Patent Publication Number: US-6334555-B1

Title: Fitment and resealable dispensing closure assembly for high-pressure sealing and bi-modal dispensing

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/579,323, filed on May 25, 2000, the subject matter and entire writing of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to fitments for use in resealable dispensing closure assemblies to provide high-pressure sealing, to provide two or more dispensing modes and to control the movement of closure bodies in such closure assemblies. The invention also relates to resealable dispensing closure assemblies that incorporate such fitments and to tamper-evident features for closure assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART 
     Closure assemblies that are used on containers for pressurized contents, such as carbonated beverages, must be able to maintain a sealed condition even when subject to high internal pressures, which are typically 50 p.s.i.g. but which may, under some ambient conditions, exceed 100 p.s.i.g. High internal pressures may also be present in containers which contain non-carbonated beverages. For example, bottled water is often provided with a nitrogen charge in order to provide a positive internal pressure on the container to increase container strength and structural stability during shipping. 
     Known closure assemblies for containers for pressurized contents are characterized by several disadvantages. For example, such closures, which typically include a threaded aluminum or plastic cap, must be completely removed from the container to dispense the contents and must be threaded completely back onto the container to reseal it. Since the closure cap is detached from the container during dispensing, there is potential for the closure cap to become contaminated or misplaced. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a closure assembly which addresses this shortcoming in the prior art. 
     Another disadvantage associated with known closure assemblies for containers for pressurized contents is that such closure assemblies offer only one dispensing mode wherein the closure cap is entirely removed from the container and the product is poured directly through the container opening. This sole dispensing mode may be inconvenient for certain users. Consider an elderly or very young person of limited strength who is attempting to dispense a beverage from a large container, such as a 2-liter bottle, when it is full. Because they cannot support the entire weight of the container, the limited-strength user may tilt the container on a counter top and attempt to slowly pour the contents out. Since the entire closure is removed and the product will be dispensed in a relatively uncontrolled manner through the container opening, the product is likely to be spilled and wasted. It would therefore be desirable to provide a restricted flow closure assembly that offers a dispensing mode which provides more controlled dispensing of product than do prior art systems. On the other hand, other stronger users, who would like to pour the contents from the container at a faster rate, might find such a restricted flow closure assembly to be undesirable because the product cannot be dispensed quickly. It would therefore be further desirable to provide a resealable closure assembly that can be readily adapted to two or more dispensing modes and accommodate the dispensing preferences of a variety of users. 
     While resealable closures are generally known, and while it would be desirable to provide a resealable closure for containers of pressurized contents, there has not been widespread adoption of resealable closures in this area of the art. One reason for this is that, in general, resealable closures are relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture compared to the simple aluminum and plastic threaded cap closures of the prior art. Moreover, prior art resealable closures are typically not designed for use with pressurized contents. 
     Such prior art closures typically include a closure body that is threaded onto the container, and a spout engaging a separate set of threads on the closure body and rotatable relative to the closure body. The spout includes a dispensing orifice at its top and moves to an elevated position when rotated, moving the dispensing orifice from a sealing surface on the closure body and permitting flow of product. 
     Such known resealable closures have been widely adopted in containers for certain contents, such as shampoo or food condiments, but they have generally not been recognized as feasible or economical for pressurized content applications such as containers for carbonated beverages or non-carbonated liquids. The resealable closures of the prior art are usually costly because they incorporate relatively large numbers of parts and complex threaded features and molding techniques. For example, the closure body must be molded with two threaded portions: one threaded portion for securing the closure to the container finish and another threaded portion for securing the spout to the closure body. These aspects of the prior art, coupled with the perceived increased costs in adapting known resealable closures to high-pressure containers, have fostered a reluctance in the art to attempt to provide resealable closures in such applications. It would therefore be desirable to provide a resealable closure that is suitable for high-pressure applications and which may be manufactured economically. 
     Resealable closures also present a challenge in design with regard to tamper-evidence features. Known resealable closures typically incorporate two tamper-evident features, such as frangible members, one for evidencing tampering with the closure body relative to the container and another for evidencing tampering of the spout relative to the closure body. These features increase the manufacturing complexity and material and manufacturing cost of known resealable closures. It would therefore be desirable to provide a resealable closure which has improved tamper-evidence features compared to known prior art devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, the invention provides a fitment that may be incorporated into a closure assembly that provides a re-sealable dispensing capabilities and at least one high-pressure seal. As used herein, the term “high-pressure” is intended to refer to positive pressures that are typically associated with carbonated beverages and other pressurized products, which pressures are typically in the range of 50 to 100 p.s.i.g. Also, as used herein, the term “closure assembly” refers to a combination of sub-parts, which typically include a fitment and a closure body, and which could include other components such as a lid. The term “finish” is intended to refer to features on the exterior surface of a container, including features for attaching a closure assembly thereto and may include one or more threads, one or more snap-fit features or a threadless, smooth sliding finish for sliding attachment of a closure assembly. 
     Exemplary fitments and closure assemblies which embody this aspect of the invention include a fitment with a plug seal and a sealing post extending in a direction generally opposite the plug seal. The plug seal is adapted to engage an interior surface of a container to provide a high-pressure seal. The plug seal may include one or more snap-fit beads or snap rings which engage respective snap grooves formed on the container interior surface. The fitment sealing post has a fitment sealing surface that is adapted to engage a sealing surface around a dispensing orifice formed in a spout of a closure body that cooperates with the fitment. 
     In a preferred form, the fitment includes a deck, and the plug seal extends below the deck, whereas the sealing post extends above the deck. One or more apertures are preferably formed in the fitment deck to permit fluid flow from the interior of the container through the fitment. A user may move the closure body vertically relative to the fitment to bring the closure body orifice sealing surface into or out of engagement with the fitment sealing surface, thereby closing or opening the orifice. Preferably, this provides a high-pressure seal between the dispensing orifice and the fitment sealing surface. 
     One advantage provided by this aspect of the invention is that the resealable closure assembly, owing to the high-pressure seal formed between the fitment and the container, can withstand high internal pressures. Another advantage is that the fitment remains in place, maintaining the high-pressure seal, even during movement of the closure body. This feature eliminates the need for the closure body to maintain a high-pressure seal directly with the container. Rather, the closure body need only maintain a high-pressure seal with the fitment. This permits the closure body to be of a simplified form. For example, since the high-pressure seal is maintained by the fitment, the closure body may cooperate with the container finish via threads or a telescoping connection and may function as a closure cap, to secure the closure assembly to the container, and as a movable spout, the actuation of which functions to open and close the dispensing orifice. Thus, the manufacture and operation of the closure assembly is simplified since the closure assembly does not require a separate spout or nozzle, as is employed in some prior art designs, to provide for resealability. Moreover, since the invention eliminates the need for a second thread, and a separate movable spout or nozzle cooperating with a second thread, there is no need for a second tamper-evidence feature on the closure assembly. Rather, a single tamper-evidence drop ring may be provided on the closure assembly to detect tampering with the closure body. 
