U.S. patent number 3,603,472 [Application Number 04/804,486] was granted by the patent office on 1971-09-07 for transferable finish ring and container and closure for use therewith.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Continental Can Company. Invention is credited to Frank H. Lecinski, Jr., James E. Westfall.
United States Patent |
3,603,472 |
Lecinski, Jr. , et
al. |
September 7, 1971 |
TRANSFERABLE FINISH RING AND CONTAINER AND CLOSURE FOR USE
THEREWITH
Abstract
A finish ring or transfer fitment which may be transferred onto
a container, preferably having a cap associated therewith at the
time of transfer, in which the finish ring includes means for
engaging a ring finish portion of the container, and further
includes means for engaging a portion of the container to prevent
rotational movement of the ring, and side finish means on a
circumferentially extending portion thereof for receiving and
retaining a closure member thereover so as to engage the container
in a tight-sealing relation. Preferably, the ring also includes a
bottom stop or bottom finish portion for locking the closure to the
finish ring so the two may be handled as a unit. The finish ring
may further include a top seal finish portion, with or without an
integrally formed secondary container cover, which may in turn
include a tear-out easy opening section. The ring may also include
separate seal means for engaging the container, as well as means
for being held while the cap or closure is applied thereto, and
means for preventing the closure from accidentally backing off from
the ring or fitment before, during or after assembly.
Inventors: |
Lecinski, Jr.; Frank H.
(Harwood Heights, IL), Westfall; James E. (Western Springs,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Continental Can Company (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
25189089 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/804,486 |
Filed: |
March 5, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/253; 215/43;
215/45; 215/386; 215/343; 215/335; 215/346 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
41/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
41/08 (20060101); B65D 41/04 (20060101); B65d
041/08 (); B65d 041/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/38
;215/31,40,41,42,43,43.1,7,82,83,95 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Norton; Donald F.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of assembling a composite container, comprising
providing a container having a product opening therein, rotating
and locking a preformed closure having interior threads and seal
means disposed on an interior surface thereof with a preformed
cooperatively threaded transferable finish ring, transferring said
locked finish ring and closure to said container by moving said
ring over a circumferentially extending exterior portion of said
container, locking said ring against axial movement, compressing
said seal against an axially directed finish portion of said
container, thereby providing an assembled container having a
closure removably mounted on a transferable finish ring affixed to
said container.
2. A unitary closure system for subsequent assembly with a
container comprising a ring having gripping means thereon for
engaging a generally circumferentially extending finish portion of
said container in snug relation to prevent relative rotation
therebetween, locking means for engaging a portion of said
container to prevent removal of said ring from said container by
axial movement thereof, a side finish on said ring for engaging a
part of a closure member associated with said ring, and a closure
received over and reinforcing at least a part of said ring and
having portions thereof threadedly engaged with said side finish of
said ring to lock said closure to said ring to form a ring and
closure unit for assembly by axial movement over an associated
container, said closure system having a sealing element associated
therewith for making snug sealing engagement with an axially
directed top finish portion of said associated container, said
ring, in position of use, being supported about the periphery
thereof by said closure so as to resist axial deformation against
the axially applied force able to be applied by rotation of said
closure relative to said ring.
3. A system as defined in claim 2 in which said ring comprises an
organic thermoplastic material.
4. A system as defined in claim 2 in which said ring further
includes additional bottom finish means thereon for receiving, in a
snug relation, a portion of the bottom of the skirt of said
associated closure member.
5. A system as defined in claim 2 in which said closure is fitted
with a predetermined torque sufficient to prevent unintentional
loosening of said closure and less than the torque necessary to
rotate said ring relative to an associated container.
6. A system as defined in claim 2 in which said ring further
includes a lock thereof for holding a closure associated therewith
in a desired position to prevent unintentional rotation of said
closure relative to said ring during handling of said ring and
closure.
7. A system as defined in claim in which said ring includes single
means thereon for holding said ring during assembly of a closure
thereover to prevent relative rotation between said ring and said
closure, and for preventing rotation of said ring relative to a
container when said ring and closure are placed in position over
said container.
