Closure with retention features

Abstract

A closure (40, 40A, 40B) includes a body (54, 54A, 54B) with one or more tabs (56, 56A, 56B) defining an upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and a lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) arranged in a diverging relationship in a radially inward direction moving away from a connection (66, 66A, 66B) with a skirt (62, 62A, 62B). The upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and the lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) taper in a radially outward direction and converge at the connection (66, 66A, 66B). The one or more tabs (56, 56A, 56B) have a first configuration and a moved second configuration pivoted about the connection (66, 66A, 66B) after installation of the closure (40) on a container (44) such that the upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) is located radially outwardly of a flange (47) of the container (44) and the lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) is located axially beneath the flange (47) to inhibit removal of the closure (40) from the container (44).

Description

SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)CLOSURE WITH RETENTION FEATURESPRIORITY

[0001] Not Applicable.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to a closure for a container, and more specifically relates to a closure with one or more features to retain the closure on a container at the container opening.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Closures are employed to selectively prevent or permit communication of a substance between the exterior and interior of a container (e.g., flexible pouch, rigid bottle, machine, dispensing equipment, containment system, etc.) through an opening in the container. Various fluent and non-fluent substances (including lotions, creams, food items, granules, liquids, powders, small articles, etc.) may be packaged in a container. A typical closure includes a (1 ) body (e.g., pouch fitment, screw or snap-fit base, structure, etc.) located at an opening to the container interior, and (2) a closing element (e.g., a lid, cover, overcap, etc.).

[0004] The closure body can typically be either (1 ) a separate structure that (a) can be attached at such a container opening, and (b) defines at least one passage through the body for communicating through such a container opening with the interior of such a container, or (2) an integral structure that is a unitary portion of such aSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) container and that defines at least one passage through the integral structure such that the passage functions as the opening, per se, to the container.

[0005] The closing element typically accommodates movement relative to the body passage between (1 ) a closed position occluding the passage, and (2) an open position at least partially exposing the passage.

[0006] A closure specifically designed for dispensing a fluent substance may be described as a dispensing closure. Various fluent materials or substances (including oils, lotions, creams, gels, liquids, food items, granules, powders, etc.) may be packaged in a rigid, flexible, or collapsible container having a dispensing closure that can be opened and closed. A flexible container may be pressurized by a user to force the fluent substance from the container and through the closure body to dispense the fluent substance at a target region or onto a target surface area. The container with the closure mounted thereon, and the contents stored therein, may be characterized as a “package”.

[0007] Many common prior art closures include tamper evidence features or structures that rely on frangible or breakable tear bands and one-way snap fit elements that retain the closure securely until initially opened by a user. These prior art designs have employed retention bands, retention wings or ratchet elements, flexible bands, or retention beads to keep the tear band in place as the closure is removed. The robustness of such closure to container engagement feature needs to not only survive the application of the closure on the container while not breaking of the frangible elements or bridges, but also must be strong enough to overcome the lifting force applied to the closure and bridge break force of the frangible elements during opening. Failures of prior art retention structures can be exhibited by the retention feature jumping over the outer diameter flange or bead of the container neck finish or the retention feature flipping in and out thus losing engagement with the container.

[0008] The inventors of the present invention have determined that it would be desirable to provide an improved closure, wherein the tamper evidence features wouldSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) inhibit or prevent hand removal of the body from the container after initial installation by the manufacturer and such tamper evidence features would survive both the installation of the closure on a container and destruction of any frangible elements on the closure.

[0009] It would be beneficial if such an improved closure could be relatively easily operated, without requiring an unusually complex manipulation or series of manipulations by a user.

[0010] It would also be beneficial if such an improved closure could be relatively easy to manufacture and assemble with a container, and could contain robust, non- frangible tamper evidence features to reduce the likelihood of damage thereto during assembly and / or shipping and handling.

[0011] Further, it would be desirable if such an improved closure could be opened or operated without generating smaller, separate removable waste frangible elements that produce sharp edges.

[0012] The inventors of the present invention have also discovered that it would be desirable to provide, at least for some applications, an improved assembly of a closure with robust tamper evidence features and a container in the form of a package, and such a package can be manufactured and / or assembled at a relatively low cost, and can accommodate manufacture by means of efficient, high-quality, large-volume techniques, and that can facilitate the minimization of plastic and part weight.

