Patent Description:
Containers are often used to store products or contents. It is often desirable to close the container with a closure (e.g., a bottle cap) in order to contain the product or contents in the container. Some known closures include a tamper-evident band that indicates whether the closure has been tampered with or removed from the container. Tamper-evident bands are desirable in certain applications (for example, in the food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical industry, etc.) in order to promote the safety of consumer products.

Some known closures also include a tether that keeps the closure tethered or attached to the container when the closure is removed from the container. Tethered closure assemblies help to reduce the chance that the closure may be lost when it is removed from the container. <CIT> discloses a closure, container and closure system comprising a top panel, a tapered skirt and a tamper-evident band.

During certain procedures, such as container capping and/or filling operations, the closure is placed on top of the container to cover an opening in the container, and is subsequently secured to the neck of the container. In some of these procedures, the closure is not immediately secured (e.g., threaded) to the container, and simply rests on top of the container. During these procedures, the container may be jostled (e.g., due to movement of the container along production or filling lines). If the closure is not firmly seated on the container neck, the closure may be disturbed and/or fall off the container, which can result in misapplied closures, closures being improperly presented to a capper of a capping/filling line, containers not being closed, etc..

Accordingly, there is a need for improved closures and corresponding closure systems.

In one aspect, a closure in accordance with independent claim <NUM> is provided.

In another aspect, a container in accordance with independent claim <NUM> is provided.

In yet another aspect, a closure system in accordance with claim <NUM> is provided.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.

A closure and a corresponding closure system are described herein that facilitate improved resistance of a closure that is placed over an opening of a container to being inadvertently removed from the container, for example, during container filling and/or capping operations, and during use by consumers. For example, embodiments of the closures and closure systems disclosed herein utilize a taper effect to facilitate placement and/or securement of the closure on the neck of a container, e.g., during the manufacturing and assembly process.

In contrast to at least some known closures and closure systems, the closures and closure systems of the present disclosure can have a thread height that is substantially constant (i.e., is not reduced) along the height or length of the closure and/or the container neck. For example, some known closures and closure systems have a reduced thread height near the bottom of the closure and/or near the top of the neck of the container, with the height of the thread increasing towards the top of the closure and/or the bottom of the neck. While this can facilitate positioning the closure on the container neck (e.g., during a filling operation of the container), the reduced thread height can cause the closure to be improperly or insufficiently secured to the container neck, resulting in the closure being inadvertently removed (e.g., at later stages of a filling operation or during transport). Embodiments of the closures and closure systems described herein can include container necks having external threads with a substantially constant or non-reduced height near the opening of the container and/or closures having internal threads with a substantially constant or non-reduced height.

<FIG> is a side view of an example closure system <NUM> that includes a closure <NUM> and a container <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the closure system <NUM> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>. The closure <NUM> is connected to the container <NUM> at a neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top perspective view of the closure <NUM>, <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the closure <NUM>, and <FIG> is a top view of the closure <NUM>. In the example embodiment, the closure <NUM> includes a top panel <NUM>, a sidewall or skirt <NUM> depending from the top panel <NUM>, a tamper-evident band <NUM>, and an attachment band <NUM>.

The closure <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment has a generally closed cylindrical shape, with the top panel <NUM> being generally circular and the skirt <NUM> being generally cylindrical. Additionally, the top panel <NUM> includes a transition section <NUM> along an outer peripheral edge <NUM> thereof that joins the skirt <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition section <NUM> is generally curved. In other embodiments, the transition section <NUM> can be of any suitable configuration that allows the closure <NUM> and/or the closure system <NUM> to function as described herein.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the example embodiment includes a sealing ring <NUM> that depends from the top panel <NUM> and extends circumferentially about a central axis <NUM> of the closure <NUM>. In other embodiments, the sealing ring <NUM> may be omitted, and the closure <NUM> may form a seal with the container <NUM> by other means, such as an induction heat seal. The central axis <NUM> coincides with line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>, and also coincides with the central axis <NUM> of the container <NUM> when the closure <NUM> is installed on and secured to the container <NUM>, as described further herein. The sealing ring <NUM> is spaced radially inward from the skirt <NUM>, and is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the container <NUM> to which closure <NUM> is connected, for example, to inhibit contents from the container <NUM> from leaking or spilling out. The sealing ring <NUM> is spaced radially inward from the skirt <NUM> by a distance sufficient to receive a portion of the container <NUM> (e.g., neck <NUM>) therebetween. In <FIG>, the sealing ring <NUM> is shown as having a cross-sectional profile that includes a bottom edge <NUM> that is slanted towards the central axis <NUM>. The slanted bottom edge <NUM> of the profile of the sealing ring <NUM> enables the sealing ring <NUM> to more effectively contact and seal an opening of the container (e.g., opening <NUM> shown in <FIG>) to which closure <NUM> is connected. However, the sealing ring <NUM> may have any suitable configuration that allows the closure <NUM> and/or the closure system <NUM> to function as described herein.