8. A unitary closure system for assembly with a container
comprising a ring having gripping means thereon for engaging a
generally circumferentially extending finish portion of said
container in snug relation to prevent relative rotation between
said ring and said finish, said ring including a gasketed top
finish portion adapted to extend over and sealingly cover the top
finish portion of an associated container, locking means for
engaging a portion of said container to prevent removal of said
ring from said container by axial movement thereof, a side finish
on said ring for engaging a part of a closure member associated
with said ring, and a closure received over and reinforcing at
least a part of said ring and having portions thereof engaging said
side finish of said ring to lock said closure to said ring to form
a ring and closure unit for assembly by axial movement over an
associated container.
9. A unitary closure system for assembly with a container
comprising a ring having gripping means thereon for engaging a
generally circumferentially extending finish portion of said
container in snug relation to prevent relative rotation between
said ring and said finish, locking means for engaging a portion of
said container to prevent removal of said ring from said container
by axial movement thereof, a side finish on said ring for engaging
a part of a closure member associated with said ring, and a closure
received over and reinforcing at least a part of said ring and
having portions thereof engaging said side finish of said ring to
lock said closure to said ring to form a ring and closure unit for
assembly by axial movement over an associated container, said
closure system having a sealing element associated therewith for
making snug sealing engagement with an axially directed top finish
portion of said associated container, said system further including
means for indicating whether said closure has been rotated, said
last named means being in the form of at least one locking portion
extending between said ring and said closure on the exterior
thereof and fastened to said closure so that rotation of said
closure relative to said ring will rupture at least a portion of
said locking portion.
10. A unitary closure system for assembly with a container
comprising a ring having gripping means thereon for engaging a
generally circumferentially extending finish portion of said
container in snug relation to prevent relative rotation between
said ring and said finish, said ring also including a top finish
portion, and cover means forming an integral part of said ring and
extending radially inwardly of said top finish portion of said ring
for covering the opening in a container with which said ring is
associated, locking means for engaging a portion of said container
to prevent removal of said ring from said container by axial
movement thereof, a side finish on said ring for engaging a part of
a closure member associated with said ring, and a closure received
over and reinforcing at least a part of said ring and having
portions thereof engaging said side finish of said ring to lock
said closure to said ring to form a ring and closure unit for
assembly by axial movement over an associated container, said
closure system having a sealing element associated therewith for
making snug sealing engagement with an axially directed top finish
portion of said associated container.
11. A system as defined in claim 10 in which said cover means
includes a tear-out portion defined at least partially by a line of
weakness in said cover means.
12. A system as defined in claim 10 in which said cover means
includes a tear-out portion at least partially defined by a line of
weakness therein, and in which finger tab means adapted to be
grasped by a user are associated with said tear-out portion for
facilitating tear-out thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention is that of containers and
closures, and more particularly that of containers which are
adapted to receive closure means in a pressure or vacuumtight, as
well as in a liquidtight relation.
More particularly, the field is that of transferable seal rings or
seal finish rings which are adapted to be received over a portion
of a container to form, on the assembled container, the side finish
portion thereof, and, in some cases the top seal finish portion
thereof as well, in addition to providing a bottom stop or finish
acting as a closure movement stop or closure locator to aid in
uniform assembly.
Additionally, the field of the invention is that of container
finishes or finish rings which may be associated in manufacture or
assembly with the cap therefor, such as a side finish ring which
may be placed on or over the container at the same time the cap is
placed on the container.
In another aspect, the field of the invention is that of transfer
finishes, particularly rings, which may include top seal finish
portions, top covers, or top covers including easy opening, tear
out portions. The field of the invention is also that of such
transferable finishes or fitments having means associated therewith
to facilitate assembly, handling and to afford tamperproof features
for the completed container.
Additionally, the field of the invention is that of methods for
assembling containers with closures, and methods for assembling the
finish portions of a container with a remainder of the container to
form means thereof for receiving a cap thereover in a liquidtight,
pressuretight, or vacuumtight relation therewith.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, containers having top and side seal finish portions
adapted to receive closures comprising a shell portion and a
sealing gasket portion are well known. In addition, various caps or
like closures are known which are designed to be received over a
bottle, jar, or the like, in which the threads or fastening means
for retaining the cover in place on the container are formed after
being placed over the container so that the finish-engaging
portions thereof may be said to be formed after or simultaneously
with installation. Caps such as those described above may have
gaskets therein for engaging top seal finish of the container as
well as gaskets for forming threads in association with the side
finish of a container.