[0013] The inventors of the present invention have discovered how to provide such an improved closure that includes novel, advantageous features not heretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art, and which can accommodate designs having one or more of the above-discussed benefits or features.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In accordance with one broad form of the present invention, a closure is provided for use with a container having an opening to an interior of the containerSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) wherein contents may be stored, the container of the type having a projecting flange extending outwardly around the opening. The closure includes a body for being located at the opening of the container. The body includes a deck with at least one orifice and a skirt depending from the deck. The body includes one or more tabs extending from a bottom end of the skirt at a connection. The one or more tabs each define an upper arm and a lower arm arranged in a diverging relationship in a radially inward direction moving away from the connection. The upper arm and the lower arm taper in a radially outward direction and converge at the connection. The upper arm extends further from the connection than the lower arm. Each tab has a first configuration prior to installation on a container such that the tab extends below the skirt, and a second configuration pivoted about the connection after installation of the closure on a container such that the upper arm is located radially outwardly of the projecting flange of the container and the lower arm is located axially beneath the projecting flange of the container to inhibit removal of the closure from the container.

[0015] According to one preferred form of the present invention, the tab is fully annular with a uniform cross-section, taken in a vertical plane containing a central axis of the body.

[0016] In another preferred form of the present invention, the body has a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs, each having a uniform cross-section, taken in a vertical plane containing a central axis of the body.

[0017] According to another form of the present invention, the body has a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs, wherein adjacent upper arms of the plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs are connected by an annular bridge and wherein adjacent lower arms of the plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs are spaced-apart by a gap.SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0018] According to yet another preferred form of the present invention, the lower arm of the at least one tab defines a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the upper arm.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the at least one tab defines an arcuate web that extends between the upper arm and the lower arm.

[0020] In another form of the present invention, the at least one tab is configured in its second configuration to inhibit removal of the closure from a container when the closure is subjected to an axial removal force of up to about 222 Newtons, and more preferably about 257 Newtons.

[0021] According to another form of the present invention, the closure further includes a spout retained within the body in the at least one orifice. The spout has an inlet orifice, a dispensing orifice, and a dispensing passage extending through the spout to accommodate flow of a substance from the interior of the container through the spout.

[0022] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the upper arm and the lower arm substantially maintain their structure in the second configuration when the closure is assembled with a container.

[0023] According to yet another preferred form of the present invention, the at least one tab is configured such that the upper arm extends axially above the projecting flange of the container in the second configuration.

[0024] In still another form of the present invention, the upper arm defines an internal surface and external surface that are substantially parallel, and the lower arm defines an internal surface and external surface that diverge in a direction toward the connection with the skirt.SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0025] In another broad form of the present invention, the closure is provided in combination with a container of a fluent substance, wherein the closure and the container of the fluent substance together define a package.

[0026] In accordance with yet another broad form of the present invention, a closure is provided for use with a container having an opening to an interior of the container wherein contents may be stored, the container of the type having a projecting flange extending outwardly around the opening. The closure includes a body for being located at the opening of the container. The body includes a deck with at least one orifice and a skirt depending from the deck. The body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs extending from a bottom end of the skirt at a plurality of connections. Each one of the tabs has an upper arm and a lower arm arranged in a diverging relationship. Adjacent upper arms of the plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs are connected by an annular bridge and adjacent lower arms of the plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs are spaced-apart by a gap. Each tab has a first configuration prior to installation on a container such that the tab extends below the skirt, and a second configuration pivoted about the connections after installation of the closure on a container such that the upper arm is located radially outwardly of the projecting flange of the container and the lower arm is located axially beneath the projecting flange of the container to inhibit removal of the closure from the container.

[0027] In one broad form of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a package is disclosed. The method includes the step of a container having an opening to an interior of the container and a projecting flange extending outwardly around the opening. The method includes the step of obtaining a closure having a body for being located at the opening of the container. The body includes a deck with at least one orifice and a skirt depending from the deck. At least one tab extends from a bottom end of the skirt at a connection. The at least one tab has an upper arm and a lower arm arranged in a diverging relationship in a radially inward direction moving away from theSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) connection. The upper arm and the lower arm taper in a radially outward direction and converge at the connection. The upper arm extends further from the connection than the lower arm. The at least one tab has a first configuration prior to installation on the container such that the at least one tab extends below the skirt. The at least one tab further has a second configuration pivoted about the connection. The method further includes the step of installing the closure on the container such that the at least one tab moves from the first configuration into the second configuration such that the upper arm is located radially outwardly of the projecting flange of the container and the lower arm is located axially beneath the projecting flange of the container to prevent removal of the closure from the container by hand.

[0028] Preferably, the method includes the further steps of obtaining a spout having an inlet orifice, a dispensing orifice, and a dispensing passage extending through the spout to accommodate flow of a substance through the spout, and inserting the spout through the orifice in the body.

