Closure system

Abstract

A closure system (1) comprising a container neck (20) and a non-removable closure to be screwed on the container neck. Anti-removal ratchets formed on the inner surface of a closure skirt (32) cooperate with ratchets on the container neck. A protruding stop lug (26) is formed on the container neck. The free end of the skirt is formed at least partially as at least one circularly extending sloped edge portion having a lowest end and a highest end. The highest end is adjoined by a stop edge portion. The sloped edge portion is moved from the highest end to the lowest end along the stop lug when the skirt is screwed on the container neck. In a mounted state the stop lug is located between the highest end of one of the sloped edge portions and the lowest end of the subsequent sloped edge portion.

Description

[0001] Title: Closure system

[0002] The present invention relates to a closure system comprising a container neck and a nonremovable closure mountable on the container neck. The container neck comprises a cylindrical wall defining a passage for contents of the container, said cylindrical wall having an outer surface, an outer thread on the outer surface and ratchets on the outer surface. The closure comprises a deck having a dispensing passage and furthermore comprises a skirt which extends from the deck. The skirt has a free end remote from the deck, said skirt having an inner surface, an inner thread on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the outer thread on the container neck and ratchets on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the ratchets on the container neck,

[0003] US 10.611.511 discloses an example of such a closure system. The closure of this known closure system is provided with a stop on the inner side of the skirt. The stop is to be received in an undercut formed in the outer thread of the container neck to prevent further tightening of the closure on the neck.

[0004] The invention has for an object to provide a closure system which is better protected against turning the closure beyond an intended stopping point.

[0005] This object is achieved by a closure system according to claim 1.

[0006] The closure system according to the invention comprises a container neck and a nonremovable closure mountable on the container neck. The container neck comprises a cylindrical wall defining a passage for contents of the container, said cylindrical wall having an outer surface, an outer thread on the outer surface and ratchets on the outer surface. The closure comprises a deck having a dispensing passage, and furthermore comprises a skirt which extends from the deck, said skirt having a free end remote from the deck, said skirt having an inner surface, an inner thread on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the outer thread on the container neck and ratchets on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the ratchets on the container neck. At least one stop lug is formed on the container neck, said stop lug protruding from the outer surface of the container neck. The free end of the skirt is formed at least partially as at least one circularly extending sloped edge portion, the sloped edge portion having a lowest end and a highest end, wherein the highest end is adjoined by a stop edge portion. When mounting the closure on the container neck, the sloped end portion is moved from the highest end to the lowest end along the stop lug when the skirt is screwed on the container neck. In a mounted state, in which the closure is fully screwed on the container neck, the stop lug is located between the highest end of one of the sloped edge portions and the lowest end of the subsequent sloped edge portion, or, in case there is only one sloped edge portion, the stop lug is located between the highest end of the sloped edge portion and the lowest end of the same sloped edge portion.

[0007] The non-removable closure according to the invention cannot be removed from the container neck once it is screwed on due to the cooperating ratchets on the container neck and the skirt, which prevent a backward rotation and unscrewing movement. If a closure is tightened beyond what is desired, it could damage the closure and enable removal of the disclosure nonetheless. The at least one stop lug on the neck and the at least one stop edge portion on the skirt prevent that the closure can be tightened any further than desired, because at some point the at least one stop lug and the at least one stop edge portion will engage and will inhibit any further rotation of the closure with respect to the neck. Because the stop edge portion is a “front surface” of a ramp shaped circumferential wall portion seen in the rotational direction of the closure, the stop edge portion is backed up by said ramp shaped circumferential wall portion. Said ramp shaped circumferential wall portion is a lower portion of the skirt which has a decreasing height seen from the “front surface” due to the inclined edge portion of the skirt. The force that the stop lug applies to the stop edge portion upon engagement is gradually guided into the skirt in the circumferential direction, whereby excessive deformation is prevented and the stop edge portion cannot be moved out of the way of the stop lug when an attempt is made to forcefully rotate the closure any further on the container neck.