The skirt <NUM> depends from the top panel <NUM> and extends circumferentially about the central axis <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> is spaced radially outward from the sealing ring <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the skirt <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM> attached to the transition section <NUM> of the top panel <NUM> to a second end <NUM> opposite to the first end <NUM>. The second end <NUM> may be, for example, at a location where the skirt <NUM> attaches to the tamper-evident band <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the skirt <NUM> includes an exterior surface <NUM> and an interior surface <NUM> with at least one internal thread <NUM> extending radially inward from the interior surface <NUM>. The at least one internal thread <NUM> can be a single, continuous internal thread extending helically around the interior surface <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>, or the at least one thread <NUM> can include multiple different threads. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the at least one internal thread <NUM> includes three separate threads <NUM>. Each of the separate threads <NUM> extends helically around the interior surface <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> from the second end <NUM> towards the first end <NUM>. Moreover, in this embodiment, each thread <NUM> has a substantially constant height as the thread extends from the second end <NUM> towards the first end <NUM>. For example, each thread <NUM> may have a constant height except for the thread start and end portions.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion of the closure <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the skirt <NUM> of the example closure <NUM> tapers radially outwards from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM> such that a diameter D of the skirt <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) is greater at the second end <NUM> than at the first end <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> can taper radially outward from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM> at any suitable angle that enables the closure <NUM> and/or the closure system <NUM> to function as described herein. In some embodiments, an angle <NUM> of the taper, shown with reference between the interior surface <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> and an axis <NUM> parallel to the central axis <NUM> in <FIG>, can be between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, or between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°.