[0029] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a first illustrated embodiment of a closure according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows the closure as it would initially appear prior to being assembled at the opening of a container of a substance;

[0031] FIG. 2 is an isometric view, from below, of the closure of FIG. 1 showing the fully annular retention tab of the body of the closure in an as-molded initial configuration;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 1 , taken through the central vertical axis of the closure;SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0033] FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary portion of the circled area of the closure of FIG. 3;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 1 , taken through the central vertical axis of the closure, and FIG. 5 shows the closure assembled with a spout and installed at the opening of a fragmentary upper portion of a container in the form of a package;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a second illustrated embodiment of a closure according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows the closure as it would initially appear prior to being assembled at the opening of a container of a substance;

[0036] FIG. 7 is an isometric view, from below, of the closure of FIG. 6;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 6, taken through the central vertical axis of the closure;

[0038] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a third illustrated embodiment of a closure according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 shows the closure as it would initially appear prior to being assembled at the opening of a container of a substance;

[0039] FIG. 10 is an isometric view, from below, of the closure of FIG. 9;

[0040] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 9, taken through the central vertical axis of the closure as the retention feature of the closure would appear in the second configuration after installation upon a container; and

[0041] FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 9, taken through the central vertical axis of the closure as the retention feature of the closure would appear after installation upon a container, and FIG. 12 is rotated about the central axis as compared to the view of FIG. 11 .DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited in itsSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) broadest form to just the embodiments so described. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

[0043] For ease of description, the closure 40 of this invention is described in a typical (upright) position, that the closure 40 would have when installed at the opening of an upright container 44 of a substance or product (the upper end of the container being illustrated in the form of an upright bottle in FIG. 5 only), and terms such as upper, lower, radial, axial, above, below, lateral, etc., are used with reference to this position and with respect to the central axis 45 that extends vertically through the geometric center of the closure 40 (visible in FIGS. 2 and 3). It will be understood, however, that the closure embodying this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.

[0044] The closure of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers, the details of which, although not fully illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The particular containers, per se, that are described herein form no part of, and therefore are not intended to limit, the broad aspects of the present invention.

[0045] The illustrated preferred embodiments of the closure of the present invention will typically be used on a container of a material or substance (e.g., a product such as a lotion, fluent food, or drink substance) that can be dispensed, or otherwise removed, from the container through the opened closure. The product may be, for example, a fluent substance such as a liquid, cream, powder, slurry, or paste. If the container and closure are large enough, then the product could also be non-fluent, discrete pieces of material (e.g., food products such as nuts, candies, crackers, cookies, etc., or non-food products including various items, particles, granules, etc.) which can be removed through an open closure by hand from a container, or scooped out of a container, or poured out of a container. Such materials may be, for example, a food product, a personal care product, an industrial product, a household product, or otherSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) types of products. Such materials may be for internal or external use by humans or animals, or for other uses (e.g., activities involving medicine, manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.).

[0046] FIGS. 1 -5 illustrate a first embodiment of a closure 40, or subcomponents thereof, incorporating the retention features according to the present invention. The first embodiment of the closure 40 has the basic components of a body 54 for being located at the opening 46 (visible in FIG. 5) of a container 44 (e.g., shown FIG. 5), wherein the body 54 includes at least one tab 56 in engagement with a bead or flange 47 feature on the container 44 to prevent or inhibit removal of the body 54 from the container 44 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0047] It will be understood that the present invention encompasses embodiments that include a dispensing spout 60 (visible in FIG. 5 only) mated within the body 54 and embodiments that do not include any such spout, per se, but which still include the advantageous retention features of the present closure 40 in the body 54 alone. The closure 40 may further be provided with a lid (not illustrated) or other closing element that is movably connected to the body 54 to inhibit or prevent movement of a substance through the closure.

[0048] The spout 60 defines a passage through which a substance can flow or otherwise move from the interior of the container 44 to the external environment. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the closure 40 is provided in the form of a separate article which is especially suitable for being attached to the container 44 that would typically contain contents such as a product or products consisting of articles or fluent material. Such a container 44 could be a collapsible, flexible pouch (not illustrated) with appropriate modification to the body 54 into a fitment for being sealed within an opening of the pouch, or the container 44 may be a generally rigid vessel which may have somewhat flexible, resilient walls, such as a bottle or tank.