     According to another feature of the invention, the fitment is provided in a closure assembly which is easily reconfigured into at least two dispensing modes. In a first dispensing mode, the fitment is installed on the container and secured thereto by a plug seal that engages the interior surface of the neck of the container. A closure body, including a spout and a dispensing orifice, is mounted over the fitment to the container finish, preferably by one or more threads that engage a like number of threads on the container finish. The fitment is provided with one or more apertures, preferably sized to provide flow limiting characteristics. In the first dispensing mode, the fitment limits flow from the container through a dispensing orifice in the closure body. In a second dispensing mode, the closure body and fitment are removed from the container, and the closure body is reinstalled on the container without the fitment. Dispensing occurs through the dispensing orifice in the closure body without product flow being limited by the fitment. This feature of the invention permits certain users, who might be of limited strength or have difficulty managing dispensing of contents, to configure the closure assembly in a first dispensing mode where controlled, limited flow occurs through the fitment. The feature also permits other users who might not desire the limitations imposed on dispensing by the fitment, to remove the closure body, remove the fitment and then replace the closure body to configure the closure assembly in a second dispensing mode. 
     According to yet another feature of the invention, the fitment is provided with features that make it easy to remove from the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the fitment includes at least one projection extending radially outward from the fitment and adapted to engage a thread or other component on a closure body. As the closure body is rotated and therefore elevated with respect to the container finish, the closure body thread engages the at least one projection, thereby lifting the fitment from the container. Continued rotation of the closure body results in removal of the closure body and fitment from the container. The closure body can be reinstalled, if desired. This aspect of the invention permits a user to easily remove the fitment by simple rotation of the closure body in order to adopt the closure assembly to the second dispensing mode, or to provide for unobstructed flow of contents from the container without the fitment or closure body installed. 
     According to another aspect, the invention provides a fitment with features that interact with a closure body to provide for limiting the vertical movement of the closure body to define a fully open dispensing position. In a preferred embodiment, the fitment is provided at least one fitment projection that extends radially outward from the fitment and is adapted to engage a closure body projection extending radially inward from a skirt on the closure body. The fitment also includes a fitment sealing surface that seals a dispensing orifice formed in a spout of the closure body. The closure body is threadably fastened to the container. As the closure body is rotated and unscrewed from the container, the closure body, and therefore the dispensing orifice, elevate relative to the fitment sealing surface, providing a passage for product. Continued rotation of the closure body brings the closure body projection into engagement with the fitment projection to significantly increase resistance to further rotation of the closure body, thereby defining a fully open dispensing position providing a predetermined clearance between the dispensing orifice and the fitment sealing surface. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a closure assembly is provided which includes several sealing interfaces that provide enhanced high-pressure sealing capabilities compared to the prior art. An exemplary closure assembly embodying this aspect of the invention includes a fitment having a fitment deck and a plug seal with a sealing bead formed thereon extending from the fitment deck. The plug seal provides a first seal, which is a high-pressure seal, with an interior surface of a container. The fitment includes a sealing post and an annular fitment sealing collar, both extending from the fitment deck in a generally opposite direction to the plug seal. The annular sealing collar includes a sealing bead on its periphery. At least one aperture is provided through the fitment deck in an area between the sealing post and the annular sealing collar to permit passage of the container contents through the fitment. 
     In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the exemplary closure assembly also includes a closure body that is provided with an annular closure body skirt having at least one thread that engages a like number of threads formed in the container neck finish. The closure body also includes a closure deck and a generally cylindrical spout extending upward therefrom. The spout also includes a dispensing orifice having an annular sealing collar extending therefrom. The annular sealing collar is adapted to engage the fitment sealing post to provide a second seal, which is a high-pressure seal, when the closure body is in a closed position. The spout includes an interior surface that provides a third seal, which is a dynamic, high-pressure seal, with the sealing bead of the annular fitment sealing collar. 
     Also in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the closure body is also provided with a lid, preferably hingedly connected to the body, which provides three or more additional seals. The closure body lid includes an inner “spud” which engages an exterior, peripheral surface of the dispensing orifice to provide a fourth seal. The closure body lid also includes an annular spout-engaging seal collar which has a sealing bead that engages a peripheral surface of the spout to provide a fifth seal. A sixth seal is provided between the closure body lid and the closure deck by peripheral shoulder formed on the closure deck and adapted to receive the lid skirt. The peripheral shoulder may include a snap-fit sealing groove which receives a complementarily-shaped snap-fit sealing bead formed on the closure body lid skirt. This aspect of the invention thus provides at least three high-pressure seals and at least three other seals in a compact closure assembly configuration useful for maintaining container contents under high-pressures. 
     In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the resealable dispensing closure assembly may be resealed after the closure body has been moved to a dispensing position and without further movement of the closure body relative to the container. A method of resealing a closure assembly according to this aspect of the invention comprises moving the closure body from the closed position, in which the dispensing orifice is occluded by the fitment, to an open position, in which flow from the container through the dispensing orifice is permitted; and moving the lid to a closed position in which the lid occludes the dispensing orifice. This feature of the invention provides the advantage of permitting easy resealing of the closure assembly by pivoting or placing the lid on the closure body, without requiring the user to exert the effort required for moving the closure body relative to the container and fitment. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a closed, pre-tamper position and installed on an exemplary container, which container forms no part of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated with the closure body cap in an open position and the closure body in a closed position; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the exemplary dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 1 showing the closure body and an exemplary fitment prior to installation on the container; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the exemplary dispensing closure of FIG. 1 showing the underside of the closure body and fitment; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary fitment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the exemplary fitment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the exemplary fitment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary closure body according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with the closure cap in an open position; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the exemplary closure body of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the exemplary closure body of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective, cutaway view of the exemplary closure body of FIG. 8, illustrating an exemplary limiting projection according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-section view taken generally along the plane defined by line  12 — 12  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged, cross-section view taken generally along the plane defined by line  12 — 12  in FIG. 1, but showing the closure cap in an open position and the closure body rotated to an open position; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged, cross-section view taken generally along the plane defined by line  14 — 14  in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-section view taken generally along the plane defined by line  12 — 12  in FIG. 1, but showing the closure body rotated beyond an open position to a position in which the fitment is lifted and disengaged from the container; 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the overcap, closure body, and an exemplary fitment prior to installation on the container and showing the closure body in the as-molded condition—prior to turning up the tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the closure body skirt; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the exemplary fitment of FIG. 16 viewed as typically oriented on a container; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the exemplary fitment of FIG. 16 viewed from an underside thereof; 
     FIG. 19 is a top view of the exemplary fitment of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane defined by the line  20 — 20  in FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane defined by the line  21 — 21  in FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the exemplary fitment of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 23 is a top view of an exemplary closure body modified for use with the exemplary fitment of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane defined by the line  24 — 24  of FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the exemplary closure body of FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 26 is an enlarged, cross-section view of the exemplary dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 16 in a closed, pre-tamper position after installation on an exemplary container, which container forms no part of the invention; 
     FIG. 27 is an enlarged, cross-section view of the exemplary dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 16 in an open, post-tamper position after installation on an exemplary container, which container forms no part of the invention; 
     FIG. 28 is an enlarged, cross-section view of the exemplary dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 16 in which a closure body has been rotated past an open position to lift and remove a fitment from an exemplary container, which container forms no part of the invention; 
     FIG. 29 is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the line  29 — 29  in FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 30 is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the line  30 — 30  in FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 31 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the fitment, closure body, and overcap prior to installation on the container and showing the closure body in the as-molded condition—prior to turning up the tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the closure body skirt; 
     FIG. 32 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 31 in a closed, pre-tamper position and installed on an exemplary container, which container forms no part of the present invention; 
     FIG. 33 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 32 after installation on a container, but in an open, post-tamper position with the overcap removed; 
     FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the fitment of FIG. 31 viewed from the underside of the fitment; 
     FIG. 35 is a top plan view of the fitment taken generally along the plane  35 — 35  in FIG. 31; 
     FIG. 36 is a bottom plan view of the fitment taken generally along the plane  36 — 36  in FIG. 31; 
     FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane  37 — 37  in FIG. 35; 
     FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane  38 — 38  in FIG. 35; 
     FIG. 39 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane  39 — 39  in FIG.  31 ;and 
     FIG. 40 is a bottom plan view of the closure body taken generally along the plane  40 — 40  in FIG.  39 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims. 
