Abstract: A one-piece container blank including an easy-open end is provided with a pull tab, the free end of which may be raised upwardly to initiate tearing of a ribbon of plastic from a sloping side wall of the end closure. The tearing is initiated along a sloping line generally underneath the pull tab and a vertical line substantially aligned with, and of the same length as, the edge of the pull tab at the leading end of the ribbon. A continuing lifting or pulling away of the pull tab from the container body will result in complete removal of the end closure from the container body.

Abstract: A container includes a molded container blank comprising a tubular wall and an integrally formed closure panel closing one end of the tubular wall. The closure panel may be torn away from the tubular wall and has an integrally formed scoop wall projecting into the region surrounded by the tubular wall. The panel has an endless scoreline surrounding the scoop wall and merging with another scoreline, both scorelines being rupturable to allow removal from the closure panel of a scoop including the scoop wall and a scoop handle and scoop base derived from the closure panel. The panel and its container to the tubular wall so formed that the scoop may be removed from other portions of the closure panel when the panel is removed from the tubular wall to open the container.

Abstract: An essentially straight walled, minimally tapered or non-tapered container is provided with a radially outwardly projecting chime or bead formation which enables gripping of such container when molded to facilitate removal of the container from an injection mold apparatus. The described molded part extraction technology allows the formation of a novel easy-open closure in which the easy-openable closure structure is injection molded and may be one piece with a container side wall. The disclosure also includes a description of two forms of molding method and apparatus suitable for accomplishment of the described technology. The novel easy openable closure structure includes a closure panel forming a side wall which is inwardly convergent from one end of the container. A weakened web connects the closure panel to the container. The closure panel is provided with other weakened webs and a pull ring which enables removal of the closure panel by a pulling force exerted on the pull ring.

Abstract: A reusable closure for a container has a reversibly hinged annular pilferproof band integrally joined thereto by a relatively thin annular web serving as a hinge. When the parts are assembled, the band is pivoted about the web from a first position to a second, reversed position wherein it extends over a bead on the container. In the illustrated embodiments, the closure is a screw cap for a bottle and the band is joined about the base of the skirt of the cap. The bottle has a threaded neck for receiving the screw cap and the aforementioned bead about the neck. The band loosely interfits with the bead so that the cap can be initially unscrewed for removal without substantial restriction. As removal continues, the band so engages the bead that the connection between the band and the closure skirt stretches and then ruptures. Apparatus and methods for reversing the positions of a band are also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded plastic container and closure assembly comprises a container having an upstanding wall adapted to be embraced by the depending skirt of a closure member. To resist tampering or unauthorized removal of the closure, the container has an integrally molded wall means projecting radially outwardly therefrom forming a channel to receive the lower end of the depending skirt. Annular beads formed on the interior wall of the depending skirt cooperate with a bead formed at the free edge of the container opening and with a relatively smooth outer skirt surface to restrict closure removal until the aforementioned wall means are torn away from the container. To facilitate such tearing, the wall means are provided with finger-engageable means and with suitably located weakenings to enable a tearing removal of the wall means by manual gripping and pulling of the finger-engageable means.

Abstract: A container has means hingedly supporting a reversible band which surrounds the container near the mouth of the container. The hinged support for the band is engaged to that side edge of the band which is closest to the mouth of the container. The opposite side edge of the band has hook means associated therewith for interfitting rib means projecting outwardly from the skirt of a closure. The interfit between the container band and the closure rib is accomplished by swinging the band upwardly about its hinged edge connection to the container, whereupon the band is reversed in the sense that the inside face of the band initially closest to the container is turned outwardly from the container as the initially outside face of the band is turned inwardly toward the container, such reversal occurring as the band swings upwardly about its hinged connection to the container.

Abstract: A molded capsule or the like serving as a secondary closure for a wine bottle or the like which may already be closed by a cork or the like is securely applied to the neck of the bottle by advancing the open end of the capsule against the already closed neck of the bottle, which may be oversized with respect to the capsule diameter, to form an initial air seal between the capsule and the bottle. Air is then injected into the capsule so as to provide an air column within the capsule which supports the capsule walls against collapse and lubricates the advance of the capsule longitudinally onto the neck of the bottle.

Abstract: An improved injection mold apparatus and method includes a gate interposed between a mold chamber or cavity and a runner passageway. The cross sectional opening of the gate is non-circular in shape and may comprise a plurality of foliations. The non-circular shape of gate opening enables the provision of sufficient area to insure adequate filling and compacting of molding material in a mold chamber within a reasonable time interval and also avoids difficult problems such as drooling, stringing, and/or freeze-off or blocking of material-supply passageways.

Abstract: An improved injection mold method includes interposing a gate between a mold chamber or cavity and a runner passageway. The cross sectional opening of the gate is non-circular in shape and may comprise a plurality of foliations. The non-circular shape of gate opening enables the provision of sufficient area to insure adequate filling and compacting of molding material in a mold chamber within a reasonable time interval and also avoids difficult problems such as drooling, stringing, and/or freeze-off or blocking of material-supply passageways.

Abstract: A flexible, one-piece molded plastic closure having a circular outer rim and a center panel. The center panel has thin panel portions bounded by radially extending rib portions, the panel portions and the rib portions being integrally joined to the outer rim.The method of molding the closure and tooling used therefor are also disclosed. During the molding of a closure, molten plastic flows radially along channels formed in the tooling to chamber portions forming the rim. Plastic remaining in the channels cools to form the ribs. The panel parts between the ribs are formed from plastic flowing from the channels.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly wherein the container is adapted to be initially closed by a sealing means such as a vacuum disc. The closure has two positions of attachment to a bead encircling the container. In the first position of attachment, which accommodates the aforementioned sealing means, the container bead is engaged in an annular notch located in the inside wall of a closure skirt. The notch weakens the skirt so as to allow a distal end of the skirt to be torn from a remaining portion of the closure to free the remaining portion of the closure from attachment to the container bead. This exposes the sealing means so as to allow a removal thereof and access to the contents of the container. The remaining portion of the closure is then reattachable to the container bead at a second position of attachment rendered accessible by removal of the sealing means for reclosure of the container. In a first embodiment, the closure has retention ribs permitting preassembly of the sealing means to the closure.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly of the type comprising a container having a neck surrounding an opening thereto and having a shoulder surrounding said neck, wherein the closure has a tear skirt having a radially outwardly projecting flange positioned for snug engagement with the container shoulder, thus to provide an insect barrier, said tear skirt having a pull tab for removal thereof, and said pull tab being rendered tamper resistant by having a radial outward projection not exceeding the radial outward projection of said flange and by integral attachment to said flange.