Abstract:
Tamper-evidencing container and closure structures are provided for preventing or for signaling unauthorized access to packaging. These structures provide tamper-evidencing improvements that add to the security and reliability of packaged contents.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates, in general, to tamper-evidencing container and closure structures and methods for their use.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Consumer packaging widely incorporates tamper-evidencing mechanisms to protect contents from tampering prior to purchase and use. One widely used technique is to incorporate visible structure into the packaging which must be altered or destroyed during initial opening of the package. The alteration supplies visible evidence that the package has been previously opened.  
         [0005]     When a package includes a container and closure, a common approach is to include a tamper indicating band as part of the closure. The tamper indicating band may depend from a lower edge of a closure&#39;s cylindrical annular skirt through a frangible of weakened line. Most often, a form of retaining structure is positioned on an interior portion of the depending band. This retaining structure is intended to engage cooperative structure positioned on the exterior of the container as the closure is initially applied to the container. The engagement of the cooperative band and container retaining structures restricts upward axial movement of the band during initial closure removal. Thus, the band is separated from the upper portion of the closure along the weakened joining line to allow (or as a result of) initial closure removal.  
         [0006]     Often the cooperating tamper-evidencing structure on the container includes an outwardly directed flange or projection on the exterior of the container neck. A radially inwardly projecting structure on the interior region of the closure tamper-evidencing band slides over the container flange with the axially downward movement associated with initial closure application. The inwardly directed band structure comes to rest below the container flange to restrict subsequent upward closure movement and initial removal without separating the band from the upper portion of the closure along the line of weakness.  
         [0007]     Quintessential examples of tamper-evident packaging incorporating radially interfering closure band structure cooperating with container structure are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,552 to Faulstich, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,896 to Ma, both of which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference. Faulstich teaches a snap-on/pull-off closure incorporating a tear-away tamper band. As initially applied a simple inwardly directed bead on the Faulstich closure rests below a projecting bead on the container neck. The band must be torn away to release this bead interference prior to pulling the closure off the container. As is known in the art, tear away bands are normally associated with a choice of low-density polyethylene for the closure. This material also allows for facile snap-on/pull-off operation of closures. Ma discloses a closure whose tamper indicating band has the form of the letter “J” and thus this type band is often referred to as a “J-band”. After initial application of the Ma closure, the upward-inward portion of the “J” structure is directed toward the underside of a projecting container bead in radially interfering position. As the closure moves axially upward during initial removal, the radial interference between the upward-inward band portion and the container bead retains the band to cause the band to break away from the closure along the line of weakness. The “J-band” mechanism has achieved widespread application for closures formed of relatively rigid materials, such as polypropylene, often chosen for screw caps.  
         [0008]     Unfortunately, as will be explained below, the relatively simple concept of interfering tamper band cooperating with a container flange is often compromised by required material characteristics, processing variations and achievable tolerances of the structural details. Indeed, in some cases an unscrupulous individual, given sufficient time, privacy and resources may be able to manipulate the closure in a way to achieve its removal without activating the visible destruction of the joining between the closure annular skirt and tamper band. Therefore, there is a need for improved designs to further increased reliability of band retention in such tamper-evident systems, for improved closure and container structural elements to improve reliability of tamper indicating packaging, and for impeding initial removal of a closure from a container absent the visible tamper indicating signal intended during such removal.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     One aspect of the present invention is directed to a tamper-evidencing closure including a top, an annular skirt depending from the top, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the bottom of the annular skirt, an inwardly-turned retaining rim that extends at least partially upwardly from the tamper-evidencing band, the retaining rim having a free edge adapted for engagement with a locking surface of a container, and an anti-collapsing extension extending from the free edge of the retaining rim. Preferably, the anti-collapsing extension is dimensioned and configured to oppose collapse and distortion of the retaining rim when an upward force is applied to the closure while the free edge is engaging the locking surface.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the anti-collapsing extension may have a rectangular shape. The anti-collapsing extension may have a substantially square-shaped cross-section. The tamper-evidencing closure may further include a plurality of anti-collapsing extensions extending from the free edge of the retaining rim. The anti-collapsing extensions may be circumferentially spaced around the retaining rim. The tamper-evidencing closure may further include a plurality of flutes located between adjacent arcuate segments of the retaining rim. At least one anti-collapsing extension may be located between adjacent ones of said flutes. The tamper-evidencing closure may further include vertically-extending lines of weakness circumferentially spaced about the annular skirt. The lines of weakness may be located on an inner surface of the annular skirt.  
