Tethered plastic stopper

Abstract

This invention relates to a tethered plastic stopper, having a tamper band positioned around the stopper, a closure shell positioned on top of the stopper above the tamper band, and a linking feature. The linking feature is configured to connect the tamper band to the closure shell, the linking feature including a first end configured to attach to the closure shell, a second end configured to attach to the tamper band, and a central portion. The central portion positioned between the first end and the second end, the central portion being situated furthest from the stopper when compared to the first end and the second end. The linking feature is positioned outside the periphery of the stopper and is configured to allow the central portion to flex during removal of the closure shell from a top of a bottle neck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tethered plastic stopper, comprising
 a tamper band positioned around the stopper;   a closure shell positioned on top of the stopper above the tamper band; and   a linking feature connecting the tamper band to the closure shell, the linking feature comprising:
 a first end configured to attach to the closure shell; 
 a second end configured to attach to the tamper band; and 
 a central portion positioned between the first end and the second end, the central portion being situated furthest from the stopper when compared to the first end and the second end; 
   wherein the linking feature is positioned outside the periphery of the stopper and is configured to allow the central portion to flex during removal of the closure shell from a top of a bottle neck.   
     
     
         2 . A tethered plastic stopper, according to  claim 1 , wherein the linking feature is configured to allow flexibility of the central portion to assist in closing the closure shell. 
     
     
         3 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the linking feature is forms a C-shape and extends horizontally from the periphery of the stopper. 
     
     
         4 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the linking feature is forms a V-shape and extends horizontally from the periphery of the stopper. 
     
     
         5 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first end comprises two top tongues each connected to the closure shell,   the second end comprises a bottom tongue connected to the tamper band, and   the central portion connecting the top tongues and the bottom tongue is round.   
     
     
         6 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one top tongue and the bottom tongues curve to form an S-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 2 , wherein the linking feature further comprises two lateral tongues which are curved in shape, the lateral tongues forming a free space therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 7 , wherein the linking feature further comprises a vertical link located between the tongues and attached at one end to the closure shell and attached another end to the tamper band. 
     
     
         9 . The tethered plastic stopper according to  claim 8 , wherein the closure shell further comprises a hook that extends inward and downward relative to the closure shell, the hook configured to connect the closure shell to an outer annular ring at the top of the bottle neck.