Patent ID: 6616997
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B32B,B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
A stopper or closure for a product retaining container constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal forming neck of the container for sealingly closing the container and retaining the product therein, said stopper/closure comprising:B. an elongated, cylindrically shaped core member having an outer curved surface and substantially flat terminating ends a. formed from foamed polymer material, b. having a substantially homogeneous, uniform composition and cross-section throughout the entire length thereof; and c. comprising a first set of physical properties, particularly suited for providing compression and resilient return thereof to its original shape; and B. at least one separate and independent substantially uniform layer d. peripherally surrounding and intimately bonded to the outer curved surface of the cylindrically shaped core member with the flat terminating ends of the core member being devoid of said separate and independent layer, and e. comprising a substantially uniform thickness and possessing a second set of physical properties distinct from the physical properties of the core member and particularly suited for resisting scoring and/or cutting thereof, and f. formed directly onto the outer curved surface of the core member by extrusion and comprising at least one polymeric material selected from the group consisting of foamable or non-foamable thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic vulcanizates, flexible polyolefins, fluoroelastomers, fluoropolymers, polyethylenes, and blends thereof; whereby a multi-layer/multi-component synthetic closure is attained which is capable of completely sealing any desired product in a container, retaining the product in the container for any desired length of time without any degradation of the product or degradation of the closure.