CA3014947A1 - Anti-rotation features for containers and closures - Google Patents

Abstract

A container apparatus is disclosed that may include (i) a container that may have a neck region providing an opening into an inner cavity of the container; (ii) a closure operable to be engaged with the neck region to seal the opening. At least one surface feature such as a plurality of notches, on the neck region of the container may be operable to engage with at least one surface feature, such as a plurality of protrusions, on the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container. The configuration of the surface features may be selected to define and/or control the torque required to rotate the closure relative to the container when they are engaged with each other. An engagement mechanism, that may be a snap fit connection, may be provided that is operable to engage the closure with the neck region of the container. The container may be a flip-top container.

Description

ANTI-ROTATION FEATURES FOR CONTAINERS AND CLOSURES
TECHNICAL FIELD
This relates to closures and containers.
BACKGROUND
Containers of various types are known for liquids, gases and/or solids. Also, various types of closures for containers are known.
Containers, including containers blown from preforms, may be made from a variety of materials including glass, metals and polymers/plastics. Many containers are configured in the form of a bottle and many are made from a wide variety of materials including polymers/plastics such as for example polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"). Similarly, closures for such containers may also be made from a wide variety of materials including polypropylene ("PP") and polyethylene ("PE").
A closure and a corresponding container to which the closure may be attached may thus be made from one or more plastic materials with the closure and / or the container may be capable of being, to some extent, reconfigured from one shape to another. For example, during attachment of a closure to a container, a cylindrical side wall of a closure may be resiliently displaced outwardly to allow the closure to be attached to the container.
A closure may be engaged with a container in a variety of ways, including by way of example, a snap fit in which an engaging part of a closure (such as a generally annular and circumferential ring and/or grooved shaped part) may be engaged with a suitably and correspondingly shaped part of a container (such as an annular and circumferential groove and/or ring part) located proximate or a short distance from the mouth of an opening of the container. As the closure is being attached to close and seal the opening of the container, either one or both of the engaging part of the closure and/or the engaging part of the container may be resiliently / elastically deformed. During the attachment of the closure to the container by a generally axial compressive force being applied to push the closure and the container together, the engaging parts may move relative to each other such as by sliding one part over / relative to the other part, from a first position where the closure is disengaged from the container to a second position where the parts of the closure and container are engaged with each other. In the second engaged position, the engaging part of the closure and/or the engaging part of the container may move back from the fully resiliently / elastically deformed configuration that occurs during the attachment movement, to an engaged configuration which may have less relative deformation of one or both parts compared to the fully deformed configuration.
This movement to the engaged configuration may provide a "snapping" movement and a "snap fit"
closing mechanism.

Once, in the engaged configuration, the engaging part of the closure and the engaging part of the container may have surfaces that interface and engage with each other that without a significant axial tensile force being applied to pull the closure and the container apart, the closure will remains properly attached to the container. The forces resisting removal may result in part from frictional forces and / or surfaces abutting with each other.
A closure may have a built-in dispensing mechanism, for example, a conventional flip-top closure may have a body portion and a lid. The lid may be attached to the body portion by a living hinge. The living hinge may be a single flexible portion that may be molded integrally with the body portion and the lid, so that pivoting can occur between the body portion and the lid about the living hinge, between an open position and a closed position. In an open position, contents can be dispensed from an inner cavity of the container through and opening in the body when the closure is secured /
attached to the container. In the closed position the contents are retained and may be sealed in the inner cavity.
In at least some situations, once the closure is attached to the container, it may be desirable to prevent .. rotation of the closure relative to the container, for example, to prevent misalignment between the closure and the container for aesthetics and handling purposes. For example, the closure may be asymmetric, so a particular position of the closure in relation to the container may be desirable.
In some existing containers, such as some of those containers made of high-density polyethylene ("HOPE"), triangular features may be formed on the neck of the container to engage with .. corresponding grooves in the closure. The interaction of these features may resist rotational movement of the closure relative to the container.
Containers may be conventionally formed using an extrusion blow molding process, in which plastic is melted and extruded into a hollow tube of plastic (called a "parison"). A
cooled mold is then closed over the parison. Air is blown into the parison, inflating it until the hot plastic hits the sides of the cold mold and forms the shaped container, including, for example, desired triangular features.
Alternatively, in an injection stretch blow molding process, plastic is first molded into a "preform"
using an injection molding process and cooled. The preforms are then fed into a stretch blow molding machine, in which the desired triangular features are defined by a blow mold.
The blow mold is closed around the preform, and then the preform is reheated and inflated to take the shape of the triangular features.
However, it can be difficult to blow / inflate a container with mass accumulation as required to form such triangular features, particularly for a container formed from PET. The mass accumulation

2 required to form such triangular features may not be feasible when using a stretch blow molding process, in particular with PET.
Furthermore, the removal of material in the closure to form grooves in which the triangular features are received may lead to potential shrinkage and warpage issues in the closure.
Once secured to the container, the traditional snap fit closure, for example as described above, is generally not designed to be removed from the container to dispense contents from the container, since the flip-top provides for an open position in which contents can be dispensed. However, in situations in which it is desirable to remove the closure from the container, the consumer experience may be adversely impacted due to the application force / torque required to overcome the interference between the closure and the container, and being too difficult to separate the closure from the container.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved controllability of rotation of the closure relative to the container once the closure has been secured on the container such as with a snap fit connection, without unduly increasing the complexity of the blow molding process.
SUMMARY
According to an aspect, there is provided a container apparatus that comprises a container comprising a neck region, the neck region provides an opening into an inner cavity of the container, a closure operable to be engaged with the neck region to seal the opening, at least one surface feature on the .. neck region of the container operable to engage with at least one surface feature on the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.
According to another aspect, there is provided a container apparatus that comprises a container having an opening into an inner cavity of the container, a closure operable to be engaged with a portion of the container to seal the opening, at least one surface feature on the container proximate the opening the at least one surface feature being operable to engage with at least one surface feature on the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container, the at least one surface feature of the container and the at least one surface feature of the closure being selectively configured to control the resistance to relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.

