Container and closure assembly

Abstract

A container and closure assembly includes a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around the opening. The assembly also includes a closure configured to be attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure also includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a second side edge that form a gap. A tab extends downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and is positioned in the gap. A first vertex segment is attached to the second skirt portion, and a second vertex segment is attached to the tab.

1 . A container and closure assembly, comprising:
 a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said opening, said lip defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface therebetween; and   a closure configured to be attached to said container, said closure including:
 a top portion defining a circular periphery, 
 a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space, 
 a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap, 
 a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and positioned in said gap, 
 a first vertex segment attached to said second skirt portion, 
 a second vertex segment attached to said tab, and 
 a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical structure, 
   wherein, when said closure is secured to said container, (i) said top surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said plurality of spaced apart ribs, (ii) said bottom surface of said lip is positioned in contact with both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment, and (iii) said outer surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said second skirt portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib,   said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane P 1 ,   said second rib has a second surface that defines a second plane P 2 , and   said tab is located completely between said first plane P 1  and said second plane P 2 .   
     
     
         3 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   said first slit is located between said first plane P 1  and said second plane P 2 , and   said second slit is located between said first plane P 1  and said second plane P 2 .   
     
     
         4 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second slit. 
     
     
         5 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first vertex segment extends for a first distance D 1 ,   said second vertex segment extends for a second distance D 2 , and   said first distance D 1  is approximately equal to said second distance D 2 .   
     
     
         6 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges that contact said top surface of said lip when said closure is secured to said container,   said plurality of bottom rib edges defines a plane P,   a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   said first slit defines a first closed slit end,   said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and   both said first closed slit end and said second closed slit end lie within said plane P.   
     
     
         7 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         8 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said first internal closure space. 
     
     
         9 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space,   said annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and   both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment are located within said second internal closure space.   
     
     
         10 . The container and closure assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   said tab includes a bottom tab portion that defines a first ridge extending from said first slit to said second slit, and   said second skirt portion includes a bottom skirt portion that defines a second ridge extending from said first side edge to said second side edge.   
     
     
         11 . A closure, comprising:
 a top portion defining a circular periphery;   a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space;   a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap;   a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and positioned in said gap;   a first vertex segment attached to said second skirt portion;   a second vertex segment attached to said tab; and   a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical structure.   
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib,   said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane P 1 ,   said second rib has a second surface that defines a second plane P 2 , and   said tab is located completely between said first plane P 1  and said second plane P 2 .   
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   said first slit is located between said first plane P 1  and said second plane P 2 , and   said second slit is located between said first plane P 1  and said second plane P 2 .   
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein said second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second slit. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said first vertex segment extends for a first distance D 1 ,   said second vertex segment extends for a second distance D 2 , and   said first distance D 1  is approximately equal to said second distance D 2 .   
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges,   said plurality of bottom rib edges defines a plane P,   a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   said first slit defines a first closed slit end,   said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and   both said first closed slit end and said second closed slit end lie within said plane P.   
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said first internal closure space. 
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space,   said annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and   both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment are located within said second internal closure space.   
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein:
 a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,   said tab includes a bottom tab portion that defines a first ridge extending from said first slit to said second slit, and   said second skirt portion includes a bottom skirt portion that defines a second ridge extending from said first side edge to said second side edge.