         [0011]     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the above-mentioned tamper-evidencing closure in combination with a tamper-evidencing container, said container. The container may include a container neck finish having closure-engaging structure dimensioned and configured for engaging the closure upon reclosure, and a locking surface on the container neck finish below the closure-engaging structure. The locking surface may be dimensioned and configured to engage the free edge of the retaining rim of the closure. The anti-collapsing extension of the closure may extend between the locking surface of the container and the annular skirt of the closure when the closure is fully applied to the container. The combination may further include an inward taper on an exterior surface of the container neck finish below said locking surface. The inward taper may be dimensioned and configured to increase hoop strength of the exterior surface. The inward taper may be formed by an inwardly-concave stretch. The combination may further include another inwardly-concave stretch formed in another exterior surface of the container neck finish, the another inwardly-concave stretch being dimensioned and configured to increase hoop strength of the another exterior surface.  
         [0012]     The tamper-evidencing container and closure structures of the present invention has other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, and the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view in section of a prior art closure and complimentary container finish just prior to initial application of the closure to the container.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a sectional, side elevational assembly view of the closure and container finish of  FIG. 1  following initial application of the closure to the container.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the closure of  FIG. 1  showing the structure for proper initial closure removal and the resulting tamper-indicating result.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the closure of the  FIG. 1  assembly reacting to an improper attempt to remove the closure.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates another approach which has been employed to effect unauthorized removal of the prior art closure of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged side elevational view in section of the prior art closure of  FIG. 1  applied to an another prior art container finish.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view in section of yet another prior art closure, with the sectional view taken substantially from the perspective of lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a portion of the closure of  FIG. 7 , said portion encircled and identified  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the closure of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a container neck finish complimentary to the closure of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the closure of  FIG. 7  initially applied to the finish of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view in section showing the closure of  FIG. 1  as initially applied to an improved container neck finish according to the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the closure and neck finish of  FIG. 12  taken substantially along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of another improved closure and complimentary container finish according to the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a perspective cross-sectional view of yet another improved closure according to the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the closure of  FIG. 15 , said portion encircled and identified  16 - 16  in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional side view of an improved container finish according to the present invention useful in conjunction with the closure shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  illustrates the response to unauthorized removal of the closure of  FIG. 17  when used with the improved container finish of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional side view of yet another closure and complimentary container finish according to the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 20  is a perspective cross-sectional view of another closure design according to the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 21  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the details of the structure circumscribed in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 22  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the closure of  FIGS. 20 and 21  just prior to application to a complimentary container neck finish.  