Closure devices are also known in the prior art in which a
plastic-to-plastic seal is developed by wedging or forcing a
relatively more resilient or plastic member into association with a
bottle inside a relatively stiffer or less resilient plastic outer
cap or cover.
Other prior art constructions have included the provision of a
metal container having a separate or separately formed metal neck
thereon, which included locking means for assembly with a cap or
closure adapted to be engaged therewith. However, to date, it is
not believed that there has been a successful transfer finish
arrangement in which a finish could be transferred to a vacuum or
pressuretight container, in which the finished container could be
closed without intentional rotation of the cap, in which the cap
could be removed only by rotation, and in which the primary seal is
effective between a gasket disposed within the metal or other rigid
exterior shell of the closure and a finish portion of the container
with which a transfer ring is associated.
Furthermore, it is believed that the prior art has not provided a
transfer ring and cap assembly which is capable of providing, at
low cost and with high reliability, an inner or secondary closure
for convenience of dispensing, for use as a tamperproof feature or
the like. In addition, the prior art is not known to have provided
a transfer finish ring system and method in which a standard cap
usable with other, conventional jars and bottles, would also be
usable without alternation in such transfer finish system.
Furthermore, the prior art is not believed to have provided a
transfer finish for a closure cap in which a tamperproof safety
device may be formed to prevent, or assure detection of relative
motion between the closure and the transfer finish after assembly,
and wherein such tamperproof feature can be provided before
assembly of the closure and the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in view of the existing need to provide a seal finish
ring for use with a cap and a container having the characteristics
referred to herein, it is an object of the invention to provide a
finish ring for use with a container in which the ring includes
means for engaging a portion of the container to prevent axial and
rotational movement of the ring, and which includes means for
receiving and retaining a closure member thereof in order to seal
the container in a liquid and gastight relation.
Another object is to provide a transfer finish for a container in
which the finish portion adapted to be transferred may be
associated with the closure before the combination closure and
finish ring are applied to the container.
Another object is to provide a transfer finish system in which the
transferable finish ring is adapted to receive a closure which
includes a sealing member adapted to engage a finish portion of the
container which lies inwardly of the portion of the container
engaging the finish ring.
A further object of the invention is to provide a transferable
finish ring which includes means for engaging the side finish or
ring engaging finish portion of a container and which further
includes seal means disposed inwardly of the side finish portion of
the container for establishing a seal between a portion of the
finish ring and the container with which it is associated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a finish ring which
includes bottom cap skirt-engaging or bottom finish means thereon
for receiving the lower portion of the skirt of a closure in a
relatively snug relation to the ring before the ring and closure
combination are assembled with the container.
A further object of the invention is to provide a transferable
finish ring which may receive a closure thereover and which
includes means for connection to the closure to provide a
tamperproof feature in the assembled container.
A further object of the invention is to provide a transferable
finish ring which includes an inner or secondary closure for a
container.
A further object is to provide a transferable finish ring which
includes an inner or secondary closure, a portion of which is of
the easy opening type, to provide convenience in dispensing a
product held in the container.
Another object is to provide a transferable finish ring which
includes means to facilitate assembly of the closure therewith, and
means for retaining the closure in place during assembly.
A still further object is to provide a closure system having one or
more of the above stated characteristics in various combinations
with each other.
Still another object is to provide a method of assembling a
closure, a transferable finish ring and a container to provide
novel combination containers and closure assemblies having a number
of advantages and characteristics, including those set forth
herein, and others which are inherent in the invention.
The present invention achieves these objects, and others which are
inherent therein, by providing a finish ring for reception by a
container to which it is transferred, wherein the ring includes
means for engaging a finish portion of the container, means for
preventing axial and rotational movement of the ring relative to
the container, and means for receiving and retaining a closure
member thereover in order to seal the contents of a container with
which the ring is associated.
