Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for a container includes a cap with removable panels of a top wall of the cap. Each removable panel is connected to a tab on the inside of the cap. The top wall includes inner and outer cams on an inside surface and the tabs underlie the cams. A liner disc is applied inside the cap for sealing against the container. A plurality of spaced-apart ratchet teeth are arranged in one or two circular patterns on the liner disc and sized and located such that the circular pattern of teeth meshes with the two cams. The tabs have a toothed transverse cross-section which allow the tabs to ride over the ratchet teeth in a screwing-on direction to the cap, but the tabs are engaged by the ratchet teeth in a screwing-off direction of rotation of the cap. Since the liner disc and ratchet teeth are stationary with respect to the container, unscrewing of the cap causes the ratchet teeth to separate the panels from the moving cap.

Abstract: A promotional closure includes a sealed promotion-receiving member in the form of a compartment positioned generally within an outer closure cap, for disposition within an associated container. The sealed configuration of the promotion compartment desirably acts to isolate the promotional element therein from the contents of the container. Use on a container having carbonated contents is particularly facilitated by an arrangement by which a plastic film cover member which seals the compartment is sealed to an annular flange of the compartment to permit predetermined delamination and release of gas pressure from within the interior of the compartment.

Abstract: A removable inner compartment promotional closure includes a plastic closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. A circular, resilient liner is positioned in the cap, and has a retaining element extending therefrom. A removable compartment member is positioned in the closure cap in engagement with the retaining element. The compartment defines an interior compartment adapted to receive promotional indicia, such as a promotional game piece, therein. The compartment is adapted to release from the cap after the cap is removed from the container. A sealed cover element may be positioned to extend over and close the compartment member, to isolate the compartment from the contents of the container. The promotional closure is used in conjunction with a simulated promotional closure, which configured to be is indistinguishable from the promotional closure cap.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating plastic closure is shown which is configured for mechanical interference with the annular locking ring of an associated container. The closure includes a top wall portion and depending skirt portion, with a circular pilfer band at least partially detachably connected to the skirt portion by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fracturable bridges. Notably, the pilfer band includes an internal, annular interference lip which is skewed or arranged at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the closure. By this construction, the interference lip engages the container locking ring during closure application so as to deform the closure to a non-circular configuration, thus minimizing stressing of the fracturable bridges. During closure removal, the angular configuration of the interference lip creates localized stressing of the fracturable bridges, thus providing serial fracture of the bridges.

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 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 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: 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.