Patent Description:
There are a variety of types of conventional closures for containers. One type of closure includes a body for being attached to the top of a container. The closure, container, and product within the container are referred to as a "package". Such a closure can be molded or otherwise manufactured from a suitable material (e.g., a thermoplastic material). Such a closure typically has a hollow body (which may be alternatively described as the closure base or base portion) that, when installed on the open end of a container, defines an opening to the container interior. Such a closure typically also includes a closing element or a lid (which may or may not be hingedly mounted on the closure base) which can be lifted up to expose the container mouth (i.e., the opening defined by the open end of the container). With some such closures, a liner in the form of a removable membrane is disposed across a lower portion of the closure or across the container to initially seal the contents (i.e., a product) from the ambient environment.

For some types of products, it can be desirable to provide a closure that has a base with a relatively large access passage (e.g., opening) which is normally covered with a hinged lid that can prevent access to the product (such as fluent products, as well as non-fluent products), and that, when opened, can accommodate the insertion of a utensil (e.g., scoop, spoon, fork, ladle, etc.) through the opened closure to permit the product to be stirred and/or scooped out of the container with the utensil.

Some containers, especially some types of wide mouth metal and composite containers, have significant manufacturing tolerances with respect to the design dimensions of the container open end, or seam diameter, that defines the container mouth.

Some such containers, especially some types of metal containers, have a open end that may also have some other type of irregularity that is unintentionally created during manufacturing and/or during subsequent processing (e.g., labeling, storage, shipping, etc.) prior to the closure being installed on the container. For example, during shipping of empty metal containers, one or more of the containers could be subjected to an accidental impact that could create a small irregularity (e.g., a deformation or "dent") in a portion of the container end around the mouth of the container.

<CIT> describes a closing means, which comprises a lid panel, a skirt portion at the edge of the lid panel and a sealing layer, which extends between a circumferential section of the lid panel and into the skirt section. A safety ring made of non metal comprises two circumferentially extending sections. There is provided a safety section with a shaped strip portion that extends radially inwards and upwards and a connecting section for affixing the safety section to an axially lower end of the skirt portion. The lower end of the skirt portion, which is rolled up by more than <NUM>° is at least partly clasped by the connecting section from an inner side of the skirt portion.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that a container which has an open end with significant manufacturing tolerances and/or deformations or other irregularities can pose problems with respect to proper installation of a closure, securement of the closure, and/or sealing of the closure. The inventors have found that some prior art closures require relatively large forces to effect installation of the closure upon the container, and that some of the closures of the prior art may be difficult to center or orient on containers, and such closures may require more complex or sophisticated installation machinery and/or may reduce efficiency in assembly of the closure with the container.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that in some applications, the use of a non-removable closure is preferred so as to increase the consumer confidence in the integrity of the package (e.g., by showing evidence of tampering) and to inhibit counterfeiting of the package filled with a substandard product.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that it would be desirable to provide an improved closure that can address one or more of the above-discussed shortcomings of the prior art.

The inventors of the present invention have invented a novel structure for a closure for use with a container wherein the closure includes various advantageous features not heretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art.

The present invention relates to a closure according to claim <NUM>. Claims <NUM> to <NUM> refer to specifically advantageous realizations for the closure according to claim <NUM>.

The inventors of the present invention have discovered how to provide an improved closure that would be especially suitable for a metal container, in addition to non-metal containers, wherein the closure includes novel, advantageous features not heretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art.

One aspect of the present invention includes an improved closure for a container wherein the closure is especially suitable for metal containers, but may be used with non-metallic containers. One form of such an improved closure of the present invention can better accommodate some manufacturing tolerances in a container from a given manufacturer, manufacturing variances among different container manufacturers, and/or other irregularities in the size and shape of a container opening.

An inventive article of the present invention may include just the closure alone, or the closure and container of a substance together in combination.