         [0035]      FIG. 23  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the closure of  FIGS. 20 and 21  initially applied to the complimentary container neck finish of  FIG. 22 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view, partially in section, of yet another closure according to the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 25  is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing a portion of the closure of  FIG. 24 , said portion circumscribed and identified  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 26  is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the closure of  FIG. 24  initially applied to a complimentary container neck finish. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0040]     Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, attention is directed to  FIGS. 1-5 , in which there is shown a well known complimentary closure and container arrangement. In  FIG. 1 , closure  10  includes a top  11  having bottom side  12 . Top  11  often is a simple circular disk, but can take other appropriate forms as is known in the art. Depending from the bottom side  12  is annular closure skirt  14 . In the embodiment shown, skirt  14  has cylindrical form with substantially smooth outside surface  16  and internal wall  17 . Positioned on the internal wall  17  of skirt  14  are container retention structures  18  and  20 . Both structures  18  and  20  include bead-like formations projecting radially inwardly from the internal wall  17 . As is known in the art, structures  18  and  20  can extend essentially continuously around the circumference of skirt  14  or be interrupted in the form of multiple individual segments. Skirt  14  also includes a line of weakness, often referred to as a score line, identified as  22  in the drawings. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , score line  22  extends horizontally around the entire circumference of skirt  14 , defining an upper skirt portion  24  and lower skirt portion  26 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , an additional branch score line  28  extends in an arcuate path from horizontal line  22  to the lower edge  30  of skirt  14 . Also seen in  FIG. 4  is pull tab  32  extending downward from the lower edge  30  of skirt  14  and positioned adjacent branch score line  28 .  
         [0041]     Closure  10  also includes a seal plug  34  depending from the bottom side  12  of top  11  and is positioned radially inwardly of skirt  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, and as is well known in the art, seal plug  34  is in the form of a hollow cylinder. Closure  10  also includes a thin, flexible flange structure  36  extending radially outwardly of the exterior surface  16  of skirt  14 . Flange  36  promotes facile manual manipulation of the closure when properly used and extends the top surface area available for label placement.  
         [0042]     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , there is also shown a container neck finish  37  whose design is functionally complimentary to closure  10 . Finish  37  generally includes a circular structure  38  surrounding an orifice leading to the internal portion of the container. Finish  37  has an outside surface  40  having a functionally designed contour as best seen in  FIG. 1 . Surface  40  extends essentially vertically downward from the top  42  of finish  37  for a distance, then extends radially inwardly before continuing to extend downwardly for an additional distance. It then continues to extend in a downwardly-outwardly directed slope to an apex  44 . Below apex  44 , the wall surface projects radially inwardly to vertical segment  46 . At the base of vertical segment  46  the surface assumes another downward-outward slope to reach a predefined diameter before merging with the remainder of the container body at a point generally indicated by numeral  48 . As is seen in  FIG. 1 , this contour structure results in two outward projections  50  and  52  having a horizontal component associated with their bottom surfaces  54  and  56  respectively.  
         [0043]     Finish  37  also includes an inwardly directed flange  58  at its top portion. As is known in the art, the inner edge  60  of flange  58  can serve as a primary seal surface in cooperation with closure plug  34 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows the result of applying closure  10  to finish  37 . This application is most often accomplished by a direct axial force applied to closure  10  to “push” closure  10  onto the container finish  37 . As this axial application is achieved, the container retention structures  18  and  20  of closure  10  slide over projections  50  and  52  of the container finish  37 . Following complete application, retention structure  18  of closure  10  rests under finish projection  50  and retention structure  20  of closure  10  rests under finish projection  52 . This combination of interferences is designed to produce a very secure retention of the closure to the container. For example, as is shown in  FIG. 4 , if one attempts to remove the closure by simply pulling it off, the flexibility of the flange  36  prevents asserting sufficient leverage to overcome the dual retention interferences  18 / 50  and  20 / 52 . Thus during proper use, the lower portion  26  of cap skirt  14  must be removed prior to initial closure removal. This is done as indicated in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the lower portion  26  of cap skirt  14  is seen to be easily removable by the initial consumer by simply grasping the pull tab  32  and tearing the score line first along branch  28  and then continuing to tear off the lower portion  26  along circumferential score line  22 . With the lower interference between structures  20  and  52  thus removed, the closure can now be simply pried off. The remaining interference supplied by interengaging structures  18  and  50  is sufficient to allow the remaining upper portion of the closure to function adequately as a reclosure cap. Further details of the design and operational aspects of the container/closure system embodied in  FIGS. 1-4  are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,552 to Faulstich, which patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.  