[0008] In an embodiment a plurality of stop lugs is evenly distributed over the circumference formed on the container neck, and the free end of the skirt comprises a plurality of sloped edge portions evenly distributed over the circumference. In this embodiment an applied rotational force is distributed in a plurality of ramped shaped circumferential wall portions, which reduces the force per ramp and thus the risk on deformation or rupture of the closure skirt.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the closure system, two stop lugs are formed on the container neck, wherein the free end of the skirt comprises two sloped edge portions. In this way a rotational force is distributed in two ramped shaped circumferential wall portions. The stop lugs are preferably located diametrically opposite each other on the container neck. In an embodiment the sloped edge portions each extend over at least one quarter of a circumference. This means that the ramped shaped wall portions extend over at least one quarter of the circumference, i.e. form an arc in the circumferential direction of at least 90°. Thus a sufficiently large ramp shaped wall portion is provided which allows a gradual guidance into the skirt of the force exerted by the stop lug on the stop edge portion. A sturdy support of the stop edge portion in the circumferential direction is thus warranted.

[0010] In an embodiment said sloped edge portions each extend over less than half a circumference, preferably over an arc of less than 170°.

[0011] In a practical, well-functioning embodiment said sloped edge portions each extend over an arc of about 150°.

[0012] In an embodiment the stop edge portion extends substantially in axial direction, i.e. substantially parallel to the centre axis of the closure body. When the closure is rotated the surface of the stop edge portion in this embodiment thus extends perpendicular to the direction of movement of the stop edge portion. The surface of the stop edge portion thus will not have the tendency to work as a guiding surface for the stop lug it eventually engages.

[0013] In an embodiment wherein, when mounting the closure on the container neck, the at least one sloped edge portion at some point engages the at least one stop lug when the skirt is screwed on the container neck, wherein the sloped end portion is guided along the stop lug towards the lowest end when the skirt is screwed further on the container neck.

[0014] In a further embodiment the inner thread on the closure skirt has a helix angle and the sloped edge portion has a helix angle, the helix angle of the inner thread corresponding to the helix angle of the sloped edge portion. In this way the guiding of the sloped end portion of the skirt along the stop lug on the container neck and the threaded connection between skirt and container neck correspond in movement.

[0015] In a further embodiment a second blocking feature is provided between the container neck and the inner surface of the skirt, which second blocking feature is located axially remote from the stop lug on the container neck and the sloped edge portion on the skirt of the closure. The fact that the second blocking feature is located axially remote from the blocking by the stop lug and stop edge portion, has the advantageous effect that a torsional distortion of the skirt of the closure is prevented, when an attempt is made to rotate the closure further in the screwing direction. Thereby, the risk of removal of the closure from the container is further reduced.

[0016] In a possible embodiment the second blocking feature comprises a blocking recess in the outer thread on the outer surface of the container neck and a blocking lug formed on the inner surface of the skirt, adapted to be received in said blocking recess. Alternatively the second blocking feature comprises a blocking recess in the thread on the inner surface of the skirt and a blocking lug formed on the outer surface of the container neck, adapted to be received in said blocking recess.

[0017] The invention also relates to a non-removable closure for mounting on a container neck, the closure comprising a deck having a dispensing passage, and furthermore comprising a skirt which extends from the deck, said skirt having a free end remote from the deck, said skirt having an inner surface, an inner thread on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with an outer thread on the container neck and ratchets on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with ratchets on the container neck, wherein the free end of the skirt is formed at least partially as at least one circularly extending sloped edge portion, the sloped edge portion having a lowest end and a highest end, wherein the highest end is adjoined by a stop edge portion adapted to engage a stop feature on the container neck.

[0018] Further embodiments of the non-removable closure are defined in dependent claims 14-20.

[0019] The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing such a closure.

[0020] The invention also relates to a container for containing a dispensable substance, the container comprising a container neck located on a container shoulder, wherein the container neck comprises a cylindrical wall defining a passage for contents of the container, said cylindrical wall having an end connected to the container shoulder and an opposite free end, and said cylindrical wall having an outer surface, an outer thread on the outer surface and ratchets on the outer surface, wherein at least one stop lug is formed on the outer surface of an end region at the shoulder sided end of the cylindrical wall, said stop lug protruding from the outer surface of the container neck.

[0021] Further embodiments of the container are defined in dependent claims 22-29.