3 According to another aspect, there is provided a container apparatus that comprises a container comprising an annular neck region having an inner surface, the inner surface defining at least part of an inner cavity of the container, and a closure, the neck region of the container having a first group of surface features operable to engage with a second group of surface features of the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is attached to the container.
According to another aspect, there is provided a container comprising a neck region providing an opening into an inner cavity of said container, at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container operable to engage with at least one surface feature on a closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.
According to yet another aspect, there is provided a closure operable to be engaged with a neck region of a container, said neck region providing an opening into an inner cavity of said container, said closure operable to seal said opening when engaged with said neck region of said container, said closure having at least one surface feature operable to engage with at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container and be operable to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.
Other features will become apparent from the drawings in conjunction with the following description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the figures which illustrate example embodiments, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a partial container;
FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of a partial closure;
FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the partial container of FIG. 1A and the partial closure of FIG. 1B in partial engagement with each other;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a partial container, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2B is a bottom view of a closure, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2C is a perspective view of part of the container of FIG. 2A and part of the closure of FIG. 2B
showing the relative positions of the container and the closure at the beginning of capping;

4 FIG. 3A is a front elevation cross-sectional view of the part of the container of FIG. 2A and the part of the closure of FIG. 2B portion taken along line I-I of FIG. 2C;
FIG. 3B is a front elevation cross-sectional view of the part of the container of FIG. 2A and the part of the closure of FIG. 2B portion taken along line I-I of FIG. 2C in a further final fully engaged and sealed position relative to each other;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the container of FIG. 2A, illustrating some of the notches in further detail;
FIGS. 5A to 5G are front schematic views of different cross-sections of a notch in a neck region of a container, exemplary of embodiments;
.. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a partial container, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 6B is a bottom view of a partial closure, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 6C is a front elevation cross-sectional view of the part of the container of FIG. 6A and the part of the closure of FIG. 6B portion taken along line II-II;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a partial container, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 7B is a bottom view of a partial closure, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 7C is a front elevation cross-sectional view of the part of the container of FIG. 7A and the part of the closure of FIG. 7B portion taken along line FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a partial container, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 8B is a bottom view of a partial closure, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a partial container, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 9B is a bottom view of a partial closure, according to an embodiment; and FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an injection molding system that may be employed to form any of the closures and containers depicted in FIGS. 1 to 9.
For convenience, like reference numerals in the description refer to like elements in the drawings.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an

5 understanding of the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S) FIGS. 1A to 1C depict portions of a typical known container apparatus including a container 100 and a closure 120. Closure 120 may be, for example, a flip-top closure.
As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, a typical container 100 has triangular features 102 extending radially outwardly from a neck region. Triangular features 102 engage with grooves 122 in closure 120, such that closure 120 does not rotate freely on container 100 when engaged in the alignment shown in FIG.
1C.
Using a stretch blow molding process, triangular features may be formed in a blow mold, closed around a preform, and inflated to take the shape of triangular features 102.
As described above, it can be difficult to blow a container with mass accumulation as required to form such triangular features.
Furthermore, grooves may cause shrinkage and warpage issues when the closure is cooling.
FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate portions of a container apparatus, according to an embodiment, including a container 200 and a closure 220. In an overview, anti-rotation features may include at least one surface feature on the closure which may operably co-operate with at least one surface feature on the container. In embodiments, a first plurality (eg. a first group) of surface features on the closure co-operate with a second plurality (eg. a second group) of surface features on the closure to resist rotation of the closure relative to the container when the closure is secured to the container. In other embodiments, the surface features on the container may include protrusions that may be applied to surface areas of a closure to interface with surfaces features, such as notches, in a corresponding engagable closure. The configuration of the surface features on the closure and the container may be selected to provide anti-rotation properties to adjust, define and/or control the application force /
torque required to rotate the closure relative to the container when the closure is engaged with the container.
Both a preform of container 200 and a closure 220 may be formed by an injection molding process using adapted injection molding equipment, such as for example injection molding equipment of the type generally known to persons skilled in the art in the industry. In an injection molding process, a molding material is injected in one or more molding cavities to form a preform of container 200 or a closure 220.

7 Container 200 may then be formed from the preform of container 200 by a stretch blow molding technique using adapted stretch blow molding equipment, such as for example stretch blow molding equipment of the type generally known to persons skilled in the art in the industry. The blow mold is closed around the preform, and then the preform is reheated and inflated to take the shape of the blow mold, forming container 200.
The molding material may be a wide variety of materials including a polymer, such as a thermoplastic or a thermosetting polymer, for example PP or PE. The molding material could be a different type of polymer such as an elastomer, or any other material suitable for injection molding and suitable for a particular container 200 or closure 220.
Container 200 and closure 220 may be made entirely from any suitable material(s), such as, by way of example only, PE, PET, or PP. In an exemplary implementation, the molding material used for producing container 200 and closure 220 is PE.
A portion of container 200 is shown in FIG. 2A, in particular, neck region 204 and top region 205.
Neck region 204 has an opening 213 defined by an inner bottle surface diameter. Top region 205, neck region 204 and its inner surface 206 may define part of an inner cavity 212 of an example container 200.
An exterior surface 208 of neck region 204 may be provided with an integrally formed snap band 210 in the form of a circumferential, generally circular and toroidal / ring shaped shoulder which has an upper, angled shoulder surface 211A and a generally horizontally oriented (e.g., generally perpendicular to the orientation of exterior surface 208) lower shoulder surface 211B.
Neck region 204 may include a top sealing surface ("TSS"), for example, top contact surface 201, facing substantially vertically/axially upward and positioned on a distal end of neck region 204 adjacent opening 213 of neck region 204.
Top contact surface 201 may include surface features which may extend substantially vertically/axially downward, for example, as apertures or notches 202. Notches 202 may be substantially rectangular in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2A, defining upward facing notch surfaces 203C
located at the bottom of notches 202, and side notch surfaces 203A and 203B (individually and collectively side notch surface(s) 203). In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, there are four notches 202, equally angularly spaced at about 90 degrees from each other around the circumference of neck region 204,

