Closure with impact resistant ribs

Abstract

A closure that includes a top panel and a transition section extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The closure includes a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel and a plurality of raised ribs. Each of the plurality of raised ribs includes a first portion extending outwardly from an outer surface of the skirt and extending axially along at least a portion of the skirt and a second portion positioned above the first portion and extending outwardly from an outer surface of the transition section.

1 . A closure, comprising:
 a top panel;   a transition section extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel;   a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel; and   a plurality of raised ribs, each of the plurality of raised ribs including:
 a first portion extending outwardly from an outer surface of the skirt and extending axially along at least a portion of the skirt, and 
 a second portion positioned above the first portion and extending outwardly from an outer surface of the transition section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the transition section comprises a rounded shoulder having a curved outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the second portions of the plurality of raised ribs each include a rounded shoulder segment extending between the top panel and the first portion of each of the plurality of raised ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein an inner segment of the outer surface of the rounded shoulder of each of the plurality of raised ribs lies in the same plane as an outer surface of the top panel. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion of each of the plurality of raised ribs does not extend axially above the peripheral edge of the top panel. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of raised ribs are each symmetric about a radial line extending through the center of each of the plurality of raised ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of raised ribs include left and right sidewalls, the left and right sidewalls positioned at angles relative to the outer surfaces of the skirt and the transition section such that the left and right sidewalls converge, thereby defining outer edges of the plurality of raised ribs. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 7 , wherein the outer edges of the plurality of raised ribs are rounded in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt includes a downwardly and outwardly extending frustoconical portion positioned at the lower end of the skirt. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein a lower section of each of the plurality of raised ribs extends in a radial direction along an outer surface of the frustoconical portion of the skirt. 
     
     
         11 . An impact resistant closure, comprising:
 a generally circular top wall;   a transition section extending from a peripheral edge of the top wall;   a generally cylindrical skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt is substantially perpendicular to the top wall; and   a plurality of raised ribs, each of the plurality of raised ribs including:
 a first portion extending outwardly from an outer surface of the skirt and extending axially along at least a portion of the skirt, and 
 a second portion positioned above the first portion and extending outwardly from an outer surface of the transition section, 
   wherein the second portions of the plurality of raised ribs are configured to deform upon impact to resist failure of the closure.   
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the transition section comprises a rounded shoulder having a curved outer surface. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the second portions of the plurality of raised ribs each include a rounded shoulder segment extending between the top wall and the first portion of each of the plurality of raised ribs. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein an inner segment of the outer surface of the rounded shoulder of each of the plurality of raised ribs lies in the same plane as an outer surface of the top wall. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein the closure is s sized to fit a container neck finish having an outer thread diameter of about 43 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of raised ribs include first and second sidewalls, the sidewalls converging to define an outer edge of each of the plurality of raised ribs, and wherein the outer edges of the plurality of raised ribs are rounded in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         17 . A closure configured to be coupled to a container, comprising:
 a top wall;   a rounded shoulder section extending from an outer edge of the top wall;   a skirt extending from an outer edge of the rounded shoulder section;   at least one thread extending from an inner surface of the skirt configured for engagement with threading located on a neck portion of the container;   a plurality of raised ribs, each of the plurality of raised ribs including:
 a first portion extending outwardly from an outer surface of the skirt and extending axially along at least a portion of the skirt, and 
 a second portion positioned above the first portion and extending outwardly from an outer surface of the rounded shoulder section; and 
   a tamper evident band including a frangible connecting element coupling the tamper evident band to the skirt.   
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the closure is injection molded from a polypropylene homopolymer resin. 
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the closure is coupled to the container. 
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the second portions of the plurality of raised ribs each include a rounded shoulder segment extending between the top wall and the first portions of each of the plurality of raised ribs, and further wherein an inner segment of the rounded shoulder of each of the plurality of raised ribs lies in the same plane as an outer surface of the top wall.