[0022] The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing such a container. According to another aspect of the invention a closure system comprises a container neck and a non-removable closure mountable on the container neck,

[0023] - the container neck comprising a cylindrical wall defining a passage for contents of the container, said cylindrical wall having an outer surface, an outer thread on the outer surface,

[0024] - the closure comprising a deck having a dispensing passage, and furthermore comprising a skirt which extends from the deck, said skirt having a free end remote from the deck, said skirt having an inner surface, an inner thread on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the outer thread on the container neck, wherein at least one stop lug is formed on the container neck, said stop lug protruding from the outer surface of the container neck, wherein the free end of the skirt is formed having a stop edge portion, wherein, in a mounted state in which the closure is fully screwed on the container neck, the stop lug is located in front of the stop edge portion or against the stop edge portion seen in the rotational direction for screwing the closure on the container neck, and wherein a second blocking feature is provided between the container neck and the inner surface of the skirt, which second blocking feature is located axially remote from the stop lug on the container neck and the stop edge portion on the skirt of the closure.

[0025] Preferably the free end of the skirt has a staggered edge in axial direction, whereby the stop edge portion is formed which faces forwardly in rotational direction.

[0026] The second blocking feature may comprise a blocking recess in the outer thread on the outer surface of the container neck and a blocking lug formed on the inner surface of the skirt, adapted to be received in said blocking recess.

[0027] Alternatively, the second blocking feature may comprise a blocking recess in the thread on the inner surface of the skirt and a blocking lug formed on the outer surface of the container neck, adapted to be received in said blocking recess.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention the cylindrical wall of the container neck has ratchets on the outer surface, and the inner surface of the skirt has ratchets on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the ratchets on the container neck.

[0029] The invention will be further elucidated in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a closure for a closure system according to the invention,

[0030] Fig. 2 shows another isometric view of the closure of Fig. 1,

[0031] Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of a container neck of the closure system according to the invention,

[0032] Fig. 4 shows another isometric view of the container neck of Fig. 3,

[0033] Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a container including the container neck of Figs 3 and 4,

[0034] Fig. 6 shows a side elevational view of the container of Fig. 5 with a closure of Figs 1 and 2 mounted thereon,

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a cross section indicated by the line A-A indicated in Fig. 6,

[0036] Fig. 8 shows a cross section indicated by the line B-B indicated in Fig. 6,

[0037] Fig. 9 shows a cross section indicated by the line C-C indicated in Fig. 6,

[0038] Fig. 10 shows an isometric view of the container of Fig. 5 with another embodiment of a closure mounted on it,

[0039] Fig. 11 shows an isometric view of the container with closure of Fig. 10, with an opened closure lid.

[0040] A closure system 1 comprising a container neck 20 of the container 2 and a non-removable closure 30 is described. The container 2, an example of which is shown in Fig. 5, including the container neck 20 may be made of a suitable plastic material, e.g. PE, PP or PET. The container 2 shown in Fig. 5 is a squeeze bottle which may be used for dispensing substances, such as edible substances like sauces, or non-edible substances, like hair- and bodycare products. However, the present invention may also be applied with other type of containers having a container neck. The closure 30 is a dispensing closure which is adapted to allow dispensing of a substance from the container 2 without removing the closure from the container. The closure 30 may conveniently be made of a plastic material, e.g. PP by injection moulding.

[0041] In Figs. 1 and 2 an embodiment of a closure 30 is shown such that an inner side of the closure 30 is visible. The closure 30 comprises a deck 31 in which a dispensing passage 33 is formed. The closure 30 furthermore comprises a skirt 32 essentially formed as a circumferential wall extending from the deck 31. The skirt 32 has a free end 34 remote from the deck 31. The skirt 32 has an inner surface 35. The skirt 32, or at least the inner surface

[0042] 35 of the skirt 32 is circular and extends around a centre axis. An inner thread 36 is formed on the inner surface 35.

[0043] Furthermore ratchets 37A, 37B and 37C are formed on the inner surface 35 of the skirt 32. In the specific embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ratchets 37A, 37B and 37C are arranged in series. A first series of three ratchets 37A is located near the start 36A of the inner thread

[0044] 36 as is visible in Fig. 2. A second series of five ratchets 37B is arranged located halfway of the inner thread 36 as is visible in Fig. 1. A third series of three ratchets 37C is located near the end of the inner thread 36 as is visible in Fig. 2.