8 and extending fully radially through the wall of neck region 204. The dimensions of each notch 202 may be, for example, 5 mm high x 4 mm thick x 4 mm wide. But other configurations, orientations and sizes of notches are contemplated.
Some of notches 202 are shown in further detail in FIG. 4, as described below.
Additionally, the proportions of notches in some alternative illustrative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F, as described below.
Closure 220 may be, for example, a flip-top closure having a body portion 228, and a lid 250 (FIG.
2C) attached to body portion 228, for example, by way of a living hinge.
Closure 220 may be generally oval shaped in top view.
As can be seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, body portion 228 has a continuous generally cylindrically tubular side wall 230 (FIG. 2C) and an integrally connected, disc shaped, top wall 232 (FIG. 2C) with a downward facing, generally flat, surface 233 (FIG. 2B). Side wall 230 may be generally oval shaped in horizontal cross-section, but other shapes are contemplated. Top wall 232 may define a recess portion 236, an aperture 240 and a raised lip 242 surrounding aperture 240.
Aperture 240 may have a generally cylindrical inner surface. Recess 234 and recess 236 may be contiguous. In some embodiments, recess 236 could be omitted and/or lip 242 could be omitted.
Aperture 240 allows the content of container 200, to which closure 220 can be attached, to be removed or dispensed from the inner cavity of the container.
A lid, for example flip-top lid 250 shown in FIG. 2C, may be connected to closure 220 with a hinge and shaped to be complementary with the shape of recess 236 of top wall 232 and recess 234 of side wall 230, to provide a flip top mechanism such that when the lid is closed, the lid may be received substantially into recesses 234 and 236 and engage with frictional engagement of interfacing surfaces to seal the contents of the container within the container. The lid 250 may furthermore have a cylindrical protrusion extending from an inward surface that is sized to be received in aperture 240 when the lid is closed on closure 220 is in a closed positon and configured to prevent the content of container 200 from flowing out of container 200 when the lid and closure 220 are closed. Frictional engagement of interfacing surfaces of the outward facing surface of the cylindrical protrusion and inward facing cylindrical surface of aperture 240 may provide a seal and may also hold the lid in a closed position when the protrusion is inserted in the aperture 240. In some embodiments a lid and body portion 228 could have any other complementary shapes permitting the closing of aperture 240.

9 The inside surface area of side wall 230 of closure 220 may define features complementary to features of the corresponding surface of container 200 to which closure 220 can be secured permitting the attachment of closure 220 to container 220. Examples of such features include, but are not limited to grooves, ribs and clips. A generally cylindrical tubular wall 224 of closure 220 may be integrally connected and formed with the outer circumferential edge region of top wall 232 of closure 220 and may depend substantially vertically/axially downward therefrom. Wall 224 may be spaced inwardly of, and radially apart from, side wall 230. Radially spaced between wall 224 and side wall 230 may be an indentation in the downward facing surface 233 of top wall 232, representing a change in the planar direction of downward facing surface 233, as can be seen in FIG. 2B.
Wall 224 may have a generally right circular cylindrical tubular upper wall section and a lower tooth or hook section 221. Hook section 221 may be integrally formed as part of wall 224 and may be formed in a generally semi-circular toroidal shape, lobe shape, a generally annular ring shape or any other suitable shape that extends around an inner circumference of upper wall section of wall 224 and protrudes radially inward beyond the radially inward facing cylindrical surface of the upper wall section and performs the desired functions. Hook section 221 may be provided with a generally horizontally oriented upper shoulder surface 229A and a lower, angled shoulder surface 229B.
Hook section 221 of wall 224 of closure 220, may, for example, engage with snap band 210 on neck region 204 of container 200, in a manner generally as referenced above, and as described in further detail below, providing a snap fit by securing closure 220 to container 200 with a friction fit and / or surface abutment engagement. Thus, hook section 221 and snap band 210 provide an axial engagement mechanism allowing closure 220 to be engaged with container 200. This engagement mechanism may be releasable.
In other embodiments, wall 224 may not be present or may be shaped or configured differently than that shown in FIGS. 2B, 3A and 3B. In some embodiments, wall 224 may have grooves, for example, similar to grooves 122 in closure 120 as shown in FIG. 1B, to create some flexibility in the snap fit provided by wall 224.
In some embodiments, the inner side surface of side wall 230 could be shaped and sized to provide a press-fitted connection to the container (not shown), and/or other engagement mechanisms for engaging of closure 220 with container 200 may be provided. In some embodiments, more than one type of feature could be used. For example, the inside surface of side wall 230 could be dimensioned to permit the securing of closure 220 to container 200.

