Patent Publication Number: US-2012037630-A1

Title: Moldable threaded closure with a raised tab for use with a peg-board type store display configured to receive a common household item to facilitate un-tightening of the closure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a moldable threaded closure that is configured to receive a common household item in order to facilitate un-tightening and retightening of the closure, the closure being formed in a configuration that is relatively sturdy and easy to mold and enables containers to be hung from a wire support commonly used with a peg-board type store display 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various types of closures are known for closing threaded containers used for a peg-board store display. Such closures are known to be made primarily from molded plastic and include an annular side wall threaded on one end, a top surface closing an opposing end of the annular sidewall, and a raised tab with an aperture. In order to prevent leakage or spoilage of the contents of the container during storage, shipping and handling, such closure are normally tightened very tightly to form an air tight seal. To obtain a satisfactory seal, pressure is exerted on the rim of the threaded portion by the closure. This pressure creates friction between the closure and the container, which makes removal of the closure relatively difficult. 
     Such closures may be made as a conventional simple one piece threaded closure or, fitted with a tamper evident ring, or formed as a two-piece child resistant cap. Closures of this type are generally intended to be removed by gripping the closure and rotating it in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the container. 
     Persons with reduced hand strength and dexterity, due to, for example, an arthritic condition, sickness, age, or an injury, often have difficulty un-tightening such closures. In particular, persons with such afflictions often do not have sufficient strength to grip the container and turn the closure to break the air tight seal formed during the closing process, allowing removal of the closure. Persons experiencing problems un-tightening closures have used hand tools, special devices, or seek the assistance of another person to un-tighten closures from their respective containers. 
     Various patented systems, hand tools, and special devices have been developed to assist in un-tightening common flat topped closures but, none have been found for closures having a raised tab and an aperture intended for display from a common peg-board store displays used for hanging containers. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a closure system which facilitates un-tightening of a closure intended for use with such hanging container displays. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention n relates to moldable threaded closure system which includes a moldable closure formed with an annular sidewall forming a cylindrical member, threaded on one end and closed with a top surface on an opposing end. A receptacle is formed by a raised tab used to hang containers from a peg-board type store display, having an aperture adjacent to the closed top surface and one or more stops. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood with reference to the following specifications and attached drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with the present invention formed with a receptacle configured from a raised tab with an aperture, shown with a pencil passing through the aperture extending radially outwardly there from The pencil is shown as it would be positioned for un-tightening the closure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with the present invention formed with a receptacle configured from a raised tab with an aperture, shown with a pencil passing through the aperture and extending radially outwardly there from. The pencil is shown as it would be positioned for tightening the closure. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the closure showing the pencil passing through the aperture in the raised tab and the stops in their respective positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a closure system which facilitates un-tightening and retightening of threaded closures used to close threaded containers commonly used to hang from a wire form from a peg-board type store display. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the closure is formed with a receptacle formed from a raised tab and stops extending from the plane of a top surface of the closure. The receptacle is configured to receive common household items, such as pencils for leverage. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , a receptacle is formed in the top surface of the closure by an aperture in a raised tab. 
       FIG. 1  A perspective view of the invention in which a closure is formed with a receptacle and one or more stops which are incorporated with a raised tab for use with peg-board type store displays used for hanging containers. The closure, generally identified with the reference numeral  20  includes an annular sidewall  21  forming a cylindrical member closed on one end by a top surface  22 . Threads (not shown) are formed on an opposing end of said cylindrical member. An extending tab  23  is formed to project upwardly and generally perpendicular to the top surface  22  of the closure  20 . An aperture  25  is formed in the tab  23  in order to enable the container (not shown) and closure to be hung from a peg-board type store display. One or more stops  26 ,  27  are formed adjacent the tab  23 . After the closure  20  is removed from the store display, the aperture  25  acts as a receptacle for receiving a common household item, such as a pencil  24 . The stops  26  and  27  provide bearing surfaces for the pencil  24 . The stops  26  and  27  may be located anywhere on the top surface  22  of the closure  20  and are optionally illustrated as being adjacent to the aperture  25 . In operation, when a common household item, such as a pencil  24  is received in the aperture  25 , rotation of the pencil  24  will cause it to contact the stops. Continued rotation of the pencil  24  in a counterclockwise direction will cause the closure  20  to be un-tightened from its&#39; respective container. 
       FIG. 2  A perspective view of the invention having a raised tab  23  an aperture  25 . The pencil is shown in a tightening position. 
       FIG. 3  A top view of the invention showing stops  26  and  27 , tab  23 , pencil  24 , shown for counterclockwise rotation. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.