According to this configuration, the skirt <NUM> includes a radial taper of the diameter D (specifically, the diameter of the interior surface <NUM>) of the skirt <NUM>. The radial taper of the skirt <NUM> can be, for example and without limitation, a generally linear taper of the diameter D of the skirt <NUM>, as is shown in the embodiment depicted in <FIG>. However, the radial taper of the diameter D of the skirt <NUM> can be of any suitable configuration (e.g., non-linear, non-constant, etc.) that enables closure <NUM> and/or closure system <NUM> to function as described herein. In some embodiments, the diameter D of the skirt <NUM> at the second end <NUM> is between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater than the diameter D of the skirt <NUM> at the first end <NUM>, between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater, between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater, between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater, between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater, between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater, between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater, or between <NUM>-<NUM>% greater. In one particular embodiment, the diameter D of the skirt <NUM> at the second end <NUM> is between <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters greater at the second end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> than the diameter D at the first end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a radial spacing R between the central axis <NUM> and a peak or interior edge <NUM> of the internal threads <NUM> increases as the internal threads <NUM> extend toward the second end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> due to the tapered skirt <NUM>. That is, at locations of the internal threads <NUM> that are nearer to the first end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>, the radial spacing between the internal thread <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> may be smaller than the radial spacing between the internal thread <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> at locations that are nearer to the second end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial spacing R between the interior edge <NUM> of the threads <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> increases while the height of each thread remains the same or substantially the same. That is, the height of each thread <NUM> does not decrease (with the exception of the start portion of each thread <NUM> at the second end <NUM> as shown in <FIG>) while the radial spacing R increases as the threads <NUM> extend towards the second end <NUM>. The increase in the radial spacing R between the internal threads <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> may increase, for example, linearly, or any other suitable way that enables the closure <NUM> and/or closure system <NUM> to function as described herein.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the tamper-evident band <NUM> is attached to the skirt <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>, and extends circumferentially about the central axis <NUM>. The tamper-evident band <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM> attached to the skirt <NUM> (e.g., by one or more frangible tabs <NUM>, described below) to an opposing second end <NUM>. The attachment band <NUM> is hingedly connected to the second end <NUM> of the tamper-evident band <NUM>, and extends radially inward therefrom. More specifically, the attachment band <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM>, attached to the second end <NUM> of the tamper-evident band <NUM> by a hinged attachment <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), to a second, free end <NUM>. The attachment band <NUM> is illustrated in an unfolded configuration in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, although the attachment band <NUM> can be positioned in a folded configuration (shown in <FIG>, <FIG>), for example, prior to the closure <NUM> being attached to the container <NUM>. For example, the attachment band <NUM> can be folded radially inward about the hinged attachment <NUM> from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration prior to attaching the closure <NUM> to the container <NUM>. In the folded configuration, the attachment band <NUM> inhibits or prevents the tamper-evident band <NUM> from being removed from the container <NUM> when the closure <NUM> is removed (e.g., unthreaded) from the container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the tapered closure <NUM> can result in the tamper-evident band <NUM> having a diameter D1 that is larger than the diameter D of the skirt <NUM>, for example, at any location along the skirt <NUM>. For example, the radial taper of the skirt <NUM> can continue into the diameter D1 of the tamper-evident band <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the diameter D1 at the second end <NUM> of the tamper-evident band <NUM> is larger than the diameter D1 of the tamper-evident band <NUM> at the first end <NUM>. The tamper-evident band <NUM> can be continuously tapered from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>, or the tamper-evident band <NUM> can be partially tapered (e.g., tapered along a portion or portions of the tamper-evident band <NUM>). That is, the diameter D1 of the tamper-evident band <NUM> can be tapered in any suitable manner or remain constant at any portion of the tamper evident-band <NUM> that enables the closure <NUM> and the closure system <NUM> to function as described herein. In other embodiments, the tamper-evident band <NUM> is not tapered and has a substantially constant diameter D1 from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>.

The tapered configuration of the closure (e.g., the increased diameter D of the skirt <NUM> and increased radial spacing of the internal threads <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>) can result in a relatively larger diameter D2 of the attachment band <NUM> in the folded configuration (shown in <FIG>) as compared to prior closure designs. A tamper-evident band <NUM> that is also tapered can further increase the diameter D2 of the attachment band <NUM> in the folded configuration. As described further herein, the increased diameter D2 of the attachment band <NUM> in the folded configuration can facilitate retaining the closure <NUM> on the container <NUM> when the closure <NUM> is placed on the container <NUM>, but prior to when the closure <NUM> is further secured (e.g., threaded) to the container <NUM> (e.g., during a filling operation of container <NUM>).

In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band <NUM> is frangibly attached to the skirt <NUM> by at least one frangible tab <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). When the closure <NUM> is removed, either partially or entirely, from the container <NUM> for the first time, the at least one frangible tab <NUM> is broken such that tamper-evident band <NUM> is no longer connected to the skirt <NUM> by the at least one frangible tab <NUM>. Breaking, either partially or entirely, of the at least one frangible tab <NUM> may provide an indication the that closure <NUM> has previously been opened or removed from container <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the tamper-evident band <NUM> is connected to the skirt <NUM> by <NUM> frangible tabs <NUM>, although other embodiments may include more or less than <NUM> frangible tabs.

The tamper-evident band <NUM> may also include a hinge <NUM> formed in the tamper-evident band <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). In some embodiments, the tamper-evident band <NUM> is tethered to the skirt <NUM> by the hinge <NUM> such that the skirt <NUM> and the tamper-evident band <NUM> remain tethered or attached via the hinge <NUM>, even after the frangible tabs <NUM> are broken. When the closure <NUM> is installed and secured on a container, the hinge <NUM> can facilitate movement of the closure <NUM> between an open position and a closed position, while also keeping the closure <NUM> connected to the container <NUM>.

