Design and manufacture of removable membrane sealing components for consumer packaging

Abstract

A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

1 . A tamper-evidencing closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 a closure base having a dispensing aperture adapted for mounting on the container adjacent the container opening;    a sealing member for closing the dispensing aperture and the container opening;    a connection member releasably interconnecting the closure base and the sealing member; and    a spoke interconnecting the connection member and a region defined by the sealing member.    
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the spoke interconnecting the connection member to a central region defined by the sealing member.  
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 2  further comprising a second spoke interconnecting the connection member to the central region defined by the sealing member.  
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the spoke is positioned underneath the sealing member such that the spoke is exposed the container opening.  
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure base further comprises an annular top, a well defined by an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top, and an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the bottom having defined thereon the dispensing aperture.  
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the sealing member includes a post extending within the well and terminating to a pull ring.  
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the closure base further comprising an annular seal formed against the inner skirt and annular top and positioned to engage a portion of the container when the closure base is mounted on the container.  
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 7 , wherein the annular seal further includes at least one sealing bead protecting from the annular seal towards the portion of the container when the closure base is mounted on the container.  
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member includes a dome shaped membrane.  
     
     
         10 . A tamper-evidencing closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 a closure base having a dispensing aperture adapted for mounting on the container adjacent the container opening;    a sealing member for closing the dispensing aperture and the container opening; and    a connection member releasably interconnecting the closure base and the sealing member,    wherein the closure base further comprises an annular top, a well defined by an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top, and an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the bottom having defined thereon the dispensing aperture, and    wherein the closure base further comprises an annular seal formed against the inner skirt and annular top and positioned to engage a portion of the container when the closure base is mounted on the container.    
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the annular seal further includes at least one sealing bead protecting from the annular seal towards the portion of the container when the closure base is mounted on the container.  
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the sealing member includes a dome shaped membrane.  
     
     
         13 . In combination, a container and closure therefore, the combination comprising: 
 a container including a container opening, a neck finish having a vertical stretch with an annular top and having a cap-engaging structure below the annular top, the container further including a reduced wall-thickness annular flange extending upwardly from the annular top of the vertical stretch and defining the container opening; and    a closure adapted for mounting on the container adjacent the container opening, the closure including a closure base and a removable sealing member, the closure base having a dispensing aperture, an annular closure top, an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer periphery of the annular closure top, and a retaining bead extending inwardly from a lower portion of the outer skirt, the retaining bead being dimensioned and configured for securing to the annular flange of the container.    
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the annular flange is dimensioned and configured to receive the retainer bead.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the wall thickness of the annular flange is less than a wall thickness of the vertical stretch.  
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 13 , further comprising a cap having container-engaging structure dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the cap-engaging structure to releasably mount the cap to the container, and having a plug to engage the inner skirt of the closure to provide a seal when the cap is fully mounted on the container.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein the removable sealing member extends from a lower portion of the inner skirt.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein an inner diameter of the inner skirt of the closure base is greater than an inner diameter of the neck finish to prevent the closure base from retaining dispensed contents of the container within the neck finish.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the neck finish further comprises a notch extending downwardly from an inner diameter of the annular flange lower than an upper portion of the cap-engaging structure to provide clearance for the inner skirt within the neck finish.  
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19 , wherein the annular flange includes an annular shoulder dimensioned and configured to provide locking engagement with the retaining bead.  
     
     
         21 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 a closure base having a dispensing aperture positioned about the container opening;    the closure base including an annular top with an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer periphery of the annular top, and an inner skirt depending inwardly from an inward periphery of the annular top;    a retaining bead extending inwardly from a lower portion of the outer skirt, the retaining bead being dimensioned and configured for securing to the container; and    a removable member positioned to seal the dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         22 . The closure of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 a closure top having top portion and a downwardly extending skirt with a structure dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the container such that the closure top is releasably mounted to the container; and    an annular plug extending downwardly from the top portion and dimensioned and configured to engage the inner skirt of the closure to provide a seal when the closure top is fully mounted on the container.    
     
     
         23 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 a closure base having a dispensing aperture adapted for mounting on the container adjacent the container opening, the closure base including an annular top, an outer skirt depending from an outer periphery of the annular top, and an inner skirt depending from an inner periphery of the annular top, the closure base further including a retaining member extending inwardly from a lower portion of the outer skirt and configured for engagement with the container; and    a removable sealing member for closing the dispensing aperture and the container opening;    wherein the closure base further includes a pouring lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer periphery of the annular top to reduce run-off of liquids flowing from the container down the outer skirt.    
     
     
         24 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 an annular top having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top and an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top;    an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the annular bottom having defined thereon a dispensing aperture posit adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container; and    a sealing member formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture.    
     
     
         25 . The closure of  claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of the sealing member is removable from the annular bottom to expose at least a portion of the dispensing aperture.  
     
     
         26 . The closure of  claim 25 , wherein the sealing member is integrally formed to the annular bottom.  
     
     
         27 . The closure of  claim 26  further comprising a frangible line of weakness formed between the sealing member and dispensing aperture.  
     
     
         28 . The closure of  claim 27 , wherein the frangible line of weakness is defined as being a v-shaped groove.  
     
     
         29 . The closure of  claim 24  further comprising a gripping member secured to the sealing member by a post.  
     
     
         30 . The closure of  claim 24  further comprising a flange vertically depending from the annular top to engage the container.  
     
     
         31 . The closure of  claim 30 , wherein the flange is annularly shaped.  
     
     
         32 . The closure of  claim 24  further comprising a cap having: 
 a base having a structure to engage the outer skirt of the annular top, and having an annular ring defined about an orifice, the orifice positioned about the dispensing aperture when the base structure is engaged to the annular top;    a top hingedly connected to the base structure; and    a reclosure plug depending internally from the top and which coacts with the annular ring when the top is moved to a closed position, wherein when the top is moved to an opened position, the reclosure plug is moved to expose the orifice.    
     
