CONTAINER AND CLOSURE ASSEMBLY

- Tech II, Inc.

A container and closure assembly includes a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around the opening. The assembly also includes a closure configured to be attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure also includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a second side edge that form a gap. A tab extends downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and is positioned in the gap. A first vertex segment is attached to the second skirt portion, and a second vertex segment is attached to the tab.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to assemblies that include a container and a removable closure associated therewith. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a closure having a tab, which is configured to facilitate removal of the closure from an associated container.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Container assemblies are useful for storing products therein. In particular, container assemblies may be used to store prepared food products, such as soups, pastas, and other foodstuffs. Container assemblies may include a container and a removable a closure. The container includes a removable top portion that may be separated from the rest of the container to expose the contents therein. In use, the container holds a quantity of dry, liquid, or semi-liquid product, such as foodstuffs, therein. The container may have a generally cylindrical shape and a generally flat bottom. The cylindrical portion of the container defines a cavity suitable to contain the product. The flat bottom stabilizes the container when the container is placed on a flat surface, such as a table. Users may withdraw the product within the container through an opening in the top of the container. Some containers are made of materials that may be placed in a microwave oven, enabling users to heat the product within the container easily and quickly.

The container may further include a lip that defines the opening in the top of the container after the removable top portion is separated from the lip. The lip may be part of a separate structure that is attached to the generally cylindrical wall of the container, or alternatively may be formed integral with the cylindrical wall. The lip may cooperate with the closure to ensure the closure remains secured to the container.

The removable top portion closes the opening in the top of the container to prevent the product within the container from spilling and/or leaking from the container through the opening. Additionally, the removable top portion may form an air and liquid impervious seal that preserves the freshness of a food product stored within the container. When closing the opening of the container, the removable top portion is connected to the lip. The removable top portion may include a pull tab or other similar device to assist a user in detaching the removable top portion from the rest of the container. Once the removable top portion has been detached from the container, it may not be reattached thereto.

The closure is configured to be removably connected to the container. In particular, before use, the closure fits over the lip and the removable top portion. Additionally, after the top portion has been removed from the rest of the container, the closure may be coupled to the container to prevent some of the food product within the container from splattering out of the container while the food product is being heated in a microwave oven.

The closure may define a space into which the lip of the container is fitted when the closure is connected to the container to ensure the closure remains coupled to the container. Removal of the closure from the container does not require a separate tool; however, removal of the closure from the container may be relatively difficult since the closure may need to be temporarily distorted and forced over the lip.

In order to securely engage the container, but be readily removable therefrom, some closures incorporate movable locking portions to facilitate removal of the closure from the container. When in a first position the movable locking portions block removal of the closure from the associated container; however, when moved to a second position the locking portions allow removal of the closure from the container. Such closures, nonetheless, may still be difficult to remove from a container because the locking portions may require use of a relatively large removal force or may be inconveniently situated. Additionally, known locking portions that do not require the use of a large removal force tend to only lightly engage the container and may easily become undesirably separated from the container.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved container assembly. What is further needed is a closure that securely attaches to an associated container when coupled to the container, yet is readily removable therefrom.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a container and closure assembly is provided. A container and closure assembly includes a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around the opening. The lip defines a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface therebetween. The container and closure assembly also includes a closure configured to be attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure also includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The closure also includes a tab extending downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and positioned in the gap. The closure further includes a first vertex segment attached to the second skirt portion, a second vertex segment attached to the tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The plurality of spaced apart ribs are positioned at least partially in the first internal closure space, and are attached to both the top portion and the cylindrical structure. When the closure is secured to the container, the top surface of the lip is positioned in contact with the plurality of spaced apart ribs, the bottom surface of the lip is positioned in contact with both the first vertex segment and the second vertex segment, and the outer surface of the lip is positioned in contact with the second skirt portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a closure is provided. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure further includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The closure further includes a tab extending downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and positioned in the gap. The closure still further includes a first vertex segment attached to the second skirt portion, a second vertex segment attached to the tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The plurality of spaced apart ribs are each positioned at least partially in the first internal closure space and are attached to both the top portion and the cylindrical structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and closure assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1, however, showing an alternative shape of the top portions of the slits 126, 130.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure and referring now to FIG. 1, a container and closure assembly 10 is shown. The container and closure assembly 10 includes a container 14 and a closure 18. The container 14 holds a quantity of dry, liquid, and/or semi-liquid product. In particular, the container 14 may be used to contain a food product for human consumption. Accordingly, the container 14 may be made from materials that are conventionally used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products. Specifically, the container 14 may be made from materials that enable a user to heat the food product stored within the container 14 by placing the container 14 in a microwave oven, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container 14 includes a body 22 and a lip 26. The body 22 may have any shape that is suitable to contain a food product. For instance, the body 22 may have an approximately cylindrical, elliptical, rectangular, or other polygonal shape. The bottom of the body 22 is closed to contain the food product therein; however, an upper end 34 of the body 22 defines an opening 30 through which a product contained within the container 14 may be withdrawn.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the lip 26 includes surfaces that cooperate with the closure 18 to secure the closure 18 to the container 14. The lip 26 is connected to the upper end 34 of the body 22, and is positioned completely around the opening 30. The lip 26 may be separately made and connected to the body 22. For instance, the lip 26 may be a metallic component that is coupled to a polymeric body 22 as is conventional in the art of containers of this type. Alternatively, the lip 26 may be integrally formed with the body 22 by a thermoplastic molding process so that both the lip 26 and the body 22 collectively define a single polymeric component.

