Patent ID: 6039198
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A closure for application to a mouth of a container, the container being sealed by a thin, sevearable membrane applied to a rim at the mouth of the container and having closure engaging means projecting outwardly from a neck portion of the container at a location below the rim for permitting the closure to be removeably attached to the container, the closure comprising:an annular skirt having first and second annular ends;a planar top panel member within said annular skirt and extending perpendicularly with respect to said annular skirt;container engaging means projecting inwardly from said annular skirt at a location between said first annular end and said top panel member for engaging the closure engaging means of the container; andthin film severing means projecting perpendicularly from said top panel member toward said second annular end of said annular skirt, said thin film severing means being spaced inwardly from said annular skirt and comprising;an arcuate shoulder having an arcuate extent of less than 360.degree. for engaging the thin, severable membrane on the container when the closure is applied to the container with the film severing means facing toward an interior of the container, said arcuate shoulder being adapted to tighten a portion of the thin, severable membrane in engagement therewith, anda sharp cutting element projecting axially outwardly from said arcuate shoulder at a location between opposed ends of said arcuate shoulder;said closure being freely rotatable with respect to the mouth of the container when said closure is applied to the mouth of the container with said thin film severing means facing toward the interior of the container with the rim of the container centered between said arcuate shoulder and said annular skirt to permit the sharp cutting element to pierce and cut the thin, severable membrane when said closure is rotated with respect to the mouth of the container.