[0045] In Figs. 3 and 4 an embodiment of a container neck 20 is shown on which the closure 30 of Figs 1 and 2 is mountable. The container neck 20 comprises a cylindrical wall 21 defining a passage 22 for contents of the container. The cylindrical wall 21 has an outer surface 23. On the outer surface 23, an outer thread 24 is formed. The outer thread 24 on the container neck 20 and the inner thread 36 on the skirt 32 are adapted to cooperate with each other to mount the closure 30 on the container neck 20.

[0046] Furthermore ratchets 25A, 25B, 25C are formed on the outer surface 23 of the cylindrical wall 21. The ratchets 25A, 25B and 25C are arranged in series. A first series of three ratchets 25A is located near the start 24A of the outer thread 24 as is visible in Fig. 4. A second series of five ratchets 25B is arranged located halfway of the outer thread 24 as is visible in Fig. 3. A third series of three ratchets 25C is located near the end of the outer thread 24 as is visible in Fig. 4. The ratchets 37A, 37B, 37C on the closure skirt 32 are configured and arranged to cooperate with the ratchets 25A, 25B and 25C, so as to prevent unscrewing of the closure 30 from the container neck 20.

[0047] Near a lower end of the container neck 20, i.e. the end which is closest to the container shoulder 27, a pair of stop lugs 26 is formed on the container neck 20. The stop lugs 26 protrude from the outer surface 23 of the container neck 20. The stop lugs 26 are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the container neck 20 as is visible in Figs 3 and 4. The diametrical axis through the stop lugs 26 lies in the division plane of the container, i.e. the plane which separates the mold halves that form the container and container neck.

[0048] The ratchets 25A, 25B and 25C all have a stop surface 29A, 29B and 29C, respectively. The stop surfaces 29A, 29B and 29C extend transversely to the division plane DP, in particular under an angle to the division plane DP (cf. Fig. 9), such that no undercut is present when the container neck has to be demolded. In a possible embodiment the stop surfaces 29A, 29B and 29C extend perpendicularly to the division plane DP. In a possible embodiment the stop surfaces 29A, 29B and 29C may be all parallel to each other. In order to be effective the ratchets 25a, 25B, 25C are preferably located in a circumferential region which is offset at an angle a of at least 30° from the division plane DP.

[0049] The free end 34 of the skirt 32 is formed having a pair of circularly extending sloped edge portions 38. The sloped edge portions 38 each have a lowest end 39 and a highest end 40. The highest end 40 of the sloped edge portion 38 is adjoined by a stop edge portion 41. As such the edge at the free end of the skirt has a staggered shape. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the stop edge portion 41 extends substantially axial, i.e. substantially parallel to the centre axis of the closure 30.

[0050] The stop edge portion 41 and the sloped edge portion 38 form a ramp shaped circumferential wall portion 42. The stop edge portion 41 forms a front surface of the ramp shaped circumferential wall portion 42 seen in the rotational direction of the closure 30 when mounting the closure 30 on the container neck 20. The ramp shaped circumferential wall portion 42 is a lower portion of the skirt 32 which has a decreasing height seen from the highest end 40 due to the inclined edge portion 38 of the skirt 32. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the ramp shaped circumferential wall portions 42 each extend over an arc of about 150°, which allows a gradual guidance into the skirt of the force exerted by the stop lug on the stop edge portion. In other feasible embodiments the arc may be within the range of 90° - 170°.

[0051] During mounting of the closure 30 on the container neck 20 each sloped edge portion 38 is moved from the highest end 40 to the lowest end 39 along one of the stop lugs 26 when the skirt is screwed on the container neck 20. In a mounted state in which the closure 30 is fully screwed on the container neck 20, the stop lug 26 is located between the highest end 40 of one of the sloped edge portions 38 and the lowest end 39 of the subsequent sloped edge portion 38. Eventually each of the stop edge portions 41 will engage one of the stop lugs 26 as is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. From these figures is clear that if an attempt is made to rotate the closure further in the clockwise direction, the stop edge portion 41, being the front surface of the ramp shaped wall portion 42 will be blocked by the stop lug 26. In rotational direction the front surface 41 is backed up by said ramp shaped circumferential wall portion 42, whereby it cannot be deformed and pushed out of the way, even if excessive force is used to rotate the closure 30 further in clockwise direction.