The tamper-evident band <NUM> can also include one or more circumferentially-extending slots <NUM> that facilitate hingedly moving the closure <NUM> about the hinge <NUM>. The example embodiment includes a single continuous slot <NUM> that is generally defined by parallel edges of the tamper-evident band <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the slot <NUM> is generally circumferentially symmetrical about a center point of the hinge <NUM>. The slot <NUM> extends circumferentially about the tamper-evident band <NUM> a sufficient distance to enable hingedly moving the closure between a closed position (shown in <FIG>) and an opened position (not shown) about the hinge <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge <NUM> also includes a deflectable tab <NUM> including a tooth <NUM> that extends radially outward from the tab <NUM>. The deflectable tab <NUM> (specifically, the tooth <NUM>) may be operable to engage a retention section <NUM> of the tamper-evident band <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) to retain the closure <NUM> in the opened position. For example, the bottom of the deflectable tab <NUM> may be spaced from the retention section <NUM> of the tamper-evident band <NUM> by an opening or gap that is sized to permit the tooth <NUM> of the deflectable tab <NUM> to pass therethrough when the closure <NUM> is rotated from a closed position (shown in <FIG>) to an opened position. When the closure <NUM> is in the opened position, the tooth <NUM> is disposed between the neck <NUM> and the retention section <NUM> of the tamper-evident band <NUM>, and engages the retention section <NUM> to hold the closure <NUM> in the opened position. The deflectable tab <NUM> and the retention section <NUM> may have any suitable configuration that enables the closure <NUM> and/or the closure system <NUM> to function as described herein.

Referring again to <FIG>, the container <NUM> includes a sidewall <NUM> defining a cavity <NUM>. The container <NUM> further includes a neck <NUM> extending from the sidewall <NUM> and defining an opening <NUM> to the cavity <NUM>. The neck <NUM> extends circumferentially about a central axis <NUM> of the container <NUM>, and includes an interior surface (not labeled) and an exterior surface <NUM>. Further, the neck <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM> defining the opening <NUM> in a top <NUM> of the container <NUM>, to a second end <NUM> joined to the sidewall <NUM>. Aspects of the present disclosure are particularly advantageous when used with lightweight containers or bottles. Such containers can have relatively thin sidewalls and necks, and be constructed of, for example and without limitation, lightweight high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In other embodiments, the container <NUM> can be formed of materials other than lightweight materials and/or have a construction without thin sidewalls.

As shown in <FIG>, the exterior surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> can include at least one external thread <NUM> formed on the exterior surface <NUM>. The at least one thread <NUM> can be a single, continuous external thread extending helically around the neck <NUM>, or the at least one thread <NUM> can include multiple different threads. The neck <NUM> also includes a tamper-evident bead <NUM> that protrudes radially outward form the exterior surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> and circumferentially about the central axis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the tamper-evident bead <NUM> includes a generally straight edge <NUM> facing the second end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> and a tapered or curved edge <NUM> facing the first end <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. The tamper-evident bead <NUM> engages the attachment band <NUM> of closure <NUM> when the closure <NUM> is connected to the container <NUM>. Specifically, when the closure <NUM> is placed on the container neck <NUM>, the attachment band <NUM> (in the folded configuration) engages the tapered or curved edge <NUM> of the tamper-evident bead <NUM>, which can cause the attachment band <NUM> to deflect radially outward as the closure <NUM> is secured (e.g., screwed on) to the neck <NUM>. Once the attachment band <NUM> traverses the tamper-evident bead <NUM>, the attachment band <NUM> returns to an undeflected position and engages the straight edge <NUM> of the tamper-evident bead <NUM>, which inhibits removal of the attachment band <NUM> from the container neck <NUM>, even when the rest of the closure <NUM> is removed.