The lip 26 defines a top surface 38 and a bottom surface 42. The lip 26 further defines an outer surface 46 positioned between the top surface 38 and the bottom surface 42. Each of the top surface 38, the bottom surface 42, and the outer surface 46 are configured to interface with a portion of the closure 18 when the closure 18 is coupled to the container 14. Depending on the shape of the lip 26 a distinct separation between the top surface 38, bottom surface 42, and outer surface 46 may not be readily discernable. For instance, the lip 26 may have a largely rounded shape without sharp corners to define the surfaces. Accordingly, the top surface 38, bottom surface 42, and outer surface 46 refer to the top, bottom, and outer portions of the lip 26 regardless of whether the surfaces are clearly defined.

A top portion (not illustrated) of the container 14 may be removably connected to the lip 26 of the container 14. The top portion may cover the opening 30 and provide an air-tight seal for the container 14. Accordingly, food products may be stored in the container 14 for a substantial period of time without spoiling. A circular score line (not shown) may be defined in the top of the container to facilitate separation of the top portion from the lip so as to allow easy opening and access to the contained food product without the need for an additional tool such as a can opener. Additionally, the top portion may include a pull tab (not shown) to facilitate separation of the top portion from the rest of the container 14.

The closure 18 of the container and closure assembly 10 may be detached from the container 14 to expose the top portion of the container. After the closure 18 is detached from the container 14, the top portion may be separated from the rest of the container 14 to create the opening 30 through which a food product may be withdrawn from the container 14. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the closure 18 may be reattached to the container 14. Then, the container and closure assembly 10 (now without its container top portion) may be placed in a microwave oven for heating of the food product contained in the container 14.

The closure 18 may be made from materials conventionally used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products. Exemplary, materials for making the closure 18 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (“PP”) and other injection moldable thermoplastics. Specifically, the closure 18 may be made from nucleated PP having a density of approximately 0.800 to 1.00 grams per cubic centimeter and a melt index of approximately 50 to 170 grams per 10 minutes.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the closure 18 includes a top portion 50, a skirt portion 54, and a skirt portion 58. The top portion 50 defines a periphery of the closure 18. In particular, the top portion 50 may define a circular periphery 62; however, the top portion 50 may define a periphery of any shape as required by the shape of the opening 30. The top portion 50 may have a diameter between approximately 9.0 to 12.0 centimeters and may be formed of a material having a thickness of approximately 0.20 to 0.60 millimeters. Additionally, the top portion 50 may include a plurality of vent holes 66 to allow steam to pass through closure 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the skirt portion 54 extends downward from the circular periphery 62 of the top portion 50 to form a cylindrical structure 70 defining an internal closure space 74. The skirt portion 54 may extend downward from the circular periphery 62 approximately 0.30 to 0.70 centimeters. The skirt portion 54 may have a thickness of approximately 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the skirt portion 58 extends downward from a part 78 of the cylindrical structure 70. In particular, the skirt portion 58 may extend downward from the part 78 of the cylindrical structure 70 approximately 0.7 to 1.2 centimeters. The skirt portion 58 includes a side edge 82 and a side edge 86 that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap 90. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the skirt portion 58 may also include a bottom skirt portion 94 that defines a skirt ridge 98. The skirt ridge 98 extends from the side edge 82 to the side edge 86. Additionally, when the closure 18 is secured to the container 14 the skirt portion 58 contacts the outer surface 46 of the lip 26.