The exact manner in which the invention achieves these objects, and
other objects inherent therein will become more apparent when
considered in conjunction with the description of the preferred
embodiments set forth in the specification hereof, as defined in
the appended claims, and shown in the drawings, in which like
reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing the
container, transfer finish ring, and closure of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view, with portions broken
away, showing the transfer of the assembled transfer finish ring
and closure to the container.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged
scale, showing portions of the container and the transfer finish
ring, and a portion of the closure in an assembled relation.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the closure and finish ring of
the invention in combination with one form of tamperproof feature
associated therewith.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary side elevational views, showing the
operation of the tamperproof feature of FIG. 4, and showing the
container rotated 90.degree. to the right of the position shown in
FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing another
embodiment of the tamperproof feature of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 7, show with the container rotated 90.degree. to the right of
the position shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged
scale, showing another embodiment of the transfer finish ring of
the invention.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged
scale, of another embodiment of the transfer finish ring of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows a
combination container, transferable finish ring and closure
assembly 20, which includes three principal elements, a container
22, a transferable finish ring 24, and a closure 26. The container
22 includes a body portion 28, a portion 30 for receiving a
transferable finish ring, such portion 30 including a lower annular
ring 32 and upper annular ring 34, defining therebetween a side
finish portion 36, which is adapted to receive the inner surface
portion 38, of the transfer finish ring 24 in a snug relation. The
side finish portion 36 includes means for preventing rotation of
the ring 24 in the form of ribs 40 extending between the side
finish portion 36 and the top surface 42 of the lower ring 32.
Referring now to the transferable finish ring 24, this unit
includes a generally flat top surface portion 44, a side finish
portion 46, a bottom finish portion 48, an exterior lower sidewall
portion 50, and means for receiving and retaining a closure member
thereon in the form of threads 52 which are disposed about, and
form a portion of, the side finish 46.
The closure 26 includes a top panel portion 54, an outer margin
portion 56, a depending skirt portion 58, closure receiving means
60, in the form of male threads and a bottom curl portion 62 formed
integrally with the skirt portion 58. Referring now particularly to
FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that in an assembled relation, the
upper surface 42 of the ring 32 engages a lower surface 64 of the
finish ring, and that the upper surface 44 of the ring 24 engages a
lower surface 66 of the upper ring 34. The surfaces 36, 42, 66
combine to define the side seal finish portion of the container,
which, in this case, are actually means for receiving a finish ring
which in turn presents a side finish to receive the closure.
Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the outer
margin portion 56 of the closure 26 includes a gasket 68 disposed
on the inside thereof, for engagement with the top seal finish 70
of the container to provide a seal between the interior and the
exterior of the container.
FIGS. 1 and 3 show the provision of one or more cutouts or notches
72 on the inner sidewall 38 of the finish ring for cooperation with
the chuck of a holder (not shown) to prevent the ring from rotating
when the closure 26 is assembled therewith. The ribs 40 on the
container may dig into the inner surface of the ring to prevent
rotation thereof.
FIG. 3 also shows that a bottom finish 48, which is in the form of
an annular groove in the lower portion of the ring 24, is snugly
engaged, at least in part, by the curl 62 at the bottom of the
skirt 58, for reasons which will be set forth in greater detail
herein.
Likewise, FIG. 3 also shows the snug engagement between the upper
surface of the ring 24 and the lower surface 66 of the upper ring
34.
In the manufacture of the closure system of the present invention,
the closure 26, having a plastomeric or elastomeric gasket 68 of a
vinyl plastisol material, for example, formed therein according to
techniques which are well known in the prior art, is assembled with
the ring 24 by engaging the threads 60 on the closure 26 with the
threads 52 on the ring 24, and rotating the closure 26 until the
curl 62 engages the groove or bottom seal finish 48 of the ring 24.
At this point, the closure 26 is tightly engaged with the ring 24,
but the gasket 68 is in an expanded or uncompressed condition (not
shown) and the closure 26 and ring 24 are not associated with the
container 22. After the container 22 is filled with contents, and
is desired to be sealed, the combination closure and ring assembly
is forced downwardly over the container 22 until the locating
surfaces 44, 66, 42, 64 engage each other, respectively, and the
ring 24 is locked against axial movement. The notches 72 in the
ring 24 will not normally be aligned or in registry with the ribs
40 upon installation of the ring 24, since means are not provided
to rotate the closure and ring assembly, 26, 24 relative to the
container 22. If they happen to be aligned, however, the notches 72
will receive the ribs 40. Either this engagement of the friction
fit between the ring 24 and the container 22, will prevent
subsequent rotation of the ring 24 relative to the container 22,
since the ribs 40 dig into the inner surface 38 of the fitment or
finish ring 24.