In one form, the invention includes an improved closure for a container, the container having at least an opening to the interior of the container and a laterally outwardly projecting flange. The closure includes a base for being installed on the container at the container opening. The base has an access passage therethrough for permitting access to the container interior. The closure includes a closing element operable on the base between (i) a closed position for occluding the access passage and (ii) an open position for permitting communication with the access passage. The base further includes has a skirt for attaching the closure to the container, the skirt having (i) an exterior surface, (ii) an interior surface, (iii) a lower end portion for being located laterally outwardly of the container flange when the base is installed at the container opening and which defines an annular, lower end surface, and (iv) an annular, flexible retention member extending laterally inwardly from the skirt lower end portion so as to define a connection therebetween. The flexible retention member has (a) an initial, undeflected configuration, (b) a deflected configuration rotated away from the undeflected configuration about the connection, and (c) a proximal end surface located at the connection and defining a shoulder with the lower end surface when the flexible retention member is in its undeflected configuration, wherein said proximal end surface of said flexible retention member in said undeflected configuration is normal to said lower end surface when viewed in a vertical cross-sectional plane taken through a central axis of said closure.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the flexible retention member extends a first axial distance from the lower end surface of the skirt, and that first axial distance is between about <NUM> and about <NUM> times greater than a second axial distance defined by and along the proximal end surface of the flexible retention member.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the connection between the flexible retention member and the skirt lower end portion extends a third axial distance from the lower end surface of the skirt, wherein the third axial distance is between about <NUM> and about <NUM> times greater than the second axial distance along the proximal end surface of the flexible retention member.

In one form of the present invention the flexible retention member includes a substantially flat distal end surface oriented a first angle of between about <NUM> and about <NUM> degrees, relative to a horizontal plane that is normal to the central vertical axis of the closure, when the flexible retention member is oriented in its undeflected configuration.

In another form of the invention, the flexible retention member has a maximum thickness at its distal end and a minimum thickness at the connection with the skirt lower end portion, the flexible retention member being tapered between its distal end toward the connection with the skirt lower end portion. Preferably, the maximum thickness is between about <NUM> and about <NUM> times greater than the minimum thickness.

In an alternative configuration of the inventive closure, the flexible retention member has a substantially uniform thickness between its distal end and the connection with the skirt lower end portion.

In still another form of the present invention, the flexible retention member, in its undeflected condition, extends radially and axially inwardly from the skirt lower end portion at an angle of between about <NUM> degrees and about <NUM> degrees relative to a vertical axis of the closure.

According to another form of the invention, the flexible retention member includes a flat, distal side surface that faces the container when the flexible retention member is in its deflected configuration.

The closure may be unitarily molded from polypropylene or polyethylene.

In another aspect of the invention, the closure is combined with a container of a substance in the form of a package.

In still another form of the invention, the interior surface of the closure skirt includes at least one frustoconical reinforcement portion confronting the flexible retention member in its deflected configuration.

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.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however.

For ease of description, many figures illustrating the invention show embodiments of a closure in the typical orientation that the closure would have when located at the opening of a container, the container in the form of an upright generally-cylindrical metal or composite can or bottle, and terms such as "inward", "outward", "upper", "lower", "axial", "radial", "lateral", etc., are used with reference to this orientation. The term "axially inward" is to be understood as in the direction along a central, vertical axis of the closure (axis "A" in <FIG>), toward the interior of the container (the container interior, which is not shown in <FIG>, would extend below the closure in <FIG>). For example, the view plane <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> is a vertical plane extending through the central, vertical axis of the closure. The term "axially outward" is to be understood as in the direction along the closure central, vertical axis "A" (<FIG>), away from the interior of the container. The term "radially inward" is to be understood as in the radial direction toward the central, vertical axis "A" of the closure. The term "radially outward" is to be understood as in the radial direction away from the central, vertical axis "A" of the closure. The term "laterally inward" is to be understood as in a direction toward the central, vertical axis "A" of the closure, in a horizontal plane that is normal to the central, vertical axis "A" of the closure. The term "laterally outward" is to be understood as in a direction away from the central, vertical axis "A" of the closure, in a horizontal plane that is normal to the central, vertical axis of the closure.

