on tube (30) which depends from the upper wall and extends axially to the bottom end, c. The cylindrical snap tube (30) comprises at least one resistance recess (42) at its bottom end (43); d. The cylindrical snap tube (30) further comprises at least one thread; e. the cylindrical snap tube defines opposing first and second resistance recess walls of the resistance recess; and f. The bottom end of the cylindrical snap tube is formed to include a guide recess (70), which is consistent with the descending of the cylindrical snap tube thread (34) relative to the bottleneck, and the closure is configured so that the guide recess (70) includes a first guide recess wall (72) with an upward gradient and a second guide recess wall (74) with a downward gradient, whereby in the rotation direction of the closure opening, the first guide recess wall (72) allows the cylindrical snap tube (30) to descend axially toward the bottleneck having the force-applying element, and the second guide recess wall (74) ) is consistent with the rise of the cylindrical snap tube of the closure relative to the bottle, and when the force-applying element contacts one of the resistance recess walls, the cylindrical snap tube thread (34) maintains its axial position relative to the thread on the bottleneck of the bottle to which the closure is applied, at least until the force-applying element reaches a position below the second guide recess wall (74), and wherein the first resistance recess wall and the second resistance recess wall have a gradient, and wherein the gradient of the first resistance recess wall and the second resistance recess wall are substantially the same at any point located at the same axial height.

2. The closure (22) of claim 1, further comprising a closure cover (26) for closing the opening, the closure cover (26) being hingedly attached to a closure base (24) of the closure.

3. The closure element (22) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the rotation direction of unscrewing the closure, after encountering the resistance recess (42), the force-applying element is accommodated in the guide recess (70) and is located under the first guide recess wall (72) and then under the second guide recess wall (74).

4. The closure (22) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the force applying element reaches a position below the first guide recess wall (72), the cylindrical bayonet tube thread (34) and the bottle thread maintain their relative axial positions, with the bottle thread being above the cylindrical bayonet tube thread (34).

5. The closure (22) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The distance between the resistance recess (42) and the guide recess (70) in the unscrewing direction is at least 2 mm.

6. The closure (22) according to claim 5, wherein: The distance between the resistance recess (42) and the guide recess (70) in the unscrewing direction is 2 mm to 5 mm.

7. The closure (22) according to claim 6, wherein: The distance between the resistance recess (42) and the guide recess (70) in the unscrewing direction is 2 mm to 4 mm.

8. The closure (22) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first guide recess wall (72) has a gradient of 90 to 135 degrees.

9. The closure (22) according to claim 8, wherein: The second guide recess wall (74) has a gradient of 0 to 10 degrees.

10. The closure (22) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cylindrical snap-on tube thread (34) is located on the inner wall of the cylindrical snap-on tube (30).

11. A container comprising a closure according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in combination and a bottle (20) having a neck (32) and at least one force-exerting element (50), the neck having a neck thread (60), The at least one force-applying element (50) of the bottle is adapted to be at least partially received within the resistance recess (42) of the cylindrical snap tube (30) of the closure, whereby in the rotational direction of the closure opening, the first guide recess wall (72) allows the cylindrical snap tube (30) to be axially lowered toward the force-applying element (50), and the second guide recess wall (74) coincides with the raising of the cylindrical snap tube (30) of the closure relative to the bottle, and when the force-applying element (50) contacts the resistance recess wall, the cylindrical snap tube thread (34) and the bottleneck thread (60) maintain their relative axial position, with the bottleneck thread (60) being above the cylindrical snap tube thread (34), at least until the force-applying element (50) reaches a position below the second guide recess wall (74).

12. The container according to claim 11, further comprising a discontinuity in one or more of the cylindrical bayonet pipe threads (34) and the bottleneck threads (60), and wherein, After the force applying element (50) reaches a position below the second guide recess wall (74), the cylindrical snap-fit ​​tube thread (34) passes over the bottleneck thread (60) through the one or more interruptions, thereby releasing the closure (22) from the bottle (20).

13. The container according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the cylindrical snap tube thread (34) is located on the inner wall of the cylindrical snap tube (30), and the bottleneck thread (60) is located outside the bottleneck (32).

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