         [0045]     By design, the closure/container combination embodied in  FIGS. 1-4  functions very well, supplying a secure, reliable and tamper-evidencing closure system. Nevertheless, the system suffers from some deficiencies due primarily to the materials employed and the manufacturing methods required. First, the requirement for the closure material to easily tear along score lines  22 / 28  normally restricts the material choice to a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). These materials can be generally characterized as relatively pliable or flexible. Second, the containers associated with the combination embodied in  FIGS. 1-4  are often fabricated from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE, while generally more rigid than LDPE or LLDPE, nevertheless is pliable and flexible compared to other typical container materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glass. In addition, the processing used to manufacture the containers such as embodied in  FIGS. 1 and 2  often emphasizes minimizing material weight, promoting flexibility and pliability of the resulting thin neck finish. This is particularly the case as resin prices continue their unabated upward trend. Finally, the actual process most often used to manufacture the container embodied in  FIG. 1 , extrusion blow molding, is limited in its ability to consistently achieve tight dimensional tolerances. These factors all additively contribute to the deterioration of the performance expectations of the system.  
         [0046]     A particular problem arising from the material choices and process characteristics associated with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4  is the possibility of a sacrifice in tamper evidency. It has been observed that in certain circumstances, an unscrupulous patron could insert a prying instrument, such as a long fingernail or a screwdriver, between the lower edge  30  of skirt  14  and the exterior surface of the container neck at a point generally indicated by arrow  62  in  FIG. 2 . Using this leverage to pry up on the lower edge  30 , the resulting upward force and distortion of the pliable closure skirt and container neck may be sufficient to release the interference associated with the retention structure and thereby remove the closure without substantial evidence of opening. This is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Tool  64  shown in  FIG. 5  has sharp end  66  which can be maneuvered under the lower edge  30  of closure  10 . Subsequent application of upward force as shown can release the engagement of structures  20  and  52 , thereby allowing closure removal without the visual removal of the tear away structure  26 .  
         [0047]     Efforts have been made to thwart the unauthorized closure removal as described above. Examples of these efforts are illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6  and future embodiments of this specification, like structural features will be designated by the same numeral along with a letter designating the particular embodiment Comparing  FIG. 6  with  FIG. 2 , the downwardly-outwardly sloping container neck surface shown adjacent to the lower edge of the  30  of skirt  14  in  FIG. 2  has widely been replaced with a shelf like surface such as that indicated by numeral  67  in  FIG. 6 . Surface  67  has a slightly upward-outward slope in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , thereby making it more difficult to insert a prying tool without visible damage. This upward slope is indicated by angle “A” in  FIG. 6 . The angle “A” is typically 5-20 degrees upward from horizontal. In addition, the vertical dimensions for the closure and finish are chosen such that the base of the closure skirt  30   a  closely abuts surface  67 , thereby further shielding lower edge  30   a . A third design feature embodied in  FIG. 6  is a very snug fitting between the interior closure surface  17   a  and exterior finish surface  40   a  at the lower portion of the closure skirt, generally indicated by the bracket  68  in  FIG. 6 . While the embodiment of  FIG. 6  shows clearance in this region for clarity of presentation, in actual practice surfaces  17   a  and  40   a  are in contact. Indeed, there often exists a small amount of diametrical interference between the closure skirt and container finish in this region. This snugness further impedes the effectiveness of the pry tool illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0048]     Another well known proposal to improve tamper evidencing of closure/container systems is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,710 to Hidding et al. In that patent there is taught a circumferentially extending raised ridge positioned around the periphery of a substantially horizontal shelf like surface. The lower edge of the closure skirt is positioned radially inwardly of the ridge and extends into a concave region formed by the raised ridge and the upward extending exterior surface of the finish. Thus, access to the lower edge of the closure skirt by a prying tool is impeded.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 7-11  embody another well known closure and container combination.  