It will be understood, however, that the closures of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the orientation described and illustrated.

The closures of this invention are 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. With respect to the illustrated embodiments of the closures described herein, the container, per se, forms no part of, and therefore is not intended to limit, the broadest aspects of the present invention. It will also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects can be embodied in the described exemplary closures alone.

A first embodiment of a closure of the present invention is illustrated in <FIG> where it is designated generally therein by reference number <NUM>. This first embodiment of the closure <NUM> is initially provided as a separately manufactured article for being mounted to the top of a container <NUM> (partially illustrated in <FIG>).

The container <NUM> has a mouth or opening <NUM> (<FIG>) which provides access to the container interior where the contents, such as a product, may be contained. The product may be, for example, infant formula, mayonnaise, nuts, candies, jelly, margarine, paste, pickles, olives, etc., which can be stirred and/or removed from a container with a utensil, such as a scoop, spoon, ladle, fork, spear, etc. The product may also be a more highly fluent material that can be poured, as well as removed with a utensil, such as ground coffee, sugar, or other material, such as liquids, powders, slurries, etc. Such materials may be sold, for example, as a food product, a personal care product, an industrial or household product, or other substance (e.g., for internal or external use by humans or animals, or for use in activities involving medicine, manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.).

With reference to <FIG>, the particular illustrated container <NUM> includes a substantially cylindrical main body or wall portion <NUM> and an upper end portion or flange <NUM> that extends or projects laterally outwardly of (beyond) the wall portion <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is illustrated as an annular portion of the container <NUM> that is thicker than the wall portion <NUM>. If desired, the upper end portion of the container <NUM> may have other suitable shapes that define the container mouth <NUM> and that has a cross-sectional configuration with which the closure <NUM> is adapted to engage. The wall portion <NUM> may also have another cross-sectional configuration or shape that differs from the cross-sectional configuration or shape of the container mouth <NUM>.

The closure <NUM> is especially suitable for installation with a container <NUM> that is metal, as is illustrated. However, for some applications, the closure <NUM> could be installed upon a container <NUM> that is plastic or a composite (e.g., plastic and metal, paperboard and metal, etc.). The container <NUM> may be a squeezable container having a flexible, resilient wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and compressed somewhat (i.e., temporarily, elastically deformed). The illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM> is especially suitable for use with a container <NUM> having a cylindrical wall that is sufficiently rigid and not intended to be temporarily squeezed inwardly by the user.

The inventors have found significant variations in seam diameters or flanges (such as flange <NUM>) at the openings of containers: (i) from a given container manufacturer; and (<NUM>) from different container manufacturers. For example, the inventors have found an average seam diameter variance of about <NUM> between different manufacturers for a nominal <NUM> seam diameter of the container. As another example, the inventors have found an average seam diameter variance of about <NUM> between different manufacturers for a nominal <NUM> seam diameter of the container. Such variances can render standard snap-fit type closures inoperable (either fitting too loosely or too tightly) when assembled at and around the container opening. The inventors have found that such variances can greatly increase the installation force required to assemble the conventional closures with containers.