In some embodiments, closure 220 may also have a sealing protrusion, for example, a plug seal device 226 having sealing features which, when closure 220 is applied to container 200, engage with inner surface 206 of neck region 204 of container 200 to provide a seal between inner cavity 212 and the external environment.
.. Plug seal device 226 may be integrally connected and formed with top wall 232 of closure 220 and may depend substantially vertically/axially downward therefrom. Plug seal device 226 can be spaced radially apart from wall 224 to allow an upper portion of neck region 204 of container 200 to be received there between.
Plug seal device 226 may have a generally right circular cylindrical tubular upper wall section 225 and a sealing section 227. Sealing section 227 may be integrally formed as part of plug seal device 226 and may be formed in a generally semi-circular toroidal shape, lobe shape, a generally annular ring shape or any other suitable shape that protrudes radially outward beyond the radially outward facing cylindrical surface of upper wall section 225 and can function to provide a seal with inner surface 206 of neck region 204.. Sealing section 227 may have a generally arcuate outer sealing surface area.
In other embodiments, plug seal device 226 may possibly not be required or present or may be shaped or configured differently than that shown in FIGS. 2B, 3A and 3B. For instance, a plug seal device may have a sealing ring with different geometric proportions than sealing section 227, such as the above-noted lobe shape.
Plug seal device 226 may be configured and formed such that when it is received within the opening 213 of neck region 204, the plug seal device 226 may be resiliently displaced radially inwards, with sealing section 227 being subject to a restoring force radially outwards to create a seal between sealing section 227 and the inner surface 206 of neck region 204.
In some embodiments, additional seals may also be provided between inner cavity 212 of container 200 and the external environment.
With reference to FIGS. 2B, 3A, 3B and 4, one or more anti-rotation members such as protrusions, such as for example pads 222, may be positioned and extend radially outwardly from plug seal device 226 and radially inwardly from wall 224 and side wall 230. Pads 222 may be integrally connected and formed with top wall 232 of closure 220 and may depend substantially vertically/axially downward therefrom. Pads 222 may each include opposed side walls 223A, 223B extending vertically/axially downward and generally perpendicular from top wall 232 and extending radially, and a bottom surface 223C, facing substantially vertically/axially downward and positioned on a distal end of pads 222 opposite downward facing surface 233. In some embodiments, pads 222 may form to an apex or narrow point feature at the distal end, opposite downward facing surface 233.
The dimensions of each pad 222 generally in a rectangular block configuration may be, for example, 4 mm high x 4 mm thick x 4 mm wide. The specific dimensions and shape may be selected to control and define the minimum application torque required to cause rotation of the container 200 relative to the closure 220.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the areas of contact between container 200 and closure 220 during application (also referred to as capping) to attach closure 220 to container 200, as well as removal of closure 220 from container 200 (also referred to as uncapping) will be described. At the outset, it is noted that, during capping, closure 220 is typically applied to container 200 using a vertical or axial force downwards on closure 220, which is depicted schematically as closing force Fl in FIG. 3A, which may be resisted by a substantially equal, opposite axial force F2 exerted on container 200, such that the opposed compressive forces Fl and F2 will drive the closure 220 into a snap fit engagement with container 200.
At the beginning of capping and during capping (FIG. 3A), there may be contact between at least a portion of sealing ring 227 of plug seal device 226 in closure 220 and at least a portion of inner surface 206 of neck region 204 of container 200. Plug seal device 226 may also include a pre-alignment feature which may help facilitate the vertical and longitudinal axial movement and position of closure 220 relative to container 200 as closure 220 moves into engagement with container 200. The reception of the bottom end portion of plug seal device 226 into the opening 213 of neck region 204 may serve to partially align closure 220 to engage with neck region 204. In operation of some embodiments, when being received into opening 213 of neck region 204, sealing section 227 of plug seal device 226 may provide the first/initial seal between inner cavity 212 of container 200 and the external environment.
During capping, wall 224 may elastically deform such that hook section 229 will slide over angled shoulder surface 211A of snap band 210 such that lower generally horizontal surface 211B of snap band 210 will be placed into face to face abutting relation with upper surface 229A of hook section 221. When closure 220 is to be removed from neck region 204 of container 200, the resistance force created by the interface between lower generally horizontal surface 211B of snap band 210 that comes into engagement with the generally horizontally oriented upper surface 229A of hook section 221 will need to be overcome.

Capping may also require angular rotation of closure 220 relative to container 200 so that pads 222 are aligned as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B to engage with notches 202 to complete vertical/axial downward translation of closure 220.
At the end of the vertically/axially downward translation of the closure 220 relative to container 200 (FIG. 3B), in an attached/engaged position, in addition to the contact that exists during capping as described above, there may also exist contact between downward facing surface 233 and upward facing container top contact surface 201 located at the top of neck region 204 of container 200, which may form a seal. At the end of translation of closure 220, when finalizing capping, further substantial vertical/axial downward translation of top wall 232 of the closure 220 is blocked by at least the abutment of closure downward facing surface 233 with container top contact surface 201.
In an exemplary embodiment, pads 222 and bottom surface 223C may be configured so that when closure 220 is attached to container 200, as shown in FIG. 3B, pads 222 are fully engaged with notches 202. Depending upon the configuration of notches 202 and pads 222, when closure 220 is fully engaged with container 200, bottom surface 223C may be in contact with upward facing surface 203C.
The presence of pads 222 in engagement with notches 202 may provide anti-rotation properties to adjust, define and/or control the force / torque required to rotate container 200 relative to closure 220, as described in further detail below.
In some embodiments, in engagement, bottom surfaces 223C of pads 222 do not contact upward facing notch surface 203C of notches 202 forming a top surface of neck region 204 of container 200.
A space between bottom surfaces 223C of pads 222 and upward facing notch surface 203C of notches 202 may ensure proper seating of downward facing surface 233 of closure 220 on top contact surface 201 of container 200, without interference from pads 222 and notches 202, when closure 220 and container 200 are attached.
Furthermore, with particular reference to FIG. 3B, when the closure 220 is engaged with the container, the height of pads 222 may be greater than or equal to the distance between upper shoulder surface 229A of hook section 221 on closure 220 and lower shoulder surface 211B of snap band 210 on container 200, when attached and in engagement, such that once the pads 222 are fully disengaged from notches 202, the hook section 221 will have cleared snap band 210, allowing unimpeded freedom in both axial/vertically upwards movement and angular rotational movement.
When container 200 and closure 220 are attached, a seal may be provided by sealing ring 227 of plug seal device 226 to seal any contents in container 200 from the external environment.
Sealing ring 227 may be configured and operable such that when it engages with inner surface 206 of neck region 204 it may provide a complete circumferential seal between plug seal device 226 and inner surface 206 of neck region 204 of container 200 when sealing section 227 is received through opening 213 of neck region 204 and sealing section 227 is engaged with inner surface 206, creating a solid, fluid and/or gas seal between: (i) inner cavity 212 of container 200 and the contents that may be contained therein; and (ii) the external environment.
To provide a complete circumferential seal, plug seal device 226 may extend vertically/axially downward from top wall 232 to provide for sealing section 227 engaging with inner surface 206 of neck region 204 beneath notches 202.
After finalizing capping, closure 220 remains on container 200 until closure 220 is removed and container 200 is opened, for example by a user. The contact interfaces between pads 222 of closure 220 and notches 202 of container 200 at the start of opening are the same as at the end of translation.
In uncapping, once closure 220 has been sufficiently translated vertically/axially upwards relative to container 200, contact between top wall 232 and top contact surface 201 will cease. As closure 220 is translated vertically/axially upwards, there will also be contact between lower generally horizontal surface 211B of snap band 210 and generally horizontally oriented upper surface 229A of hook section 221 such that wall 224 will elastically deform such that hook section 229 will slide over angled shoulder surface 211B of snap band 210, allowing closure 220 to be removed from engagement with container 200.
Furthermore, pads 222 will fully exit notches 202. Upon attempting rotation, between pad side wall 223A and side notch surface 203A (or pad side wall 223B and side notch surface 203B upon attempting rotation in the opposite direction) interfacing surface contact will cease, allowing free rotation of closure 220 relative to container 200.
Notches 202 in container 200 and pads 222 in closure 220 noted above will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates some of notches 202 in further detail. The height of each notch 202 is indicated by height h, the thickness of each notch 202 is indicated by thickness t, and the width of each notch 202 is indicated by width w.
The height h of each notch 202 may be, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm. The thickness t of each notch 202 may be, for example, between 4 mm and 7 mm, and the thickness t of each notch may conform to the thickness of the preform from which the container is formed.
The width w of each notch 202 may be, for example, between 4 mm and 7 mm.
FIGS. 5A to 5G are each schematic views of various front cross-sections for a notch, exemplary of embodiments. Notches 202 are illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 3A, 3B and 4 with the cross-section shown in FIG. 5A, which is generally rectangular in shape.
FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of a notch that is generally an isosceles trapezoid in front cross-section.
FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment of a notch that is generally square in front cross-section.
FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment of a notch that is generally triangular in front cross-section.
FIG. 5E illustrates an embodiment of a notch that is generally a notched rectangle in front cross-section.
FIG. 5F illustrates an embodiment of a notch that is generally u-shaped in front cross-section.
FIG. 5G illustrates an embodiment of a notch that is generally a right trapezoid in front cross-section.
It will of course be appreciated that the top of each notch is actually open (i.e. the lines in the figures are included just to show the general front view shape).
Corresponding and complementary protrusion shapes can be provided in each case that allow the protrusions to be received in respective complementary notches.
The examples illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5G are non-limiting and may be combined in various configurations on a neck region of a container, or modified on the basis of height, thickness or width.
Furthermore, side notch surfaces may or may not be symmetrical. Notches may also vary in number and spacing on a container, for example, as described with reference to FIGS.
9A to 9C, as described below.
As noted above, in some embodiments, pads in a closure may be configured in a shape complementary to any of the above notch shapes. Pads may be combined in various configurations in a closure, and modified on the basis of height, thickness or width. Side walls of pads may or may not be symmetrical.
Notches that may be provided on a container and pads on a closure will now be described with reference to other embodiments as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, 7A to 7C, 8A to 8B
and 9A to 9C.
Shown in FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a partial container 200', according to an embodiment.
Container 200' is generally similar in structure and components to connector 200, differing in notches 202 being replaced by notches 202'.
Notches 202' may be generally trapezoidal in cross-section shape (with a top open), as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6A, defining upward facing notch surfaces 203C' located at the bottom of notches 202', and side notch surfaces 203A' and 203B' (individually and collectively side notch surface(s) 203') and opening at the top. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, there are four notches 202', equally spaced at 90 degrees from each other.
Side notch surfaces 203' may be angled, for example, between 45 degrees and 60 degrees from top contact surface 201'.
FIG. 6B shows a bottom view of a partial closure 220', according to an embodiment. Closure 220' is generally similar in structure and components to closure 220, differing by instead of pads 222 having substituted therefore pads 222'.
Pads 222' may have depths that are substantially the same as the depths of the corresponding notches 202'.and may have engaging surfaces shaped in a manner that is generally complementary to the corresponding interfacing surfaces of notches 202'. Pads 222' may each include side walls 223A', 223B' extending vertically/axially downward and generally angled from top wall 232' of closure 220', and a bottom surface 223C', facing substantially vertically/axially downward and positioned on a distal end of pads 222' opposite the downward facing surface of the top wall of closure 220'.