FIG. 7  is a side elevational view in section of the closure, generally assigned the identification numeral  70 . Closure  70  has top  72  generally having the form of a flat disk. Depending from the periphery of top  72  is cylindrical closure skirt  74 . Helical engagement structure in the form of threads  75  are positioned on the interior surface of closure skirt  74 . Depending from the lower edge  76  of skirt  74  is tamper band  78 . Tamper band  78  is attached to skirt  74  by small, frangible bridges  80 . Thus bridges  80  and the void sections between bridges  80  form a frangible line of weakness joining the tamper band  78  and skirt  74 . Band  78  includes an exterior portion  81  and retaining rim portion  82 . In its simplest form, such a retaining rim can include of a single, annular upwardly-inwardly directed structure extending around the interior of tamper band  78 . However, in the embodiment shown, retaining rim portion  82  includes multiple upwardly-inwardly extending arcuate segments  84  joined by radially outwardly directed flutes  86 . In the embodiment shown, closure  70  has six flutes as best seen in  FIG. 9 . Retaining portion  82  is joined to exterior portion  81  along a hinge or pivot line  87 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view, partially in section showing container finish  88  which is complimentary to closure  70 . Container finish  88  includes a generally cylindrical wall  90 . Threads  92  are positioned on the exterior wall  90 . Threads  92  are designed to be complimentary and mate with closure threads  75 . In addition, a prominent, outwardly directed bead  94  is positioned below threads  75 . The exterior diameter defined by projecting bead  94  is often referred to in the art as the “A” diameter. Bead  94  has downward facing lower locking surface  95 .  
         [0051]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-11 , closure application is accomplished by rotating the closure with respect to the container finish to engage the complimentary threads. The axial component of this threading engagement pulls the closure downward to eventually fully seat the closure in sealing position on the container finish. During initial application of the closure, as the thread engagement pulls the closure downward, the retaining portion  82  of tamper band  78  slides over the projecting bead  94 . Passage of retaining portion  82  over bead  94  is greatly facilitated by circumferential expansion of the retaining portion due to the ability of the outwardly directed flutes  86  to flex open. Upon full application, the band retaining portion  82  settles beneath the container finish retention bead  94 . Upon initial removal, the upward closure movement is resisted by engagement of the upper free edge  85  of retaining rim portion  82  with the lower bottom locking surface  95  of bead  94 . This abutment of retaining rim free edge  85  with locking surface  95  prevents the initial removal of the sealing upper portion of the closure without rupturing the bridges  80  and separating the band  78  from the upper sealing portion of the closure.  
         [0052]     The closure/container design embodied in  FIGS. 7-11  has proven to be an extremely reliable tamper-evidencing system. It has been very successful when the closure is fabricated using relatively rigid materials such as polypropylene. Such materials permit adequate pliability at the hinge line  87  while offering adequate rigidity to prevent unacceptable bending, distortion or collapse of the retaining portion  82  during initial removal. Such bending or distortion could thwart the designed interference intended to produce rupture at the frangible line of weakness.  
         [0053]     Further details of the design and operational aspects of the container/closure system embodied in  FIGS. 7-11  are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,896 to Ma, the contents of which patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.  
         [0054]     Turning now to  FIG. 12  there is shown a container neck finish  37   b  according to one aspect of the current invention. Neck finish  37   b  may be used in conjunction with a closure similar to closures similar to that depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . The upper portion of novel neck finish  37   b  is similar to finish  37   a  depicted in  FIG. 6 , including projections  18   b  and  52   b . However, the upward sloping surface  67  of the  FIG. 6  finish embodiment has been altered in the inventive  FIG. 12  embodiment to add multiple, discrete upward projecting structures  98  positioned circumferentially around the annular surface  67   b . This positioning is best seen in the sectional view of  FIG. 13 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , structures  98  are presented in the form of hollow, partial spheres. However, any number of multiple, disconnected structural designs can be considered such as truncated cones, truncated spheres, etc. Such multiple, disconnected structures are likely easier to fabricate than the continuous raised ridge as taught in the above-mentioned &#39; 710  patent.  