[0049] However, it will be understood that the container 44 may be some other type of container or vessel for a substance, which may include, or be part of, forSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) example, a medical device, processing machine, dispenser, reservoir on a machine, etc., wherein the container 44 has an opening 46 to the container interior. The container 44, per se, such as a bottle, pouch, or other vessel, per se, does not form a part of the broadest aspects of the present invention, per se. The container 44 may have any configuration suitable for the intended use.

[0050] The container 44, or a portion thereof, may be made from a material suitable for the intended application (e.g., a thin, flexible material for a pouch wherein such a material could be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyethylene film, or a thicker, less flexible material for a bottle wherein such a less flexible material could be injection-molded polyethylene or polypropylene).

[0051] In applications wherein the body 54 of the closure 40 is mounted to a container 44 such as a bottle or pouch, it is contemplated that typically, after the closure manufacturer makes the closure 40 (e.g., by molding the closure components, i.e. , the body 54 and the spout 60, from thermoplastic polymers and assembles them together in an initially assembled orientation of the lid defining an unactuated, initially closed position or condition), the closure manufacturer will then ship the closed closure 40 to a filler facility at another location where the container 44 is either manufactured or otherwise provided, and where the container 44 is filled with a product. However, for some applications, the components of the closure 40 could be shipped by the closure manufacturer in an unassembled condition to the filler facility for subsequent assembly.

[0052] If the container 44 is a collapsible pouch as illustrated, then the closure body 54 may include a suitable conventional or special fitment portion (as illustrated and as will be discussed in detail below) that can be attached to the pouch as the pouch is being made and filled, or as the pouch is being made but before the pouch is subsequently filled through the body 54 of the unassembled closure 40 or through open regions of the pouch walls that are later sealed closed.

[0053] In the illustrated first embodiment of the invention, the closure 40 is preferably provided as an assembly of the body 54 and spout 60 that together define anSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) article (i.e., the closure 40) for being attached to a container 44. The illustrated first embodiment of the closure 40 is especially suitable for being non-removably attached (e.g., mounted or installed) to a container 44 in the form of a bottle. However, it will be appreciated that in some non-preferred applications it may be desirable for the closure 40 to be attached to a container 44 in a manner that would permit a user to remove the closure 40 from the container 44.

[0054] Where the container 44 is a bottle, the bottle typically includes an upper end portion or other suitable structure on some part of the bottle that defines the bottle mouth portion (i.e., a portion that defines an opening to the bottle interior), and such a mouth portion of a bottle typically has a cross-sectional configuration with which the closure 40 is designed to engage. The main body portion of the bottle may have a cross-sectional configuration that differs from the cross-sectional configuration of the bottle mouth portion (as illustrated). On the other hand, the bottle may instead have a substantially uniform shape along its entire length or height without any portion of reduced size or different cross-section. The bottle may have a generally rigid or flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user.

[0055] The embodiment of the closure 40 illustrated in FIGS. 1 -5 is especially suitable for use with a container 44 having a substantially flexible wall or walls that can be squeezed or deflected laterally inwardly by the user to increase the internal pressure within the bottle so as to force the product out of the bottle and through the opened closure. In a bottle with a flexible wall or walls, such a flexible wall or walls typically have sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the bottle walls return to the normal, unstressed shape.

[0056] In other applications it may be desirable to employ a generally rigid container 44, and to pressurize the container interior at selected times with a piston or other pressurizing system to force the product out through the open closure, or to reduce the exterior ambient pressure so as to suck the product out through the open closure 40.SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0057] In the first illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the closure 40 includes a specially configured closure body 54 with one or more retention tabs 56 which cooperate with portions of the container 44 to provide improved tamper prevention. As explained hereinafter, the unique geometry of the tab or tabs 56 create or provide an improved security mechanism to defeat removal of the closure 40 from the container 44 subsequent to manufacture by the bottler or filler.

[0058] The closure body 54, any optional lid, and the spout 60 are each preferably molded from a suitable thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. In a presently preferred form of the closure 40, the body 54 and the lid are molded as a unitary structure from the same thermoplastic material, while the spout 60 is molded separately and subsequently assembled with the body 54 and the lid to form a subassembly prior to being installed upon the container 44. Other materials may be employed instead.

[0059] With reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 and 3, the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 of the present invention includes a generally hollow base or body 54, with or without a lid (not visible) that may be connected to the body 54. The body 54 includes a top end or deck 58 which defines an interior side facing the interior of the container (i.e., axially inward, or downward in the figures) and an exterior side facing the ambient environment (i.e., axially outward, or upward in the figures). The deck 58 further includes a circular orifice 61 therein, centered on the axis 45, permitting the installation or insertion of the spout 60 (visible in FIG. 5) therethrough. A wall or skirt 62 extends generally axially inwardly or downwardly from the deck 58. The skirt 62 includes means or internal threads 63 for mating with external threads 64 (visible in FIG. 5) or other connecting means of the container 44 to secure the body 54 to the container 44. It will be understood that the body 54 may have other attachment means for engaging features on the container 44, such means including, but not limited to, snap-fit beads and grooves, toggle clamps, friction fittings, locks, adhesives, welding, etc.,SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) located on any portion of the body 54 to secure the body 54 at the opening 46 of the container 44.