The inventive closures disclosed herein, and described in detail below, can, in comparison with conventional closures, have one or more of the following advantages: greater accommodation of container seam diameter variations from a given container manufacturer and/or from different manufacturers of containers of a nominal size; accommodation of a reduction of installation force; accommodation of a simplification of the installation process and/or machinery for assembling the closure with the container; providing greater package integrity; providing more effective inhibition of ingress of pests into the container; and providing more effective centering of the closure when assembling it upon the container.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the closure <NUM> comprises a body or base <NUM> (i.e., a base peripheral wall or other peripheral structure) and a lid <NUM> (i.e., closing element, top, or cover) joined to the base <NUM> by a hinge <NUM>. In the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM>, the base <NUM>, lid <NUM>, and hinge <NUM> can be readily molded together as a unitary structure in an open condition from a suitable thermoplastic material, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene. Other materials may be employed instead.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the closure base <NUM> can optionally hold a utensil in the form of a scoop <NUM>, which may be molded unitarily with the base <NUM> in a manner that permits the scoop <NUM> to be subsequently detached or broken away from the base <NUM> by the user of the closure <NUM>.

In the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the closure <NUM> is initially molded as a separate article that is subsequently attached to the container <NUM> after the container <NUM> has been filled with a product. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the closure base <NUM> has a depending, peripheral, outer skirt <NUM> defining an exterior surface <NUM> and an interior surface <NUM>, and a lower end portion <NUM> connected to an annular, flexible retention member <NUM>. The flexible retention member <NUM> is movable (e.g., bendable, deformable (plastically or elastically), rotatable, etc.) about a connection <NUM> with the lower end portion of the skirt <NUM> from (i) an initial, undeflected configuration (as illustrated in <FIG>) prior to installation upon the container <NUM> to (ii) a deflected configuration rotated away from the initial, undeflected configuration (as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>). In its deflected configuration, the flexible retention member <NUM> confronts the flange <NUM> and the wall portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> (portions of the container <NUM> being visible in <FIG> only) to secure the closure base <NUM> around the mouth <NUM> of the container <NUM>, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. The inventors have found that the flexible retention member <NUM> is an improvement over other retaining features of the prior art, such those on the closures illustrated and described in International Publication Number <CIT>.

The closure base <NUM> may also include additional special or conventional seal features to provide an enhanced leak-tight seal between the closure base <NUM> and the container <NUM>. The illustrated base <NUM> does not employ such an enhanced seal feature.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the closure base <NUM> has an opening or access passage <NUM> that is defined by an internal surface <NUM> of the base <NUM>. An upper end or rim <NUM> of the closure <NUM> surrounds the access passage <NUM>. The access passage <NUM> can be occluded or covered by the lid <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is rotated from its open position (<FIG>) to a closed position (not illustrated) over the base <NUM>. The lid <NUM> includes a top deck or cover <NUM> surrounded by a depending outer wall <NUM>. An inner plug seal <NUM> projects from the underside of the deck <NUM> to sealingly engage the inside of the closure base rim <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is closed.

Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the closure hinge <NUM> is molded unitarily together with the closure lid <NUM> and closure base <NUM> near the top of the base skirt <NUM> (<FIG>) so as to accommodate movement of the lid <NUM> between the open position exposing the base access passage <NUM>, and the closed position occluding the body access passage <NUM>. The hinge <NUM> may be of any suitable conventional or special design. For example, the hinge <NUM> illustrated in the Figures may be of a conventional snap-action type such as described in the <CIT> or <CIT>. The hinge <NUM> could also be a non-snap-action type, including a strap or tether. The hinge <NUM> could be omitted altogether for some applications, such as when the lid <NUM> is removably screw threaded or snap fit onto the closure base <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a pair of latch projections <NUM> (visible in <FIG>) extend laterally outwardly from a front portion of the lid <NUM>. Each one of the latch projections <NUM> is received within one latch aperture <NUM> located on a front portion or tab <NUM> on the closure base <NUM> to secure the lid <NUM> to the base <NUM>. The tab <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM> by a plurality of triangular-shaped frangible bridges or connections <NUM> (<FIG>). The tab <NUM> may be separated from the remainder of the base <NUM> when the user exerts a sufficient pulling force on the tab <NUM> to break the frangible bridges <NUM>, providing evidence of tampering. Other conventional or special latch designs could be used instead. For example, the latching mechanism may be reversed whereby the latch projections <NUM> may be located on the closure base <NUM>, while the latch apertures <NUM> may be located on the closure lid <NUM>. Furthermore, the tab <NUM> need not be completely removable by a user, or may be omitted altogether, in some applications.