     For ease of description, most of the figures illustrating the invention show a dispensing system in the typical orientation that it would have at the top of a container when the container is stored upright on its base, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing system of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described. 
     The dispensing system of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers having various designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The container per se illustrated in the figures and described herein forms no part of and therefore is not intended to limit the present invention. It will also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects are embodied in the described exemplary fitment, alone, and in the combination of the exemplary fitment with the described exemplary closure body. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary dispensing closure assembly, generally referenced  300 , is threadably attached to a container  10 . The closure assembly  300  is shown as part of a package  30  that includes the closure assembly  300  and a container  10 . The container  10  includes a container neck  12 . This general container or bottle structure is well-known in the art. The container  10  may be rigid or somewhat flexible. It will be understood that the fitment and closure body of the invention are applicable to a wide variety of container structures and the illustrated and described container  10  merely provides an example. The closure assembly  300  and container  10  form the package  30 . 
     The dispensing closure assembly  300  is illustrated in a closed, pre-tamper position in which an optional tamper-evident band or ring  112  is secured to a retaining flange  20  (FIG. 12) and unbroken. Tamper-evident band  112  may be of any suitable conventional or special design, the details of which form no part of the present invention. The band  112  typically is frangibly connected to the closure body  100  in a conventional manner, for example, using a frangible connecting web or bridges  114  that attach the tamper-evident band  112  at intermittent locations around the circumference of the closure body  100 . Typically, the band  112  and the closure body  100  would be molded together from a thermoplastic material as a unitary structure. 
     The closure body  100  includes a closure body skirt  102  having a ribbed gripping surface  101  formed therein, and a closure lid  150  connected thereto by a hinge  120  (FIG.  2 ). A thumb lift  158  projects from the closure lid  150  for permitting a user to flip open the closure lid  150  by exerting an upward force on the bottom of the thumb lift  158 . The dispensing closure body  100  is preferably molded together with the lid  150  from a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, to form a unitary structure. In an alternate embodiment, the lid  150  may be a separate lid that is not hingedly attached, or the lid may be omitted altogether. The particular material or materials from which the components are molded form no part of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the closure body lid  150  in an open position, exposing a spout  106  extending from the closure body deck  104 . Closure body lid  150  is connected to the closure body  100  by a hinge  120 , which is preferably integrally formed with the closure body  100  and closure body lid  150  and which may be a snap-action biased hinge or non-biased hinge formed according to a number of conventional and known techniques, the details of which are not necessary for an understanding of the invention. The illustrated hinge  120  is described in detail in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,824 and is a bi-stable, snap-action hinge which advantageously can hold the lid  150  in the open position to facilitate dispensing of the contents from the package. 
     Spout  106  is provided with an annular sealing sleeve  110  around a dispensing orifice  108  defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface  211  on the sleeve  110  as shown in FIG.  11 . The orifice  108  is normally closed or occluded by a fitment sealing post  206  (FIGS.  2  and  12 ), the details of which will be explained below. Closure body lid  150  is shown in an open position and closure body  100  is shown in a closed position in which passage of fluid through the dispensing orifice  108  is prevented. Indicia  128  (FIG. 2) may be provided on the closure body deck  104  to indicate to a user the opening and closing rotational directions for moving the closure body  100  relative to the container  10 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the exemplary closure body  100  removed from the container  10  and exposing an exemplary fitment  200  according to the present invention. Referring additionally to FIGS. 4-7, fitment  200  is of a generally cylindrical shape and includes a fitment frame, which may include a fitment deck  202  and a downwardly extending annular plug seal  210  adapted to sealingly and frictionally engage the interior surface  24  of the container  10  as shown in FIG.  12 . Annular plug seal  210  is thus formed with an outer radius dimensioned to provide adequate friction and sealing with the container interior surface  24  at the opening  22  of container  10 . Preferably, an annular snap-fit sealing bead  216  is provided on the annular plug seal  210  for engaging a complementarily-shaped snap-fit sealing groove  28  formed on the interior surface  24  of the container  10 . 
     As best seen from FIGS. 4 and 6, the frame of fitment  200  also includes an annular shoulder  214 , which is preferably formed by a plurality of radially extending spokes or ribs  215  in order to reduce material cost. Annular shoulder  214  functions to limit the travel of fitment  200  as it is inserted into the container opening  22  and to provide a predetermined position of the fitment  200  relative to the container  10 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 6, fitment  200  also includes an upwardly extending annular fitment sealing collar  204  which includes a sealing collar outer surface  205  for sealingly and slidingly engaging a spout interior sealing surface  107  on the spout  106  (FIG.  12 ). Preferably, the fitment sealing collar  204  is provided with a fitment sealing collar sealing bead  207  (FIGS. 6 and 12) for providing a tight, yet dynamic seal against the spout interior sealing surface  107 . 
     Fitment  200  also includes one or more apertures  208  (FIGS. 4,  5 ,  7 , and  12 ) that permit fluid flow through the fitment  200  from the inside of the container  10  to the interior of the sealing collar  204 . Preferably, four apertures  208  are provided and extend along a generally circular path around the interior of the fitment sealing collar  204 . The apertures  208  are defined in part by four radial struts  209  arranged generally at 90-degree intervals. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the size, shape, and number of apertures  208  and struts  209  may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Struts  209  support the fitment sealing post  206  which forms an occluding portion of the fitment  200  and extends in a direction generally opposite to the fitment plug seal  210 . Fitment sealing post  206  includes a fitment sealing surface  212  (FIG. 12) for sealingly engaging the surface  211  on the inside of the annular sealing sleeve  110  of the dispensing orifice  108  (FIG.  12 ). Fitment sealing post  206  also includes a distal sealing end  213  for occluding the dispensing orifice  108 . Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 12, distal sealing end  213  is formed as a surface that is concave when viewed from the top. This structure provides increased strength and resiliency in response to radial inward forces generated when the annular sealing sleeve  110  engages the sealing post  206  as will be described. It will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan that sealing end  213  may also be formed as a convex surface when viewed from the top or may have various other geometries without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, in accord with a feature of one aspect of the invention, fitment  200  is provided with at least one, and preferably eight, radially extending projections or ribs  218 , each preferably shaped as a ratchet or tooth and having an abutment surface  219  for engaging an inwardly projecting tab or rib  130  (FIGS. 12 and 13) on the closure body  100 . These projections  218  may be shaped as a tooth or ratchet and function ultimately to prohibit rotational movement of the closure body  100  relative to the fitment  200  (and therefore relative to the container  10 ) as will be explained in more detail below. Each projection  218  also has a bottom surface  220  (FIGS. 4,  6 ,  13 , and  15 ) which can function as a lifting surface by which the fitment can be removed from the container as described in detail hereinafter. 
