Closure with linerless seal

Abstract

A closure sealingly engages with a container having a generally annular neck having a top edge and inner and outer surfaces and defining a container opening. The closure comprises a generally circular top wall having opposed inner and outer surfaces. A generally annular skirt extends downwardly from the inner surface of the top wall. A plurality of annular seal members, extending downwardly from and integral with the inner surface of the top wall, includes at least a plug seal that engages with the inner surface of the neck to create a first seal therebetween, a V-ring seal that engages with the top edge of the neck to create a second seal therebetween, and a flexible seal that engages with the top edge of the neck to create a third seal therebetween.

1 . A closure for a container having a generally annular neck defining a container opening, the neck having a top edge and inner and outer surfaces, the closure comprising: 
 a generally circular top wall having opposed inner and outer surfaces;    a generally annular skirt extending downwardly from the inner surface of the top wall, the generally annular skirt having opposed outer and inner surfaces; and    a plurality of annular seal members extending downwardly from and integral with the inner surface of the top wall, the plurality of seal members having at least a plug seal that engages with the inner surface of the neck to create a first seal therebetween, a V-ring seal that engages with the top edge of the neck to create a second seal therebetween, and a flexible seal that engages with the top edge of the neck to create a third seal therebetween.    
   
   
       2 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the plug seal is generally rigid and has an indentation proximate the top wall that engages with a lip on the inner surface of the neck proximate the top edge to form an interference fit between the lip and the indentation.  
   
   
       3 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the plug seal is generally rigid and has an outside surface that engages with the inner surface of the neck to form an interference fit between at least a portion of the outside surface of the plug seal and at least a portion of the inner surface of the neck.  
   
   
       4 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the V-ring seal is generally rigid and engages with the top edge of the neck to form an interference fit.  
   
   
       5 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the flexible seal deflects to become compressed between the top edge of the neck and the inner surface of the top wall.  
   
   
       6 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the skirt and the outer surface of the neck have mating threads, whereby the closure is threadingly engaged with the neck of the container to engage the plurality of seal members with the neck of the container, thereby sealing the opening of the container.  
   
   
       7 . A combination container and closure system comprising: 
 a container having a generally annular neck defining a container opening, the neck having a top edge and inner and outer surfaces; and    a closure having a generally circular top wall having opposed inner and outer surfaces, a generally annular skirt extending downwardly from the inner surface of the top wall, the generally annular skirt having opposed outer and inner surfaces, and a plurality of annular seal members extending downwardly from and integral with the inner surface of the top wall, wherein the plurality of annular seal members includes at least a plug seal that engages with the inner surface of the neck to create a first seal therebetween, a V-ring seal that engages with the top edge of the neck to create a second seal therebetween, and a flexible seal that engages with the top edge of the neck to create a third seal therebetween.    
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the plug seal is generally rigid and has an indentation proximate the top wall that engages with a lip on the inner surface of the neck proximate the top edge to form an interference fit between the lip and the indentation.  
   
   
       9 . The closure of  claim 7  wherein the plug seal is generally rigid and has an outside surface that engages with the inner surface of the neck to form an interference fit between at least a portion of the outside surface of the plug seal and at least a portion of the inner surface of the neck.  
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the V-ring seal is generally rigid and engages with the top edge of the neck to form an interference fit.  
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the flexible seal deflects to become compressed between the top edge of the neck and the inner surface of the top wall.  
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the inner surface of the skirt and the outer surface of the neck have mating threads, whereby the closure is threadingly engaged with the neck of the container to engage the plurality of seal members with the neck of the container, thereby sealing the opening of the container.