The ribs 40 are not a necessary feature of the invention, but may
be provided, if desired to aid in preventing slippage between the
container 22 and the ring 24.
In place of the ribs 40, other like means for preventing rotation
of the ring 24 may be provided.
Another feature of the invention is that as pointed out above, the
notches 72 may serve as cams or like means for holding the ring 24
against rotation while the closure 26 is rotated into a locked
position, it may be retained by the provision of closure retainer
means in the form of a dimple or dot 27 on the exterior surface of
the threads 52. The dot 27 may be received in a complementary
shaped thread recess 29. The cooperation of the dot 27 and the
recess 29 keeps the closure 26 in place on the ring 24 during and
subsequent to handling.
After the ring 24 is fitted over the container 22, the container 22
and the contents thereof may be further processed, such as by the
application of heat in a retort or the like, for cooking,
sterilization or other purpose. Application of sufficient pressure
to move the ring 24 into the position shown in FIG. 3 also
resiliently deforms the gasket 68 into the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 3.
Although the ring 24 is shown with its top and bottom surface
portions 44, 64 snugly engaging corresponding surfaces 42, 66, on
the container 22, since the side finish portion 36 is tapered, a
seal may be maintained even if there is some slight axial space
between these oppositely facing surfaces. In any case, the friction
between the inner surface 38 of the ring 24 and the surface 36 of
the container 22 contributes to the antirotation feature.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6, a modified form of the
invention is shown. In this form, a cap 26a having a skirt 58a and
curl 62a similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 is seated in
place in a tight sealing association with the ring 24a locked in
position over the container 22a above the lower ring 32a. Extending
upwardly from the outer surface 50a of the ring 24a and integrally
formed therewith is a telltale cover 74a which includes a
resiliently downwardly biased, inwardly directed extension portion
76a which closely overlies the upper portion of the curl 62a. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the initial position of the telltale 74a is
a normal position which renders it visible to an observer. If the
cap 26a were to be rotated and unscrewed from the container 22a,
and then subsequently replaced, the extension portion 76a would
move to a downwardly extended position by reason of its inherent
resiliency, thereby covering or restricting access to the groove or
bottom finish portion 48 (FIG. 1) of the ring 24a. Thus, attempted
replacement of the cover 26a would be revealed, because the
telltale portion 74a would prevent reseating of the cover 26a in
its initial position. One or more of such telltales 74a are
normally provided to make difficult cap replacement without
indicating that it has been removed. Further indicating means in
the form of a tape or like seal may also be used with this
construction, or may be used in place thereof, if desired.
FIG. 7 shows another form of tamperproof feature in which telltale
means 74b extend upwardly from the outer surface 50b of the ring
24b and are joined to the cover 26b by a narrow rupturable neck 78b
which is connected a cap-engaging portion 80b, adhered to the skirt
58b of the cover 26b by an adhesive 82b. In this version, a
pressure-sensitive, heat-activatable, hot melt or like adhesive is
provided to insure a firm bond between the cap-locking portion and
the cap 26b. This bond is stronger than the rupturable neck 78b, so
that rotation of the cap 26b will break the seal and the user can
determine whether the contents have been tampered with, because the
rupturable portion 78b will be broken. Instructions concerning the
telltale may be placed on the container to point out this feature
to the user, if desired.
Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the finish ring 24c
of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, bottom finish or
closure-engaging means 48c may be provided, thread means 52c are
provided, as are bottom and top surfaces 64c, 44c for engaging the
ring finish or side finish portions of a container. However, the
embodiment shown in FIG. 9 additionally includes a top seal finish
portion 84c connected by a radius 86c to the side finish 46c, and
further includes a radially inner margin 88c disposed inwardly of
the top seal finish 84c. A rubber or rubberlike additional sealing
means in the form of a dovetailed, insertable gasket 90c is
disposed on the inner surface 92c of the top seal finish portion
84c for providing a seal means inwardly of the side-finish-engaging
portion of the transfer finish ring, for reasons which will be
pointed out in further detail herein. The gasket 90c is shown as
being a rubber or rubberlike material, but is is understood that it
may comprise another elastomeric or plastomeric material, for
example, a vinyl plastisol material such as that used or the gasket
68.
