Abstract: A removable inner compartment promotional closure includes a plastic closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. A circular, resilient liner is positioned in the cap, and has a retaining element extending therefrom. A removable compartment member is positioned in the closure cap in engagement with the retaining element. The compartment defines an interior compartment adapted to receive promotional indicia, such as a promotional game piece, therein. The compartment is adapted to release from the cap after the cap is removed from the container. A sealed cover element may be positioned to extend over and close the compartment member, to isolate the compartment from the contents of the container. The promotional closure is used in conjunction with a simulated promotional closure, which configured to be is indistinguishable from the promotional closure cap.

Abstract: A method for forming a liner in a closure for a container includes forming a plastic closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion, and depositing a quantity of moldable liner forming plastic material in the cap. A liner forming assembly which has a liner tip and a liner sleeve, the liner tip being axially movable relative to said liner sleeve, and the liner sleeve defining a plurality of circumferentially located, radially oriented venting channels positioned on an outer surface thereof, is advanced into the cap to engage the sleeve with the cap, adjacent to the venting channels, to define a liner space. The liner tip is advanced into the cap, relative to the liner sleeve, to compress a liner forming material to form the liner while restraining the flow of moldable plastic between the sleeve and the cap, and while venting gas out of the liner space through the venting channels.

Abstract: A method of compacting a bill from a flat state into a pleated and wound state for position the bill in a cavity of an associated closure includes providing a bill in a substantially flat state and pleating the bill in a first direction to provide a series of substantially similar pleats. The pleated bill is compacted to set the pleats therein and at least partially wound into a generally circular configuration. The wound bill is positioned within the cavity of the associated closure. An apparatus for compacting and winding the bill and positioning the bill in the closure cavity includes a pleating station for pleating the bill in a predetermined configuration and a compacting station for compacting the pleated bill into a compacted state. The apparatus further includes a winding station having a winding member adapted to engage the compacted bill and to wind the bill into a generally circular orientation.

Abstract: A promotional closure for use with an associated container includes a plastic closure cap having an inwardly recessed, circular top wall portion defining a compartment and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. A circumferential lip formed in the closure cap generally at about a periphery of the compartment, defines a circumferential channel-like recess adjacent to the compartment. The closure further includes a removable, circular cover member adapted to cover the compartment by insertion into the circumferential recess. The cover has a pair of circumferentially opposed tab-like, releasable engaging members which are adapted to be received in the circumferential recess to retain the cover in place in the cap over the compartment.

Abstract: A fitment and closure assembly useful with a gable-topped carton having a gable-forming panel with a pouring hole, through which contents are pourable from the carton, is molded from low density polyethylene. A fitment having a tubular spout formed with an external thread and an annular flange extending outwardly from the tubular spout, below the external thread, is attachable to the gable-forming panel so that the annular flange is attached to the gable-forming panel, around the pouring hole, and so that the tubular spout extends upwardly from the pouring hole. A closure having an upper wall, a tubular skirt with an internal thread and an upper shoulder, and a plug seal forming an annular recess between the plug seal and the upper shoulder is threadable onto the fitment so that the external and internal threads are interengaged and so that the upper end of the tubular spout enters the annular recess with an interference fit.

Abstract: A staged, sequentially separated injection molding apparatus for forming a molded container closure includes a mold base portion, a plurality of concentric, separable telescopic mold elements, and an opening therein defined by one of the base portion and the mold elements for injecting a mold material into the apparatus. The elements are configured such that they can be separated or removed from the mold, from the inner most element outward, to provide sufficient free space for the newly molded part to flex inward as the mold elements are removed. The inward flexing of the part, permits ready removal of the next outwardly most mold element, while minimizing the possibility of damage to the molded part. Each of the mold elements includes a mold face, which in conjunction with the base portion, in part defines a mold cavity. The inner and outer mold elements and the intermediate mold element include flange portions opposite of their respective mold faces.

Abstract: A container holding apparatus is configured for use with an associated piece of testing equipment, such as a torque tester for applying torque to a closure on the container. The holding apparatus includes a pair of selectively positionable gripping members which are mounted on and extend between a pair of drive screws of the apparatus. One of the gripping members is operatively connected with a clamp mechanism, which in turn is mounted on the drive screws. By this arrangement, conjoint rotation of the drive screws moves the gripping members toward and away from each other, with the clamp mechanism facilitating convenient gripping and release of a container after the apparatus is adjusted, by rotation of the drive screws, for the particular size of container to be tested. In the preferred form, the apparatus includes a support plate upon which the container rests as it is releasably gripped and held by the gripping members.

Abstract: A system for cutting molten plastic material for compression molding includes a rotary-driven cutter mounted in operative association with an extruder which supplies molten plastic. The cutter is driven by a servo motor, the operation of which is coordinated with an associated rotary carousel on which cavities are successively presented to the cutter apparatus. In order to effect separation of each cut discrete quantity of plastic material from the cutting blade of the cutter apparatus, the servo motor is operated to create a period of distinct deceleration during each rotary cutting cycle, thereby effecting separation of the molten plastic from the surface of the cutting blade. The electronic controls of the apparatus further operate to permit the speed at which plastic cutting takes place to be controlled independently of the speed of the associated rotary carousel, while coordinating each cutting cycle with successive presentation of the cavities by the rotary carousel.