With reference to <FIG>, the scoop <NUM> is initially molded unitarily with the closure base <NUM> and is connected to the closure base <NUM> with short, frangible bridges or connections <NUM> which can be broken by a user to manually separate scoop <NUM> from closure base <NUM>. The scoop <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM> in its handle portion, which functions, after the user has separated the scoop <NUM> from the closure base <NUM>, to receive a cylindrical projection <NUM> located on the closure base <NUM> to frictionally retain the handle portion of the scoop <NUM> in a first storage configuration atop the base <NUM>. The scoop <NUM> further includes a larger aperture <NUM> located in its handle portion to accommodate projections <NUM> located on the underside of the lid <NUM> to retain the scoop <NUM> in a second storage configuration beneath the lid <NUM>. One or both of the projections <NUM> are configured for undergoing temporary elastic deformation to permit deflection thereof to accommodate insertion of the utensil handle portion between the projections <NUM> so that the projections <NUM> extend through the larger aperture <NUM> to resiliently engage and retain the handle portion of the scoop <NUM>. When a sufficient force is applied by a user to pull out the scoop <NUM>, the scoop <NUM> can be released from the lid <NUM> by the projections <NUM> temporarily, elastically deforming or deflecting outwardly to permit the projections <NUM> to be withdrawn through the larger aperture <NUM> of the scoop <NUM>.

While the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM> includes a utensil in the form of a scoop <NUM>, it will be understood that other types of utensils could readily be implemented in accordance with other embodiments of the invention, such as a spoon, ladle, knife, fork, spear, or other structure, particularly those having an elongated handle. The utensil may not be included in the closure <NUM> in still other applications, such as when the closure <NUM> is utilized on a container of a beverage.

Still referring to <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a leveling flange <NUM> extending laterally from the base rim <NUM> for leveling an amount of product that has been removed from the container <NUM> with the scoop <NUM>. The base <NUM> includes a second flange <NUM>, located opposite the leveling flange <NUM>, which includes a vertically-extending arcuate wall <NUM> for centering the scoop <NUM> when stored on the closure base <NUM> (e.g., with the base projection <NUM> received within aperture <NUM> of the scoop handle).

In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a foil or composite gas-blocking or inhibiting liner (not illustrated) either across the mouth <NUM> of the container <NUM> or across the interior of the access passage <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In such applications, the scoop <NUM> may be connected to the closure base <NUM> at a location that is further axially outwardly relative to container mouth <NUM> so as to create additional clearance between the utensil <NUM> and such a seal. An exemplary foil or liner is described in the <CIT>.

<FIG> illustrates the detailed structures of the lower end portion <NUM> of the closure body skirt <NUM> and the flexible retention member <NUM> located in its initial, undeflected configuration (simply referred to as the "undeflected configuration" hereinafter). <FIG> illustrates the flexible retention member <NUM> in one preferred, as-molded position when unitarily molded together with the base <NUM>, the hinge <NUM>, and the lid <NUM>. It will be understood that the flexible retention member <NUM> could be molded or otherwise formed in different orientations than that illustrated.

Still referring to <FIG>, the closure skirt lower end portion <NUM> includes a substantially flat lower end surface <NUM> that has a ring-like or annular shape (as can be seen in <FIG>). The flexible retention member <NUM> projects both radially and axially inwardly from its connection <NUM> with the lower end portion <NUM> when the flexible retention member <NUM> is in its undeflected configuration. In its undeflected configuration, the flexible retention member <NUM> has a maximum height or distance D1, as measured from the lower end surface <NUM> in the axial direction, and the flexible retention member <NUM> is oriented an angle α1 relative to the vertical axis. Preferably, the angle α1 is between about <NUM> and about <NUM> degrees, and even more preferably the angle α1 is about <NUM> degrees.

