Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a novel container neck finish having a substantially cylindrical exterior wall surface surrounding an orifice defined in the container and a thread structure positioned about the exterior wall surface. The thread structure in one aspect has at least a first portion, a second portion positioned substantially axially below the first portion, and a third portion positioned substantially axially below the second portion. The first, second, and third portions, being inclined with respect to the other portions provide a screw on neck finish. The effective maximum diameter of the first portion is less than the effective maximum diameter of the second portion to define a first to second separation distance. And the effective maximum diameter of the second portion is less than the effective maximum diameter of the third portion to define a second to third separation distance.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a novel container neck finish having a substantially cylindrical exterior wall surface surrounding an orifice defined in the container and a thread structure positioned about the exterior wall surface. The thread structure has at least a first portion and a second portion. Each portion has a corresponding effective maximum diameter, wherein the effective maximum diameter of the first portion is less than the effective maximum diameter of the second portion.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a closure for attachment to a container. The closure includes a base having an orifice and a skirt depending from the base. A lid is provided and is joined to the base through an integral hinge. The lid has a plug depending from an underside section of the lid. The plug is preferably sized to fit within the orifice when the lid is closed. The closure further includes rails projecting upwardly from a top portion of the base and rails projecting downwardly from the underside section of the lid. The rails further include at least one bead projecting (radially inwardly from each of the first rails) and (radially outwardly from each of the second rails). The beads are positioned to interfere with each other to form a snap fit when the lid is closed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a closure for a container having a container opening. The closure includes lower and upper separable component closure pieces secured to one another. The lower component includes a removable membrane that may be removed by the opening of a top contained in the upper component. The top is further permitted to be removed from the closure without detaching the lower component from the container.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a membrane fitment designed and sized to be inserted into the orifice defined by a container. Retention structure on the fitment cooperates with complimentary structure on the internal wall of the container orifice to secure the fitment within the orifice such that the combination forms an excellent primary seal. Tamper evidence is offered by the normal requirement for initial membrane removal. Novel designs for the membrane, its associated pull ring, and the frangible removal structure are taught in various embodiments. The novel designs may promote facile initial removal suitable for a child. In addition, the novel designs avoid the potential hazards presented by prior art membranes.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure including a spout and a cap. The spout includes an upwardly extending neck defining a neck opening, an annular cap-engaging retainer extending radially outwardly from the neck, and a fulcrum interconnecting the cap-engaging retainer and the neck. The cap selectively seals the neck opening and includes a top, an annular skirt depending from the top, and a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to a lower end of the annular skirt. The tamper-evidencing band has a radially inwardly extending spout-engaging retainer. The cap-engaging retainer is adapted to engage the spout-engaging retainer when the cap is removed from the neck to limit upward movement of the tamper-evidencing band with respect to the neck. A method of using the tamper-evident closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

Abstract: A closure for a container having an opening includes a base cap and an overcap that form a chamber adjacent the opening which is sealed from the contents of the container by a frangible membrane having an inclined line of weakness and by a hinge member having a pocket extending downward adjacent lower and upper terminuses of the line of weakness. The overcap includes a cutting member received within the pocket that severs the line of weakness upon substantial rotation of the overcap with respect to the base cap. A pushing member may cooperate with a cam member to deflect open the membrane upon severance. The pocket may include a stop for the cutting member. The base cap may include a cylindrical structure having an upwardly inwardly projection member to form a seal with an thickened upper portion of the overcap skirt to protect against penetration into the chamber.

Abstract: A closure for a container having an opening includes a base cap and an overcap that form a sealed chamber adjacent the opening that is isolated from the contents of the container. The base cap includes an outer skirt having container-engaging structure, a cylindrical well, a frangible membrane connected to the well along an inclined line of weakness and by a hinge member. The hinge member includes a pocket extending downward adjacent lower and upper terminuses of the line of weakness. The overcap includes a body having gripping structure, an inner skirt received within and rotatably connected to the well, and a cutting member depending from a lower end of the inner skirt received within the pocket such that the cutting member extends below the upper terminus. The cutting member severs the line of weakness upon substantial rotation of the overcap with respect to the base cap. A method of using the closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a closure for a container. Among the embodiments provided herein, a cap for a container used on a water dispenser has a roof portion, a cylindrical skirt, and a well extending from the roof portion into the cap. The well has a wall structure terminating at a base structure that has a shape defined as comprising an annular rim connected to the wall structure and either a frusto-conical member having an edge that terminates to a disk shaped member, a dome member, or a convex member depending from the annular rim and extending in a direction towards the roof portion. The cap may further include at least two frangible lines defined on the base structure with scored sections at the ends defined by each frangible line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a closure for a container. In one of the embodiments provided herein, the closure is provided with a cap having a roof portion and a cylindrical skirt. A well extends from the roof portion into the cap, the well having an inner wall structure that terminates at an edge and a frangible valve joined to the well by a frangible section that extends about a first portion vicinal to a periphery of the frangible valve and by a non-frangible section that extends about a second portion vicinal to said periphery. In another embodiment the frangible valve is defined as a dish-like member positioned at an inclination relative to a central axis defined by the well, such that the frangible section is joined about the inner wall structure of said well and the non-frangible section is joint about the edge of the well.