CA2534758A1

CA2534758A1 - Closure with frangible tamper-evident band

Info

Publication number: CA2534758A1
Application number: CA002534758A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Christopher Lyndon Higgins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Abacus CI Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-04
Filing date: 2004-08-04
Publication date: 2005-02-10
Also published as: WO2005012125A1; EP1660379A1; JP2007501169A; US20070131641A1; EP1660379A4; KR20060042422A; NZ544867A; DE112004001435T5

Abstract

This invention relates to closures for containers, and more particularly to tamper-evident closures for containers. One aspect of the invention provides a container and a closure for connection to said container, said closure including: an upper wall (102), a skirt (104) formed integrally with and extending downwardly from said upper wall, said skirt adapted to engage with a neck portion of the container to secure the closure to the container; a tamper-evident band (110) frangibly connected to said skirt; the neck (10) of the container including a plurality of discretely spaced projections (18) extending outwardly from said neck and adapted to engage with tabs (122) on said tamper~-evident band to facilitate breaking of the band (110) from the skirt of the closure.

Description

CLOSURE WITH FRANGIBLE TAMPER-EVIDENT BAND
FIELD OF THE INVE1~T~"XON
The present invention relates to closures far containers, and more particularly to tamper-evident closures for containers, BACKGROUND TO THE IN'V'ENTION
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should is no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely la~,own or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
There exists extensive prior art in relation to the design and manufacture of l0 tamper-evident closures for containers, such ag for example US Patents Noa.
4,653,657 (Papavasilopolous), 4,807,7?1 (Roy), 5,660,288 (Nyman), 6,551,093 (Taha} and 6,64Q,988 (Taha) the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated into this specification by way of cross-reference.
One problem that exists with prior art tamper-evident closures is the loss of I s sealing between the closure and container opening prior to the tamper-evidence features operating.
A~ further problem is the poor visibility of the status of the tamper-evident features, with the consequence that a consumer may not discern that the seal of the container has been broken.
20 Tamper-evident band design on most closures includes an interference between the container pock and the tamper band. Often upon opemning and removal of the closure the tamper-evident band does not drop away from the closure body but remains by means of interference between the tamper-evidence band and the container neck held an the neck in a similar position to the tamper band on an un-opened 25 package or in the case of malicious tampering a container may be opened and contaminants introduced and the closure replaced and the tamper-evidence band pushed beak into close proximity to the closure to give the appearance of an ua-opened package.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one 30 of the disadvantages of the prior art, ox to provide a useful alternative.

SOriIMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention deals especially with the need for a proper relationship between sealing means and tamper-evidence means such that the tamper-evidence means operates prior to the seal being breached, This avoids the possibility apparent with many so-called tamper-evident closures whereby by raalicious tampering or inappropriate application torque andlor relaxation of the closure causing the seal between closure and container neck to be breached without the tamper-evidence means operating and allowing the contents to be degraded by action of atmosphere or the malicious introduction of contaminants.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a tamper-evident closure for a container with tamper-evident means and means of dispensing one or more additives into the container and a tamper-proof cover to protect additive dispensing moans.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a tamper-evident closure for a container with tamper-evident means and a dispensing means for dispensing the 1 s contents of the container in a controlled or limited manner, and a reusable tamper proof cover for said dispensing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
);is. 1 depicts the dispensing end of a container, with the neck of the container adapted to include tamper-evident features according to one aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 2 depicts the dispensing end of the container illustrated in Fig. 1, with an alternative embodiment of the tamper-evident features on the neck of the container;
2s Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident Closure aecarding to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident closure located on the neck of a container;
Fig, 5 is an enlarged view of a projection located on the neck of the container 3o illustrated in Fig. x;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the neck of the container illustrated in Fig. 1, taken in the plane W-W;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of a tamper-evident band according to an aspect of the present invention;
Fig, 7a is a view of the mould assembly apparatus for forming the.tamper-evident closure illustrated in Fig. 2;
s ' Fig. 7b is an enlargod view of the mould assembly apparatus shown in Fig.
7a illustrating the formation of the lower section of the skirt and tamper-evident band of the closure;
Fig. $ is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper~evident closure located on the neck of a container according to a further aspect of ttro present invention;
i0 Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident closure according to a fi~rther aspect of the present invention and including a dispensing arrangement for dispensing an additive to the contents of the container;
Fig. 10 is a fiu-ther embodiment of the tamper-evident closure depicted in Fig. 9;
15 Fig. 11 is a fiurther embodiment of the tamper-evident closure depicted in Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional elevation of a tamper-evident dispensing closure according to a further aspect of the present invention, illustrated in position on the neck of a container;
2o Fig. 13 is a crass-sectional elevation of a further embodiment of the tamper-evident dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 12 further including a tampon-evident cover;
Fig. 14 is a plan view of the tamper-evident dispensing closure shown in Fig. 12;
25 Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional elevation of a fiuther embodiment of a dispensing portion of a dispensing closure and cover;
Fig. 16 is a view of the mould assembly apparatus for forming the closure illustrated in Fig.12;
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional elevation of a fiuther embodiment of tamper-30 evident clesure and cover;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional elevation of an orifice device and associated cover for fitting to the dispensing orifice of a container closure.

Figg, 19 to 24 illustrate a prior art tamper-evident closure;
Fig. 25 illustrates a further embodiment of tamper-evident closure according to a further aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 26 illustrates a prior art tamper-evident closure;
Figs. 27 to 33 illustrate a further embodiment of tamper~evident closure, and apparatus for making same, according to a further aspect of the present invehtion;
Figs. 34 to 36 illustrate a further embodiment of a container closure incorporating various aspects of the present invention; and Figs 37, 38 and 38a illustrate a further embodiment of the tamper-evident closure, incorporating a receptacle or cup to enable items to be contained within the closure receptacle, DETAILED DESCRIPTIQN OF PRE)r'ERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 illustrates a neck portion 10 of a container. Typically the container is an inj action blow-moulded container formed from a suitable material such as is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ~Towever, it should be noted that the invention applies to various forms of containers made from various materials. The neck includes a helically threaded section 12 formed on the exteznal surface 14 of the neck 10. Typically, the threaded section 12 is integrally formed on the neck 10.
The threaded section 12 is threads are adapted to engage with a complementary helically 2o threaded section on the internal face of the skirt of a tamper-evident closure.
The neck 10 includes an annular tamper-evident bead 16 located below the threaded section and extending radially outward from the external surface of the neck 10. The tamper-evident bead 16 is preferably moulded on the external surface of the neck 10: Extending downwardly from the bead 16 are one or more discretely spaced 25 projections 18 located around the circumference of the neck 10. In one example, the container neck 10 is provided with four substantially equally spaced projections 18.
The projections 18 are adapted to engage with tabs on a tamper-evident band of a closure and facilitate the breaking the band from the skirt of the closure.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a tamper-evident closure 100 adapted to fit to the 30 container neck portion 10 illustrated in Fig. 1. The closure 100 is depicted prier to its application to a container 10. Typically, the closure is a one-piece moulded construction. The closure 100 includes a top wall 102 and downrhrardly extending skirt 104. The closure includes a helically threaded section 106 located on the internal face '108 of the skirt which is adapted to engage with the corresponding holically threaded section 12 on the external surface of the neck 10 of the container.
The closure further includes a tamper-evident band 110 which extends downwardly from 5 the skirt of the closure. The tamper-evident band is connected to a lower surface x 12 of the skirt 104 by a frangible section 114 foamed by a series of circumferentially spaced.ribs 116 separated by slots I 1$. The ribs 116 are of a cross-section which provides sufficient strength to withstand typical forces which may be imparted during handling andlor the application of the closure to the container neck. The tamper-evident band includes an annular wall 120 from which extends a series of digeretely spaced tabs 122. The tabs 1z2 are eonneeted to the lower surface of the annular wall 120 by menus of a hinged section 124, Initially, the tabs ,122 extend radially inwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the annular wall 1z0 to facilitate removal from the mould. Subsequent to the moulding of the closure, the tabs 122 are moved to a perpendicular or acute angle with respect to the annular wah 120. Each tab 122 includes an engagement face 124 adapted to engage with a projection 18 on the neck 10 of tho container during removal of the closure from the container.
Extending downwardly from the inner surface of the top wall 102 of the closure is an annular sealing member 130. The sealing member 130 includes a 2o circumferentially extending apex 132 adapted to seat against the inner wall of the neck portion of the container arid provido sealing of the container. Extending inwardly from the wall 108 and downwardly from the top 102 is secondary sealing member which engages outer surface 14 andlor the upper surface 15 of neck 10.
The design of the projections 18 will now be described in further detail. Fig.
S
is a cross-section taken in the plane Y-Y of Fig. 1 between z-Z', illustrating the profile of a projection 18, whilst Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the neck portion taken in the plane W-W of Fig. 1 illustrating a prefen~ed location of the projections 18 amuad the outer periphery of the neck. To remove the closure from the neck of the container the closure is rotatod in an anti-clockwise direction as indicated by tho arrow X
in Fig. d.
3o Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the projections 18 aro moulded on the external surface of the neck below the tamper-evident bead 16. Each projection comprises a aeries of faces, 18a, 1$b and 18c. Face 18a is of a dimension J which is equal to or less than the distance that the tamper bond 16 projects beyond the external surface of the container neck. Face 18a is designed to interact with tabs 122 on closure 100 such that upon rotation of the closure, the engagement face 124 of tab 122 engages with the angled engagement face 18a. Upon furthEr rotation of the closure, the tab 120 is driven downwardly along the anglod face 18a, thereby placing stress on the frangible ribs 116 and facilitating the severance of the frangible ribs 116, thus promoting early tampen~evidence operation by opening a discernible gap between the lower edge of the skirt 104 and the tamper'evident band 110.
Fig. 2 depicts an alternative embodiment wherein the face 18a includes a, portion 18a' of varying angle with respect to the plane of the lower surface of the tamper~evident bead 16. In one embodiment the face has an initial curved section which provides a gently increasing angle with respect to the lower surface of the bead.
This acts to gradually and progressively stretch and weaken the frangible ribs 116 so that when the engagement face 124 of a tab 122 on the tamper-evident band 110 reach ~ 5 the more steeply angled section of the face 18a, the frangible ribs 116 are akoady sufficiently weakened and further rotation of the closure urges engagement face 124 below face,18m, thereby promoting breakage of the frangible ribs. Iwan alternative embodiment (not depicted), the face 18a may comprise two or more discreto planar surfaces of progressively increasing angle with respect to the tamper~evident bead 16.
Yn this embodiment, tho face 18a has an initial surface angled with respect to the place of the lower surface of the tamper-evident bead 16, followed by one or more further surfacos of increasing angle with respect to the plane of the lower surface of the tamper-evident bead 16.
Fig. 4 shows sealing means in sealing engagement with the external wall of 2S container neck 10.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the distance between the underside face of container tamper-ovideat bead 16 and the projection face 18m and the extent and location of the progressively ramped portion 18a' of proj action face 18a are designed to take into account:
(i) the distance representing clearance between tamper-evident band 110 ongagement surfaces 124 and the underside of tamper bead 16 when the closure is fully applied to the container . That is to take account of the.