Referring to <FIG>, the flexible retention member <NUM> includes a first side surface <NUM> and an oppositely-facing second side surface <NUM>. The first side surface <NUM> is initially located laterally or radially outward of the second side surface <NUM> with the flexible retention member <NUM> in its undeflected configuration. The flexible retention member <NUM> is tapered, having a maximum thickness T1 between the first and second side surfaces <NUM>,<NUM> at or near its cantilevered, distal end and a minimum thickness T2 between the first and second side surfaces <NUM>,<NUM> at or near the connection <NUM> with the lower end portion <NUM>. Preferably, the maximum thickness T1 is between about <NUM> and about <NUM> times greater than the minimum thickness T2.

Again, referring to <FIG>, the flexible retention member <NUM> includes a cylindrical, proximal end surface <NUM> that is substantially perpendicular to the lower end surface <NUM> to form a shoulder, when the flexible retention member <NUM> is in its undeflected configuration. The proximal end surface <NUM> has a maximum height or distance D2, as measured from the lower end surface <NUM> in the axial direction. The shoulder serves to assist in the flexibility of the retention member <NUM> as it moves between the undeflected and deflected configurations, and the ratio of the distance D1 to the distance D2 is preferably between about <NUM> and about <NUM>.

Referring now to the distal, cantilevered portion of the flexible retention member <NUM> as best illustrated in <FIG>, the retention member <NUM> includes a substantially flat, distal end surface <NUM>, a substantially flat, distal side surface <NUM> located on the first side surface <NUM>, and a convex or arcuate distal side surface <NUM> located on the first side surface <NUM>. The arcuate distal side surface <NUM> serves lower the force required by a user to remove the closure <NUM> from an installed position atop a container <NUM>, such as for accessing an removing a foil liner sealed across the opening <NUM> of the container <NUM>. In other words, the arcuate distal side surface <NUM> can permit the flexible retention member <NUM> move from its deflected configuration back into its undeflected configuration.

The flat distal end surface <NUM> (<FIG>) is oriented an angle α2 relative to the horizontal axis when the flexible retention member <NUM> is in its undeflected configuration. Preferably, the angle α2 is between about <NUM> and about <NUM> degrees.

Referring now to the proximal portion of the flexible retention member <NUM>, as best illustrated in <FIG>, the retention member <NUM> includes a slight internal radius at the connection <NUM> of the retention member <NUM> with the lower end portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>. The connection <NUM> has a maximum height or distance D3, as measured from the lower end surface <NUM> in the axial direction. The ratio of the distance D3 to the distance D2 (along the proximal end surface <NUM>) is preferably between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the flexible retention member <NUM> is illustrated in its deflected configuration after installation of the closure <NUM> with the container <NUM>. In <FIG>, interference between the distal end portion of the flexible retention member <NUM> and the flange <NUM> of the container <NUM> has forced or flexed (bent, rotated, deformed) the retention member <NUM> about its connection <NUM> with the lower end portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> during installation of the closure <NUM> with the container <NUM>. In the illustrated deflected configuration, the arcuate distal side surface <NUM> is moved into a confronting position with the interior surface <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> while the flat distal side surface <NUM> is moved into a confronting position with the wall <NUM> of the container <NUM>, and the distal end surface <NUM> is moved into a confronting position with the bottom of the flange <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Furthermore, in the illustrated deflected configuration of the retention member <NUM>, the proximal end surface <NUM> is rotated upwardly above the flat lower end surface <NUM> of the lower end portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>.

It will be understood that <FIG> illustrates one deflected configuration of the flexible retention member <NUM> when the closure <NUM> is installed upon a container <NUM>. The flexible retention member <NUM> could be located or rotated about the connection <NUM> either further toward, or further away from, the container wall <NUM> in the deflected configuration, depending on several factors, such as the shape and lateral width of the container flange <NUM>, the elasticity of the material of the closure <NUM>, and/or sizing of the closure <NUM>. For example, the flexible retention member <NUM> might abut and touch the wall <NUM> in its deflected configuration.