[0052] In Fig. 4 is shown that a blocking recess 28 is formed in the outer thread 24 on the outer surface 23 of the container neck 20. Furthermore a blocking lug 43 is formed on the inner surface 35 of the skirt 32, as is visible in Fig. 2. The blocking lug 43 is configured and arranged to be received in the blocking recess 28 when the closure 30 is fully screwed on the container neck 20. This provides a second blocking feature between the container neck 20 and the inner surface 35 of the skirt 32. This second blocking feature is located axially remote from the blocking feature comprising the stop lug 26 on the container neck 20 and the sloped edge portion 38 with stop edge portion 41 on the skirt 32 of the closure 30.

[0053] The sloped edge portion may have a continuous slope. Since the ramp shaped wall portion 42 has a circular arc shape, the sloped edge portion thus has a continuous helix angle. In a possible embodiment of the closure 30 the sloped edge portion 38 may have a helix angle which corresponds to the helix angle of the inner thread 36 on the closure skirt 32. This allows that the sloped edge portion 38 of the skirt slides, at least at some stage of the mounting process along the stop lug 26 on the container neck 20 while the threaded connection between skirt 32 and container neck 20 is established.

[0054] The closure 30 of Figs 1 , 2 and 6 is a simple closure. Another embodiment of a closure is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. This closure 130 has a deck 131 and an outer skirt 136 and an inner skirt. The inner skirt, which is not visible in Figs. 10 and 11 is similar to the skirt 32 in the embodiment of Figs 1, 2 and 6. A reference is thus made to the foregoing description and the accompanying figures for the features of the inner skirt of the closure 130. The closure 130 has in the centre of the deck 131 a spout 135 protruding from the deck 131 , which spout 135 defines a dispensing passage 133 for dispensing contents of the container 2. The closure 130 has a lid 134 which is hingeably connected to the closure body via a hinge 137, preferably a living hinge which is formed in one piece with the closure body and the lid 134 by injection moulding. In a closed state of the lid 134, which is shown in Fig. 10 the lid extends over the deck and closes at least partially the dispensing passage 133. In an open state of the lid 134, which is shown in Fig. 11, the lid 134 is swivelled away from the deck 131, and the dispensing passage 133 is free to dispense contents from the container.

[0055] In the closure 30 or 130 a self-closing valve (not shown) can be arranged if desired. Such a self-closing valve may for example be made of a silicone rubber, TPE or a plastomer material and are as such well-known in the art. In Figs 1 and 2 the passage 33 is surrounded by fixing lips 44, which are bendable over a flange of the self-closing valve in a manner as such known.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Closure system (1) comprising a container neck (20) and a non-removable closure (30, 130) mountable on the container neck (20),- the container neck (20) comprising a cylindrical wall (21) defining a passage (22) for contents of the container (2), said cylindrical wall (21) having an outer surface (23), an outer thread (24) on the outer surface and ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the outer surface,- the closure (30, 130) comprising a deck (31, 131) having a dispensing passage (33, 133), and furthermore comprising a skirt (32) which extends from the deck (33, 133), said skirt (32) having a free end (34) remote from the deck (33, 133), said skirt (32) having an inner surface (35), an inner thread (36) on the inner surface (35) adapted to cooperate with the outer thread (24) on the container neck (20) and ratchets (37A, 37B, 37C) on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the container neck (20), characterized in that at least one stop lug (26) is formed on the container neck (20), said stop lug (26) protruding from the outer surface (23) of the container neck (20), the free end (34) of the skirt (32) is formed at least partially as at least one circularly extending sloped edge portion (38), the sloped edge portion (38) having a lowest end (39) and a highest end (40), wherein the highest end (40) is adjoined by a stop edge portion (41), wherein, when mounting the closure (30, 130) on the container neck (20), the sloped edge portion (38) is moved from the highest end (40) to the lowest end (39) along the the stop lug (26) when the skirt (32) is screwed on the container neck (20), wherein, in a mounted state in which the closure (30, 130) is fully screwed on the container neck (20), the stop lug (26) is located between the highest end (40) of one of the sloped edge portions (38) and the lowest end (39) of the subsequent sloped edge portion (38), or, in case there is only one sloped edge portion, the stop lug (26) is located between the highest end of the sloped edge portion and the lowest end of the same sloped edge portion.

