Abstract: A tamper-evident closure and container combination identifies a compromised seal when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. Successful detachment of the severable ring is improved whereby a lower neck portion of a container is angled or arced downwardly and outwardly from a point immediately adjacent an annular ring.

Abstract: A cap/utensil combination having a cap having a cap top with an inner surface having at least a contact area thereof that is substantially smooth, and having at least one upwardly standing sidewall attached to the cap top, sidewall having an inner surface. The inner surface of the sidewall has a rib structure. A utensil has first and second points of contact with sections of the rib structure and at least partially along an axis of symmetry of the utensil and a third point of contact at least partially within a contact plane through the axis of symmetry, the contact plane being substantially perpendicular to a plane of the inner surface of the cap top. The three-points of contact ensure that the utensil is securely held within the cap, and yet is readily removable therefrom.

Abstract: A two-piece closure and tamper evident band assembly for use with a container neck having a peripheral bead is shown. The closure includes a top having a depending skirt. The skirt includes a break-away band frangibly connected to a bottom periphery of the skirt. The tamper evident band includes means for tearing and a lower ledge extending from a lower periphery of the band. The break-away band is positioned above the lower ledge. The closure and tamper evident band assembly is inserted onto the container neck, and when the closure is removed, the peripheral bead prevents the lower ledge and the tamper evident band from moving upward. As the closure moves up the container neck, the means for tearing tears the frangible connectors so that the break-away band and the tamper evident band remain positioned on the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism, system and method for transferring closures. More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism, system and method for transferring a closure from a first station, preferably a closure chute to a second station, preferably a closure chuck, through the use of a button with a lobe.

Abstract: A closure that is able to prevent oxygen from entering the container upon which the closure is attached. Preferably, the closure is comprised of one piece wholly molded of plastic, oxygen scavenging or anti-oxidant compounds, and catalysts homogenously mixed therein. More preferably, the closure is a composition of polypropylene or high-density polyethylene with an oxygen scavenger and catalyst integrated within the polypropylene or high-density polyethylene.

Abstract: A venting cap liner used in a pressurized container closure arrangement. The cap liner includes a multi-layer sandwich structure having a first layer and a generally flat resilient intermediate layer. The layers include at least one perforation extending through the layers to enable gas flow therethrough. The first layer has a first surface including at least one channel extending from one edge of the first layer to another edge of the first layer. The intermediate layer is responsive to a gas pressure level in the container such that, at a first selected pressure level, the perforation extending through said second layer opens to allow gas to flow through the perforation and at a second selected pressure level, the intermediate layer expands to close the perforation thereby resisting gas flow.

Abstract: A closure whereby a mold in the shape of a closure is injected with plastic, allowed to cure or cool, forms a closure having a top portion surrounded by sidewalls, said top portion formed from two opposing surfaces, whereby at least one of said surfaces is domed shaped forming a closure having a flat top portion. Particularly, this invention provides different embodiments allowing for the formation of a closure with a flat top portion which is aesthetically pleasing and prevents against disorientation during production and moreover, prevents the sidewalls of the closure from collapsing inward.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly whereby a pull tab sufficiently narrow in width is secured to the interior of the closure, thereby preventing the closure from becoming loosened or displaced, yet when sufficient torque is applied by the consumer to open the closure and remove it from the container the narrow pull tab is disengaged from its seal to the interior of the closure, yet having the liner over the mouth of the closure remains intact and undamaged, thus preventing any contamination of the container content.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus allowing for gas flow into and/or out of a container assembly. The container assembly comprises a container having a sealing surface, and a cap having a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the container, the cap, or both is prepared by either being made of a coarse texture or polished so that the sealing surface of the container and the cap may cooperate with one another to form a seal, yet allow gas to flow into or out of the container assembly, as required.

