Abstract: A container closure locking assembly (40) includes a plastic container (42) having a body portion (54) for holding the contents, a lower closed end (56) for supporting the container (42), and an upper dispensing end (58). The upper dispensing end (58) includes a neck (60) and a round dispensing spout (64) having a central axis (A). The dispensing spout (64) extends upwardly from the neck (60) and further includes an external closure thread (68), a retaining flange (70), and a rotational positioning formation (72). A plastic lock ring (44) molded separately from the container (42) extends around and is supported by the neck (60) of the upper dispensing end (58) of the container (42) below the external closure threads (68) of the dispensing spout (64).

Abstract: A multi-layer preform for forming multi-layer containers includes an extruded inner barrier layer containing polyethylene naphthalate, said inner layer having an upper portion adapted to be formed into an upper portion of a container, an intermediate portion adapted to be formed into an intermediate portion of a container, an extruded and a base portion adapted to form a base portion of a container. The preform includes an outer injection molded layer. The inner layer has a thickness which differs from the base portion to the upper portion.