     Although the exemplary fitment  200  is illustrated and described herein as being secured to the container  10  by virtue of a plug seal  210  and snap-fit sealing bead  216 , it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that other fitment forms and securing implements and techniques are contemplated by the invention. For example, the fitment  200  may be secured to the container by means other than a plug seal and which other means may frictionally engage an exterior surface of the container  10  or features on the container finish. Specifically, the fitment  200  may be provided with fastening projections which engage the container thread or finish on an outside surface of the container neck. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, the closure body lid  150  is preferably provided with sealing features to provide sealing interfaces with the closure body deck  104 , spout  106  and dispensing orifice  108  when the closure body lid  150  is in its closed position (shown in FIG.  1 ). For sealing with the closure body deck  104 , the closure body lid  150  is preferably provided with a snap-fit retention bead  156  (FIGS. 8 and 11) which cooperates with a similar snap-fit retention bead  157  formed on the closure body  100  on the lid skirt-receiving shoulder  118  formed on the closure body deck  104 . 
     Another sealing interface is provided by an annular spout-engaging collar  160  (FIGS. 11 and 12) formed on the closure body lid  150  and adapted to engage the spout  106  when the closure body lid is in its closed position. Preferably, the spout-engaging collar  160  is provided with a spout sealing bead  162  (FIG. 13) which sealingly engages an outer peripheral surface  111  of the spout as shown in FIG.  12 . Still another sealing interface is provided by an annular flange or “spud”  164  (FIG. 13) extending from the closure body lid top wall  152 . This spud  164  is adapted to sealingly engage an enlarged diameter upper portion  109  of the peripheral sealing surface  211  on the inside of the dispensing orifice  108  as shown in FIG.  12 . Thus, the closure body lid  150  is provided with sealing features for creating respective seal interfaces with the closure body deck  104 , the outside of the spout  106  and the dispensing orifice  108  on the inside of the spout  106 . 
     Referring specifically to FIGS. 11 and 14, the closure body  100  is provided with at least one, and preferably two, inwardly projecting lugs, ribs or tabs  130  (only one tab is shown in FIG.  11 ). The tabs  130  include an abutment surface  132  (FIGS. 11 and 14) adapted to engage the abutment surface  219  on the fitment projections  218  in order to restrict rotational movement of the closure body  100  and provide positive tactile feedback to the user to indicate when the closure body  100  has been rotated to a fully opened dispensing position relative to the container  10  and therefore relative to the fitment  200 . 
     Operation of the closure assembly  300  will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 12-15. FIG. 12 is a cross-section view illustrating the closure assembly  300  in a pre-tamper, closed and sealed shipping position. Here, the fitment  200  is located in a sealing position in which the fitment shoulder  214  engages an end surface  26  of the container  10 , and the fitment plug seal  210  forms a high-pressure seal with the interior surface  24  of the container  10 . 
     The closure body  100  is disposed in a closed position in which the dispensing orifice  108  is occluded by the fitment sealing post  206  and the closure body skirt  102  is fully threaded onto the container thread  16 . The tamper-evident band or ring  112  is attached to the closure body skirt  102  via the unbroken, frangible connection  114 . Notably, in this closed position of the closure body  100 , the closure body projecting ribs or tabs  130  are disposed below, and out of engagement with, the fitment projections  218 . 
     The closure body lid  150  is also shown in FIG. 12 in its closed position in which the closure body lid skirt  154  engages the closure body lid receiving shoulder  118  and is retained therein by the interaction of the lid snap-fit retention bead  156  with the closure body snap-fit retention bead  157 . Annular spout-engaging sealing collar  160  on the closure body lid  150  engages the spout outer peripheral surface  111 , and the spud  164  engages the enlarged diameter portion  109  of the dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface  211 . The thumb lift  158  of the closure body lid  150  extends outward beyond the radial extent of the closure body skirt  102  to permit a user to exert an upward force on the thumb lift  158  to lift the closure body lid  150  and move it to its open position (FIG.  13 ). 
     In accord with a feature of one aspect of the invention, there are six sealing interfaces provided by the exemplary closure assembly  300  when the closure assembly  300  is in its pre-tamper shipping position as shown in FIG. 12. A first high-pressure seal is formed between the fitment plug seal  210  and the interior surface  24  of the container  10 . A second, and preferably high pressure, seal is formed between the fitment sealing post  206  and the annular sealing sleeve  110  of the dispensing orifice when the closure body is in the closed position. A third seal, which is a high-pressure seal, is formed between the fitment annular sealing collar  204  and the spout interior sealing surface  107 . As will be explained, this third seal is a sliding, dynamic seal. A fourth seal is formed between the spud  164  and the portion upper  109  of the dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface  211 . A fifth seal is formed between the spout-engaging seal collar  160  of the lid and the spout outer peripheral surface  111 . A sixth seal is formed between the closure body lid  150  and the closure deck  104  by the lid snap-fit retention bead  156  and the closure deck snap-fit retention bead  157 . This aspect of the invention thus provides a plurality of seals, including high-pressure seals that are useful to maintain the pressurization of the container  10  when the contained fluid is a carbonated beverage, for example, or a pressurized liquid such as bottled water having a nitrogen charge for structural stability of the container  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-section view illustrating the closure assembly  300  in an open dispensing condition, in which the closure body lid  150  has been opened and pivoted about the hinge  120  to an open position and in which the closure body  150  has been rotated (counterclockwise when viewed from the top of FIG. 13) relative to the container  10  and fitment  200  and elevated relative to the container  10  and fitment  200 . The tamper-evident band  112  has been separated from the closure body skirt  102  since the tamper-evident band  112  cannot move upward past the tamper-evident band retaining flange  20  on the container  10 . The closure body orifice-defining surface  211  is preferably relatively long so as to maintain a seal against the post  206  for an amount of vertical travel of the closure body  100  relative to the container that is sufficient to break the frangible bridges of the tamper-evident drop ring. Only after the closure body  100  has moved vertically upwardly far enough to cause the drop ring to be completely broken away, does the surface  611  disengage from the post  206 . 
     As the closure body  100  is further rotated, the closure body projecting tabs or ribs  130  will eventually elevate to a position in which at least one of the ribs  130  engages one of the fitment projections  218  (as shown in FIG. 13) to impose significant resistance to further rotation at the elevation which defines the fully open dispensing position of the closure body  100 . FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section showing the engagement of the closure body projecting ribs or tabs  130  with the fitment projections  218 . This engagement provides a tactile feedback sensation to the user as an indication that the fully open condition has been reached. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the location of the projecting tabs or ribs  130  may be selected to provide a desired clearance between the sealing post  206  and the dispensing orifice  108  when the closure body  100  has been rotated to the fully open dispensing position. 
