Tamper-evident plug seal closure

Abstract

A plastic closure for a container includes a top wall portion, an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion, and a removal tab projecting downwardly from the skirt portion for manipulation of the closure during removal. A sealing plug depends from the inside surface of the top wall portion for disposition generally within the mouth of an associated container. The closure includes a pair of weakened regions which extend along the skirt portion on respective opposite sides of the removal tab, and which further extend along the closure top wall portion on respective opposite sides of the sealing plug.

1 . A closure for a container comprising: 
 a top wall portion;    an annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion;    a removal tab projecting from said skirt portion; and    a sealing plug depending from an inside surface of said top wall portion for disposition generally within a mouth of an associated container,    said closure including a pair of frangible weakened regions extending along said annular skirt on respective opposite sides of said removal tab, and further extending along said top wall portion on respective opposite sides of said sealing plug.    
   
   
       2 . A closure in accordance with  claim 1 , including: 
 a sealing liner disposed on said sealing plug for sealing engagement with said container.    
   
   
       3 . A closure in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said sealing liner is coextensive with said sealing plug, and includes a central portion positioned generally within said sealing plug adjacent said top wall portion.    
   
   
       4 . A closure in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said annular skirt portion includes at least one inwardly projecting retention bead for retaining said closure on said container.    
   
   
       5 . A closure in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said annular skirt portion includes a plurality of inwardly projecting, circumferentially spaced retention beads, one of said retention beads on said skirt portion generally between said pair of weakened regions.    
   
   
       6 . A closure in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pair of weakened regions extend along said top wall portion partially around said sealing plug.    
   
   
       7 . A closure in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said pair of weakened regions extend along said top wall portion in concentric relationship with said sealing plug.    
   
   
       8 . A closure in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said pair of weakened regions extend partially around said sealing plug on the side of said sealing plug opposite said removal tab.    
   
   
       9 . A closure in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said weakened regions comprise relatively thin portions of said closure, having a thickness of about 0.005 to 0.010 inches.    
   
   
       10 . A closure for a container, comprising: 
 a top wall portion;    an annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion, said skirt portion including at least one inwardly projecting retention bead;    a sealing plug depending from an inside surface of said top wall portion for disposition generally within a mouth of an associated container; and    a sealing liner disposed on said sealing plug for sealing engagement with said containers,    said closure including a pair of weakened regions extending along said top wall portion on respective opposite sides of said sealing plug.    
   
   
       11 . A closure in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said pair of weakened regions extend along said top wall portion partially around said sealing plug.    
   
   
       12 . A closure in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said pair of weakened regions extend along said top wall portion in concentric relationship with said sealing plug.    
   
   
       13 . A closure in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said weakened regions comprise relatively thin portions of said closure, having a thickness of about 0.005 to 0.010 inches.    
   
   
       14 . A closure in accordance with  claim 10 , including: 
 a removal tab projecting downwardly from said skirt portion.    
   
   
       15 . A closure in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said pair of weakened regions further extend along said skirt portion on respective opposite sides of said removal tab.    
   
   
       16 . A closure in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said closure is configured for snap-on application, and    said skirt portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly projecting retention beads, with one of said retention beads being positioned generally between said weakened regions extending along said skirt portion.    
   
   
       17 . A closure in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said sealing plug is generally aligned with the portions of said pair of weakened regions extending along said skirt portion.