relative position of engagement surfaces 124 and progressively camped porkion 18a' of projection face 18a so that said engagement surfaces 124 make contact with said progressively camped portion 18a' before contacting the more steeply angled section of projection face 18a; and (ii) the distance over which the frangible ribs 116 deform in an axial direction before broaking, rt should also be noted that for a particular container it is possible to determine i~ advance the relative location of any portion of the closure tamper-evident band 110 to projections 18 when the closure is fully applied to the container.
It is possible to reduce the force necessary to initially stretch and break the first frangible ribs by selectively designing oue or more of the frangible ribs 116 be weakened. It is possible to predetermine which ribs will be first to advance to projections 18 upon ren1ouel of the closure and therefore the weakened frangible ribs can' be located as to be ixrst to be stretched by the downwards urging along projection is face 18a, Face 18b is of a dimension K which at least exceeds the width of the space 122c between the engagement portions 122 of the tamper-evident band 110 so that the free ends 126 of the tabs 122 will be retained below the edge 18m of the projection 18, thereby making a more visible gap between the severed tamper~evident band 110 and a0 the closure skirt 104.
Face 18e has a camped surface so as to minimise interference and enable the tuba 122 to pegs easily over the projections upon the initial application of the closure to the neck of the container. It should be noted that the closure can be designed to bo applied by axial movement (for example by using a multiple thread) rather than by 1s rotation.
Fig. 7 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the tamper-evident band 110 prior to application to a container. 'The tamper-evident band 110 depends from the lower face of the skirt of the closure (not depicted) by means of a series of ribs 116 which form a frangible section. The band includes an 3o annular wall 120 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs 122 connected to an inner surface of the annular wall. The tabs 122 oxtend from the lower surface of the annular wall 118 by means of a hinged section 124. The tabs 122 terminate at a free end which includes an engagement face 124. Initially the tabs 122 extend radially inwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the annular wall 120 and then are subsequently bent inwardly along the hinge line 124.
In ono embodiment {not shown), the engagement surfaces 124 of the tabs 122 have an angle corresponding to the angled faces 18a of the projections 1$ so that engagement surfaces 1Z4 tend to make contact with faces I$a over a greater portion of the engagement surface 124. This tends to avoid the curling or folding of the junction of surface 124 and 124a thereby assisting in directing engagement surface 124a downwards along angled faces 18a.
Preferably, one. or more perforations 128 are provided along the bingo line to allow for drainage of product spilled during the filling process.
Recesses 122a of width R and depth S are provided between each tab 122.
The depth 'S' ie preferably such that during application of the closure to the container the hoop strength existing in the continuous annular portion of the band along line extending irom.the bases 1220 of recess 122a is sufficiently reduced to unable flexing along the line of the bases 122e of the recess 122a to facilitate a more easy application of the closure to the container:
The depth 'S' of the recess 122a is preferably greater than the distance between dotted lines 'Vf and X of Fig. 1 thereby allowing the free end 124 of tabs 122, at least when adjacent to angled engagement faces 18a, to remain in close proximity to the container neck and allow the free end of closure engagement surfaces 124a to engage angled engagement faces 18a. As removal rotation continues the free end of engagement surfaces 124a are driven downwards along angled engagement faces 18a thereby inducing axial stress in the frangible ribs 116 resulting in breakage of ono or 2s more of the ribs and promoting early separation of the tamper-evident band 110 from closure 100. The continuous annular portion of the engagement portions 122 of the tamper~evident band 110 along the line ext0ading from the bases 122e of recess 122a enhances the effectiveness of contact between said engagement surfaces 124a and ea3d angled engagement faces 18a by assisting to maintain the location of engagement suxface 124a.
When applying the closure to a container the rampod upper shoulder of the tamper-evident bead 16 urges the tamper_evid0nt b0ad 0ngagem0nt portion 122 of the tamper-evident band 110 against the inside wall of the tamper-evident band so that the tamper-evident band 110 may pass over the tamper-evident bead 16 and the camped surfaces 18c of projections 18 urge the free edges of the upper regions of engagement portions 122 against the inside wall of said tamper-strident band 110 so that the said s engagement portions of the tamper-evident band 110 may pass over the proj ections 18.
In another example of closure tamper-evident band at least four of the recesses 122a referred to a8 location recesses may have dimension 'R' increased in size and located so that upon full application to the container neck the center point of each said location recess is approximately adjacent the center of sash of the similar number (being four in this example) afprojections 18 such that the engagement surfaces 124 have clearance from either side of at least faxes 18b of projections 18. In the same ' example at least four other recesses 122a are smaller in 'R' dimension than the said location recesses and ideally smaller in 'R' dimension than the length of that portion of lgwer face 18m which adjoins face 18b of projections 18. Upon retrieval rotation engagement surfaces 124-contact the said projections 18 and are urged downwards slang faces 18a thereby placing axial stress sequentially on and substantially or completely severing at least the majority of frangible ribs 116 and moving the tamper-evident band 110 below the lower surface 18rn of projections 18. Recesses 122a other 2o than the location recesses being of leas in dimension 'R' will pass under those portions of lower face 18m which adjoins face 18b ofprojections 1$ thus continuing the sequential axial stressing and substantial severing of frangible ribs 116 and separation of the tamper-evident band 110 from closure 100 thus promoting early and more visible contemporaneous evidence of opening.
2s Referring to Fig, 28, a partial cross-section of the neck portion of a container and closure is depicted. The neck portion of the container includes a tamper bead 16 which has a lower aurfaee which lies in one plane. In aeeordanco with a further aspect of the invention, the closure is designed according to the following formula (formula A):
30 A ZB+C+D+E+F
wherein:

{i) A is the distance over which the sealing member can seal against the inner wall or outer wall (example not shown) of the neck portion of the container;
(ii) B is the distance between the engagement surface 61 of the tamper-evident bead 16 and the engagement surface 124 of the tabs 122 when the closure is fully applied to the container;
(iii) C is the amount of compression that occurs in the said tamper-evident band tabs 122 during the process of removal of the closure;
(iv) D is the amount of stretch that occurs under stress during closure 10 removal in the skirt and the frangible ribs 116 connecting the tamper-evident band 110 to the closure skirt 104;
(v) E is the distance equal to the tolerance allowed in the measurement specifications of the container nock 10 and the closure 100; and (vi) F is the distance required for a margi~a of safety for a particular closure i5 and neck combination so as to promote the operation of the tamper-evidence means prior to loss of the seal between closure and container neck.
In a variant of the above formula (formula A) the dimensional units are measured in, degroce of removal rotation of the closure. This alternative formula is useful in tamper-evident closure systems which use projections 18 of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
The various aspects of the closure invention described above may be designed to be manufactured using the mould equipment and method as disclosed in US
Patent N'os. 6,551,093 and 6,640,988 (Taha) the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated zs in this speeihcation. In ono modification, illustrated in Fig. 7, the engagement portion of the tamper-evident band 110 may be moulded in a position such that the angle 'A' between line Al .extending from and parallel to the inside wall of the tamper band 110 and Iine A2 extending from and parallel to the outside wall of the annular engagement portion 122 of the tamper-evident band is greater than 0° and less than 45°, and 3o preferably approximately 30°.
p'ig. 6 is a cross-section of the container neck 10 showing the preferred location of ramped projections 18 below tamper bead 16 (represented by the annular broken line). A method of manufacture and mould assembly to form the container neck is as follows, The line V-V is the parting line of two mould portions. As shown by the line V1-V1 in Fig. 1, the mould part line may advantageously follow the path dictated by the boundary between faros 18a and 18b, or 18b and 18c, so that at least the ramped faces 18a in the projections 18-2 and 18-4 may be formed in the mould portions Q~, Ql respectively'.
The angle between the leading edge of the projections arid the wall of the neck, shown as "F'! in p'ig. b, is preferably 90° or less.
1o rn a two-piece mould and taking a section through the gart of the container mould forming the neck and projections 18 with the parting line being the straight line from 90° to 270° (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock) 0° being at 12 o'clock then the section is nominally divided into.four equal quadrants, with quadrants Q~ and Q~ both being in the mould first half and quadrants Q3 and Q4 boing in the nrxould second half, wherein Ql lies between 270° and 360°, Qa lies between 0° to 90°, Q3 lies between 90° to 180°, and Q4 lies between 180° to 270°.
Only in quadrants Ql and Q3, or at the juncture between them and quadrants QZ
aad Q4, may faces 18a be formed with an angle 'F' of 90° or less.
Projections 18 moulded with face 18a formed in quadrant Qi from 270 to about 359° (the difference between 359 and 360° representing an allowance for "draw" to enable the mould to open without interference with at least the faces 18a) may have faces with angle 'F' decreasing from 90° by 1° for every degree lass than 359°, and similarly in quadrant Q3 from 179°.
Having angle 'F' less than 90° is advantageous in that the free edges 124,124a of engagement portions 122 upon removal rotation of the Closure and contact with faces 18a will tend to be urged inwards across faces 18a towards the neck wall 14 and thereby to remain in close proximity to faces 18a and the container neck wall tending to ensure continual movement downwards along face 18a.
However if projections 18 are moulded with at least the surface of faces 18a fortnad by the mould in quadrants QZ and Q4 (other than at the juncture with quadrants 1 and 3) faces 18a will have angles 'F' greater than 90° which will upon removal rotation of the closure have the undesirable effect of tending to direct the &ee edges 124, 124a of engagement portions 122 away from container wall 14 and past pmj ection 18.
It should bo noted that the mould parting line may deviate (from a centreline where one mould half is a mirror of the other) to accommodate the forming of one or two of projections 18 thus one half of the mould may projoct across the "mirror image parting line" into the space normally occupied by the second mould half and the said second mould half will have a corresponding shape to accommodate the pmjeeting first half.
In removal operation of most commonly used single thread closures from a 1o container approximately at least the first 90° of removal rotation does not lift the closure in the direction of removal because there is firstly an amount of dimensional tolerance difference between the cooperating threads on container and closure.
One. example of the present invention container neck preferably hag four of projections 18 located equidistant, or substantially equidistant, so that within approximately the first 90 to 120° of closure removal rotation most of the freo ends 124 and 124a of engagement portions contact the said projections and are urged downwards along faces 18a thereby placing axial stress on and substantially or completely severing the majority frangible.bridges and moving the tamper band below the lower surface 18m of projection 18 providing an early and more visible z0 tamper-evidence.
Another example of the present invention container neck preferably has two or more of projections 18 located in quadrants Ql and Q3 such that all projections 18 have an angle 'F' less than 90° or substantially equidistant so that within approximately the first 90° of closure removal rotation most of the free ends 124 and 124a.of engagement portions contact the said projections and are urged downwards along faces 18a thereby severing the majority frangible bridges and moving the tamper band 110 below the lower surface 18m of projection 18 providing an early and more visible tamper-evidence.
The parting line YI-V1 in Fig. 1 may vary from that shown and still achieve the forming of the said tamped projections.