     Dispensing of the container contents through the fully open closure assembly can occur because the fitment apertures  208  permit flow of the contents into the space between the fitment sealing post  206  and the fitment sealing collar  204  and out through the dispensing orifice  108 . Dispensing, at lower flow rates, is also possible when the closure assembly is less than fully open. As will be recognized, the sealing collar  204  maintains a dynamic seal with the spout interior sealing surface  107  as the closure body  100  moves to its elevated, dispensing position. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, and in contrast to prior art devices, the same threads that are used to install the closure body on the container  10  are used to elevate the closure body to a dispensing position as shown in FIG.  13 . Thus, additional threads or other implements need not be provided on the closure body  100  to provide for elevation of the closure body  100  relative to the sealing post  206 . Owing to this feature of the invention, a single tamper-evident band  112 , which may be a standard drop-ring known in the prior art, provides evidence of whether or not the closure body  100  has been unscrewed and thus evidence of whether the dispensing orifice  108  has been opened. As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, other suitable tamper-evident structures, such as a tear-off shrink-wrap seal, may be provided on the closure body lid  150  to evidence tampering with, or opening of, the closure body lid  150  relative to the closure body  100 . 
     In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the resealable dispensing closure assembly may be resealed after the closure body has been moved to the dispensing position and without further movement of the closure body relative to the container. After the closure body has been moved to the dispensing position, a user may pivot the lid to a closed position in which the spud  164  sealingly engages the upper portion  109  of the dispensing orifice peripheral sealing surface  211  and the spout-engaging seal collar  160  of the lid engages the spout outer peripheral surface  111 . Also, when the lid is in the closed position, the closure body lid  150  engages the closure deck  104  by the lid snap-fit retention bead  156  and the closure deck snap-fit retention bead  157 . Thus, the closure body lid can be utilized to seal the closure assembly while the closure body remains in the dispensing position. This feature of the invention provides the advantage of permitting easy resealing of the closure assembly by pivoting or placing the lid on the closure body, without requiring the user to exert the effort required for moving the closure body relative to the container and fitment. 
     According to yet another aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure assembly  100  may be reconfigured by the user to provide a second dispensing mode. Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, owing to the inventive features of the exemplary closure assembly  300 , a user may remove the fitment  200  and, either (1) replace the closure body  100  on the container and have a resealable flip-top closure, or (2) leave the closure body off of the container and dispense the contents unobstructed through the container opening  22 . A user may accomplish adaptation of the closure assembly  300  to such a second dispensing mode by continued rotation of the closure body  100  relative to the container  10  beyond the limits imposed by engagement of the closure body projecting lugs, tabs or ribs  130  with the fitment projections  218 . Of course, the increased resistance to rotation must be overcome by the user applying more torque sufficient to temporarily and elastically deform either the ribs  130  or projections  218 , or both, so that the ribs  130  override the projections  218  as the closure body  100  moves further upwardly and so that the ribs  130  eventually disengage completely from the fitment projections  218 . Such over-rotation of the closure body  100  results in an engagement of the closure body thread  122  with the lifting surface  220  defined on the bottom of the fitment projections  218 . This imposes an upward force on the fitment  200  and disengages the fitment snap bead  216  from the container groove  28 . Continued rotation of the closure body  100  results in complete removal of the closure body  100  and fitment  200  from the container  10  as shown in FIG.  15 . After the fitment  200  is removed, the user may reinstall the closure body  100  on the container  10  and dispense the container contents through the dispensing orifice  108 , utilizing the closure body lid  150  to reseal the orifice  108  after use. Alternatively, the user may leave the closure body  100  removed and dispense the contents through the container opening  22 . FIGS. 16-30 illustrate an exemplary closure assembly, generally referenced by the number  350  in FIG. 16, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As best seen in FIG. 16, the closure assembly  350  generally comprises a closure body  400  having a cap  440  and cooperating with a fitment  500 . In this embodiment, the fitment  500  is provided with a projection in the form of a helical flange  518 , which, in a manner that will be explained in detail below, has at least two functions: 1) to provide an abutment surface for indicating to a user a stop position of the closure body; and 2) to provide an abutment surface for permitting the user to lift the fitment out of the container by further rotation of the closure body. The helical flange  518  thus provides functionality that is similar to the functionality provided by the projections  218  in the embodiment described above with respect to FIGS. 1-15. As will be explained in more detail below, the helical flange provides a high degree of tactile indication to the user when the closure body is rotated to the fully open position. Moreover, as will be explained, when the closure body is rotated beyond the fully open position, the helical flange transfers a lifting force uniformly from the closure body threads to the fitment to prevent cocking of the fitment within the container as the fitment is lifted upward and removed from the container. 
     As best seen with reference to FIGS. 16-22, fitment  500  is of a generally cylindrical shape and includes a fitment frame, which may include a fitment deck  502  and a downwardly extending annular plug seal  510  adapted to sealingly and frictionally engage an interior surface  24  of the container  10  as best shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. Annular plug seal  510  is thus formed with an outer radius dimensioned to provide adequate friction and sealing with the container interior surface  24  at the opening  22  (FIG. 16) of container  10 . Preferably, an annular snap-fit sealing bead  516  is provided on the annular plug seal  510  for engaging a complementarily-shaped snap-fit sealing groove  28  (FIG. 16) formed on the interior surface  24  of the container  10 . 
     As best seen from FIGS. 18 and 22, the frame of fitment  500  also includes an annular shoulder, which is preferably formed by a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending spokes or ribs  515 , each including a bottom end  517 . As will be recognized, the use of spokes or ribs  515  instead of a solid annular shoulder, which is also contemplated by the invention, will reduce material cost. The annular shoulder defined by spokes or ribs  515  functions to limit the travel of fitment  500  as it is inserted into the container opening  22  and to provide a predetermined position of the fitment  500  relative to the container  10 . 
