Threaded closure with internal ribs

Abstract

An internally threaded plastic closure in accordance with the present invention includes an array of axially extending, circumferentially spaced internal ribs which intersect the internal thread formation of the closure. By this arrangement, vent passages are defined between adjacent ones of the internal ribs, thus providing the closure with desirable gas venting characteristics, while avoiding the provision of vent grooves extending into the inside surface of the closure side wall, which can undesirably impair the strength of the side wall. By the present construction, the amount of polymeric material from which the closure is formed can be desirably reduced, while maintaining the desired dimensional characteristics of the closure, to facilitate use with existing containers and high-speed capping equipment.

1 . A closure for a container, comprising:
 a molded plastic closure cap formed from polymeric material, said closure cap including a top wall portion, and an annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion,   said closure including a sealing portion for sealingly engaging an associated container,   said skirt portion including at least one helical, internal thread formation for cooperating engagement with a thread formation on the associated container,   said skirt portion further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs, at least some of said axially extending ribs intersecting said internal thread formation.   
   
   
       2 . A closure for a container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said internal thread formation extends continuously about an inside surface of said skirt portion.   
   
   
       3 . A closure for a container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said internal thread formation is discontinuous, and comprises a plurality of thread segments helically arranged about an inside surface of said skirt portion.   
   
   
       4 . A closure for a container in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein:
 said discontinuous thread formation includes a plurality of connector elements respectively extending between adjacent ones of said thread segments on the inside surface of said skirt portion, said connector elements each having a radial dimension less than a radial dimension of said thread segments.   
   
   
       5 . A closure for a container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing portion of closure comprising at least one annular sealing element depending from an inside surface of said top wall portion of said closure cap.   
   
   
       6 . A closure for a container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing portion of said closure comprises a sealing liner positioned within said closure cap adjacent said top wall portion.   
   
   
       7 . A closure for a container in accordance with  claim 1 , including:
 an annular, tamper-evident band depending from said skirt portion and at least partially, frangibly connected thereto.   
   
   
       8 . A closure and container package, comprising;
 a container have a neck portion having an external thread formation; and   a closure configured to be removably applied to said container,   said closure comprising a molded plastic closure cap formed from polymeric material, said closure cap including a top wall portion, and an annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion,   said closure including a sealing portion for sealingly engaging said container,   said skirt portion including at least one helical, internal thread formation for cooperating engagement with the external thread formation on said container,   said skirt portion further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs, at least some of said axially extending ribs intersecting said internal thread formation, and defining a plurality of vent passages between adjacent ones of said axially extending ribs.   
   
   
       9 . A closure and container package in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein:
 said container defines at least one axially extending vent groove intersecting said external thread formation.   
   
   
       10 . A closure and container package in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein:
 said internal thread formation of said closure is discontinuous, and comprises a plurality of thread segments helically arranged about an inside surface of said skirt portion.   
   
   
       11 . A closure and container package in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein:
 said discontinuous thread formation includes a plurality of connector elements respectively extending between adjacent ones of said thread segments on the inside surface of said skirt portion, said connector elements each having a radial dimension less than a radial dimension of said thread segments.   
   
   
       12 . A closure and container package in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein:
 said internal thread formation extends continuously about an inside surface of said skirt portion.