Side walls 223' may be angled inwardly downwards, for example, between 45 degrees and 60 degrees from top wall 232' of closure 220'.
FIG. 6C is a front elevation cross-sectional view of the part of the container of FIG. 6A and the part of the closure of FIG. 6B portion taken along line II-II in FIG. 6A. As shown, due to the angle of side notch surfaces 203', as well as side walls 223', rotation of closure 220' with respect to container 200' may result in a wedging action with the translation of rotational force to vertical/axial force upwards caused by the engagement of side walls 223A' or 223B' of pads 222' with the incline of side notch surfaces 203A' or 203B', respectively. Such vertical/axial force may assist closure 220' in overcoming a snap band, for example snap band 210 described above, on container 200', allowing closure 220' to be removed from engagement with container 200'. This may allow for easier uncapping and removal of closure 220' from container 200', for example, to allow a user to refill the contents of 200'.
Shown in FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a partial container 200", according to another embodiment. Container 200" is generally similar in structure and components to container 200, differing in notches 202 being replaced by notches 202".
Notches 202" may be rectangular in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 7A, defining upward facing notch surfaces 203C" located at the bottom of notches 202, and side notch surfaces 203A" and 203B" (individually and collectively side notch surface(s) 203"). In the embodiment shown in FIG.
7A, there are four notches 202", equally spaced at 90 degrees from each other.
In contrast to notches 202, notches 202" do not extend fully radially through the neck of container 200", and do not breach the inner surface of the neck, resulting in a radially outward facing notch surface 2030".
Container 200" may have a snap band 210 generally identical to snap band 210 in container 200. As shown in FIG. 7A, notches 202" may not extend axially through snap band 210.
FIG. 7B shows a bottom view of a partial closure 220", according to an embodiment. Closure 220" is generally similar in structure and components to closure 220, differing in plug device 226 being replaced by plug seal device 226" and pads 222 being replaced by pads 222".
Closure 220" may have a plug seal device 226", generally identical in structure and components to plug seal device 226, having sealing features which, when closure 220" is applied to container 200", engage with an inner surface of a neck region of container 200" to provide a seal between an inner cavity of the container and the external environment.