[0060] The lid may be connected to the body 54 by a hinge, which is preferably molded unitarily with the lid and the closure body 54 near the deck 58 so as to accommodate movement of the lid between an open position or condition exposing the spout 60, and the closed position or condition occluding or sealing the spout 60. The hinge may be of any suitable conventional or special design. For example, the hinge illustrated in the figures may be of a conventional snap-action type such as described in the U.S. Patent No. 5,356,017 or U.S. Patent No. 5,642,824, the details of which form no part of the broadest form of the present invention. The hinge could also be a nonsnap-action type, including a strap or tether. The lid may be mated with the body 54 in a wholly removable manner, such as by friction, or snap fit beads, etc.

[0061] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 includes a body 54 having a single, fully annular tab 56 that extends from a bottom edge or bottom end 65 of the skirt 62 at a connection 66. As best seen in FIG. 4, the tab 56 defines or includes an upper arm 67 and a lower arm 68 arranged in a diverging relationship in a radially inward direction (i.e., toward the central axis 45) moving away from the connection 66. The upper arm 67 and the lower arm 68 taper in a radially outward direction (i.e., away from the central axis 45) and converge at the connection 66. The upper arm 67 extends further from the connection 66 than the lower arm 68. The tab 56 has a first configuration (e.g., as-molded configuration as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) prior to installation on the container 44 such that the tab 56 extends axially below the skirt 62. The tab 56 further has a second configuration (as shown in FIG. 5) pivoted about the connection 66 after installation of the closure 40 on a container 44 such that the upper arm 67 is located radially outwardly of the projecting flange 47 of the container 44, and the lower arm 68 is located axially beneath the projecting flange 47 of the container 44 to inhibit removal of the closure 40 from the container 44.SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0062] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the tab 56 is fully annular with a uniform cross-section, taken in a vertical plane containing a central axis 45 (as viewed in FIG. 3).

[0063] With reference now to FIG. 4, the thickness of the lower arm 68 is greater than the thickness of the upper arm 67. An arcuate or concave web 69 extends between the opposing internal surfaces 70 and 71 of the upper arm 67 and lower arm, respectively. The upper arm 67 and lower arm 68 further define oppositely-facing outer surfaces 72 and 73, respectively. The internal surface 70 and external surface 72 of the upper arm 67 are substantially parallel, while the internal surface 71 and external surface 73 of the lower arm 68 diverge in a direction extending toward the connection 66.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 5, the upper arm 67 extends axially above the projecting flange 47 of the container 44 in the second configuration. In one preferred embodiment of the closure 40, the upper arm 67 and the lower arm 68 further substantially maintain their relative positioning and shape when moved into the second configuration. In another preferred embodiment of the closure 40, the tab 56 is configured in the second configuration to inhibit removal of the closure 40 from the container 44 when subjected to an axial removal force of up to about 222 Newtons (50 Ibf), and more preferably, an axial removal force of up to about 267 Newtons (60 Ibf). The inventors have found that the tab 56 of the closure 40 may increase the axial removal force threshold by up to 20%, and more preferably 30% compared to prior art, flexible retention bands for closures of the same size, material, and container neck finish.

[0065] The inventors have found that the unique geometry and arrangement of the tab 56 of the closure 40 provides a more robust tamper evidence feature compared to the prior art, which cannot be defeated by hand while still surviving shipping and handling of the closure 40 or the package in which the closure 40 is installed. TheSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) barbed geometry of the arms 67, 68 survive application of the closure 40 on the container 44 and prevent the closure 40 from jumping or moving axially beyond the flange 47 of the container during opening of the closure 40 and during shipping or handling. In particular, the unique structure of the tab 56 may prevent or inhibit the failure mode of the prior art retention structures flipping in and out of engagement known in the prior art by containing geometry that utilizes an angled body and collapsible form to pass over the flange 47 easily. The tab 56 may be more easily manufactured and robust compared to other barbed type retention structures of the prior art which utilize thin, permanently deformed elements or complex pockets with non- uniform cross-sectional geometry. The upper arm 67 engages radially outwardly of the flange 47 while the lower arm 68 either contacts or confronts the underside of the flange 47 to defeat tampering by hand. The robust engagement of the closure 40 and container 44 engagement of the present invention makes a tethered solution possible by being able to stay engaged even when the band is being deformed.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 5, the spout 60 is a generally cylindrical, hollow structure with an inlet orifice 80, an outlet or dispensing orifice 82, and a through or dispensing passage 86 extending between the inlet orifice 80 and dispensing orifice 82. The spout 60 includes a laterally extending annular flange 88 for being retained between the underside of the deck 58 and the opening 46 of the container 44 when the spout 60 is assembled with the body 54 and the container 44. The spout 60 includes a lower plug seal 88 for sealing against the inside of the opening 46 of the container 44.