Abstract: A container assembly comprises a container having a sealing surface, and a cap having a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the container, the cap, or both is prepared by either being made of a coarse texture or polished so that the sealing surface of the container and the cap may cooperate with one another to form a seal, yet allow gas to flow into or out of the container assembly, as required.

Abstract: The method stores and/or transports at least partially deformable items, such as caps for containers. One embodiment of the method has the following steps: identifying for at least one item an edge-on plane that is associated with a more deformable direction of the at least one item and an axial plane that is associate with a less deformable direction of the at least one item; and orienting the at least one item such that the edge-on plane of the at least one item is substantially vertical, the at least one item being stored and/or transported in an unsecured manner relative to other deformable items. This method therefore provides cost savings to both manufacturers and users by reducing the number of damaged and deformed items or caps during storage and/or transport.

Abstract: The method stores and/or transports at least partially deformable items, such as caps for containers. One embodiment of the method has the following steps: identifying for at least one item an edge-on plane that is associated with a more deformable direction of the at least one item and an axial plane that is associated with a less deformable direction of the at least one item; and orienting the at least one item such that the edge-on plane of the at least one item is substantially vertical, the at least one item being stored and/or transported in an unsecured manner relative to other deformable items. This method therefore provides cost savings to both manufacturers and users by reducing the number of damaged and deformed items or caps during storage and/or transport.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liner for use with an associated closure of an associated container. The liner comprises a central portion that has a periphery. The periphery defines a central portion diameter. At lest six tabs extend from the periphery, and each tab has a tab height. Each of the at least six tabs is about 20° to about 40° in arcuate length, and the tab height is about 1 percent to about 3 percent of the central portion diameter. Each of the six tabs is equally spaced from one another.

Abstract: A molded tamper-indicating closure for use with an associated container having a finish with an external thread formation and an annular locking collar located axially under the thread formation is disclosed. The locking collar has a circumference, the locking collar defining a locking collar cylindrical plane having a locking collar radius perpendicular to the circumference of the closure. The closure has a cap having a circular top wall portion and an annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion, said skirt portion having an internal thread formed therein for engaging the container thread. The closure also has a plurality of frangible bridges depending from the skirt portion of the cap.

Abstract: A cap and container assembly can be opened and closed repeatedly and continue to achieve a good seal between the cap and the container. The good seal results from the engagement, of the container neck with cap protrusions, which temporarily deforms the shape of the container and/or the cap as the cap is secured to the container.

Abstract: A cap and container assembly can be opened and closed repeatedly and continue to achieve a good seal between the cap and the container. The good seal results from the engagement, of the container neck with cap protrusions, which temporarily deforms the shape of the container and/or the cap as the cap is secured to the container, and from stopping surfaces which limit the extent of that deformation.

Abstract: A locking closure for use with an associated container includes a closure cap having a top wall portion and a depending skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The top wall portion further defines a dispensing region therein, and a door for covering the dispensing region. The door has a top surface and a bottom surface defining a thickness, and the door is connected to the top wall portion at a hinge region. The door is pivotable about the hinge region to traverse a path between an open condition and a closed condition. The closure includes a latch having a base portion integral with the top wall that extends generally transverse therefrom. The latch further includes a hook portion integral with the base portion, the hook portion extending from the base portion and intersecting the path defined by the door. The hook portion is spaced from the top wall and defines an engaging surface and a locking surface.

Abstract: A closure is configured for sealing engagement with an associated container, and includes a recessed, hinged cover. The closure has a circular top wall portion defining an edge region. A channel is formed in the top wall portion extending to the edge region. The channel defines an open end and a closed end and is formed by a pair of side walls and a bottom wall. A dispensing opening is formed in the channel bottom wall. An annular skirt depends from the top wall portion at about the edge region and includes a container engaging portion for engaging the container. A cover is pivotally connected to the top wall portion for movement within the channel between an open position wherein the cover is pivoted away from the dispensing opening and a closed position wherein the cover overlies the dispensing opening and extends to about the channel open end.