Pads 222" may have engaging surfaces shaped generally complementary to the shapes of notches 202". Since notches 202" do not extend fully radially through the neck of container 200", pads 222"
may be suitably thinner than, for example, pads 222. Pads 222" may be spaced radially apart from plug seal device 226". Pads 222" may each include side walls 223A", 223B"
extending vertically/axially downward and generally perpendicular from the top wall of closure 220", inner wall 223D" also extending vertically/axially downward and generally perpendicular from the top wall of closure 220 and perpendicular to side walls 223A" and 223B", and a bottom surface 223C", facing substantially vertically/axially downward and positioned on a distal end of pads 222" opposite the downward facing surface of the top wall of closure 220".
FIG. 7C is a front elevation cross-sectional view of the part of the container of FIG. 7A and the part of the closure of FIG. 7B portion taken along line in FIG. 7B. As shown, since notches 202"
do not extend fully radially through the neck of container 200", notches 202"
may not affect the inner bottle diameter of container 200". Furthermore, if the inner surface of the neck of the container is not interrupted by openings to the notches, the existence of notches 202" may not necessitate a particular position and vertical/axial downward depth of plug seal 226" from the top wall of closure 220" in order to provide a seal between an inner cavity of container 200" and the external environment. In some other possible alternate embodiments, a plug seal such as plug seal 226"
may not be present. In some other alternate embodiments, a seal may be formed at contact between top contact surface 201", acting as a top sealing surface, and downward facing surface 233".
Due to pads 222" being spaced radially apart from plug seal device 226", any shrinkage that may occur to pads 222" during cooling may not impact plug seal device 226".
Shown in FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a partial container 200", according to an embodiment.
Container 200" is generally similar in structure and components to container 200", differing in snap band 210 being replaced by a snap band 210" and notches 202" being replaced by notches 202'.
Notches 202" are generally identical in structure and components to notches 202", however, may differ in extending substantially vertically/axially downward through and past snap band 210", resulting in an axially extended radially outward facing notch surface 203D'".
Snap band 210', similar to snap band 210, is provided on an exterior surface of the neck region of container 200", and may be in the form of a perforated circumferential, generally toroidal shaped shoulder as shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8B shows a bottom view of a partial closure 220". Closure 220" is generally similar in structure and components to closure 220", differing in pads 222" being replaced by pads 222'.
Pads 222' are generally identical in structure and components to pads 222".
Pads 222"are configured to engage with notches 202' when the closure 220' is axially engaged with the container 200" as generally described above in relation to other embodiments. However, pads 222', while depending and extending substantially vertically/axially downward from the top wall of closure 220", may not be integrally connected and formed with the top wall. This may prevent sink marks from forming on the top wall of closure 220'. As viewed from above, sink marks are localized indentations in the closure formed during cooling due to the way the plastic shrinks. Moving pads 222" down the rib of the closure 220" so that pads 222' are not touching the top wall, as shown in FIG. 8B, may allow for even shrinkage across the top wall of closure 220".
Shown in FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a partial container 200", according to an embodiment.
Container 200" is generally similar in structure and components to container 200, differing in and notches 202 being replaced by notches 202'.
Notches 202" are generally identical to notches 202, however, are radially asymmetric, and may be spaced unequally from each other around the circumference of the neck region of container 200".
The examples of notches and pads illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B are non-limiting and may be combined, numbered or spaced in various configurations on a neck region of a container or closure.
Various radial configurations of notches and/or pads may create different anti-rotation properties of a container and a closure.
An asymmetrical radial layout of notches and/or pads, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, may apply to any of the container and closure embodiments discussed herein.
Various configurations of anti-rotation features such as protrusions and corresponding surface features (eg. pads and notches as described herein) may create different anti-rotation properties of a container and a closure. Notches and pads may be configured and provided to adjust, define and/or control a torque required to rotate a closure such as closure 220 relative to a container such as container 200 when closure 220 is attached to container 200. Notches and pads may be selected to be configured and provided so that the torque is controlled, which can be done by defining the relative dimensions and/or placement of the notches and pads. Thus, it may be possible to provide a predictable/predetermined level of resistance to rotation of a closure relative to a container.
In experimental work to date, there is evidence that a change in geometry parameters (in particular, notch and pad height, notch and pad thickness, notch and pad width), as well as material properties (in particular, Young's modulus, yield stress, and plastic strain at failure (break strain)), may lead to a change in the maximum strip torque that can be resisted by a closure relative to a container, from full engagement of the pads and notches, before rotating.
Using LS-DYNATM, a finite element analysis software, a capping and turning simulation was performed, and sample data was taken to measure what torque is necessary to overcome the anti-rotation features. A closure was capped on the neck of a container, and a rotational force applied to the closure until the closure overcomes a maximum strip torque, and is able to rotate freely.
Graph 1 illustrates the percent change from average that various parameter changes had on the torque required to rotate a closure relative to a container. Specifically, parameter changes included various yield stress ("Yield") values for container 200 and closure 220, various Young's modulus ("EMod") values for container 200 and closure 220, various plastic strain at failure ("Fail") values for container 200 and closure 220, various notch and pad height, ("Height.S"), various notch and pad thickness ("Thickness.S") and various notch and pad widths ("width Both.S").
Effect Size 140.00%
120.00%
100.00%
E 80.(:0%