The installation and use of the transfer finish ring of FIG. 9 is
the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The
principal difference between this form of the invention and those
forms described above is that the closure may engage the transfer
finish ring on a side finish as well as a top finish portion
thereof. A seal between the transferable finish ring and the
container, in addition to the seal provided by the mechanical
seating and ring shrinkage, if any, is provided in the form of a
ring or gasket 90c so that escape or entry of liquids and gases is
prevented along the finish ring-container interface.
A further modification of the invention is shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the transferable finish ring 24d
includes thread means 52d, a bottom finish or groove portion 48 d,
a top finish 84d, a radius portion 86d, and, radially inwardly of
the margin portion 88d, a secondary closure or cover portion 94d,
which is defined by a line of weakness 96d, and to which is
connected a finger tab 98d. In use, an outer closure is fitted over
the transfer ring 24d and the two units are placed as a unit in
position atop a container. Thereafter, removal of the exterior cap
or shell portion exposes the secondary closure or cover 94d which
has a tearout portion defined therein by the line of weakness 96d.
Various shapes of the line of weakness 96d may be selected to
provide desired shapes of tearout portions. In addition, the
secondary cover 94d may, instead of having a tearout portion,
include a plurality of small openings so as to form a shaker top or
like secondary closure.
The embodiment of FIG. 10 is shown without a gasket such as that
shown at 90c. This construction may be used were the transfer ring
affords a sufficiently tight seal with the container at the
interface and at the top or bottom of the ring. However, this form
of the invention may also use a gasket, if desired, such as the
gasket 90c of FIG. 9.
One important feature of the present invention is that, in a
typical embodiment, the transfer ring-container interface may
provide a seal having the desired characteristics of the overall
seal between the closure and the container. Since the
closure-container seal means may also provide this feature,
however, such a seal is not necessary. Another important feature of
he invention is that the transferable ring and closure of the
invention may be assembled and inspected as a unit, and shipped to
a customer for installation independently from the container,
thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the threads and the
container finishes during shipment of the containers and transfer
rings, since the thread portions or side finish are protected by
the closure during shipment, and the side finish or finish
ring-engaging portion or finish of the container, although
naturally susceptible to certain types of damage, does not
necessarily provide the primary or complete container-closure
seal.
Another feature of the invention is that one or more of the
telltale assemblies providing the tamperproof feature may be
provided for during assembly, and inspection and the like of such
features may be made before shipment. Accordingly, these
tamperproof features need not be provided by the filler or packer
of the containers.
A still further feature of the invention is that bottom finish
means, such as the groove 48, may be provided to serve the dual
purposes of limiting downward movement of the closure over the ring
for handling before assembly, and additionally provide a further
snug fit with the finish ring, as well as imparting rigidity to the
combination ring and closure during assembly thereof with the
container. The snug fit thus provided minimizes the chances of
undesirable infestation of various types of bacteria, insects, and
the like inwardly of the skirt of the closure.
Although the materials used in the present invention are not
critical, and the invention does not depend on the use of any
particular material, it is preferred that the ring comprise a
relatively stiff thermoplastic material. The shell portion of the
closure typically is made of metal, although it might be relatively
stiff thermosetting or thermoplastic material. It is preferred, but
not necessary, that the container be a glass jar, although it might
be a plastic bottle or the like. The tamperproof locking means may
be suitably constructed of plastic when integrally formed with the
ring, or they may be later applied devices such as metal or plastic
units and adhesively secure to or fused with the components of the
unit.
It will thus be seen, by reference to the foregoing description,
the appended claims, and the drawings, that the present invention
provides a novel transfer finish ring, container, and method having
numerous advantages and characteristics, including those
hereinbefore pointed out, and others which are inherent in the
invention.
* * * * *