As shown in <FIG>, the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> can be radially tapered outward between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> such that an outer diameter D3 of the neck <NUM> (measured along the exterior surface <NUM>) is smaller near the top, open end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> than at the second end <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. The neck <NUM> can be tapered along its entire length or along a portion of its length. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the neck is radially tapered along a threaded region of the neck <NUM> that includes the at least one thread, and also along an unthreaded region of the neck <NUM> located between the tamper-evident bead <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. In other embodiments, the radial taper of the neck <NUM> may extend along any portion of the neck <NUM> that enables closure <NUM> and/or closure system <NUM> to function as described herein. In some embodiments, for example, only the threaded region of the neck <NUM> is tapered radially outward.

Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, each external thread <NUM> has a substantially constant height as the thread extends from the first end <NUM> towards the second end <NUM>. For example, each external thread <NUM> may have a constant height except for the thread start and end portions.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion of <FIG>. The neck <NUM> can taper radially outward at any suitable angle that enables the closure <NUM> and/or the closure system <NUM> to function as described herein. In some embodiments, an angle <NUM> of the taper, shown with reference between the exterior surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> and an axis <NUM> parallel to the central axis <NUM> can be between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°, or between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°. Moreover, in some embodiments, the neck <NUM> is tapered at the same angle as the skirt <NUM> of the closure <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a radial spacing R1 between the external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> increases as the external thread <NUM> extends toward the second end <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. That is, at locations of the external thread <NUM> that are nearer to the first end <NUM> of the neck <NUM>, the radial spacing R1 between the external thread <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> is smaller than the radial spacing between the external thread <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> at locations that are nearer to the second end <NUM> the neck <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial spacing R1 between the at least one external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> increases while the height of each external thread <NUM> remains the same or substantially the same. That is, the height of each external thread <NUM> does not decrease (with the exception of the start portion and end portion of each external thread <NUM>) while the radial spacing R1 increases as each external thread <NUM> extends towards the second end <NUM>.

In one example embodiment, during a filing or capping operation of the container <NUM>, the closure <NUM> is positioned on top of the opening <NUM> of the container <NUM>. When the closure <NUM> is initially positioned on top of the container <NUM>, the attachment band <NUM> may rest on the tamper-evident bead <NUM> (specifically, along the top curved edge <NUM>). The closure <NUM> is subsequently secured to the container <NUM> by engaging the internal thread <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> of the closure <NUM> with the external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>. During this process, the free end <NUM> of the attachment band <NUM> traverses the tamper-evident bead <NUM> and engages the straight edge <NUM> of the tamper-evident bead <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>, such that the tamper-evident band <NUM> is inhibited or prevented from being removed from container <NUM> with the rest of the closure <NUM>. The attachment band <NUM> is folded into the folded configuration before the closure <NUM> is installed onto the container <NUM>. An example of the attachment band <NUM> in the folded configuration and engaging the tamper-evident bead <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

The tapered closure <NUM> and tapered neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> facilitate positioning and securing the closure <NUM> to the container <NUM> during certain processes, such as filling and/or capping procedures. For example, the increased diameter D2 of the attachment band <NUM> in the folded configuration and the decreased diameter D3 of the first end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> and the corresponding external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> near the first end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> facilitate more securely placing and retaining the closure <NUM> on the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> prior to the closure <NUM> being further secured (e.g., threaded) to the container <NUM>. Such a configuration allows for less interference between portions of the closure <NUM> (e.g., the attachment band <NUM>) and the neck <NUM> (e.g., external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>), for example, during wipe on closure applications in container filling or capping operations. This configuration consequently allows the closure <NUM> to sit further down on the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> (i.e., closer to the second end <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>) before the closure <NUM> is further secured to the container <NUM> via threading the closure <NUM> onto the container <NUM> via the internal thread <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> of the closure <NUM> engaging the external thread <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM>. With the closure <NUM> sitting further down on the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> before the closure <NUM> is further secured to the container, it is more likely that the closure <NUM> will remain positioned on the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> before the closure <NUM> is further secured to the container <NUM>. Additionally, the closure <NUM> sitting further down on the neck <NUM> of the container <NUM> enables the closure <NUM> to be more-easily secured (e.g., threaded) to the container <NUM> via production equipment.