The container mould may also be of the expanding cavity type with more than two segments which will allow moulding of at least one of projections 18 in ea,eh sogment of an expanding cavity mould.
The moulding of the closure 100 depicted in h'ig. 4 will now be described with reference to Fig, 7a. The sequence of moulding steps is as follows. Depending upon the profile of the bore seal 130, core 4 moves in the direction of the arrow in order to release the inside bore seal 130. However, it should be noted that depending upon the profile of the bore seal I30 such movement of core 4 may not be ne=cessary.
The outer core sleeve movos also in the same direction in order to release the outside of the tamper-evident band 110, Stripper ring 22, ejector sleeve 5 and inner core 6 move in the opposite direction, At the end of this motion, closure 100 has been stripped of the threaded core 3, bore seal 130 has also been totally freed from the threaded core 3.
The inner barrel 42 is also clear of front face of core 4. At this point, inner core 6 and stripper 21 are arrested. The ej actor sleeve 5~ is then pushed further forward resulting in inner barrel 42 being pushed off inner core 6 and outside of the tamper-evident ring being pushed outside of stripper ring 22. The undercut 44 is free to pass over inner core b as core 4 is completely disengaged from inner barrel 42.
Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a further aspect of the present invention. This aspect provides a container closure, preferably having tamper-evidence means, with a dispensing means to dispense into a container connected to the closure one or more additives contained within the dispensing means. The advantages of such a dispensing device include the ability to keep additives separate from both of the ' ~atmosph~e and contents of the container until the time of use by the consumer.
Fig. 8 depicts a closure 100 having a top wall 20 with a circular opening 22 of diameter "P" formed therein. One or more annular ribs 24 are provided on the peripheral surface of the opening 22.
The C10BL1Te 100 includes a depending skirt 30 having helical threads 32 adapted to cooperate with corresponding helical threads 66 on the external surface of 3o the container neck 60 to apply and remove the closure to and from container neck.
Fig. 9 illustrates the closure 100 of Fig. 8 with a plunger housing 200 fitted in the opening 22 of the top wall 20. It is to be noted that whilst in the ombodiment depicted the plunger housing 200 is illustrated as a separate component, it may be integrally formed as part of the closure 100. In the embodiment depicted, the plunger housing 200 includes a pair of radially extending flanges 210, 212 which act to locate and retain the housing 200 within the opening in the top wall 20 of the closure. The housing 200 is pressed into position, in the top wall 20, with the lower flange 210 including an angled face 214 to facilitate insertion of the plunger housing into the opening 22. 'The upper flange 212 may be of greater diameter than the lower flange 210.
T.,ocated betuveen the radial flanges 210, 212 the plunger housing 200 has an outer wall 220 of diameter "R" which is in sealing engagement with the annular ribs 24 located in the opening of the top wall 20, The plunger housing 200 has au inner wall 230 which defines a bore 232 for receiving plunger 240. The bore 232 includes a pair of annular ribs 234, 236 which are in sealing engagement with outer wall 242 of plunger 240. The annular ribs 234, 236 serve to retain the plunger 240 in a non-actuated position (as shown in Fig. 9) until the application of a force acting in direction 'Q' sufficient to causo the annular rib and the annular rib 225 closest to plunger end wall 221 to deflect and show the said plunger end wall to travel downwards.
The plungor housing 200 has an annular end wall to which is affixed sealing member 250 which covers and seals the open end of the plunger housing 200. The sealing member may, for example, be formed from aluminium foil, plastic or other suitable material.
In an alternative embodiment (not depicted) the sealing member 250 may be integrally formed as part of the plunger housing 200 and be manufactured with lines 2$ of weakness to facilitate breaking of sealing member 250 when plunger 240 is moved sufficiently in the direction 'Q'.
Referring to Fig. 10, an additive 260 is shown by dotted lines. The additive may take away &om, for example one or more capsules or tablets, a powder, or a liquid. The additive may comprise, for example, vitamins, diet supplement(s), a herbal product, an alcoholic beverage or spirit, a condiment, a sweetener or a flavouring. The additive may be separately soaled within a packaging material such as aluminium foil. Preferably, the additive occupies a substantial portion of the space bounded by the plunger housing, the inner wall 230, sealing member 250 and the plunger actuator and wall 221.
The additive 260 is kept separate from the contents of the container (not shown) and separate From the atmosphere by plunger housing, inner wall 230, outer 5 . wall '208, annular sealing engagement features 201 and 201a, sealing member 250, plunger actuator, plunger end wall 221, and annular sealing engagement features 225.
Where the additive is contained within separate packaging then one end wall of the separate packaging preferably extends to the annular edge of the outer wall 208 and the separate packaging is affixed and sealed to the end wall 207 similar to as 1o shown by the position of sealing element 250 or sealed to the end wall 207 and the immediately adjacent outer wall 208 so that the material outer edges of the separate packaging are retained on the end walls 207 so that the additive element may be pushed into the contents of the container through the end of the said separate' packaging by the movement of the end wall or disc 221 when the plunger 240 is 15 moved to its full extent in direction 'Q'.
The relative location of the end wall 221 the plunger 240 is designed so that the distance travelled in direction 'Q' by the and wall or end wah 221 is sufficient to completely eject the additive 260 from plunger housing 200 when the lower wall of actuator 224 comes in contact with upper wall 231 of plunger housing 200.
2o After injection of the additive into the container the closure 100 may be removed from the container by unscrewing in the normal manner, thereby providing access to the contents of the container.
Referring to a further embodiment depicted in Fig. 10, the body of the plunger 240 may be designed such that it has an open end. An actuator disc 224 is formed separately as a cover cap or closure. The cover cap or closure may be attached to the body of the plunger by known means such as thread or clip means 241 to cooperating thread or clip means 228 formed on at least one of the outer or inner wall of the plunger. A stop means 229 located on the outer wall of plunger 240 acts to restrain the extent of movement of the plunger in direction 'Q' upon stop mesas 229 abutting upper wall 231 of plunger housing 200.
In another embodiment (not shown) the cover cap 240 and the plunger actuator cylinder 226 may be formed as a two piece assonably operating similarly to prior art 1b rosealablo dispensing closures extensively referred to in the closure manufacturing and beverage marketing industries as a "push-pull cap" or a "sports cap".
After injection of the additive to the container the cover cap 224 may be ramayed and the contents of the container will thereby be in fluid communication the s open and of plunger actuator cylinder 226 and easily accessible by the user.
Figs. 12 to 15 illustrate a further aspect of the present invention. Fig. '12 shows a cross sectional view of a closure and cantainer neck. The closure 100 has a top wall 102 with a depending annular skirt 104 with threads 106 adapted to cooperate with corresponding threads .12 vn the container neck. The closure optionally includes an annular tamper-evident band 110, A dispensing means core 208 .is manufactured as part of closure 100 extending above top surface 11 of top wall 20. and having a plurality of dispensing cap lifting ramps 209, dispensing cap lowering ramps 201, annular wall 207, retention feature 202, on a spigot post 205 having wall 206 and spigot post support 203.
is p'ig. 13 shows a cross suction through the centre of a closure 100 with a conical dispensing cap 300 and a tamper-evident cover 400. The conical dispensing cap 300 is provided with a sealing feature 301. A plurality of recesses 304 on the outer surface of the cap 300 provides a knurled finish to provide gripping means when turning the dispensing cap between closed and open positions. A sealing feature 302 is in sealing 2o contact with a eomplernentary annular wall 207 during the opening and closing .
movement of the dispensing cap so as to provide a seal to prevent leakage of container contents from orifice 204 along wall 207. The sealing feature 302 is restrained by retention feature 202.
A lifting ramp engagement feature (not shown) engages with the lining ramp 25 209 and upon rotation of the dispensing cap in an opening direction lifts the dispensing cap 300 to an open position and annular closing ramp engagement feature 303 which in cooperation with closing ramp 201 upon closing rotation causes the dispensing cap to be moved in the closing direction 'C.
The annular orifice 305 is of a diameter 'K' which is smaller than the outside 3o diameter of spigot post 20s such that upon rotation in the direction of closing sealing feature 301 sealingly engages wall 206 thereby providing a positive closure of the container contents from the atmosphere.

Annular base 306 may have on its outer wall 307 shaped areas (not shows) which cooperatively engage with corresponding features (not shown) on inner wall 405 of cover 400 such that the rotation of the said cover will cause the said annular base to rotate.
The tamper-evident cover 400 has, a circular top wall 403. Depending therefrom is annular skirt 404 which has an engagement feature 401 which maybe an annular ring or consist of more than 1 individual feature. The feature or features engage the upper surface of annular base 306 of dispensing cap 300 thereby locating the cover on the annular base.
o Inner wall 405 may have shaped areas (not shown) which cooperate with corresponding features (not shown) on outer wall 307 of dispensing cap 300 to provide locking engagement of cover 400 with dispensing cap 300. In an alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 15 cover 400 may also be located or in locked engagement with disporlsing,eap 300 by means of one or more of one or both cooperating is projections and cooperating recesses on annular base 306 and Iower wall 408 . The projections and recesses are numbered 308 and 309 on annular base 306, and 409 and 410 on lower wall 408.
More than ono frangible bridge 402 which have depending front.them ~
annular or other tamper-evidence band or means (not shown) which engage with 2o corresponding features such as the types shown at 13 and 14 on top wall 20.
As au alternative to shaping inner wall 405 the cover 400 may also be designed to lockingly engage with the dispensing cap 300 actor operation of the tamper..
evidence feature there may be depending from top wall 403 more than one locating ongagement fin 407 (dotted line and shaded) which engage with recesses 304.
Said 2s engagement locating ins may be formed on the inner wall of a cylindrical shape 406 (dotted line) depending from the top wall 403.
Fig. 14 illustrates a plan view of closure 100, including top wall surface 11 lowering ramp 201, spigot post support 203, orifice 204, spigot post 205, and lifting ramp 209.
3o Fig. 15 illustrates a cross sectional view of cover 400 engagement means 409, 410 engaging with dispensing cap 300 engagement means 308, 309 after tamper-evident means (including known means not shown) has been separated from lower extremity of wall 404 for example at frangible bridges 402. The engagement or locking engagement meaner are intended to allow the dispensing cap 300 to be turned from the closed to the open position and open to closed position by gripping and turning the cover and at the first said turning to open to cause by axial movement of s the cover 400 whilst tamper-evident means is restrained in engagement with projections or recesses such as 13 and 14 (Fig, 13) on the upper wall 102 (in Fig.l2) of and or lifting movement as the dispensing cap engages lifting ramps (209 in Fig. 12) to thereby sever the frangible bridges 402.
Fig. 15 also shows an additional or alternate means of engagement 412 to io engage or locate or lock cover 400 and dispensing cap 300 the concept of having the diameter of top wall 403 extend beyond depending wall 404 such that the diameter of top wall 403 may be increased to provido a more secure base on which to stand the package when it is desired to orient the package to drain the container contents by gravity towards the dispensing orifice.
15 Fig. 16 shows a partial cross section of an alternative dispensing closure which is simplified in that it has less parts and is thereby leas costly to manufacture.
Closure 100 incorporates a dispensing means 20 having annular dispensing orifice 22. The annular dispensing orifice 22 is sealed by cooperation with annular sealing device 42 on tamper-evident sealing cover 40.
2o The tamper-evident sealing cover 40 may be ire any shape such as a shape closely following the shape of dispensing portion 20 and or may attach to the closure at points other than that shown by the location of the tamper-evidont band 110. For example the tamper-evident band 110 may be located on the dispensing portion 20.
The frangible section 114 which attaches the tamper-evident band 110 to the 2s wall of the tamper-evident sealing cover id severed upon removal rotation of the tamper-evident sealing cover, The tamper-evident band 110 has engagement means to restrict removal rotation and promote fracture of the frangible bridges.
Tamper-evident sealing cover 40 may be re-attached to the closure body after initial opening by means of annular projection 47 which in eooperatiaa with annular 30 ' engagement ridge 123 locates and holds the tamper-evident sealing cover 40.