         [0055]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the partial spherical structures  98  could typically have a diameter of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, while their height would typically be about 0.5 to about 2 mm. The edge-to-edge spacing, indicated as dimension “S” in  FIG. 13 , is kept small to restrict the width of an invasive prying tool. Typically, dimension “S” would be less than approximately 5 mm, preferably about 0.5 to 2.5 mm, and most preferably about 1 mm. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the lower edge of closure skirt  30   b  fits snugly between the exterior surface  40   b  of container neck finish  37   b  and structures  98  to restrict access by a prying tool.  
         [0056]      FIG. 14  shows another inventive embodiment designed to improve tamper evidencing of container/closure systems. In the  FIG. 14  embodiment, both the neck finish  37   c  and the closure skirt  14   c  have been altered in a complimentary way in the region designated in  FIG. 14  by the bracket  100 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the inventive embodiment includes a radially inwardly tapered inner skirt  17   c  in the region  100 . The exterior surface  40   c  of neck finish  37   c  includes a complimentary inward taper in this region. This tapering of closure and finish surfaces accomplishes two objectives. First, the added sectional mass at the base of the closure skirt increases hoop strength precisely in the region required to resist deformation by a prying tool. Second, should a prying tool be inserted beneath the lower edge  30   c  of closure skirt  14   c , the upward force exerted will be counteracted by the horizontal component associated with the mating tapered surfaces.  
         [0057]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show yet another inventive embodiment designed to improve tamper evidencing of container/closure systems. In the closure embodiment of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the lower skirt portion  26   d  includes multiple thin vertical lines of weakness  102  extending upward from the lower edge  30   d  of lower skirt portion  26   d . These thinned out vertical lines  102  typically have a sectional thickness (in the radial direction) less than  1  mm, and preferably approximately 0.25 to 0.75 mm. Those skilled in the art will understand that an effort to distort the lower skirt  26   d  in a way such as suggested in  FIG. 5  will rupture one or more of the vertical lines  102  and thereby give a clear indication of tampering.  
         [0058]      FIG. 17  is a side elevational view in section embodying yet another container finish modification to improve the tamper evidencing of container/closure combinations. The closure  10   d  of the  FIG. 17  combination embodiment is similar or identical to closures  10   a  and  10   b  of  FIGS. 6 and 12  respectively. In the combination embodiment of  FIG. 17 , the neck finish  37   d  has been altered in the region designated by the bracket  104 . Rather than the vertical neck finish stretch in this region as was present in the finish embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 12 , neck finish  37   d  includes an inwardly concave surface resulting in concavity  106 . In the  FIG. 17  embodiment, the concavity  106  is shown as generally circular, but the concave geometry can take other forms such as rectangular, etc. or combination of multiple contours. This will be understood in light of the teachings to follow. An additional feature of the inventive neck finish  37   d  embodied in  FIG. 17  is the short vertical stretch  108  extending downward from the lower end of the concavity  106 . This stretch  108  has exterior diameter dimension closely matching that of the interior diameter of internal closure wall  17   d  vicinal the lower edge  30   d  of closure skirt  14   d.    
         [0059]      FIG. 18  shows the response of the closure to unauthorized upward prying with tool  64   d . Initially the snug fit between internal closure skirt wall  17   d  and finish stretch  108  impedes insertion of the tool  64   d  beneath the lower edge  30   d  of closure skirt  14   d  as taught in previous embodiments. However, if one succeeds in the insertion of the tool underneath the closure skirt  14   d  and proceeds to pry upwards, the closure skirt will collapse into the concavity  106  as shown. A portion of the deformed skirt will be pressed against the upper region  110  of the concavity, thereby encountering the horizontal component of this surface region of the concavity. Further upward movement of the closure and any resulting disengagement of the mating retention structures  18   d / 50   d  and  20   d / 52  without substantial is prevented. In the combination embodiment of  FIGS. 17 and 18 , one takes advantage of the pliability of the material used to make the closure  10   d . In contrast, the finish embodiment of  FIG. 6  supplies backing support to the lower portion of the closure skirt in the region identified by bracket  68  of the  FIG. 6 . While the tight dimensional fitting shown between closure skirt and finish can add frictional resistance to upward closure movement under the forces of a prying tool, the backing support of the finish effectively augments the rigidity of the closure skirt. As one skilled in the art will understand, certain dimensional variations between closure and finish can actually result in such a close fitting arrangement becoming a detriment.  
