Abstract: An apparatus for securing a closure ring to a container wherein the ring is split and has a lever pivotally attached to a plate secured to the ring at one end and a pivot arm attached to a plate at the other end with the attachment plates having identical attachment points such that tooling and welding of the attachment plates is facilitated. The lever latch closure is further improved by forming locking tab on the lever attachment plate proximal the attachment points and extending upwardly through the lever in a closed position.