     As best seen in FIGS. 16,  17 ,  20 ,  21 ,  26  and  27 , fitment  500  also includes an upwardly extending annular fitment sealing collar  504  which includes a sealing collar outer surface  505  for sealingly and slidingly engaging a spout interior sealing surface  407  on the spout  406  (shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 and described in detail hereinafter). Preferably, the fitment sealing collar  504  is provided with a fitment sealing collar sealing bead  507  (FIGS. 20,  21 , and  26 ) for providing a tight, yet dynamic seal against the spout interior sealing surface  407 . 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 18-22, fitment  500  also includes one or more apertures  508  that permit fluid flow through the fitment  500  from the inside of the container  10  to the interior of the sealing collar  504 . Preferably, three apertures  508  are provided and extend along a generally circular path around the interior of the fitment sealing collar  504 . The apertures  508  are defined in part by three radial struts  509  arranged generally at 120-degree intervals. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the size, shape, and number of apertures  508  and struts  509  may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Struts  509  support the fitment sealing post  506  which, as best shown in FIGS. 26-28, forms an occluding portion of the fitment  500  and extends in a direction generally opposite to the fitment plug seal  510 . Fitment sealing post  506  includes a fitment sealing surface  512  (FIGS. 16,  17 ,  19 - 21 ,  26  and  27 ) for sealingly engaging the surface  411  (FIGS. 24,  26  and  27 ) on the inside of the annular sealing sleeve  410  which defines the dispensing orifice  408  of the body  400 . Fitment sealing post  506  also includes a distal sealing end  513  (FIGS. 16,  17 ,  19 - 21 , and  26 - 28 ) for occluding the dispensing orifice  408  (FIGS.  27  and  28 ). Preferably, as best seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, distal sealing end  513  is formed as a surface that is convex when viewed from the top. It will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan that sealing end  513  may also be formed as a concave surface when viewed from the top or may have various other geometries without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 16-22, in accordance with a primary feature of the invention, fitment  500  is provided with a projection in the form of the helical flange  518  extending radially outward from a portion of the fitment  500  between the fitment deck  502  and the plug seal  510 . The helical flange  518  extends along a helical locus or path downward in a clockwise direction as viewed from the top of the fitment  500  when the fitment  500  is oriented in its upright position (shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) as installed on the container  10 . The lead angle of the helical flange  518  is substantially the same as the lead angle of the container threads  25  (FIGS.  16  and  26 - 28 ), and it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the fitment  500 , when fully inserted into the container  10 , operates to provide a continuation of the container threads  25 . The helical flange  518  extends from a tapered leading end  520  (identified only in FIG. 18,  20 , and  30 ) to a trailing end  519  which extends from the plug seal  510  in a substantially radial direction. The function of the leading end  520  and trailing end  519  will be explained below. As will be recognized, the bottom ends  517  of the spokes or ribs  515  lie substantially in the same plane and each engages the upper edge  23  (FIG. 16) of the container  10 . The spokes or ribs  515  extend axially from the bottom ends  517  to the helical flange  518 , and thus each of the spokes or ribs have different lengths (i.e., heights) depending on their angular position on the circumference of the fitment frame. For example, as seen in FIG. 18, the spoke or rib  515  of the least length (i.e., height) is disposed near the trailing end  519  of the helical flange  518  while the spoke or rib  515  of greatest length (i.e., height) is disposed near the leading end  520  of the helical flange  518 . 
     Referring to FIGS.  16  and  23 - 25 , in accordance with this preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure body  400  is provided with a general structure similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 1-15 above, including a closure body skirt  410  having at least one female thread  425  formed on an interior thereof. FIGS. 16 and 24 show the closure body  400  in an initially as-molded condition—prior to forming an optional, turned up tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the skirt  410  which could be similar to the first embodiment tamper band shown in FIG.  11 . 
     As best seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, the exemplary closure body  400  according to this preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with a closure body projection or tab in the form of a generally wedge-shaped lug  430  within the female threaded portion of the closure body  400 . Specifically, the lug  430  extends in a radial direction on the closure body  400  from the root of the thread radially inward to a height that does not substantially exceed the height H (FIG. 24) of the thread. The lug  430  includes a lead end  432  which has an inclined surface  433 . The term “lead end” here refers to the end of the lug  430  which leads as the closure body  400  is being rotated onto the container (i.e., a clockwise direction when viewed from the top). The lug  430  also includes a trailing end  434  which extends substantially in a radial direction. It will be recognized that the lug  430  is preferably located within the female thread at a position where it will not interfere with complete installation of the closure body  400  onto the container  10 . 
     Assembly and operation of the closure assembly  350  according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 16,  18 ,  19 ,  22  and  24 - 30 . The fitment  500  is first installed on the container  10  forming a container/fitment assembly by inserting the plug seal  510  into the container opening  22 , in an orientation (for example, FIG. 26) in which the helical flange  518  provides a continuation of the container thread  25 . The closure body  400  is then installed onto the container/fitment assembly by rotating the closure body  400  in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. As this occurs, the closure body thread  425  will first engage the helical flange  518  and then engage the container thread  25 . As the closure body  400  continues to be rotated, the lead end  432  of the closure body lug  430  will eventually encounter the tapered end  520  of the helical flange lead end. At this point, the inclined surface  433  (FIG. 25) of the lead end  432  of the closure body will slide over the tapered end  520  (FIGS. 18,  19  and  22 ) of the helical flange  518 , slightly deforming either the closure body  400  or the helical flange  518  or both as the lead end of the closure body lug  430  continues to slide along the outer peripheral edge of the helical flange  518 . During this sliding movement, deformation of either the closure body  400  or the helical flange  518  or both will continue. As rotation of the closure body  400  relative to the fitment  500  and the container  10  continues, the closure body lug  430  will eventually move beyond the flat end  519  of the helical flange  518 , at which point the closure body  400  or the helical flange  518  or both will return to their undeformed state. The closure body  400  can continue to be rotated to the installed, closed position shown in FIG.  26 . 
     As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill, the trailing end  434  of the closure body lug  430 , in conjunction with the flat end  519  of the helical flange  518  will resist reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the closure body  400  relative to the fitment  500  to the extent that the frictional engagement between the fitment  500  and container  10  prevents the fitment  500  from turning in the container  10 . However, the fitment  500  will turn with the closure body  400  if the closure body  400  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction with sufficient torque to overcome the frictional engagement between the fitment  500  and container  10 . 
     The closure body  400  is typically provided with a tamper-evident feature at its bottom edge which is secured to the container finish when the closure body  400  reaches its installed position shown in FIG.  26 . To this end, the bottom of the closure body skirt  410  could be provided with frangible connections (not shown, but similar to connections  114  in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.  12 ), and the bottom edge could be turned up prior to screwing the closure assembly  350  on the container  10 , to form a break-away, tamper band similar to the first embodiment tamper band shown in FIG.  12 . 
     Lastly, the cap  440  can be installed on the closure body  400 . Alternatively, the cap  440  could be initially installed on the closure body  400 , and then the cap  440  and closure body  400  could be installed together as a unit on the container/fitment. 
     As will be understood, the closure cap  440  is removably secured on the closure body  400  using, for example, a seal bead on the base of the closure body spout  406 . 
     Once the closure assembly  350  is initially assembled on the container  10 , the closure assembly  350  may be opened and resealed in accordance with another primary feature of the invention. Specifically, the fitment  500  will function to provide a positive stop for a tactile sensation as to when the closure body  400  has been rotated to a fully open position. This is accomplished by the unique interaction of the closure body  400  with the fitment  500 . The plug seal  510  and therefore the fitment  500  are frictionally engaged within the neck of the container  10  so that the fitment  500  resists rotation and axial movement relative to the container  10 . As the closure body  400  is rotated from the fully closed position shown in FIG. 26, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above, it will rotated relative to the container  10  and move upward relative to the container in an axial direction to the position shown in FIG. 27, thereby permitting flow through the fitment  500 . If a lower tamper band had been provided, it will break. The closure body orifice-defining surface  411  is preferably relatively long so as to maintain a seal against the post  506  for an amount of vertical travel of the closure body  400  relative to the container that is sufficient to break the frangible bridges of the tamper-evident drop ring. Only after the closure body  400  has moved vertically upwardly far enough to cause the drop ring to be completely broken away, does the surface  411  disengage from the post  506 . The cap  440  may be removed to permit dispensing and then replaced on the closure body  400  when the closure body  400  is in the open position to seal the closure assembly  350  without requiring movement of the closure body to the closed position. 