The inventors have found that a closure having a flexible retention member <NUM> as described herein may provide advantageous retention and sealing properties while substantially reducing the required installation force necessary to assemble the closure together with a container having a standard or special opening diameter or seam diameter. For example, the force required to install a conventional snap-fit (i.e., snap bead) closure on a metal container with a <NUM> seam diameter has been found to be between about <NUM>-<NUM> Newtons, with the force applied normally to top surface of the closed lid of the closure and pushing axially downward atop the container flange <NUM> around the opening <NUM>. In contrast, the closures having a flexible retention member <NUM> as described herein can be applied to the same metal container with a <NUM> seam diameter using a significantly lower installation force of between about <NUM> and about <NUM> Newtons.

The inventors have discovered that a closure having a flexible retention member <NUM> as described herein is especially suitable for use with a variety of containers that have a wide variability of tolerances with respect to their flange and opening diameters. For example, it has been found that metal containers having a given nominal opening or flange diameter vary greatly depending on the manufacturer or supplier. The variance renders traditional snap-fit type closures inapplicable for use with a wide variety of containers manufactured by different suppliers and necessitates customized closures for each container supplier. In other words, the conventional snap-fit closures typically cannot be universally used on a large number of stock containers on the market. The closures having a flexible retention member <NUM> as described herein are particularly useful across the whole range, or at least a larger range, of containers supplied by various manufacturers and may better accommodate such dimensional variances between manufacturers.

The inventors have discovered that a closure having a flexible retention member <NUM> as described herein is especially suitable to prevent, or at least minimize, the likelihood of insect infiltration. Furthermore, the flexible retention member <NUM> may prevent tampering, or at least exhibit tampering (such as by stress whitening of the closure material), if a user attempts to forcibly remove the installed closure from a container.

The inventors have further found that a closure having a flexible retention member <NUM> as described herein is may provide improved centering of the closure upon the container during assembly when compared to conventional closures (such as a snap-fit type closure).

<FIG> illustrate a second embodiment of a closure 20A according to the present invention. The numbered features of the second embodiment of the closure 20A illustrated in <FIG> are designated generally with the suffix letter "A" and are analogous to features of the first embodiment of the closure <NUM> that share the same number (without the suffix letter "A"). The second illustrated embodiment of the closure 20A is similar to the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and the second illustrated embodiment of the closure 20A includes the basic components of a base 40A having a skirt 50A portion for being located laterally around an opening in a container (such as the container <NUM> in <FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, the skirt 50A also includes an exterior surface 52A, an interior surface 53A, and a lower end portion 54A connected to an annular, flexible retention member 58A. The flexible retention member 58A is movable or rotatable about its connection 62A to the lower end portion 54A.

The second embodiment of the closure 20A differs from the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM> in that the flexible retention member 58A is substantially uniform in thickness, as measured from a first side surface 123A and a second side surface 124A, between its proximal and distal ends. The thickness T1 and T2, between the first and second sides surfaces 123A and 124A of the retention member 58A are equal or at least substantially equal along almost all of the length of the member 58A. Compared to the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM>, the second embodiment of the closure 20A can utilize a lesser amount of material, which results in a lower weight and reduced material costs. Further, the closure 20A can have a comparatively lower installation force when mated with a container due to the shape of the retention member 58A. Furthermore, the second embodiment of the closure 20A may be more suitable for use on a container of a substance where the user would temporarily remove the closure 20A from the container in order to access and remove a temporary seal or foil liner across the container opening, with the user subsequently reinstalling the closure 20A on the container.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom portion of an exemplary closure 20B not forming part of the present invention. The numbered features of the third embodiment of the closure 20B illustrated in <FIG> are designated generally with the suffix letter "B" and are analogous to features of the first of the closure <NUM> that share the same number (without the suffix letter "B"). The exemplary embodiment of the closure 20B is similar to the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and the exemplary embodiment of the closure 20B includes the basic components of a base 40B having a skirt 50B portion for being located around an opening in a container (such as the container <NUM> in <FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, the skirt 50B also includes an exterior surface 52B, an interior surface 53B, and a lower end portion 54B connected to an annular, flexible retention member 58B. The flexible retention member 58B is movable or rotatable about its connection 62B to the lower end portion 54B.

