Abstract: A plastic closure for use on a container having an externally threaded neck is disclosed wherein the skirt portion of the closure cap includes an internal structural thread formation. The structural thread formation comprises a helical thread ramp portion which is configured for load-bearing engagement with the thread of the associated container, and further includes means for reinforcing the thread ramp portion, in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart reinforcing gussets. The provision of the structural thread formation desirably facilitates high-speed molding of the closure, and desirably acts to reduce the quantity of plastic material required for molding the closure.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating plastic closure construction is disclosed which includes an annular pilfer band which depends from an annular skirt portion of the closure. The pilfer band is partially detachably connected to the skirt portion by frangible ribs, and remains connected to the skirt portion attendant to removal of the closure from a container. To facilitate such removal, the pilfer band includes a fracturable portion. Consistent and reliable performance are promoted by the formation of a stabilizing score in operative association with the fracturable portion of the pilfer band. A method of forming the closure is also disclosed, including the provision of movable scoring blades for effecting scoring of the closure to facilitate high-speed manufacture.

Abstract: A composite closure for a container is disclosed which includes an outer plastic cap and an inner plastic sealing liner. Formation and retention of the sealing liner within the cap is promoted by the provision of an annular liner-retaining lip which extends inwardly from a skirt portion of a cap in closely spaced relation to its top wall portion, and thus defines an annular recess therewith, Liner retention is further enhanced by the provision of a plurality of circumferentially spaced first liner-engaging projections which are arranged in adjacent pairs within the annular recess of the cap in converging relation with each other. Liner retention is further enhanced by the preferred provision of a plurality of second circumferentially spaced liner-engaging projections extending integrally from the top wall portion of the cap in operative association with the converging adjacent pairs of the first projections.

Abstract: A novel plastic closure is disclosed having a self-engaging locking pilfer band arrangement for engagement with a locking ring on the neck of the container to which the closure is applied. The pilfer band includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending relatively thin flexible wings or fingers which move to an out-of-the-way position during application of the closure to the container. When the closure is in place on the container, the wings are disposed such that they engage the surface of the locking ring on the container neck when the closure is moved for removal from the container. During removal, each wing engages the locking ring so that resistance to removal of the closure is created in the pilfer band, whereby areas of reduced strength fracture clearly indicating partial or complete removal of the closure from the container.

Abstract: A novel closure-making process and apparatus are disclosed for formation of plastic closures. The closures include a plastic closure cap which is compression molded to provide a closure having the requisite strength. The process includes steps for formation of a sealing liner within the closure cap if desired, with formation of a novel liner-retaining arrangement provided for secure retention of the liner within the cap. The process also includes steps for formation of a tamper-indicating pilfer band integrally with the plastic cap of the closure for formation of closures requiring a suitable tamper-indicating device.

Abstract: A novel plastic closure is disclosed having a self-engaging locking pilfer band arrangement for engagement with a locking ring on the neck of the container to which the closure is applied. The pilfer band includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending relatively thin flexible wings or fingers which move to an out-of-the-way position during application of the closure to the container. When the closure is in place on the container, the wings are disposed such that they engage the surface of the locking ring on the container neck when the closure is moved for removal from the container. During removal, each wing engages the locking ring so that resistance to removal of the closure is created in the pilfer band, whereby areas of reduced strength fracture clearly indicating partial or complete removal of the closure from the container.

Abstract: A composite closure for a bottle or like container is disclosed which includes a compression molded plastic cap and a plastic sealing liner retained within the cap. Effective retention of the sealing liner in position within the plastic cap is provided by an inwardly extending annular lip disposed between an internal thread formation of the plastic cap and its top wall portion, and a ring of projections extending integrally from the inner surface of the top wall portion of the cap. The sealing liner includes an annular bead portion adjacent to and in engagement with the annular lip and ring of projections so that the liner is effectively retained in position within the plastic cap.

Abstract: A composite closure having a plastic cap with a specially configured arrangement for retention of a plastic liner. In one embodiment, integral pedestals are provided each have an overhang, such as a mushroom-shaped head, to provide a mechanical interlock with the liner. In other embodiments, pedestals are provided each having a fusible heat concentration zone that is fused to the liner as the liner is compression molded and heated in the cap. In one embodiment, the fusible pedestals are each cylindrical. In another embodiment, the fusible pedestals are each in the shape of a pyramid.