kb 60,00%
Ll0.(X)%
?...? 20.00%
1 mom NMI
0.00%
EMoc Fail Height.S Thickne3s,S
width Both.S
-20.(X)%
Graph 1 The results support a theory that height of the notch may have the largest effect on the torque required to rotate a closure relative to a container. As such, the torque may be adjusted, defined and/or controlled by changing the depth of notches and pads as desired, to achieve a predictable torque. The effects of the material are much lower, and may be compensated by modification to the geometry of the pads and notches.
Graph 2 illustrates the maximum "Strip Torque" required to rotate a fully engaged closure relative to a container in various embodiments. "Original" designates the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. lA to "Baseline" designates the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C and 3A and 3B, "Unique"
designates the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, "Partial" designates the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C, "Shaped" designates the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C, and "Snap Band" designates the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
Max Strip Torque z s rr 6 Piemi 4s1"
=P, 4 0=1 i Orienal Baseline Unique PIrtial 511aped Pilfer P.
Graph 2 This data supports the theory that a number of different notch and pad designs and configurations may be feasible and achieve the same or higher strip torque than conventional techniques.
A "Unique" embodiment may have only a minor influence on the maximum strip torque as compared to the "Baseline" embodiment, over the "Original" conventional technique. The position of pad and notch features may be less important, in the context of maximum strip torque, than the geometry of the features.
In a "Partial" embodiment, the maximum strip torque may be reduced due to less interference between the notches and pads, however, the maximum torque may still be higher than the "Original"
conventional technique.
A "Shaped" embodiment may have reduced maximum strip torque as compared to a "Baseline"
embodiment, however, the maximum torque is still in the range of the "Original" conventional technique. This may be the most ergonomic design of the embodiments discussed, since the torque help to uncap the closure.
A "Snap Band" embodiment may provide a maximum strip torque that is in the range of the other embodiments. This may be a viable alternative if sinks in the top panel of the closure due to the pads is an issue. Shaped notches may offer the possibility to adapt forces to adapt to consumer capabilities or affect the consumer experience.
Molding techniques that may be used to create container and closures such as container 200 and closure 220 will now be described.
In some embodiments, structures and features of container 200 and closure 220, for example, notches such as notches 202 on container 200 and pads such as pads 222 on closure 220 as described herein, .. may be created using modified molding surfaces in known types of injection molding machines or other molding machines. Such modified molding surfaces for forming pads on closure 220 may be created by known techniques such as, by way of example only, laser ablation or discharge machining of the molding surface in a molding machine. Molding surfaces may also be modified by replacing particular mold components in an injection molding machine to adjust the dimensions of the molding cavity. Alternatively, structures and features may be post-formed on previously formed surfaces of container 200 and closure 220 by a variety of known types of processes/techniques such as, by way of example only, laser cutting such as with computer controlled lasers, and erosion and/or deposition techniques and processes.
The features of container 200 and the features of closure 220, as described herein, may each be formed as unitary pieces of material. For example, multi-material molding processes/techniques may be employed such as co-injection or over-molding to form container 200 and closure 220.
With reference to FIG. 10, an example injection molding system 3100 is illustrated schematically that may be employed and/or adapted to form any of the closures or containers depicted and described herein, or preforms with neck regions, such preforms having body portions which can be blown to form final form containers. System 3100 may in general be conventionally configured and may comprise an injection mold 3116 having a cavity mold half 3102 and an opposite core mold half 3114.
System 3100 may also include an injection unit 3104, a clamping unit 3106 and a treatment unit.
System 3100 may also include a moving apparatus 3108. The operation of system 3100 and its components may be controlled by a controller 3105, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) or industrial computer. Communication links between various components of system 3100 and controller 3105 may be provided and such links may be wired and/or wireless. Cavity mold half 3102 may contain a plurality of mold cavities 3103 and cavity mold half 3102 may be attached to a stationary platen 3110. Core mold half 3114 may have a corresponding plurality of mold cores 3127 and the core .. mold half 3114 may be attached to a moving platen 3115. Thus the core mold half 3114 may be capable of reciprocating movement in the X direction relative to the cavity mold half 3102 between a mold open and a mold closed position. The stationary platen 3110 and the clamping unit 3106 may be linked by tie bars.
Moving apparatus 3108 may include a support that may be a Z axis beam 3118 (i.e., a beam extending generally parallel to the Z axis). The Z axis may be typically oriented horizontally but other orientations of the X-Y-Z axes are possible. Z axis beam 3118 may be provided with a relatively high degree of rigidity, and thus reduce the amount of deflection of Z axis beam 3118 as a carriage 3120 carrying a tool 3122 moves along the Z axis beam 3118. Z axis carriage may be configured to permit the mounting thereto of tool 3122 (which may be an End of Arm Tool). Tool 3122 may be what is commonly referred to as a "multi-position take-off device" and may include a plurality of part carriers 3124. The part carriers 3124 may be operable to receive molded parts, ejected from mold 3116 and then facilitate their transfer to treatment unit (not shown).
In one embodiment, mold cavities 3103 may be configured to form container 200 or any of the other containers described above. Corresponding mold cavities may be configured to form corresponding closure 220 or any of the other closures described above. As indicated above, in some embodiments, the surfaces of the component(s) forming the mold cavities may have been created in particular shapes/configuration by known techniques such as by way of example only, laser ablation or discharge machining of the molding surface in the mold cavities 3103 in system 3100. One method of producing pad structures at selected location areas of surfaces of the closure is to for example, use laser or plasma cutting technology and create a negative image of the pad structure that is desired on the molding surface of the injection or compression molding cavity of a molding machine.
Molding surfaces may also be modified by replacing particular mold components in an injection molding machine to adjust the dimensions of the molding cavity. For example, the dimensions of the molding cavity can be changed by removing a mold insert, re-cutting the steel of the mold insert, and then re-inserting the mold insert into the molding machine.
Alternatively, notch structures may be post-formed on surfaces of the containers 220 after they have been formed in a system like system 3100, by a variety of known types of processes/techniques such as by way of example only, laser cutting such as with computer controlled lasers, erosion and/or deposition techniques/processes.
In general operation, when cavity mold half 3102 and core mold half 3114 are in a closed configuration, the mold is clamped shut by the clamping unit and injected material is supplied to the mold cavities 3103 to form the closures or other molded parts. At a suitable time, mold 3116 can be opened separating the core mold half 3114 from the cavity mold half 3102 in the X direction. This allows tool 3122 with part carriers 3124 to be moved with the Z axis carriage 3120 along Z axis beam 3118 to an inbound position between cavity mold half 3102 and core mold half 3114 so that the part carriers are appropriately aligned with mold cores 3127 of core mold half 3114. At such an inbound position the parts that have been formed in mold 3116 can be transferred to the part carriers 3124 of the tool 3122 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Once the parts are transferred to the tool 3122, the tool can be moved again to an outbound position along the Z axis beam 3118 to allow system 3100 to commence making a new set of parts. Tool 3122 can move to such an outbound position where the tool may be appropriately aligned with a treatment device of treatment unit (not shown) so that the parts may be appropriately treated such as by being thermally conditioned while being held by tool 3122.
By achieving anti-rotation properties by removing material to create notches in the container, instead of adding significant mass to a triangular feature on a container, for example triangular features 102 as shown in FIG. 1A, injectability of the container may be improved by not requiring material to accumulate potentially at a distance from the gate through which melt enters in a way that would .. require potentially more pressure and heat. Similarly, blowability of the container may be improved without accumulation of mass at a particular area.
Removing material to create notches also may enable a weight savings on the neck of a container, and may result in associated reduced costs.
Unlike extrusion blow molding techniques, that may require a smooth top sealing surface of the neck of the container, injection blow molding and stretch blow molding techniques may not require a smooth top sealing surface, allowing for notches in the neck region, as described above. Notches in the neck region may avoid an increase in complexity of the container and reduction in the blowability process window that may occur when apertures or depressions are provided in other parts of the container outside of the neck region.
The above described embodiments have been described in the context of a closure secured to a container by way of an axial snap fit connection, using for example abutment surfaces and / or friction to engage the container and closure. Other engagement mechanisms between are possible.
The above described embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and in no way limiting. The described embodiments of carrying out the invention are susceptible to many modifications of form, arrangement of parts, details and order of operation. Other variations are possible.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an,"
"the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Claims (71)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A container apparatus comprising:
a container comprising a neck region, said neck region providing an opening into an inner cavity of said container;
a closure operable to be engaged with said neck region to seal said opening;
at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container operable to engage with at least one surface feature on the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.