The closure 18 further includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs 102 that increase the rigidity of the closure 18. The ribs 102 are positioned at least partially in the first internal closure space 74 and are attached to both the top portion 50 and the cylindrical structure 70. The ribs 102 may be located completely within the first internal closure space 74 as shown in FIG. 2. The ribs 102 extend from the top portion 50 a distance approximately equal to the distance the skirt portion 54 extends from the circular periphery 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the ribs 102 have a width W that is between approximately 3.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Additionally, the ribs 102 may be approximately equally spaced apart along the cylindrical structure 70 as shown in FIG. 4.

When the closure 18 is coupled to the container 14, the ribs 102 are configured to become seated upon the lip 26, as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, the ribs 102 define a plurality of bottom rib edges 106 configured to contact the top surface 38 of the lip 26 when the closure 18 is secured to the container 14. Additionally, the bottom rib edges 106 define a plane P. The plane P forms a boundary between the skirt portion 54 and the skirt portion 58. In particular, the skirt portion 54 is located above the plane P, and the skirt portion 58 is located below the plane P.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the closure 18 includes a tab 110 that may be moved or pivoted from a default or relaxed position (see FIG. 3—solid lines) to an unrelaxed position (see FIG. 3—phantom lines). When the tab 110 is located in the unrelaxed position, the closure 18 is unlocked from the container 14 and may be easily removed therefrom. On the other hand, when the tab 110 is located in its relaxed position, the closure 18 is locked to (or positively engaged with) the container 14.

The tab 110 extends downward from a part 114 of the cylindrical structure 70 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 4, the tab 110 is positioned in a gap 90 defined by a rib 118 and a rib 122. In particular, the rib 118 has a surface that defines a plane P1. Likewise, the rib 122 has a surface that defines a plane P2. The tab 110 is located completely between the plane P1 and the plane P2 to enable the tab 110 to move easily from its relaxed position (solid in FIG. 3) to its unrelaxed position (phantom in FIG. 3). Additionally, the tab 110 defines a width that extends from the side edge 82 to the side edge 86. The width of the tab 110 is approximately 1.0 to 3.0 centimeters.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the closure 18 defines a slit 126 and a slit 130 that forms the tab 110. The slits 126, 130 separate the tab 110 from the skirt portion 58. The slit 126 is defined between the side edge 82 of the skirt portion 58 and the tab 110. Likewise, the slit 130 is defined between the side edge 86 of the skirt portion 58 and the tab 110. Additionally, the position of the slits 126, 130 is also defined in relation to the plane P1 and the plane P2. In particular, the slit 126 may be located between the plane P1 and the plane P2. Likewise, the slit 130 is located between the plane P1 and the plane P2.

The slit 126 and the slit 130 each extends from the bottom to the top of the skirt portion 58. The slits 126, 130 do not extend into the first skirt portion 54. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the slit 126 defines a closed slit end 134 and the slit 130 defines a closed slit end 138. Both the closed slit end 134 and the closed slit end 138 lie within the plane P. Note that the closed slit end 134 and the closed slit end 138 do not extend into the skirt portion 54. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the closed slit end 134′ and the closed slit end 138′ may have a rounded or radiused shape.