Closure 100 may be produced by a mould assembly of the type disclosed in Fig: 1 b by modifying the shape of that portion of the closure above top wall annular disc ~102.to form the shape the hohow dispensing portion 120.
rt is desirable to be able to have a dispensing orifice 22 of smaller or larger diameter according to the viscosity and contained particle size of the contents to be dispensed. Fig. I8 ihustrates an oriflee device 630 which lockingly engages with dispensing portion 20. The orifice device may have an annular orifice of any desired diameter as illustrated by reference numerals 31, 32 and 33. The orifice device cooperates with annular sealing device 542 to seal the container.
Advantageously, use of the orif cc device 630 porinits the production of only one size closure to satisfy various dispensing requirements. This confers benefits such enabling making one .
larger cavitation closure mould to accommodate all orifice sizes with corresponding cost efficiencies:
Advantageously, if the orifice device 630 is attached af~or filling then stock holding of closures for customers requiring dispensing closures with various size dispensing ori~ees is thereby reduced because the customer holds only ono closure size but various sizes of the much smaller orifice variation devices.
In an alternative embodiment, depicted in Fig. I T the closure does not open and close by means of rotation. In this embodiment, the closure is opened and closed 2o by removal and/or replacement of the.tamper-evident sealing cover 540. The sealing cover 540 has an annular scaling device 542 which engages the annular orifice 22 in the dispensing portion 20 of the closure 100, A tamper-evident ring 543 is connected by frangible bridges 545 to the cover wall 546.
The manufacture of the closure illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 will now be 2S described with reforeace to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 shown a cross-section of the mould apparatus used tv make dispensing closure 100. The mould apparatus features an annular stripper ring 1C which is affixed to plate 1 and which forms the lower surface of wall 30, frangible ribs 116 and part of tamper band 110. The apparatus also features an outer core 2C which is affixed to plate 2 and which forma part of the 3o external wall and the lower surfaces of tamper band 110, the outer wall of tamper band engagement means 122. The apparatus further includes an annular threaded core 3C which is afftxod to plate 3 (not shown) angular core 4C which is affixed to plate 4 (not shown) annular sore or.stripper sleeve 5C which is affixed to plate 5 (not showm).
Annular core 6C is affixed to plate 6 (not shown). The annular core 6 has within it an annular void 8 and hohow tuba 7 which is used to conduct cooling water s to the uppermost region of the annular core 6 and at least above upper wall I02 of closure 100. The portion of annular core 6 above upper wall 11 of closure 100 forming the inner walls and features including the inner walls being shaped 'to follow the outer walls and features forming dispensing core means 208 for example the inner wall surface of lifting ramps 209 may be parallel to the upper or outer surface which 1o engages with corresponding lifting ramp engagement means 310 formed on the inside of dispensing cap 300.
The mould apparatus operates as follows, Molten plastic is injected under proasure through orifice 502 whieh~ia in fluid communication with void V2 which is formed in the mould closed position as eho~m 1s by cooperation between mould portions cavity insert 9C and annular cores 1C, 2C, 3C, 4C, ~C gad 6C. The void V2 is thus formed in the desired shape to produce dispensing closure 100.
After plastic is injectod into the void V2 and solidification ofthe plastic has occurred by heat transfer through cavity insert 9C to cooling water circulating channel 20 9W and through annular core 6C to cooling water circulation channel 8W
which may be extended further towards annular retention feature 202 by using a smaller diameter hollow tuba 7 and $ reduced diameter portion of water circulation chat>nel 8W
arid if necessary by adding additional cooling means in the form of one or more cooling water circulation channels through annular outer core 2C (not shown).
By relative movement between plate 6 and plates 1,. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 such that plate 6 moves in direction "C" to withdraw annular core 6 sufficiently to create a void inside dispensing core means 208 at least adjacent to annular retention feature 202 'thereby providing a void into which said annular retention feature 202 can deflect upon opening of the mould.
The mould then opens at part line 9A as plate 9 is moved in direction "O".
Plates 1, 3, 5 and 6 then move in unison in direction "O" and plates 2 and 4 do not move or at least do not move relative to plates l, 3, 5 and 6 and tho relative movement between the annular coral connected to the plates creator void spaces into which seal a0 and portion of tamper-evident band 1 IO and tamper-evident engagement means 122 can deflect. Tha relative movement in direction "C" of annular con 4C closes void V1 and opens a similar void adjacent to seal 40 and annular outer core 2C moving a similar distance relative to core 1C opens a similar void adjacent to tamper band 110 and tamper band engagement mans 122.
Plate 3 then ceases to move and at least plates 1 and S continue moving in direction "O" causing relative movement betweon plate 3 and plates 1 and 5 thus pausing threaded core 3C to disengage from the closure 100. The closure 100 is now io &ee of cores 2C, 3C, 4C and 6C and is held by stripper ring 1C and annular core or stripper sleeve 5C remains in contact with the lower surface 21 of top wall circular disc 20, Plate 1 then ceases to move and plate 5 continues movement in direction "O"
causing core 5 to eject the moulded closure firam stripper ring 1C.
~s Plate 5 then ceases to move and the closure is ejected from the mould.
Tha mould then closes ready for the next injection cycle.
Further improvements in mould design will now be discussed.
The distance "I" is the total space available to contain the annular cores 3C, 4C, SC, 6C. It is highly desirable in large mufti-cavity moulds operating on fast cycle 20 time to have distance "I" as large as possible at least for the following reasons.
It is desirable to have core 6C. as large as possible in diameter so that hollow tuba 7 and water channel void 8W can ba of sufl~cient diameter to accommodate the flow of a large volume of cooling water thus enabling the moulded part to solidify and - be ejected earlier thus enabling the mould.to produce morn parts in a given time.
zs It is also desirable to have the wall thickness of annular cores 3C, 4C and and distance "H" and any interspacing bushes (not shown) of dimension as large as can be accommodated to ensure that the construction of the mould is robust and can last for many millions of cycles.
Preferably, distance "F" (the length of tamper band engagement means 122) 30 and distance "Cr" the distance from the end of tamper band engagement means 122 to the point at which the outer wall of annular core 3C becomes parallel to the axis of annular cores and by roducing distances "F" and "G" the point at which the outer wall of annular sore 3C becomes parallel to the axis of annular cores occurs such that distance "I" is thereby increased.
Angle "E" is also fundamental in determining distance "I". By restricting angle "E" to less than 50° and preferably 45° or less than the point at which the outer wall of annular core 3C becomes parallel to the axis of annular cores is further from the said axis thereby increasing the distance "x".
With reference to Figs. 19 to 23, a further aspect of the present invention will now be described. The drawings are taken from US Patent No. 6,755,347 and illustrate a closure 32 with a tamper band 35. The band is moulded in an extended 1o position as shown in Fig. 21 and thereafter to facilitate application of the closure to the container, the engagement portion 40 is folded into the position shown in 1~ig. 19, Referring to Fig. 20, the engagement portion 40 has segments 43, separated by slots S which serve to reduce the hoop strength of the free edge of the engagement portion 40, thereby enabling it to pass more easily over the tamper band on the neck of the container. >:Towever, it is necessary to retain sufficient hoop strength to keep the engagement portion 40 in an engagement position and of necessity there is interference between engagement portion 40 and the container tamper bead 37.
With reference to Fig. 23, upon rotation to remove the closure, the free end of the tamper band 40 comes into contact with the underside of the container tamper zo bead 3"1 and the axial force applied is transmitted through the engagement portion 40 to the body of the tamper band 35. The force may ba expressed as operating initially on a vector approximately through the line F. However, part of the force will be directed by the geometry, and relative positions of the respective features 41, 42, 43, in the direction K which will cause the band 35 to deform outwardly and thereby move hinge point 41 outwards. This serves to increase the angle of the engagement portion 40 and cause an increase in the force acting in the direction I~ and the decrease acting in the direction L. ' Ultimately, engagement portion 40 may be deformed so as to invert without severing the tamper band from the closure, thereby defeating the intended tampor-evidence feature of the closure 40.
The abovementioned problem may be minimised by making the band 35 of sufficient thickness to resist deformation. However, such thickening will make it morn difficult to stretch the band over the coatainer tamper bead thereby making the closure harder to apply to the container.
Fig. 24 is taken from US Patent No. 6,640,988, the contents of which are hereby incorporated into this specification by way of cross-reference. With reference to Fig. 24, there, is disclosed a closure with a tamper band where the engagement portion 40 consists of a numb~r of separate elements hinged from a lowor end or hinge point 41, this arrangement affords many advantages over the prior art ouch as U.S.
Patent No. 5,755;347 in that there is no hoop strength in the engagement portion of the tamper band to be overcome in the application of the closure.
. However, there is still tho problom of the force vectors operating through engagement portions 40 to move hinge point 41 outwardly and cause the engagement portions 42 invert before breaking the frangible bridges 38, thereby defeating the achievement of tamper-evidonce.
The following aspect of the present invention may ba manufactured using the mould oquipmont and method as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,551,093, which is hereby incorporated into the speeifieadon by way of cross roference. This aspect of the invention provides a closure w~rith a tamper band having more than one engagement portion 40 with a removal force vector angle closer to dir~action L
so as to reduce the propensity of the tamper band 35 to deform outwardly when removal force 2o is applied to the engagement portions 40. This is achieved by locating tho hinge point 41 closure to the axis of the closure. Such relocation is brought about by thickening the tampon band 35 at the hinge point 41. In doing so, the force vector angle is reduced, causing morn of the removal force to operate in the direction L and less to operato in direction K. Furthormore, thickening the band facilitates resistance to zs outward deformation which assists in maintaining the position of hinge point 41, thus maintaining maximum force vector in direction L. The thinner portion of the band above hinge point 41 leaves an area into which the free of engagement portion 40 can flex during application as the engagement portion 40 passes over the container tamper bead 37.
30 Referring to the comparative drawings Figs. 2S and 26 (prior art), the force vector operating upon removal at bingo point 41 to stretch the band 35 is reduced by about 60% (reduced from about 15 degrees to about 5 degrees); and the increaso in hoop strength by thickening the lower portion of the band 35 will further contribute to resisting stretching of the band upon removal, Both of these changes act together to ensure that the hinge point 41 is more resistant to outward movement under the stress of removal, thus ensuring that the engagement portions 40 are held in place to effect separation of the tamper band from the closure, A further aspect of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 27 to 33 and relates to a tamper-evident closure and eorr8sponding container neck, and to a closure mould assembly.
Refernng to fiig. 31, the neck 100 has an outer wall 105, an inner wall 130 and 1o a top wall 135 joining the outer and inner walls. Tho outer wall 105 is provided with one or more external threads 110 adapted to cooperate with a corresponding internal thread or threads on the closure. In the case of mufti-start threads tho thread profile may be of narrower profile on both neck and closure to allow for the axial or push-on application of the closure to the container, The threads may be continuous or ~s segmented as required. In the case of eontainBrs for carbonated beverages, threads 110 cooperate with the closure threads to retain the closure on the neck whilst the pressurised gas vents. To accomplish this the threads of one or more of the closure or the container neck may be slotted or segmented to facilitate release of the gas.
'fho neck includes a tamper bead 115 with a face 116 to cooperatively engage 20 with a tamper-evident ring or tamper-evidence engagement means on the closure. The tamper bead may be advantageously segmented with equal spaced gaps 'Y' to reduce tho quantity of material required.
Ono or more ramped angled projections 120 are located below tho tamper bead and shaped such that ramped surfaces 124 allow corresponding ramped surfaces on 25 the closure to pass over during application of the closure to the container neck.
However, upon rotation to remove the closure, engagement surfaces 122 ongago with corresponding oagagement surfaces on the closure thereby promoting early breakage of the frangible bridges and separation of the~tamper ring from the skixt of the closure as described below.
30 ~ Referring to Fig, 29a, the closure 10 consists of a disc 20 with an upper wall and a lower wall 13. One or more sealing means such as annular sealing means 40, 41 depend from the inner wall 13. The sealing rneane 40, 41 act to sealingly engage in such manner as to create a seal between closure and container that will have at least one sealing means operating until the tamper-evident ring is substantiahy separated from the closure skirt thus givizig clear evidence of the seal being breached.
Qne or more retention means 42 may tie provided to retain, for example, a cup or receptacle or disc or device (not shown) either within or depending from the closure, The retention means 42 may take the form of one or more clips, projections, recesses, rings, annular flange, interrupted or segmented annular flange annular groove or recess interruupted or segmented aturular groove or recess depending from the lower wall of the closure. ~1n object, such as a cup, may be engaged with the retaining means so as to be held in position whilst the closur~ is sealingly engaged to a container but may be removed to access the contents (such as food or beverage additives) contained in the cup.
The skirt 30 of the closure has an inner wall with a raised thread which cooperates with the external thread on the neck of the container.
A tamper-evidence ring 55 depends from a lower wall of the skirt by means of frangible bridges 50.
The neck of the container includes an engagement means with the tamper bead on the neck of the container such engagement means 58 consisting of but not limited to any one or more of and in any combination thereof which combination may omit one or more of a ramped projection which is shaped to more easil~r pegs over the tamper bead on the neck of the container on application of the closure but also shaped that upon removal of the closure from the container the projections engage with corresponding surface on the container neck promoting early breakage of the frangible bridges and ~j separation of the tamper ring from the skirt of the closure.
The flap 58, which may be folded after moulding, may be thicker at ane end than the other and may have stiffening ridges thereon. The flap may be shaped to facilitate folding and may be advantageously moulded in a position where end 59 is closer to the a~cis or centre of the closure to ensure that when folded into the closure 3o the flap will tend to be in a position to engage with both the wall 105 and the engagement faces 116 and I 18.