Accordingly, when the closure <NUM> is placed on the container <NUM> prior to being secured to the container <NUM>, the taper effect integrated into both the closure <NUM> and the container <NUM> helps to keep the closure <NUM> on the container <NUM> prior to the closure <NUM> being further secured to the container <NUM>, and also enables the closure <NUM> to be better secured to the container <NUM> via production equipment. Such a configuration presents advantages during production (e.g., filling and capping operations) and consumer use.

The tapered configuration of the closure <NUM> and neck <NUM> also facilitates opening and closing tethered closures (e.g., by the end user). For example, the increased clearance between the bottom of the closure and the top of the container neck resulting from the tapered configuration allow the tethered closure to be rotated between the closed and open position and vice-versa (e.g., via the hinge) without the closure and neck interfering or impeding movement of the closure.

Moreover, the tapered configuration of the closure <NUM> and neck <NUM> allows for a reduced clearance (i.e., tighter fit) between the closure and neck threads when the closure <NUM> is secured to the neck <NUM>, thereby enhancing the engagement of the closure and neck threads. The increased engagement is particularly advantageous for lightweight containers or bottles (e.g., containers formed of thin-walled plastics, such as lightweight high-density polyethylene (HDPE) used to package fresh milk and juices), where deformation of the container neck might otherwise cause the closure to be dislodged from the container during transport and/or bottle handling.

The present disclosure provides at least the following technical benefits and advantages: (i) eliminating leaks and spills on container filling lines; (ii) eliminating leaks and spills during container distribution; (iii) eliminating leaks and spills during handling and use of the container by consumers; (iv) easy application of the closure to the container on container filling lines, (v) reduction in cost incurred to container filling corporations.

Additionally, the present disclosure provides solutions to at least the following problems: (i) a tendency of conventional closures placed on conventional containers to be inadvertently removed from the container prior to being secured to the container and (ii) application issues related to filling machines with wipe on closure applicators. For example, during wipe on closure applications, closures are presented and applied to the containers via an inclined ramp down which the closures can slide, with the neck of the container being placed at the bottom of the ramp and receiving a closure via the ramp during application. When conventional closures are used in wipe on closure application systems, the conventional closures may be incorrectly placed or aligned on the container on which they are applied in the wipe on application process due to, for example, interference between the internal side surfaces of the closure and the external side surfaces of the neck of the container. Incorrect placement or alignment of closures on the container can result in the closure being incorrectly presented to production equipment later on in the production process, which can cause the closure to be incorrectly (e.g., crookedly) installed on the container. If the closure is incorrectly installed on the container, the closure may not adequately seal the container, and/or the closure may not be adequately secured to the container. For example, if the closure is not adequately secured to the container, pressure within the container (e.g., due to movement or jostling during transport) may cause the closure to be inadvertently removed from the container. Additionally, if the closure is not adequately sealed to the container, then the contents of the container may spill (e.g., during transportation or consumer use).

Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

Claim 1:
A closure (<NUM>) for a container (<NUM>), said closure comprising:
a top panel (<NUM>);
a skirt (<NUM>) depending from the top panel and extending circumferentially about a central axis (<NUM>), wherein the skirt extends from a first end (<NUM>) attached to the top panel to a second end (<NUM>) opposite the first end, the skirt having an interior surface (<NUM>), an exterior surface (<NUM>), and a diameter (D);
a tamper-evident band (<NUM>) extending from a first end (<NUM>), attached to the second end of the skirt, to a second end (<NUM>), wherein the tamper-evident band is attached to the skirt by a plurality of frangible tabs at the second end of the skirt and the tamper-evident band is tethered to the skirt by a hinge (<NUM>) such that the skirt remains connected to the tamper-evident band when the closure is in an opened position;
an attachment band (<NUM>) hingedly connected to the second end of the tamper-evident band and positionable between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration, the attachment band having a diameter (D2) in the folded configuration; and
at least one thread (<NUM>) extending from the interior surface of the skirt;
wherein the skirt is tapered radially outward from the first end to the second end such that the diameter of the skirt at the second end is greater than the diameter of the skirt at the first end, and such that the diameter of the attachment band in the folded configuration defines a radial spacing between the attachment band and the central axis that is greater than a radial spacing (R) between the at least one thread and the central axis proximate the first end of the skirt.