         [0060]      FIG. 19  embodies an extension of the teachings of  FIGS. 17 and 18  to another closure system. In the  FIG. 19  embodiment, the combination closure  112  includes a fitment  114  along with an additional reclosure cap  116 . Bottle fitments of the type shown in  FIG. 19  are taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/854,925 having U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/092750, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The container finish  37   e  embodied in  FIG. 19  is capable of accommodating both the closures such as closure  10   a  of  FIG. 6  as well as the fitment style closures taught in the above-mentioned &#39;925 application. As such, neck finish  37   e  of  FIG. 19  includes multiple concave stretches, in the  FIG. 19  embodiment two in number and identified as  118  and  120 , positioned vicinal the lower edge of multiple corresponding closure designs.  
         [0061]     Referring now to  FIGS. 20-23 , there is illustrated and embodied a novel inventive closure having improved tamper-evidencing performance. Closure  10   f  combines the facile application and proven performance of the push-on/pull-off closure presented in  FIGS. 1-4  with the improved tamper features of the closures presented in  FIGS. 7-11 . In the  FIG. 20  closure, the retention structure  20  shown in the closure of  FIGS. 1-4  is replaced with the improved retaining structure  82  embodied in the closure of  FIGS. 7-11 . However, as has been previously noted, the retaining structure of  FIGS. 7-11  normally employs materials, such as polypropylene, which are more rigid than those (low-density polyethylenes) required for the push-on and tear away features of the closure of  FIGS. 1-4 . These low-density polyethylenes do not possess sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse and inversion of the band during prying with a tool such as suggested in  FIG. 5 . This is especially a problem in that the tear line  22  associated with such closures is much better at retaining its integrity under such strain conditions than the frangible bridges associated with the closures of  FIGS. 7-11 .  
         [0062]     This problem of retainer ring collapse has been addressed in the inventive closure of  FIG. 20  by adding small upward extending spike-like extensions  122  emanating from the top free edge surface of the retaining rim. As most clearly shown in the assembly drawing of  FIG. 23 , these extensions  122  come to rest between the outward container projection  52   f  and the inner wall  17   f  of the closure skirt when the closure is initially applied. While  FIG. 23  shows clearance among the container and closure structures in this region, this clearance is only present in the drawing for clarity of presentation. In actual fact, diametrical dimensions are chosen such that the extension  122  is actually squeezed between container projection  52   f  and inner closure wall  17   f . In this way the arcuate segments of the retainer rim  84   f  are held rigidly upward and prevented from collapsing when the closure is subjected to unauthorized force in the upward direction.  
         [0063]      FIGS. 24-26  present an alternate embodiment according to the same principles explained in conjunction with  FIGS. 20-23 . In the  FIGS. 24-26  embodiment, upward extensions  128  emanate from the pleats joining the arcuate segments  84   g . As best seen in  FIG. 26 , these pleat extensions  128  become squeezed between container projection  52   g  and internal skirt wall  17   g  upon initial application of the closure. The squeezing of the pleat extension prevents collapse of the retaining ring thereby ensuring very secure retention of the closure until tear band  26   g  has been removed. One will appreciate that other geometric shapes may be utilized for the upward extensions.  
         [0064]     For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “up” or “upper”, “down” or “lower”, “inside” and “outside” are used to describe features of the present invention with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.  
         [0065]     In many respects the modifications of the various figures resemble those of preceding modifications and the same reference numerals followed by subscripts “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f”, and “g” designate corresponding parts.  
         [0066]     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have seen presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.