2. Closure system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of stop lugs (26) are evenly distributed over the circumference formed on the container neck (20), and wherein the free end (34) of the skirt comprises a plurality of sloped edge portions (38) evenly distributed over the circumference.

3. Closure system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two stop lugs (26) are formed on the container neck (20), and wherein the free end (34) of the skirt (32) comprises two sloped edge portions (38).

4. Closure system according to claim 3, wherein the stop lugs (26) are located diametrically opposite each other on the container neck (20).

5. Closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sloped edge portion (38) extends over at least one quarter of a circumference.

6. Closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sloped edge portion (38) extends over less than half a circumference.

7. Closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when mounting the closure (30) on the container neck (20), the at least one sloped edge portion (38) at some point engages the at least one stop lug (26) when the skirt (32) is screwed on the container neck (20) and the sloped edge portion (38) is guided along the stop lug (26) towards the lowest end (39) when the skirt (32) is screwed further on the container neck (20).

8. Closure system according to claim 7, wherein the inner thread (36) on the closure skirt (32) has a helix angle and the sloped edge portion (38) has a helix angle, the helix angle of the inner thread (36) corresponding to the helix angle of the sloped edge portion (38).

9. Closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop edge portion (41) extends substantially axial, i.e. substantially parallel to the centre axis of the closure body (30).

10. Closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second blocking feature (28, 43) is provided between the container neck (20) and the inner surface of the skirt (32), which second blocking feature (28, 43) is located axially remote from the stop lug (26) on the container neck (20) and the sloped edge portion (38) on the skirt (32) of the closure (30).

11. Closure system according to claim 10, wherein the second blocking feature comprises a blocking recess (28) in the outer thread (24) on the outer surface (23) of the container neck (20) and a blocking lug (43) formed on the inner surface (35) of the skirt (32), adapted to be received in said blocking recess (28).

12. Closure system according to claim 10, wherein the second blocking feature comprises a blocking recess in the thread on the inner surface of the skirt and a blocking lug formed on the outer surface of the container neck, adapted to be received in said blocking recess.

13. Non-removable closure for mounting on a container neck, the closure (30, 130) comprising a deck (31, 131) having a dispensing passage (33, 133), and furthermore comprising a skirt (32) which extends from the deck (33, 133), said skirt (32) having a free end (34) remote from the deck (33, 133), said skirt (32) having an inner surface (35), an inner thread (36) on the inner surface (35) adapted to cooperate with an outer thread (24) on the container neck (20) and ratchets (37A, 37B, 37C) on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the container neck (20), characterized in that the free end (34) of the skirt (32) is formed at least partially as at least one circularly extending sloped edge portion (38), the sloped edge portion (38) having a lowest end (39) and a highest end (40), wherein the highest end (40) is adjoined by a stop edge portion (41) adapted to engage a stop feature on the container neck.

14. Non-removable closure according to claim 13, wherein the free end (34) of the skirt comprises a plurality of sloped edge portions (38) evenly distributed over the circumference.

15. Closure according to claim 14, wherein the free end (34) of the skirt (32) comprises two sloped edge portions (38).

16. Closure according to any one of the claims 13-15, wherein the at least one sloped edge portion (38) extends over at least one quarter of a circumference.

17. Closure according to any one of the claims 13-16, wherein the at least one sloped edge portion (38) extends over less than half a circumference.

18. Closure according to any one of the claims 13-17, wherein the at least one sloped edge portion (38) extends over an arc between 120°-160°, preferably about 150°.

19. Closure according to any one of the claims 13-18, wherein the stop edge portion (41) extends substantially axial, i.e. substantial parallel to the centre axis of the closure body (30).