Abstract: A process for making a composite closure having a plastic cap with specially configured pedestals that are interconnected to a plastic liner. In one embodiment, the pedestals are each formed with an overhang, such as a mushroom-shaped overhang, to provide a mechanical interlock with the liner. In other embodiments, the pedestals are each formed with a fusible heat concentration zone that is fused to the liner as the liner is compression molded and heated in the cap. In one embodiment, each of the fusible pedestals are formed with a cylindrical configuration. In another embodiment, each of the fusible pedestals are formed in the shape of a pyramid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a receiving means. The extrudate material exits through an outlet, and a cutting surface is positioned adjacent to the outlet. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a flexible and resilient blade for severing the extrudate material into metered charges. The cutting blade contacts the cutting surface during each revolution and bends from a rest condition to a backwardly bent flexed condition. After severing a metered charge, the cutting blade is released from the cutting surface and snaps forwardly to the rest condition to propel the metered charge toward the receiving means at a velocity greater than the average tangential velocity per revolution of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A crown cleaning apparatus is provided for removing impurities from the interior and exterior surfaces of crowns. The apparatus is mounted at the terminal of a crown feed track and cleans the crowns by a high velocity spray of fluid. Several gas jets dry the crowns before the crowns exit the apparatus.

Abstract: A plunger for forming thermoplastic material disposed in a closure shell into a closure insert with a cushion pad or bead by sealing the material between the crown and working surface of the plunger and flexing a portion of the working surface to form the material into the desired shape. The plunger includes a punch, elastomeric material and a sealing means. In one embodiment, the plunger comprises a reciprocal punch having a lower end surrounded by cylindrically-shaped elastomeric material, and sealing means that is disposed about the outer wall of the elastomeric material and has a lower ledge contacting the bottom surface of the elastomeric material. A spring means maintains the elastomeric material in sealing engagement with the punch and sealing means, and maintains the punch, elastomeric material, and sealing means in mechanical engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a receiving means. The extrudate material exits through an outlet, and a cutting surface is positioned adjacent to the outlet. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a flexible and resilient blade for severing the extrudate material into metered charges. The cutting blade contacts the cutting surface during each revolution and bends from a rest condition to a backwardly bent flexed condition. After severing a metered charge, the cutting blade is released from the cutting surface and snaps forwardly to the rest condition to propel the metered charge toward the receiving means at a velocity greater than the average tangential velocity per revolution of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A soft-feel handgrip for a handle construction having cushioning members for the top and bottom of the grip and a thermoplastic sheath wrapped around each member with concealed overlapped sheath ends and a method of making the handgrip employing dielectrical sealing. The invention also encompasses a handgrip in which the sheaths for the top and bottom of the handgrip may be different, i.e. one can be a porous non-thermoplastic sheath while the other can be a thermoplastic sheath, yet the instant method will effectively seal the disparate members dielectrically and at the same time conceal the sealed overlapped ends of the sheaths thereby enhancing the esthetic appeal of the handle.

Abstract: A soft-feel handgrip for a handle construction having cushioning members for the top and bottom of the grip and a thermoplastic sheath wrapped around each member with concealed overlapped sheath ends and a method of making the handgrip employing dielectrical sealing. The invention also encompasses a handgrip in which the sheaths for the top and bottom of the handgrip may be different, i.e. one can be a porous non-thermoplastic sheath while the other can be a thermoplastic sheath, yet the instant method will effectively seal the disparate members dielectrically and at the same time conceal the sealed overlapped ends of the sheaths thereby enhancing the esthetic appeal of the handle.

Abstract: A plunger for forming thermoplastic material disposed in a closure shell into a closure insert with a cushion pad or bead by sealing the material between the crown and working surface of the plunger and flexing a portion of the working surface to form the material into the desired shape. The plunger includes a punch, elastomeric material and a sealing means. In one embodiment, the plunger comprises a reciprocal punch having a lower end surrounded by cylindrically-shaped elastomeric material, and sealing means that is disposed about the outer wall of the elastomeric material and has a lower ledge contacting the bottom surface of the elastomeric material. A spring means maintains the elastomeric material in sealing engagement with the punch and sealing means, and maintains the punch, elastomeric material, and sealing means in mechanical engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a plurality of continuously moving uniformly spaced receptacles on a rotating conveyor which can travel at varying speeds. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a driving means which is intermittent in operation and is preferably driven by a stepping motor, thereby enabling the cutting means to have a cutting velocity independent of the feed rate of receptacles and to cleanly sever a slug of extrudate material for each receptacle for any speed at which the conveyor is operating.