     
         33 . The closure of  claim 32 , wherein the base further includes a second plug depending downwardly and positioned to engage the inner skirt of the annular top.  
     
     
         34 . The closure of  claim 33 , wherein an outer diameter of the second plug is larger than an inner diameter of the inner skirt.  
     
     
         35 . The closure of  claim 33 , wherein the reclosure plug or the second plug includes surface area defining a hollow.  
     
     
         36 . A closure cap for a container having a container opening, comprising: 
 a base having a structure to engage a first portion defined by the container, and having an annular ring defined about an orifice, the orifice positioned about the container opening when the base structure is engaged to the container;    a top hingedly connected to the base structure;    a reclosure plug depending internally from the top and which coacts with the annular ring when the top is moved to a closed position, wherein when the top is moved to an opened position, the reclosure plug is moved to expose the orifice.    
     
     
         37 . The closure of  claim 36 , wherein the base further includes a second plug depending downwardly and positioned to engage a second portion defined by the container.  
     
     
         38 . The closure of  claim 36 , wherein the container opening is covered by a removable sealing member that is accessible and removable through the orifice when the cap is in the opened position.  
     
     
         39 . The closure of  claim 36 , wherein the container opening is inaccesible by a removable sealing member that is removable through the orifice when the cap is in the opened position.  
     
     
         40 . The closure of  claim 37 , wherein the reclosure plug or the second plug includes surface area defining a hollow.  
     
     
         41 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 a top,    a skirt depending from the top,    a closure base having a dispensing aperture adapted for mounting on the container adjacent the container opening, and    a plurality of flexibly hinged retaining flaps extending radially inwardly from the closure base each having an edge adapted to cooperate with structure of a container neck.    
     
     
         42 . The closure of  claim 41  wherein the retaining flaps includes an oblique wing.  
     
     
         43 . The closure of  claim 41 , wherein the edge is arcuate.  
     
     
         44 . The closure of  claim 41 , wherein the edge is flat.  
     
     
         45 . The closure of  claim 41 , wherein one or more of the retaining flaps has at least one projection member at a surface thereof adapted to cooperate with structure of a container neck.  
     
     
         46 . The closure of  claim 45 , wherein the structure of a container neck adapted to cooperate with at least one projection member includes a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the neck finish.  
     
     
         47 . The closure of  claim 45 , wherein a projection member extends vertically along a central portion of a lower surface of a retaining flap and is dimensioned and configured to abut against and cooperatively engage the structure of a container neck.  
     
     
         48 . The closure of  claim 45 , wherein a plurality of projection members are disposed on a lower surface of the retaining flap at least one of which is dimensioned and configured to abut against and cooperatively engage the structure of a container neck.  
     
     
         49 . The closure of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of projection members are of substantially like dimension and configuration.  
     
     
         50 . The closure of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of the plurality of projection members defines a tiered gusset structure formed of a plurality of contact ridges wherein, during rotational contact with structure of a container neck, a leading and larger contact ridge contact the structure of a container neck before at least one subsequent and smaller contact ridge.  
     
     
         51 . The closure of  claim 50 , wherein the leading and larger contact ridge, during rotational contact with structure of a container neck, serves to protect at least one subsequent and smaller contact ridge from abrasive wear or damage.  
     
     
         52 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 an annular top having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top and an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top;    an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the annular bottom having defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container; and    a removable sealing member formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture,    the outer skirt having a plurality of knurls at an exterior facing surface thereof.    
     
     
         53 . The closure of  claim 52  wherein the plurality of knurls are located at an upper portion of the outer skirt.  
     
     
         54 . The closure of  claim 52  wherein the plurality of knurls are located at a lower portion of the outer skirt.  
     
     
         55 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 an annular top having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top and an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top;    an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the annular bottom having defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container; and    a removable sealing member formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture,    the outer skirt having a plurality of inwardly facing anti-rotational ratchets circumferentially spaced about at an interior surface thereof adapted to cooperate with structure of a container neck.    
     
     
         56 . The closure of  claim 55 , wherein the structure of a container neck includes a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced about the neck finish of the container.  
     
     
         57 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 an annular top having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top and an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top;    an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the annular bottom having defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container; and    a removable sealing member formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture,    the outer skirt terminating into a bottom flange having a plurality of fins at an upwardly externally facing surface thereof.    
     
     
         58 . The closure of  claim 57 , wherein the plurality of fins are circumferentially spaced.  
     
     
         59 . The closure of  claim 58 , wherein the plurality of fins include at least four fins circumferentially spaced 90 degrees from one another.  
     
     
         60 . A closure for a container having a container opening, the closure comprising: 
 an annular top having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top and an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top;    an annular bottom extending radially inward from the inner skirt, the annular bottom having defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container; and    a sealing member formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture,    the outer skirt having a circumferential frangible score-line at a lower portion thereof.    
     
     
         61 . The closure of  claim 24  further comprising an annular recess defined by the outer skirt, the annular top and the inner skirt, the annular recess having a width dimension and a height dimension, the width dimension being greater than three-quarters the height dimension in order to reduce trapping of fluid therein.  
     
     
         62 . The closure of  claim 24 , wherein the outer skirt includes external threads configured and dimensioned to releasably engage internal threads of a reclosure cap.  
     
     
         63 . The closure of  claim 24 , wherein the inner skirt further including a plurality of neck-engaging beads extending from the inner skirt, the neck engaging beads being configured and dimensioned to releasably engage external threads on a neck of the container.  
     
     
         64 . The closure of  claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of the sealing member is frustoconically shaped.