[0067] The lid, if provided, may seal around the exterior of the spout 60 with the lid in a closed position. While the dispensing orifice 82 of the spout 60 is circular and centered on the central axis 45 of the closure body 54, it will be understood that the dispensing orifice 82 may have other shapes, such as one or more slots, a plurality of apertures, polygonal apertures, or irregularly shaped apertures, etc., and need not be centered on the axis 45.SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0068] Initially, the body 54 is molded or otherwise provided as a unitary structure with or without any lid, while the spout 60 is molded or otherwise provided as a separate component. Subsequently, in a preferred process, the manufacturer assembles the body 54 with the spout 60 by moving the body 54 and spout 60 together along the axis 45 so as to force the spout 60 into and through the orifice 61 of the top deck 58 of the body 54. If provided, the lid would be placed in a closed condition or position sealing or covering the spout 60. The annular flange 88 of the spout 60 is retained in this position by an internal bead or projection which maintains the assembly of the spout 60 and body 54.

[0069] After the assembly of the body 54 and the spout 60 to form the closure 40 of the present invention (which would typically be shipped to a filler or bottler), the closure 40 is assembled to the container 44 by means of engaging the body thread 63 with the container thread 64 after filling of the container 44 with a fluent substance to secure the closure 40 at the opening 46 of the container 44. Engagement of the tab 56 with the container exterior causes rotation of the tab 56 about the connection 66 to locate the upper arm radially outwardly of the flange 47 of the container 44 and the lower arm axially inwardly (below) the flange 47.

[0070] The closure 40 of the present invention, when assembled on a container 44 of a fluent substance in the form of a package, may be actuated by a user operating the lid to move it relative to the body 54 an initially closed position sealing the spout 60 to an open position permitting dispensing through the spout 60. If frangible elements are provided with the body 54, then they may be broken by initial opening of the closure 40 to dispense a substance. The tamper evidence tab 56 permits the body 54 to withstand breaking of the frangible elements while the upper arm 67 and lower arm 68 inhibit removal of the body 54 from the opening of the container 44.

[0071] A second embodiment of a closure 40A according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. Like elements between the first illustrated embodiment of theSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) closure 40 and the second illustrated embodiment of the closure 40A are designated with the same numeral (the first embodiment numbered features having no suffix and the second embodiment having numbered features with an “A” suffix).

[0072] With reference to FIG. 8, the second illustrated embodiment of the closure 40A has the same basic elements of a body 54A centered about a central axis 45A, the body 54A for being located at the opening 46 of a container 44 (e.g., shown FIG. 5), wherein the body 54A includes at least one tab 56A in engagement with a flange 47 or other feature on the container 44 to prevent or inhibit removal of the body 54A from the container 44 as will be discussed in greater detail below. The body 54A includes a top deck 58A defining an orifice 61 A for accommodating an optional spout (e.g., 60 in FIG. 5), a depending skirt 62A with an internal thread 63A or other connecting means for engaging a thread on a container. The skirt 62A includes a bottom end 65A and a connection 66A from which the tab 56A extends. The tab 56A includes an upper arm 67A and lower arm 68A with the same geometric relationship as discussed above with respect to the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40.

[0073] The second illustrated embodiment of the closure 40A differs from the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 in that the body 54A includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart tabs 56A with their own discrete connection 66A to the bottom end 65A of the skirt 62A. Each tab 56A has a substantially identical and uniform cross-section, taken in a vertical plane containing the central axis 45A, as is shown in FIG. 8. Adjacent tabs 56A are separated by a substantially uniform space or gap 90A that is substantially less than the width or arc length of each tab 56A as measured around the circumference of the body 54A relative to the central axis 45A.

