A closure for a container and a container and closure

Abstract

A closure for a container is provided. The container has a side surface and a rim. The rim defines an opening and an opening axis perpendicular to the opening. The closure has a top portion for covering the opening; and a skirt portion, connected to the top portion, that surrounds a region of the side surface when the closure is connected to the container. The skirt portion has thread portions that cooperate with thread portions on the side surface to define movement of the closure relative the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container. The closure includes a liner extend across the top portion of the closure and at least partway across the skirt portion away from the top portion. The liner seals the opening of a container when the closure is connected to the container.

1 . A closure for a container, the container having a side surface and a rim that defines an opening and an opening axis that is perpendicular to the opening, the closure comprising:
 a top portion configured to cover the opening of the container; and   a skirt portion, connected to the top portion and configured to surround an upper region of the side surface of a container when the closure is connected to the container;   wherein the skirt portion comprises one or more thread portions configured to cooperate with one or more thread portions provided on the side surface of a container to define movement of the closure relative to the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container;   the closure further comprises a liner that extends across the surface of the top portion of the closure and at least partway across the skirt portion away from the top portion; and   
       the liner is configured to seal the opening of a container when the closure is connected to the container. 
     
     
         2 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner includes a seal region configured such that, when the closure is connected to a container, the seal region forms a fluid-tight seal between the side surface of the container and the skirt portion of the closure. 
     
     
         3 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein the liner is configured such that, when the closure is connected to a container the seal region of the liner is not in contact with the rim of the container. 
     
     
         4 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is configured such that, when the closure is connected to a container, the part of the liner extending across the surface of the top portion of the closure forms a liquid-tight seal against the rim of the container. 
     
     
         5 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner is integrally formed as a single component. 
     
     
         6 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner is formed from a cross-linked rubber. 
     
     
         7 . A closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lubricant provided between the liner and at least one of the top portion and the skirt portion of the closure. 
     
     
         8 . A closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising an antibacterial material provided between the liner and at least one of the top portion and the skirt portion of the closure. 
     
     
         9 . A closure according to  claim 7 , wherein the lubricant comprises an antibacterial material. 
     
     
         10 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the material used to form the liner comprises at least one of a slip agent and an antibacterial material. 
     
     
         11 . A closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hand-engagement region on an outer surface of the closure that is configured to have a higher static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand than an inner surface of the closure. 
     
     
         12 . A closure according to  claim 11 , wherein the hand-engagement region comprises a layer of material having a higher static coefficient of friction between it and a human hand than the material used to form the top portion and/or the skirt portion of the closure. 
     
     
         13 . A closure according to  claim 11 , wherein the hand-engagement region comprises a textured surface provided on at least part of the top portion and/or the skirt portion of the closure. 
     
     
         14 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portion and skirt portion are formed of a non-metallic material, optionally a plastic material. 
     
     
         15 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portion and the skirt portion are formed of metal. 
     
     
         16 . A container for use with a closure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A container and a closure comprising a closure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The use of a container and closure according to  claim 17  for containing a beverage. 
     
     
         19 . A method of filling a container with a beverage, comprising filling the container with a beverage and connecting a closure to an opening of the container, wherein the closure is a closure according to  claim 1 .