     Since the pitch of the helical flange  518  is substantially the same as the pitch of the container threads  25  and the closure body threads  425 , the closure body  400  rotates relative to the frictionally restrained fitment  500 , moving the closure body lug  430  (which is initially disposed below the helical flange  518 ) relative to the helical flange  518  and eventually into abutting engagement with the trailing end  519  of the helical flange  518 . As shown best in FIG. 29, at the full open position, the trailing end  519  of the helical flange  518  is in abutting engagement with the trailing end  434  of the closure body lug  430 , thereby resisting further rotation of the closure body  400  in a counterclockwise direction in FIG.  29 . At this point, a positive tactile indication is given to the user that the closure body  400  has been rotated to the fully open position. As will be recognized, the abutting engagement of the trailing end of the lug  430  and the trailing end of the helical flange  518  results in a force that opposes the user&#39;s attempt to further rotate the closure body  400  beyond the fully open position. 
     According to a unique feature of this exemplary embodiment of the invention, as best seen in FIG. 27, when the closure body  400  is in the fully open position, the helical flange  518  is engaged on a lower surface  521  thereof by the closure body thread  425 , thus providing a second abutting interface to resist user-applied opening force, i.e., torque tending to rotate the closure body  400  in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above. 
     According to a further feature of the invention, the closure body  400  may be used to remove the fitment  500  from the container, to permit a second dispensing mode. Since lug  430  prohibits further rotation of the closure body  400  in an opening direction relative to fitment  500 , application of an increased opening torque to the closure body  400  tends to cause the fitment  500  to overcome its frictional engagement with the container neck and to turn with the closure body  400  and relative to the container  10 , thereby resulting in the closure body thread  425  exerting an upward force on the lower surface  521  of the helical flange  518 . 
     To accomplish removal of the fitment  500 , the user applies sufficient torque to the closure body  400 , while the closure body  400  is in the fully open position, to overcome the frictional engagement of the fitment plug seal  510  with the container interior surface  24  and to push the fitment snap bead  516  out of the container neck groove  28 . Application of such an increased torque will result in continued rotation of the closure body  400  beyond the fully open position and a lifting force applied to the lower surface  521  of the helical flange  518 . As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, a relatively uniform force is applied to the underside of the helical flange  518 , resulting in a smooth upward movement of the fitment  500  out of the container opening as the closure body  400  continues to be rotated. This uniform application of force results in less tendency for the fitment  500  to become misaligned during removal. Continued rotation of the closure body  400  in the opening direction will eventually cause disengagement of the closure body from the container neck. 
     Once the closure body  400  and fitment  500  have been removed from the container  10 , the closure assembly  400  may be reconfigured into a second dispensing mode by removal of the fitment  500  from the closure body  400 . Removal of fitment  500  may be accomplished, for example, by the user deforming the closure body  400  into a slight oblong shape in order to permit disengagement of the closure body lug  430  from the trailing end  519  (FIG. 29) of the helical flange  518 . This will permit rotation of the closure body  400  in a counterclockwise direction relative to the fitment  500  as viewed in FIG.  29  and subsequent removal of the fitment  500  from the closure body  400 . The closure body  400  may then be reinstalled on the container  10  without the fitment  500 , and this will permit a second dispensing mode in which dispensing may occur at a rate greater than the rate permitted by the fitment apertures  508 . 
     FIGS. 31-40 illustrate an exemplary closure assembly, generally referenced by the number  650  in FIG. 31, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As best seen in FIG. 31, the closure assembly  650  generally comprises a closure body  600  having an overcap or cap  640  and a cooperating fitment  700 . 
     In this embodiment, the fitment  700  is provided with a projection in the form of a flange  718 . The flange  718  functions to limit the travel of fitment  700  as it is inserted into the container opening  22  and to provide a predetermined vertical position of the fitment  700  relative to the container  10 . 
     As best seen with reference to FIGS. 31-34, fitment  700  is of a generally cylindrical shape and includes a fitment frame which preferably includes at least a fitment deck  702  (FIGS.  31  and  37 ). Below the deck  702  is a downwardly extending annular plug seal  710  (FIGS. 31 and 37) adapted to sealingly and frictionally engage an interior surface  24  of the opening  22  of the container  10  as best shown in FIG.  32 . Annular plug seal  710  is thus formed with an outer circumference dimensioned to provide adequate friction and sealing with the container interior surface  24 . 
     The fitment  700  also includes an upwardly extending annular fitment sealing collar  704  (FIGS. 31 and 34) which defines a sealing collar inner surface  705  for sealingly and slidingly engaging a spout exterior sealing surface  607  on an annular sealing collar  603  of the closure body spout  606  (shown in FIG.  32  and described in detail hereinafter). 
     As best illustrated in FIG. 34, fitment deck  702  defines one or more apertures  708  that permit fluid flow through the fitment  700  from the inside of the container  10  to the interior of the sealing collar  704 . Preferably, three apertures  708  (FIG. 35) are provided and extend along a generally circular path around the interior of the fitment sealing collar  704 . The apertures  708  are defined in part by three radial struts  709  arranged generally at 120-degree intervals. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the size, shape, and number of apertures  708  and struts  709  may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Struts  709  support a fitment sealing post  706  which, as best shown in FIGS. 35 and 37, forms an occluding portion of the fitment  700  and extends in a direction generally opposite to the fitment plug seal  710 . Fitment sealing post  706  includes a fitment sealing surface  712  (FIGS. 31 and 37) for sealingly engaging a surface  611  (FIGS. 31,  32 ,  33 , and  39 ) on the inside of an annular sealing sleeve  610  (FIG. 39) which defines a dispensing orifice  608  of the closure body  600 . 
     Fitment sealing post  706  also includes a distal sealing end  713  (FIGS. 31,  32 ,  33 , and  37 ) for occluding the dispensing orifice  608  (FIG.  32 ). Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 31, distal sealing end  713  is formed as a surface that is convex when viewed from the top. It will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan that sealing end  713  may also be formed as a concave surface when viewed from the top or may have various other geometries without departing from the scope of the invention. When the closure body  600  is in the fully closed position (FIG.  32 ), the closure body orifice-defining surface  611  creates a high pressure seal with the fitment sealing surface  712 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 35 and 38, in accordance with another feature of the invention, fitment sealing collar  704  includes at least one, and preferably two, projections, tabs, or stop ribs  715  extending radially outwardly. In the preferred arrangement, the stop ribs  715  are 180 degrees apart. Each stop rib  715  has a tapered bottom surface  717  (FIG.  38 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 31,  39 , and  40 , in accordance with this preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure body  600  is provided with a structure that is somewhat similar to the first embodiment of the closure body  100  described above with respect to FIGS. 1-15. The closure body  600  includes a closure body skirt  613  (FIG. 39) having at least one female thread  625  formed on an interior thereof. FIGS. 31 and 39 show the closure body  600  in an initially as-molded condition—prior to forming an optional, turned up tamper band (i.e., drop ring) at the bottom of the skirt  610  which could be similar to the first embodiment tamper band shown in FIG.  11 . 
     The closure body  600  differs from the first embodiment closure body  100 , however, in that the spout  606  of the closure body  600  includes an interior, annular sealing collar  603  which defines the exterior sealing surface  607  (FIG. 32) for sealingly and slidingly engaging the fitment sealing collar inner surface  705  (FIG.  33 ). 
     The closure body  600  also differs from the first embodiment closure body  100  in that the inside of the spout  606  includes at least one, and preferably two, projections in the form of stop tabs or stop lugs  633 . As can be seen in FIG. 33, the upper end of each stop lug  633  has a tapered upper surface  635 . 