2s With reference to Fig. 29, a flap may be moulded in a position to allow one or more projections 73 to be created on the wall of the flap 58 such that when folded into position inside the closure ( shown with dotted line) the ramped surface 72 shaped to more easily pass over the tamper bead on the neck of the container upon application of the closure(not shown)and the ramped projection surface 72 shaped to easily pass over corresponding (in Fig. 31) ramped surfaces 124 on projections 120 on the neck of the container below the tamper bead 115 upon application of the closure(not shown) and whereupon the closure is rotated in the direction to remove the closure from ~o the neck of the container then the surfaces 70 and 59 of the said projections 73 respectively engages with corresponding engagement surfaces 122 and 116 on the neck of the container thereby rostraining movement of the tamper ring and promoting early breakage of the fiangible bridges and separation of the tamper ring from the skirt of the closure and the projection shape 74 in partial view 2 of Fig, z9 having a is dimension 'X' being a dimension larger than the gaps dimension 'Y' shown is Fig. 32 in a segmented tamper bead 115 of a corresponding container neck a projection (not shown) which may be shaped so as to engage with the tamper bead on the container neck but also shaped to assist removal from the mould and any combination of the foregoing.
20 The mould assembly comprising first and second mould portions which cooperate to define when in a closed position, a closure cavity;. .
the first mould portion eontairung the means of injection of polyolefln material and defining or partially defining the external, features of the top disc and skirt of the closure and 25 one or more raised f~atures on the exterior of closure which may cooperate with closure application means or closure ejection means.
The second mould portion having one or more of and or rneang of cooperation between and in any combination thereof a threaded core shaped to define any one or more of and in any combination 3o thoreof which combination u~ay omit one or more of threads on the inner wall of the closure skirt ouch threads cooperating with the threads on the neck of the container annular sealing means depending from the lower wall of tho closure disc andlor the inner wall of the closure skirt or any combination thereof and such sealing means to sealingly engage with any oao or more of or in any combination of tho inside wall of the container neck the top wall of the eontainBr neck tho outer wall of the container neck annular or interlvpted annular retentive means depending from the lower wall of the closure disc such that an object (such as a cup or roceptacle or disc or device) may ba engaged with the retaining means such that the object is held in position whilst 1o the closure is in use or alternatively the object but may bo removed to access the contents (such as food or beverage additives) of the receptacle. The retention moans rnay, for example, take tho dorm of one or more of clips, projections, recesses, annular flange, interrupted annular Range annular groove or rocess interrupted annular groovo or recess 15 an annular support ring shaped and positioned to form one or more of or portion of and in any combination thereof which combination may omit one or more of part of the outside wall of tho skirt a projection on tho outside wall of the skirt 20 a shoulder defining the lower extremity of the skirt at least a portion of the tamper-evidont ring one or morn frangible bridges connecting the skirt to the tamper-evident ring an outer core which cooperates with tho threaded core and the support ring to define at least portion of an annular tamper-evident ring and by cooperative movement 2s relative to the support ring and the threaded core creator a space into which the tamper-evident ring may deflect to assist ej action of tho closure.
one or more innor cores which may be shaped to define at least portion of the one or more of and annular sealing means and or annular or interrupted annular retention means and which by collective cooperation and relative movement between 30 the said inner cores and the threaded core assists ejection of the closure from the mould.