The exemplary embodiment of the closure 20B differs from the first illustrated embodiment of the closure <NUM> in that the interior surface 53B includes a frustoconical reinforcement portion 200B for abutting, and limiting laterally outward movement of, the flexible retention member 58B when the flexible retention member 58B is located in its deflected configuration (subsequent to assembly upon a container <NUM>). The frustoconical reinforcement portion 200B may extend around the entire circumference of the closure skirt 50B, or alternatively, it may take the form of multiple discontinuous frustoconical reinforcement portions 200B spaced apart around internal circumference of the closure skirt 50B. The frustoconical reinforcement portion or portions 200B function to help retain the closure 20B on the container by limiting or restricting the laterally outward movement of the deflected flexible retention member 58B about the connection 62B.

Claim 1:
A closure (<NUM>, 20A, 20B) for a container (<NUM>), said container (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) to the interior of the container (<NUM>) wherein contents may be stored and an outwardly projecting flange (<NUM>), said closure (<NUM>, 20A, 20B) comprising:
(A) a base (<NUM>, 40A, 40B) for being installed on the container (<NUM>) at the container opening (<NUM>), said base (<NUM>, 40A, 40B) having an access passage (<NUM>) through said base (<NUM>, 40A, 40B) for permitting access to the container interior; and
(B) a closing element (<NUM>, 42A) operable on said base (<NUM>, 40A, 40B) between a closed position for occluding said access passage (<NUM>) and an open position for permitting communication with said access passage (<NUM>), and
wherein said base (<NUM>, 40A, 40B) has a skirt (<NUM>, 50A, 50B) for attaching said closure (<NUM>, 20A, 20B) to the container (<NUM>), said skirt (<NUM>, 50A, 50B) having (i) an exterior surface (<NUM>, 52A, 52B), (ii) an interior surface (<NUM>, 53A, 53B), (iii) a lower end portion (<NUM>, 54A, 54B) for being located laterally outwardly of the container flange (<NUM>) when said base (<NUM>, 40A, 40B) is installed at the container opening (<NUM>), said lower end portion (<NUM>, 54A, 54B) defining an annular, lower end surface (<NUM>, 122A, 122B), and (iv) an annular, flexible retention member (<NUM>, 58A, 58B) extending laterally inwardly from said lower end portion (<NUM>, 54A, 54B) so as to define a connection (<NUM>, 62A, 62B) therebetween, said flexible retention member (<NUM>, 58A, 58B) having
(a) an initial, undeflected configuration,
(b) a deflected configuration rotated away from said initial, undeflected configuration about said connection (<NUM>, 62A, 62B),
characterized in that said flexible retention member (<NUM>, 58A, 58B) further comprises
(c) a proximal end surface (<NUM>, 126A) located at said connection (<NUM>, 62A, 62B), said proximal end surface (<NUM>, 126A) and said lower end surface (<NUM>, 122A, 122B) together defining a shoulder when said flexible retention member (<NUM>, 58A, 58B) is in said undeflected configuration,
wherein said proximal end surface (<NUM>, 126A) of said flexible retention member (<NUM>, 58A, 58B) in said undeflected configuration is normal to said lower end surface (<NUM>, 122A, 122B) when viewed in a vertical cross-sectional plane taken through a central axis of said closure (<NUM>, 20A, 20B).