The process used to form the slits 126, 130 may depend on the process used to form the closure 18. For instance, if the closure 18 is formed utilizing an injection molding machine, the slits 126, 130 may be formed by a pair of contact points between first and second mold components of the injection molding machine. The contact points are points of physical contact between the first and second mold components that define two regions in which molten plastic cannot infiltrate, thereby creating a pair of voids in the closure 18 corresponding to the slits 126, 130. Alternatively, the slits 126, 130 may be cut into the closure 18 after the rest of the closure 18 is formed. For example, a heated cutting instrument or a traditional cutting instrument may be used to cut the slits 126, 130 into the closure 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tab 110 may include a bottom tab portion 142 which defines a tab ridge 146. The tab ridge 146 may frictionally engage a user's finger to enable the tab 110 to be easily pivoted from the relaxed position (solid lines) to the unrelaxed position (phantom lines). The tab ridge 146 may extend from the slit 126 to the slit 130 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The closure 18 further includes at least two detents provided as protrusions, protuberances, or vertex segments 150, 154 configured to secure the closure 18 to the container 14. The vertex segment 150 is attached to the skirt portion 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The vertex segment 154, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, is attached to the tab 110. When the closure 18 is coupled to the container 14, the vertex segments 150, 154 engage the lip 26 to secure the closure 18 to the container 14. To remove the closure 18 from the container 14, the tab 110 is moved to the unrelaxed position (as shown in phantom in FIG. 3) so that the vertex segment 154 is disengaged from the lip 26 thereby permitting the closure 18 to be easily removed from the container 14.

The vertex segment 150 has a length that extends for a distance at least partially around the skirt portion 58. In particular, the vertex segment 150 extends for a distance D1 as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the vertex segment 154 has a length that extends for a distance at least partially around the tab 110. In particular, the vertex segment 154 extends for a distance D2 as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the vertex segment 154 may extend from the slit 126 to the slit 130. The distance D1 is approximately equal to the distance D2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the vertex segments 150, 154 secure the closure 18 to the container 14 by overlapping with the lip 26. In particular, when the closure 18 is secured to the container 14 the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 is positioned in contact with the vertex segments 150, 154. To this end, the vertex segments 150, 154 include an approximately flat upper surface 158, 162 configured to extend below the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 when the closure 18 is coupled to the container 14. The flat surfaces 158, 162 may overlap the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 between approximately 0.8 to 1.5 millimeters. A greater amount of overlap between the flat surfaces 158, 162 and the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 may result in a closure 18 that is more securely coupled to the container 14. For instance, when the tab 110 is in its relaxed position (solid in FIG. 3), the flat surface 158 and the flat surface 162 are configured to abut the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26. Accordingly, the flat surfaces 158, 162 prevent the closure 18 from being removed from the container 14 when the tab 110 is in the relaxed position. As mentioned above, however, the tab 110 may be moved to its unrelaxed position (phantom in FIG. 3) in which flat surface 162 is spaced apart from the upper end 34 of the container 14 and does not overlap the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26. When the tab 110 is in its unrelaxed position, the flat surface 162 is spaced apart from the lip 26 thereby permitting the closure 18 to be easily removed from the container 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the position of the vertex segments 150, 154 may be defined in relation to an internal closure space 166. In particular, the skirt portion 58 and the tab 110 lies in an annular space 170. The annular space 170 encircles the internal closure space 166. Both the vertex segment 150 and the vertex segment 154 are located in the internal closure space 166.

In operation, the container and closure assembly 10 may be used to contain a food product contained therein. Typically, a user prepares the food product stored within the container 14 for consumption by first removing the closure 18 from the container 14. To remove the closure 18 from the container 14 the user grasps the tab 110 and moves it from its relaxed position to its unrelaxed position in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 3. While holding the tab 110 in its unrelaxed position, the user applies an upward force to the closure 18 in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 2 to lift the vertex segment 154 away from the lip 26. Once vertex segment 154 has been lifted away from the lip, the closure 18 may be easily removed from the container 14. Thereafter, pressure on the tab 110 may be relaxed so that the tab 110 returns to its relaxed state.

After removing the closure 18 from the container 14, a user may separate the top portion from the rest of the container 14. The top portion is separated by grasping a pull tab connected to the top portion, and pulling the pull tab away from the container 14 as is known in the art. Separation of the top portion from the container 14 creates the opening 30 through which the food product may be withdrawn from the container.

If the user desires to heat the food product stored in the container 14, the user reattaches to the closure 18 to the container 14 after removing the top portion. To reattach the closure 18 to the container 14, a user places the closure 18 on top of the container 14 such that the internal closure space 166 surrounds the upper portion of the container 14. Next, the user applies a downward force to the top portion 50 in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 2 thereby causing the vertex segments 150, 154 to engage the lip 26 of the container 14 as described above. The downward force may also be applied to the circular periphery 62 until the upper surface 38 of the lip 26 is seated upon the bottom rib edges 106.