the inner cores and the threaded core cooperating and by relative forward or opening movement in relation to the support ring cause the closure whilst still remaining on the said inner cores and threaded core to move away from the support ring. .
the inner cores and the threaded core cooperating and by relative forward or opening movement of one or more of the inner cores relative to the threaded core eject the closure off the threaded core.
Alternatively the support ring may move forward relative to the threaded core thereby withdrawing the threaded core from the closure and further forward to rnov~nant by the inner core or cores removes the closure from contact with the support ring and ejects the closure from the mould .
if the closure is still retained on the inner cores by portion of the closure such as the said retention means then by cooperative forward or opening movement of the innermost eors relative to the other inner core the closure may be ejected off the inner 15 Core.
The present invention includes a cup or receptacle ( not shorxm) shaped with features which cooperate with the said retention means within the closure such means of cooperation being for example but not limited to one or more of clips, projections, recesses, annular flange, interrupted annular flange annular groove or recess 20 interrupted annular groove or recess.
In a further non-limiting aspect of the invention suitable for use with or without cup retention means we show in Fig. 28:
a tamper-evident closure 10 (shown partially) with atop wall 20 and as annular sealing device 40 sealingly engaging the inside wall 65 of the 25 container neck 60 and another annular scaling device 41 which may also but not necessarily be used to sealingly engage with either or both the upper wall 63 and the outer wall 64 of the container neck 60 ( shown not fully sealingly engaged).
The design of the closure being ouch that when the closure is fully applied 3o the distance 'A' being the distance over which an interference fit aid seal continues to occur between the annular sealing device 40 and the inner wall 65 of the container neck 60 during removal of the closure from the fully applied position (not shown) on the container neck and further described as being the distance between line A1 being the line touching the top wall 63 of the container neck and the line A2 being the line touching point of sealing engagement between annular sealing device 40 and the inner wall 65 of the container neck 60 measured at the point when the eloaure'is fully applied{ riot shown) to the container neck shall be always sufficiently larger than the distance 'B' being the distance between the engagement surface 61 of the tamper bead 62 and the engagement surface 59 of the tamper ring engagement means S8 when the closure is fully applied to the container) plus a distance 'C' (not shown) equalling the amount of compression that occurs in the tamper ring engagement means during the process of removal plus a distance 'D' (not shown) equalling the amount of stretch that occurs under is stress during closure removal in the frangible bridges 50 eanneeting the tampor-evidence annular ring 55 to the closure skirt 30 plus a distance 'E' (not shown} being the distance equal to. the tolerance allowed in the measurement specifications of the container neck 60 and the closure 10 plus as may be required a distance for margin of safety for a particular closure and nook . combination.
By observing this formula in designing a closure them the closure will be in sealing engagement with the container neck until after tamper-evidence is displayed thereby ensuring that no contamination of contents can occur without tamper' evidence.
z5 The foregoing inventions may be adapted according to the following procedure for closures using sealing methods other than that described in the foregoing example of closures with a bore seal on the inside neck surface of the container.
Where closures seal by other than a bore-seal the distance 'G' over which the seal is effectively is contact with the neck of the container expressed as the number of 3o removal rotations or portion of a rotation of the closure during removal is substantially lass than distance 'A' referred to in the bore-seal example in Fig. 28.

To eompengate for this the tamper-evidence feature must be caused to operate promptly upon removal rotation of the closure, Referring to Fig. 29, the present invention is designed to restxain the movement of the tamper-evident ring 55 on the closure by including cooperating.
5 engagement means 58 on the tamper-evident ring and engagement means 115 on the container neck (shown iri Fig. 31) such that upon removal rotation the said cooperating engagement means engage and further removal rotation fractures the frangible bridges 50 separating the tamper-evidence ring 55 from the closure skirt 30.
The present invention including container necks is described in the following non-10 limiting examples.
Referring to Fig. 29, Partial View 1, shows the lower edge 59 of tamper evident engagement means 58 with protrusions 73 having engagement faces 70 and romped surfaces 72 . The protrusions are spaced around the whole of the lower portion (as moulded) of the tamper-evident engagement means 58 with the is protrusions 73 protruding in the direction 'B' such that when the tamper-evident engagement means 58 is folded into the closure (shown with dotted line then the protrusions are oriented to upon rotation of the closure in the direction of removal engage with (shown in >~''IG. 4.) the corresponding neck engagement means 11S
and 120 on the container neck . The neck engagement means 115 have engagement faces 20 116 to restrain axial movement and engagement faces 122 to restrain rotational movement of the tamper-evidence ring 55 and upon further removal rotation of the closure sever the frangible bridges 50 and Partial View 2 shows an alternative configuration of protrusions 73 and 74 which are designed to cooperate with as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 4 or a combination 2s of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 such that the distance 'X' on protrusion 74 is greater than the distance 'Y' shown in FIG. 5 thus preventing protrusion 74 from passing through the gap 'Y' in the tamper bead 115 and retaining the tamper band 55 on the neck of the container.
Partial View 3. shows a corresponding view of Partial View 1 as seen from 30 location 'B'.
Referring to Fig. 30a, Partial View 4 is a view from location 'B' showing protrusions 76 extending from the lower edge 59 oftamper-evidence engagement means 58 to form a series of tooth like engagement devices 76 having engagement faces 70 and ramped surfaces 72 and first engagement points 75 which are designed upon romoval rotation to progrossively engage (shown in Fig, 32) with corresponding engagement faces 116 and ~ 118, Partial Visw 5 is a perspective view from the direction 'C' showing the tamper-evident engagement means 58 folded inside the closure . As can bee seen the engagement faces 70 will be able to engage both of the corresponding neck engagement means 116 arid 118 {shown in Fig. 32) and the face of the tamper-evidence engagement means 58 which passes over the tamper bead 115 upon ~o application has no projections thereon and will by deflecting outwardly towards the outside of the closure. Xn the event that the surfaces 72 abut the corresponding opposite surface of engagement face 116 on the container tamper bead 115 during the passing of the tamper-evidence engagement means 58 over the tamper bead then the ramped shapes of surface 72 will assist.
is The corresponding formula for non bore-seal or shallow bore-seal closures is 'T'he distance '(~' which is the distance represented by that fraction of a turn in the direction of removal which must always be less than the distance > 'H' ( not shown}
being the corresponding rotational measurement to distance '13' (iri the bore-seal formula) this dimension as may be required also takes into account during the closure 20 design stage of the compression of the sealing means against the upper surface 135 of the container neck plus the distance 'I' (not shown) which is the fraction of a rotation necessary to prcsont engagement faces 70 and engagement points 75 on the tamper ring against corresponding engagement faces 11b and 118 on the container neck plus the distance 'J' (not shown) being the corresponding rotational measurement to 25 distance 'C' (ia the bore~aeal formula) . This number can be minimised through the addition of stiffening ribs or ridges andlor use of more rigid plastics plus the distance 'K' (not shown) being the corresponding rotational measurement to distance 'D' (in the bore-seal formula) plus 30 the distance 'L' (not shown) being the corresponding rotational measurement to distance, 'E' (in the bore-seal formula).
Now referring to Fig. 30a we disclose that the retention device 42 may usefully be located iiZrther away from the skirt of the closure especially in closures of larger diameter.
the retention device 42 is also not limited to the shape shown but may be shaped to correspond with the cup or container or device being retained (not shown) S which may also be shaped such that one or more of or combination of cooperating slips, projections, recesses, annular flange, segmented or interrupted annular flange, annular groove or recess, interrupted annular recess and said cup and retention mcana 42 may be advantageously designed for example with a chamfered flange on the cup so that the cup is easily fitted into the reta'ming means 42 and this assembly may l0 usefully be combined in a closure, with the sealing means 41. or its mirror image 43 shown with dotted line.
Referring to Fig. 30a we hereby disclose a design for sealing means 41 and or 43 which may advantageously be constructed with the cross sectional dimension decreasing progressively from the point of joining with the lower wall l3 of the i5 closure disc 20 and the said point of joining having a radius (not shown) such that the over all design of sealing means 41 and or 43 facilitates easy removal from a mould assembly (not shown) the features 41 42 and 43 may also be shaped advantageously according to known means.
2o Referring to Figs. 32 and 33, which illustrate a plan view of two embodiments of container necks which' correspond with the closures disclosed herein. The necks can be divided into quadrants Ql, QZ, Q3 and Q4 as shown.
In Fig, 32 all four quadrants are similar, whilst in Fig. 33 QZ is the mirror of Q~
and the half Q3 and Q4 is the mirror image of the other half Q~, Qz. The interruptions 25 or gaps'Y' in the tamper bead 115 may be shaped differently according to the means of manufacture or desire to minimise the amount of material used, The relationship of gape'Y'to segments'Z' may usefully be varied to save material for example by making the dimension ratio 3Y to 2Z resulting in a material saving is in the order of b0% of the material used in a solid tamper bead and such container necks and tamper 3o beads caa be designed so as to operate with other closures.
The various aspects of the present invention can be applied to dispensing closures for particular dry goods, such as spices. For example, closures of the type disclosed in US )latent No. 6,341,720 are 5,799,838 may be adapted as illustrated in accornpanying Figs. 33 to 35. 'With reference to Figs. 34 to 36, the closure 10 has an annular retention features 123 which, in cooperation with annular projection 47 on over cap 40 serves to retain the over cap when replaced onto the closure after the initial fracturing of the frangible bridges of the tamper-evidenf ring 43. An opening 70 is provided for spoon or bulk dispensing, whilst an adjacent opening 71 comprising a plurality of apertures is provided for a shaker-type dispenser.
The tamper-evident over cap 47 has discrete Sealing means 85 and 86 respectively sealing the closure openings 70 and 71. The sealing means operate by 1o means of interference ~t between outer walls 84 and inner walls 49 of the opeaings 70 and 71. One or more hinge lines 80 which may be spaced apart, allow one or more over cap portions (for example over cap portion 88) to ba lifted upwards to.
allow dispensing of contents of the. container through the orifices. Preferably, one of the hinge lines is located such that more than 50% of the circumference of the over cap remains affixed to the closure by cooperation between the annular retention feature 123 and annular projection 47:
Referring to Fig. 37, a partial section of the tamper-evident closure and receptacle or cup is depicted. Tho closure 10 has sealing means 40 to sealingly engage the inside wall 65 of a container neck and sealing nneans 44 to sea,lingly 2o engage the outside wall 64 of the container neck 60. A tamper band 55 is attached to skirt 30 by means of frangible bridges 50 and more than one tamper band engagement portion 58 is separate from each other, thus facilitating less resistance when passing over the container tamper bead 61 upon application to the container, The cylindrical receptacle 150 may be integrally formed in the closure, or 2s manufactured as a separate component and secured to tho inside of the upper wall of the closure. The receptacle may be of any desired length but advantageously its length extends from the top wall 20 of the closure to between the lines marked "G"
and "H", such that the end of the receptacle does not project from the closure whilst the tamper band 55 is on the closure, thus facilitating ease of sorting and orienting and 3o applying the closure to the container. When the elasure is removed from the container, the end of the receptacle will project from the closure thus facilitating removal of any sealing means applied to the open end of the receptacle. The receptacle sealing means is necessary in order to separate the contents of the receptacle from the contents of the container. The receptacle has an inside wall 151 and an outside wall 152, the walls being thicker at the point at which the walls join the top wall 20 of the closure. The receptacle walls are thinner at the open end of the receptacle. Preferably, the tapering in the walls of the receptacle is sufficient to allow easy romaval of the mould by the relative movement between one or more mould components andlor relative movement between the mould components and the closure.
With reference to Figs. 38 and 38a, the mould assembly disclosed by Taha in US Patent No. 6,651,093, which is hereby incorporated into the specification by way of cross-reference, has been modified to create the receptacle walls 150 and 151. 'The annular receptacle xnay be of a smaller diameter and located closer to the mould portion 220. On larger diameter closures the width of the mould portion 218 can be increased, thus facilitating creation of receptacle walls of greater length than that 1 s shown.
Advantageously,.the various embodiments of the tamper-evident closure according to the present invention may be adapted or combined with one or morn of the openings to dispense the contents of a container, or the threads and tamper-evident bead on the outside skirt so that a plug seal type over cap can be aff'uced to the basic 2o closure in order to seal the container initially and provide clearly visible evidence that the over cap has been opened. Additionally this provides means to reseal the container. This is useful, especially in instances where the container has a wide dimensional tolerance; since the basic closure can be snapped into a sealing position and riot able to be removed without first removing the tamper~evident band.
The over 25 cap can be designed to seal more effectively in multiple removal/resealing operations.
The present invention includes any ono or more of the aspects disclosed herein incorporated with the mquld assembly and closures disclosed in US Patent Nos.
x,598,833, 6,551,093, 6,626,310 and 6,640,988 and Australian Patent No. 550878 and Australian Patent Application No. 79927/98 the disclosures of which are hereby 30 incorporated into this specification by way of cross-reference.
The various aspects of the present invention described above may be combined with any one or more of the following:

(i) Various child resistant features, one .of which may be of the typo whereby it is necessary to exert downward force either on the top of the closure or on the top of an over-cap which fits over the top of the closure, such that the downward force overcomes resistance thereby allowing arigagoment means between the over-cap and the closure to enable removal rotation of the closure to operate the tamper.evident feature and remove the closure from the neck of the container.
{ii) child-resistant tamper~evident closures, including' a "squeeze dropper"
type dispensing closure.
1o (iii) Dispensing closures for liquids, such as oils.
(iv) Dispensing closures for particulate matters, such as granular powders and the like.
{v) The moulding ofthe closure from more than one type ofmaterial. For example, it would assist recycling if the closure tamper-evident band i s was moulded in the same materiax as the container. Tn another example a different colour or typo of material may be used to mould the tamper band promoting visual difference between closure body and tamper band or physical performance of the tamper band.
(vi) Various dispensing means such as, but not limited to, a perforated or 20 partially perforated closure with flip top cover, a flexible membrane with cruciform or other pattern slits or openings to thereby permit the dispensing of container contents or a pump action dispenser or a pushlpull valve closing/opening feature.
(vii) A closure applied by axial rather than rotational motion and closures zs with more than one thread means.
(viii) A closure with a cooperating ratchet or engagement means between the tamper-evident band and features on the neck of the container such that cooperation between the said engagement means or any of them upon removal rotation of the threaded closure tends to promote severing of 30 the frangible ribs connecting the tamper-evident band to the skirt of the closure. Said engagement means having camped surfaces which cooperate during application of said closure to said container neck to 3s reduce rotational force on the tamper-evident band during application .
reducing the possibility of severing the frangible ribs connecting the .
. tamper-evident band to the skirt of the closure.
(ix) Various means of employing an additional foil seal to ensure freshness s . of the contents of a container and which may include a means to pierce the foil, (x) Closures made of metal or plastic materials, or a combination of metal and plastic materials as may be useful in hot fill vacuum seal packages.
(xi) Containers made of plastic, metal arid glass materials, uo Although the various aspects of this invention have been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in.the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. ~A container and a closure for connection to said container, said closure including:
an upper wall;
a skirt formed integrally with and extending downwardly from said upper wall, said skirt adapted to engage with a neck portion of the container to secure the closure to the container;
a tamper-evident band frangibly connected to said skirt;
the neck of the container including a plurality of discretely spaced projections extending outwardly from said neck and adapted to engage with tabs on said tamper-evident band to facilitate breaking of the band from the skirt of the closure.

2. ~The container and closure for connection to said container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closure further includes a sealing means depending from said upper wall, said sealing means adapted to seal against the neck of the container.

3, ~The container enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projections include one or more ramped surfaces which engage with engagement surfaces on said tabs of said tamper-evident band to facilitate the breaking of the band from the skirt of the closure.

4. ~A container and closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure is designed according to the following formula;
A >= B + C + D + E + F
wherein:
(i) ~A is the distance over which the sealing member can seal against the inner wall or outer wall of the neck portion of the container;
(ii) ~B is the distance between the engagement surface of the tamper-evident bead and the engagement surface of the tabs when the closure is fully applied to the container;
(iii) ~C is the amount of compression that occurs in the tamper-evident band tabs during the process of removal of the closure;
(iv) ~D is the amount of stretch that occurs under stress during closure removal in the skirt and the frangible ribs connecting the tamper-evident band to the closure skirt;

(v) ~E is the distance equal to the tolerance allowed in the measurement specifications of tho container neck and the closure; and (vi) ~F is the distance required for a margin of safety for a particular closure and neck combination so as to promote the operation of the tamper-evidence means prior to loss of the seal between closure and container neck.

5. ~A closure for connection to a container, said closure including:
an upper wall;
a skirt formed integrally with and extending downwardly from said upper wall, said skirt adapted to engage with a neck portion of the container to secure the closure to the container;
a plunger housing located in said upper wall;
a plunger sealingly engaged in said plunger housing;
wherein said plunder and plunger housing adapted for dispensing one or more additives into the container.