     Assembly and operation of the closure assembly  650  according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The fitment  700  is disposed inside the closure body  600 . The assembly process may require some relative rotation between the fitment  700  and body  600  if necessary so that the fitment ribs  715  and closure body lugs  633  are not in registry and so that the fitment ribs  715  can be located higher than the closure body lug stop lugs  633  (e.g., as shown in FIG.  32 ). The assembly of the fitment  700  and closure body  600  is then installed on the container  10  to create a container/fitment/body assembly by rotating the closure body  600  in a clockwise direction when viewed from above to cause the closure body thread  625  to engage the container thread  25  and to drive the fitment plug seal  710  into the container opening  22  so that the fitment flange  718  rests on the top of the container  22 . 
     The closure body  600  is typically provided with a tamper-evident feature at its bottom edge which is secured to the container finish when the closure body  600  reaches its installed position shown in FIG.  32 . To this end, the bottom of the closure body skirt  613  could be provided with frangible connections (not shown, but similar to connections  114  in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.  12 ), and the bottom edge could be turned up prior to screwing the closure body  600  on the container  10 , to form a break-away, tamper band similar to the first embodiment tamper band shown in FIG.  12 . 
     Lastly, the cap  640  can be installed on the closure body  600 . Alternatively, the cap  640  could be initially installed on the closure body  600 , and then the cap  640 , closure body  600 , and fitment  700  disposed therein could be installed together as a unit on the container  10 . 
     The bottom of the closure body spout  606  could have a retention bead  642  as shown in FIGS. 31,  33 , and  39 . The bottom of the closure cap  640  could have an internal, peripheral lip  644  (FIG.  32 ). This permits the closure cap  640  to be removably secured on the closure body  600  as shown in FIG.  32 . 
     Once the closure assembly  650  has been initially assembled on the container  10 , the closure assembly  650  may be opened (FIG. 33) and resealed (FIG.  32 ). As the closure body  600  is rotated from the fully closed position shown in FIG. 32, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above, it will rotated relative to the container  10  and fitment  700 , and the closure body  600  will move upward relative to the container  10  and fitment  700  in an axial direction to the full open position shown in FIG. 33, thereby permitting flow through the fitment  700 . If a lower tamper band (not visible in FIGS. 32 and 33) had been provided, it will break. The closure body orifice-defining surface  611  is preferably relatively long so as to maintain a seal against the post  706  for an amount of vertical travel of the closure body  600  relative to the container that is sufficient to break the frangible bridges of the tamper-evident drop ring. Only after the closure body  600  has moved vertically upwardly far enough to cause the drop ring to be completely broken away, does the surface  611  disengage from the post  706 . 
     The fitment  700  and closure body  600  will function to provide a positive stop for a tactile sensation when the closure body  600  has been rotated to a fully open position. This is accomplished by the unique interaction of the closure body  600  with the fitment  700 . The plug seal  710  and therefore the fitment  700  are frictionally engaged within the neck of the container  10  so that the fitment  700  resists rotation and axial movement relative to the container  10 . When the closure body  600  has been rotated to the fully open position, the lateral sides of the closure body lugs  633  will engage the lateral sides of the fitment ribs  715  as shown in FIG. 33 to provide a positive stop and tactile sensation with respect to the fully open position of the closure  600 . 
     The cap  640  may be removed to permit dispensing. The cap  640  may be replaced on the closure body  600  when the closure body  600  is in the open position to seal the closure assembly  650  without requiring movement of the closure body  600  down to the closed position. 
     If an attempt is made to rotate the closure body  600  in the opening direction beyond the initial engagement between the closure body stop lugs  633  and the fitment ribs  715 , the fitment  700  will merely rotate within the opening  24  of the container  10  if the opening torque applied to the closure body  600  is of a sufficient magnitude to overcome the frictional engagement between the fitment  700  and the container  10 . Thus, the fitment  700  will rotate but will not be forced out of the container  10 . However, as the closure body  600  continues to rotate upwardly in the opening direction, the closure body stop lugs  633  will slide vertically along the fitment ribs  715 . Eventually, the closure body  600  will be completely unscrewed from the container  10 . The fitment  700  could then be manually grasped and pulled out of the container  10  to provide a completely unobstructed discharge opening in the container  10  and, hence, a higher capacity discharge system. If desired, the closure body  600  could be screwed back on to the container  10  without installing the fitment  700 . This would allow a slightly greater flow rate than when the fitment  700  is in the container, but the cap  640  would have to be subsequently reinstalled on the closure body  600  if it is desired to prevent ingress of contaminants into the container or to prevent leakage out of the container should the container be inadvertently tipped over. 
     If product is dispensed from the container  10  with both the fitment  700  and closure body  600  removed, the system may be characterized as providing a maximum flow mode. If the fitment is removed from the container, but the closure body  600  is screwed back onto the container, the system may be characterized as providing an intermediate dispensing mode of somewhat greater flow rate than the first or initial dispensing mode which occurs when the fitment  700  is installed in the container  10  and the closure body  600  is installed on the container  10  over the fitment  700 . 
     The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 31-40 employs stop lugs  633  on the closure body  600  and stop ribs  715  on the fitment  700  to provide a positive rotation stop at the full open position of the closure body  600  (FIG.  33 ). It will be appreciated, however, that other engagement structures or features could be employed. 
     Further, if desired, engagement features could be provided on the closure body  600  and fitment  700  to facilitate removal of the fitment  700  from the container  10  upon further application of sufficient torque to the closure body  600  at the full open position. 
     For example, plug removal rib or ribs (not shown) could be provided in the form of a partially circular arc flange on the wall  704  of the fitment  700  above the ribs  715  for being engaged by the tops of the closure body stop lugs  633  when the closure body  600  is in the full open, elevated position. The removal flange on the fitment wall  704  would be located at an elevation relative to the stop lugs  633  on the closure body spout interior so that the closure body stop lugs  633  would engage the fitment plug removal flange when the closure body is unscrewed beyond the initial full open position and so that subsequent unscrewing of the closure body  600  would cause the closure body lugs  633  to exert an upward force on the fitment plug removal flange. Engagement of the partially circular arc plug removal flange on the fitment wall  704  would cause the fitment  700  to be pulled out of the container if the closure body  600  is unscrewed beyond the initial full open position. Other configurations of fitment removal ribs or flanges and cooperating closure lugs could be provided to effect removal of the fitment  700  from the container  10  as the closure body  600  is unthreaded from the container  10 . 
     Although the closure assembly of the invention is exemplified by a threaded engagement with the container, the invention contemplates other fastening techniques and implements for securing the closure assembly to the container. For example, since the invention provides a closure assembly that obviates the need for relatively large sealing forces to be applied via threads on the closure assembly and container finish, threadless fastening of the closure assembly relative to the container is contemplated by the invention. Such fastening might incorporate a friction fit facilitated by a closure assembly having a skirt with an inside diameter sized to provide a sliding or telescoping engagement with a smooth, threadless container finish. In such an embodiment, the fitment and closure body would be provided with abutment surfaces, for example, a bayonet type interlock or fastening implement, which permit installation of the closure assembly on the container, but which may be configured, for example, by relative rotation of the closure body and container, to restrict upward movement of the closure body relative to the container. 
     It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous other variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.