[0074] This arrangement of the tabs 56A may advantageously permit the closure manufacturer to provide the closure 40A in applications that require drainage and finish variation. The uniform cross-section of the tabs 56A may render the closure more easily manufacturable compared to prior art designs with pockets or non-uniform crosssections (in the vertical plane extending through the center of the closure central axis).SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)

[0075] It will be understood that in the broad aspects of the invention, that the closure 40A need not be assembled with any spout structure, and the orifice 61 A may be configured as a dispensing orifice per se.

[0076] A third embodiment of a closure 40B according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12. Like elements between the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 and the third illustrated embodiment of the closure 40B are designated with the same numeral (the first embodiment numbered features having no suffix and the third embodiment having numbered features with an “B” suffix).

[0077] With reference to FIG. 11 , the third illustrated embodiment of the closure 40B has the same basic elements of a body 54B centered about a central axis 45B, the body 54B for being located at the opening 46 of a container 44 (e.g., shown FIG. 5), wherein the body 54B includes at least one tab 56B in engagement with a flange 47 or other feature on the container 44 to prevent or inhibit removal of the body 54B from the container 44 as will be discussed in greater detail below. The body 54B includes a top deck 58B defining an orifice 61 B for accommodating an optional spout (e.g., 60 in FIG. 5), a depending skirt 62B with an internal thread 63B or other connecting means for engaging a thread or other feature on a container. The skirt 62B includes a bottom end 65B and a connection 66B from which the tab 56B extends. The tab 56B includes an upper arm 67B and lower arm 68B with the same geometric relationship as discussed above with respect to the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40.

[0078] The third illustrated embodiment of the closure 40B differs from the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 in that the body 54B includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart tabs 56B with their own discrete connection 66B to the bottom end 65B of the skirt 62B. Each tab 56A has a substantially identical crosssection, taken in a vertical plane containing the central axis 45B, as is shown in FIG. 11. Adjacent tabs 56A are characterized in that the lower arms 68B are separated by a substantially uniform space or gap 90B that is substantially less than the width or arc length of each tab 56B as measured around the circumference of the body 54B relativeSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) to the central axis 45B. Furthermore, the adjacent upper arms 67B of the tabs 56B are connected by an annular bridge 94B.

[0079] This arrangement of the tabs 56B may advantageously permit the closure manufacturer to provide the closure 40B in applications that require drainage and finish variation. The bridges 94B may provide enhanced tamper resistance compared to the second embodiment of the closure 40A and may further render the closure more easily manufacturable compared to prior art designs with pockets or non-uniform crosssections (in the vertical plane extending through the center of the closure central axis).

[0080] It will be understood that in broad aspects of the invention, the closure 40B need not be assembled with any spout structure, and the orifice 61 B may be configured as a dispensing orifice per se.

[0081] Various modifications and alterations to this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Illustrative embodiments and examples are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the broadest scope of the present invention.

Claims

SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A closure (40, 40A, 40B) for use with a container (44) having an opening (46) to an interior of the container (44) wherein contents may be stored, the container (44) having a projecting flange (47) extending outwardly around the opening (46), said closure (40, 40A, 40B) comprising: a body (54, 54A, 54B) for being located at the opening of the container (44), said body (54, 54A, 54B) having a deck (58, 58A, 58B) including at least one orifice (61 , 61 A, 61 B), said body (54, 54A, 54B) having a skirt (62, 62A, 62B) depending from said deck (58, 58A, 58B), at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) extending from a bottom end of said skirt (62, 62A, 62B) at a connection (66, 66A, 66B), said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) defining an upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and a lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) arranged in a diverging relationship in a radially inward direction moving away from said connection (66, 66A, 66B), said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) tapering in a radially outward direction and converging at said connection (66, 66A, 66B), said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) extending further from said connection (66, 66A, 66B) than said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B), said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) having a first configuration prior to installation on a container (44) such that said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) extends below said skirt (62, 62A, 62B), and said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) having a second configuration pivoted about said connection (66, 66A, 66B) after installation of said closure (40) on a container (44) such that said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) is located radially outwardly of the projecting flange of the container and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) is located axially beneath the projecting flange (47) of the container (44) to inhibit removal of said closure (40) from the container (44).

2. The closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one tab (56) is fully annular with a uniform cross-section, taken in a vertical plane containing a central axis (45) of said body (54).SEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)3. The closure (40A) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one tab (56A) is a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56A), each having a uniform cross-section, taken in a vertical plane containing a central axis (45A) of said body (54A).

4. The closure (40B) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one tab (56B) is a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B), wherein adjacent upper arms (67B) of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) are connected by an annular bridge (94B) and wherein adjacent lower arms (68B) of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) are spaced-apart by a gap (90B).

5. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-4 wherein said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) defines a thickness that is greater than a thickness of said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B).

6. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-5 wherein said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) defines an arcuate web (69) extending between said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B).

7. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-6 wherein said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) is configured in said second configuration to inhibit removal of said closure (40, 40A, 40B) from a container (44) when said closure (40, 40A, 40B) is subjected to an axial removal force of up to about 222 Newtons, and more preferably an axial removal force of up to about 267 Newtons.

8. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-7 wherein said closure (40, 40A, 40B) further comprises a spout (60) retained within saidSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) body (54, 54A, 54B) in said at least one orifice (61 , 61 A, 61 B), said spout (60) defining an inlet orifice (80), a dispensing orifice (82), and a dispensing passage (86) extending through said spout (60) to accommodate flow of a substance from the interior of the container (44) through said spout (60).

9. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-8 wherein said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) substantially maintain their structure in said second configuration.

10. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-9 wherein said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) is configured such that said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) extends axially above the projecting flange (47) of the container (44) in said second configuration.

11. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1-10 wherein said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) defines an internal surface (70) and external surface (72) that are substantially parallel, and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) defines an internal surface (71 ) and external surface (73) that diverge in a direction toward said connection (66, 66A, 66B) with said skirt (62, 62A, 62B).

12. A closure (40B) for use with a container (44) having an opening (46) to an interior of the container (44) wherein contents may be stored and having a projecting flange (47) extending outwardly around the opening (46), said closure (40B) comprising: a body (54B) for being located at the opening of the container (44), said body (54B) having a deck (58B) including at least one orifice (61 B), said body (54B) having a skirt (62B) depending from said deck (58B), a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) extending from a bottom end of said skirt (62B) at a plurality of connections (66B), each one of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) defining anSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007) upper arm (67B) and a lower arm (68B) arranged in a diverging relationship, wherein adjacent upper arms (67B) of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) are connected by an annular bridge (94B) and wherein adjacent lower arms (69B) of said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) are spaced-apart by a gap (90B), said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) having a first configuration prior to installation on a container (44) such that said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) extend below said skirt (62B), and said plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart tabs (56B) having a second configuration pivoted about said plurality of connections (66B) after installation of said closure (40) on a container (44) such that said upper arm (67B) is located radially outwardly of the projecting flange (47) of the container (44) and said lower arm (68B) is located axially beneath the projecting flange (47) of the container (44) to inhibit removal of said closure (40B) from the container (44).

13. The closure (40, 40A, 40B) in accordance with any preceding claims 1 -12 in combination with a container (44) of a fluent substance, said dispensing closure (40) and said container (44) of the fluent substance together defining a package.

14. A method of manufacturing a package, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a container (44) having an opening (46) to an interior of said container(44), said container (44) having a projecting flange (47) extending outwardly around said opening (46); obtaining a closure (40, 40A, 40B) having a body (54, 54A, 54B) for being located at said opening (46) of said container (44), said body (54, 54A, 54B) having a deck (58, 58A, 58B) including at least one orifice (61 , 61 A, 61 B), said body (54, 54A, 54B) having a skirt (62, 62A, 62B) depending from said deck (58, 58A, 58B), at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) extending from a bottom end of said skirt (62, 62A, 62B) at a connection (66, 66A, 66B), said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) defining an upper armSEA00820P03170PC (IDC-0007)(67, 67A, 67B) and a lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) arranged in a diverging relationship in a radially inward direction moving away from said connection (66, 66A, 66B), said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) tapering in a radially outward direction and converging at said connection (66, 66A, 66B), said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) extending further from said connection (66, 66A, 66B) than said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B), said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) having a first configuration prior to installation on said container (44) such that said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) extends below said skirt (62, 62A, 62B), and said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) having a second configuration pivoted about said connection (66, 66A, 66B); and installing said closure (40, 40A, 40B) on said container (44) such that said at least one tab (56, 56A, 56B) moves from said first configuration into said second configuration such that said upper arm (67, 67A, 67B) is located radially outwardly of said projecting flange (47) of said container (44) and said lower arm (68, 68A, 68B) is located axially beneath said projecting flange (47) of said container (44) to prevent removal of said closure (40) from said container (44) by hand.

15. The method of manufacturing a package in accordance with claim 14 further comprising the steps of: obtaining a spout (60) defining an inlet orifice (80), a dispensing orifice (82), and a dispensing passage (86) extending through said spout (60) to accommodate flow of a substance through said spout (60); and inserting said spout (60) through said orifice (61 ) in said body (54).

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