20. Closure according to any one of the claims 13-19, wherein the closure is made of a plastic material, e.g. PP.

21. Container for containing a dispensable substance, the container comprising a container neck located on a container shoulder, wherein the container neck (20) comprises a cylindrical wall (21) defining a passage (22) for contents of the container (2), said cylindrical wall having an end connected to the container shoulder and an opposite free end, and saidcylindrical wall (21) having an outer surface (23), an outer thread (24) on the outer surface and ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the outer surface, characterized in that at least one stop lug (26) is formed on the outer surface of an end region at the shoulder sided end of the cylindrical wall (21), said stop lug (26) protruding from the outer surface (23) of the container neck (20).

22. Container according to claim 21 , wherein a plurality of stop lugs (26) are evenly distributed over the circumference at the end region of the cylindrical wall (21) of the container neck (20).

23. Container according to claim 21 or 22, wherein two stop lugs (26) are formed on the end region of the cylindrical wall (21) of the container neck (20).

24. Container according to claim 23, wherein the stop lugs (26) are located diametrically opposite each other on the container neck (20).

25. Container according to claim 24, wherein the container is a moulded product and has a division plane (DP) defined by a division of mould halves used to mould the container, wherein a diametrical axis through the stop lugs (26) lies in said division plane (DP), and wherein the cylindrical wall (21) of the container neck has ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the outer surface, said ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) each having a stop surface (29A, 29B, 29C), wherein the stop surfaces (29A, 29B, 29C) extend under an angle to the division plane (DP), such that no undercut is present when the container neck has to be demolded.

26. Container according to claim 25, wherein the stop surfaces (29A, 29B, 29C) extend perpendicularly to the division plane (DP).

27. Container according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the stop surfaces (29A, 29B, 29C) are all parallel to each other.

28. Container according to any one of the claims 25-27, wherein the ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) are located in a circumferential region which is offset at an angle (a) of at least 30° from the division plane (DP).

29. Container according to any one of the claims 21-28, wherein the container is made of a plastic material, e.g. PE, PP or PET.

30. Method for manufacturing a non-removable closure (30, 130) according to any one of the claims 13-20, wherein the closure (30, 130) is made by an injection moulding process.

31. Method for manufacturing a container (2) according to any one of the claims 21-29, wherein the container (2) is made by an injection moulding process.

32. Assembly of a container according to claim 21 and a non-removable closure according to claim 13.

33. Closure system (1) comprising a container neck (20) and a non-removable closure (30, 130) mountable on the container neck (20),- the container neck (20) comprising a cylindrical wall (21) defining a passage (22) for contents of the container (2), said cylindrical wall (21) having an outer surface (23), an outer thread (24) on the outer surface,- the closure (30, 130) comprising a deck (31, 131) having a dispensing passage (33, 133), and furthermore comprising a skirt (32) which extends from the deck (33, 133), said skirt (32) having a free end (34) remote from the deck (33, 133), said skirt (32) having an inner surface (35), an inner thread (36) on the inner surface (35) adapted to cooperate with the outer thread (24) on the container neck (20), characterized in that at least one stop lug (26) is formed on the container neck (20), said stop lug (26) protruding from the outer surface (23) of the container neck (20), the free end (34) of the skirt (32) is formed having a stop edge portion (41), wherein, in a mounted state in which the closure (30, 130) is fully screwed on the container neck (20), the stop lug (26) is located in front of the stop edge portion (41) or against the stop edge portion (41) seen in the rotational direction for screwing the closure on the container neck, wherein a second blocking feature (28, 43) is provided between the container neck (20) and the inner surface of the skirt (32), which second blocking feature (28, 43) is located axially remote from the stop lug (26) on the container neck (20) and the stop edge portion (41) on the skirt (32) of the closure (30).

34. Closure system according to claim 33, wherein the second blocking feature comprises a blocking recess (28) in the outer thread (24) on the outer surface (23) of the container neck (20) and a blocking lug (43) formed on the inner surface (35) of the skirt (32), adapted to be received in said blocking recess (28).

35. Closure system according to claim 33, wherein the second blocking feature comprises a blocking recess in the thread on the inner surface of the skirt and a blocking lug formed on the outer surface of the container neck, adapted to be received in said blocking recess.

36. Closure system according to any one of the claims 33-35, wherein the cylindrical wall(21) of the container neck has ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the outer surface, and the inner surface (35) of the skirt has ratchets (37A, 37B, 37C) on the inner surface adapted to cooperate with the ratchets (25A, 25B, 25C) on the container neck (20).

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