Closure

Abstract

A one-piece closure for sealing a container having a neck portion includes a top wall ( 2 ) connected with a substantially cylindrical side wall ( 3 ) and an annular seal ( 24 ) that extends downwardly from an inner surface of the closure. The side wall ( 3 ) has a substantially contact wall thickness and the annular seal ( 24 ) is deformable, in use, on application of the closure to the neck portion of a container such that it at least in part abuts the side wall ( 3 ). A tamper evident ring ( 40 ) separates from the closure at substantially the same time the annular seal ( 24 ) disengages from the neck portion ( 5 ).

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A one-piece closure for sealingly closing a neck opening of a container, the closure comprising a top wall, an annular side wall depending from the top wall and an annular seal having an inner surface and an outer surface facing the side wall, the annular side wall comprising a circular inner surface having a substantially constant diameter (d 1 ) and extending from a lower end of the side wall to an upper end that connects with the top wall, the inner surface having securing features provided thereon for cooperably engaging features provided on the neck opening and the annular seal being deflectable by engagement between an inner surface thereof and the neck opening when, in use, the closure is fitted to the neck opening to a position in which the inner surface of the annular seal conforms to and is in close contact with the neck opening and the outer surface of the annular seal is pressed against the inner surface having a diameter (d 1 ) by the neck opening. 
     
     
         20 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the securing features extend inwardly from the inner surface having a diameter (d 1 ). 
     
     
         21 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the side wall has a substantially constant radial thickness. 
     
     
         22 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the top wall has an outer peripheral portion that provides a radiused connection to the upper end of the annular side wall. 
     
     
         23 . A closure as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the annular seal extends at least in part from the outer peripheral portion. 
     
     
         24 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the annular seal extends at least in part from an inner surface of the top wall. 
     
     
         25 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the annular seal includes an outer surface tapering away from the inner surface having a diameter (d 1 ). 
     
     
         26 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the annular seal includes a lead-in taper at the free end thereof. 
     
     
         27 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising an inner annular seal depending from the top wall. 
     
     
         28 . A closure as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the inner annular seal sealingly engages, in use, an inner surface of the neck opening. 
     
     
         29 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising an annular sealing ridge depending from the top wall. 
     
     
         30 . A closure as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the annular sealing ridge includes an apex which sealingly engages, in use, the top surface of the neck opening. 
     
     
         31 . A closure as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the annular sealing ridge is joined to the annular seal by a web portion. 
     
     
         32 . A closure as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising tamper evidence means. 
     
     
         33 . A closure as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the tamper evidence means comprises a portion of the closure which is separable therefrom. 
     
     
         34 . A container having a neck opening in combination with a closure, the closure comprising a top wall, an annular side wall depending from the top wall and an annular seal having an inner surface and an outer surface facing the side wall, the annular side wall comprising a circular inner surface having a substantially constant diameter (d 1 ) and extending from a lower end of the side wall to an upper end that connects with the top wall, the inner surface having securing features provided thereon for cooperably engaging features provided on the neck opening and the annular seal being deflectable by engagement between an inner surface thereof and the neck opening when, in use, the closure is fitted to the neck opening to a position in which the inner surface of the annular seal conforms to and is in close contact with the neck opening and the outer surface of the annular seal is pressed against the inner surface having a diameter (d 1 ) by the neck opening. 
     
     
         35 . A container in combination with a closure as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the closure is sized and dimensioned such that, in use, the tamper evidence means cooperates with the neck opening such that the separable portion is separated from the closure as the annular seal disengages from the neck opening. 
     
     
         36 . A package comprising a container having a neck opening in combination with a closure, the closure comprising a top wall, an annular side wall depending from the top wall and an annular seal having an inner surface and an outer surface facing the side wall, the annular side wall comprising a circular inner surface having a substantially constant diameter (d 1 ) and extending from a lower end of the side wall to an upper end that connects with the top wall, the inner surface having securing features provided thereon for cooperably engaging features provided on the neck opening and the annular seal being deflectable by engagement between an inner surface thereof and the neck opening when, in use, the closure is fitted to the neck opening to a position in which the inner surface of the annular seal conforms to and is in close contact with the neck opening and the outer surface of the annular seal is pressed against the inner surface having a diameter (d 1 ) by the neck opening, wherein the container contains a liquid and is sealed by the closure.