Once the closure 18 has been reattached to the container 14, the container and closure assembly 10 may be placed in a microwave oven to heat the food product contained in the container 14. The vertex segments 150, 154 ensure that the closure 18 remains securely coupled to the closure assembly 10 during the heating process. Additionally, the top portion 50 of the closure 18 prevents the food product from boiling over or spattering as the microwave oven heats the food product. Additionally, the vent holes 66 permit steam to advance out of the container and closure assembly 10. After the microwave oven has heated the food product to the desired temperature, the closure 18 may be removed from the container 14 as described above.

Variations and modifications of the present invention as described above are possible; however, all variations and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are considered to be within the scope of the protection granted by this Letters Patent.

Claims

1. A container and closure assembly, comprising:

a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said opening, said lip defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface therebetween; and
a closure configured to be attached to said container, said closure including: a top portion defining a circular periphery, a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space, a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap, a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and positioned in said gap, a first vertex segment attached to said second skirt portion, a second vertex segment attached to said tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical structure,
wherein, when said closure is secured to said container, (i) said top surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said plurality of spaced apart ribs, (ii) said bottom surface of said lip is positioned in contact with both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment, and (iii) said outer surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said second skirt portion.

2. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib,
said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane P1,
said second rib has a second surface that defines a second plane P2, and
said tab is located completely between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.

3. The container and closure assembly of claim 2, wherein:

a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said first slit is located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2, and
said second slit is located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.

4. The container and closure assembly of claim 3, wherein said second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second slit.

5. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said first vertex segment extends for a first distance D1,
said second vertex segment extends for a second distance D2, and
said first distance D1 is approximately equal to said second distance D2.

6. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges that contact said top surface of said lip when said closure is secured to said container,
said plurality of bottom rib edges defines a plane P,
a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said first slit defines a first closed slit end,
said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and
both said first closed slit end and said second closed slit end lie within said plane P.

7. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure.

8. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said first internal closure space.

9. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space,
said annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and
both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment are located within said second internal closure space.

10. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said tab includes a bottom tab portion that defines a first ridge extending from said first slit to said second slit, and
said second skirt portion includes a bottom skirt portion that defines a second ridge extending from said first side edge to said second side edge.

11. A closure, comprising:

a top portion defining a circular periphery;
a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space;
a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap;
a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and positioned in said gap;
a first vertex segment attached to said second skirt portion;
a second vertex segment attached to said tab; and
a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical structure.

12. The closure of claim 11, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib,
said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane P1,
said second rib has a second surface that defines a second plane P2, and
said tab is located completely between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.

13. The closure of claim 12, wherein:

a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said first slit is located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2, and
said second slit is located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.

14. The closure of claim 13, wherein said second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second slit.

15. The closure of claim 11, wherein:

said first vertex segment extends for a first distance D1,
said second vertex segment extends for a second distance D2, and
said first distance D1 is approximately equal to said second distance D2.

16. The closure of claim 11, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges,
said plurality of bottom rib edges defines a plane P,
a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said first slit defines a first closed slit end,
said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and
both said first closed slit end and said second closed slit end lie within said plane P.

17. The closure of claim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure.

18. The closure of claim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said first internal closure space.

19. The closure of claim 11, wherein:

said second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space,
said annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and
both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment are located within said second internal closure space.

20. The closure of claim 11, wherein:

a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said tab includes a bottom tab portion that defines a first ridge extending from said first slit to said second slit, and
said second skirt portion includes a bottom skirt portion that defines a second ridge extending from said first side edge to said second side edge.
Patent History
Publication number: 20100270306
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 24, 2009
Publication Date: Oct 28, 2010
Applicant: Tech II, Inc. (Springfield, OH)
Inventor: David A. Shiffer (Irwin, OH)
Application Number: 12/429,508
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Having Means For Securing Or Retaining Closure In Its Closed Position (e.g., Fastening Devices) (220/315)
International Classification: B65D 45/00 (20060101);