2. The container apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an engagement mechanism operable to engage the closure with the neck region of the container.

3. The container apparatus of claim 2 wherein said engagement mechanism is operable to engage said closure with said neck region by axial relative movement of said closure and said container towards each other.

4. The container apparatus of claims 2 or 3, wherein during axial relative movement of said closure and said neck region of said container to engage said closure with said neck region, said at least one surface feature of said closure engages with said at least one surface feature of said neck region to provide resistance to relative rotational movement between the container and the closure once said closure is engaged with said neck region.

5. The container apparatus of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a snap fit connection between said closure and said neck region of said container.

6. The container apparatus of claim 5 wherein said snap fit connection comprises an annular band on said neck region and a resiliently deformable hook section on said closure, said hook section and annular band being configured to permit axial movement of said closure towards said neck region from an unengaged position to an engaged position when said closure and said neck region are subject to axial compression.

7. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container is a notch.

8. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the at least one surface feature on the closure is a protrusion.

9. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region comprises a plurality of surfaces features.

10. The container apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of surface features on the neck region are a plurality of notches.

11. The container apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of notches extend axially downward from a top sealing surface area of the neck region of the container.

12. The container apparatus of claims 10 or 11, wherein the plurality of notches are angularly spaced around the neck region of the container.

13. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said at least one surface feature on said closure comprises a plurality of surface features.

14. The container apparatus of claim 13 wherein the plurality of surface features on the closure are a plurality of protrusions, and wherein each of said plurality of protrusions is operable to engage with at least one of a plurality of notches on said neck region.

15. The container apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of notches extend axially downward from a top sealing surface area of the neck region of the container and the plurality of protrusions extend axially downward from a top wall of the closure.

16. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the closure further comprises a plug seal device, the plug seal device operable to engage with an inner surface of the neck region to provide a circumferential seal of the inner cavity.

17. The container apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plug seal device extends axially to engage with the inner surface of the neck region below the at least one surface feature of the neck region.

18. The container apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the at least one surface feature on the neck region and the closure is a protrusion and the other of the at least one surface feature on the neck region and the closure is a notch.

19. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region is generally rectangular in shape in a front cross-section.

20. The container apparatus of any one of claim 19 wherein the at least one surface feature of the closure is generally rectangular in shape in front cross-section and corresponds with the shape of the at least one surface feature of the closure to permit engagement of said at least one surface feature of said closure with said at least one surface feature of said neck region.

21. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region is generally triangular in shape in a front cross-section.

22. The container apparatus of any one of claim 21 wherein the at least one surface feature of the closure is generally triangular in shape in front cross-section and corresponds with the shape of the at least one surface feature of the closure to permit engagement of said at least one surface feature of said closure with said at least one surface feature of said neck region.

23. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region is generally trapezoidal in shape in a front cross-section.

24. The container apparatus of any one of claim 23 wherein the at least one surface feature of the closure is generally trapezoidal in shape in front cross-section and corresponds with the shape of the at least one surface feature of the closure to permit engagement of said at least one surface feature of said closure with said at least one surface feature of said neck region.

25. The container apparatus of clam 14, wherein the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of notches are generally rectangular in cross-section and correspond in shape to each other to permit engagement of said plurality of protrusions with respective plurality of notches.

26. The container apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of notches are generally triangular in cross-section and correspond in shape to each other permit engagement of said plurality of protrusions with respective plurality of notches.

27. The container apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of notches are generally trapezoidal in cross-section and correspond in shape to each other permit engagement of said plurality of protrusions with respective plurality of notches.

28. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein said at least one of surface feature of said neck region comprises an incline plane surface and the at least one surface feature of said closure comprises an incline plane surface which corresponds to the incline plane surface of the neck region, wherein in operation, when said closure is engaged with said neck region, application of a rotational force between said closure relative to said neck region in one rotational direction will translate to an axial force directed to facilitate disengagement of said closure from said neck region.

29. The container apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said at least one of surface feature of said neck region comprises an incline plane surface and the at least one surface feature of said closure comprises an incline plane surface which corresponds to the incline plane surface of the neck region, wherein in operation, when said closure is engaged with said neck region, application of a rotational force between said closure relative to said neck region in one rotational direction will translate to an axial force directed to release said engagement mechanism to facilitate disengagement of said closure from said neck region.

30. The container apparatus of claim 14, wherein a bottom surface of the protrusions does not contact a bottom surface of the notches when the protrusions and the notches are in engagement with each other.

31. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein said at least one surface feature on said neck region is a notch that extends fully radially through a section of the neck region to an inner surface of the neck region.

32. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein said at least one surface feature on said neck region is an notch that extends partially radially through a section of the neck region from an outer surface of said neck region.

33. The container apparatus of claims 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of surface features on the neck region are symmetrically angularly spaced on the neck region.

34. The container apparatus of claims 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of surface features on the neck region are asymmetrically angularly spaced on the neck region.

35. The container apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one plurality of surface features on the closure comprises a plurality of surface features.

36. The container apparatus of claim 35 wherein the plurality of surface features on the closure are a plurality of protrusions and the plurality of surface features on the neck region are a plurality of protrusions.

37. The container apparatus of claim 36 wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is operable to engage with at least one notch of the plurality of notches on said neck region.

38. The container apparatus of claim 37 wherein plurality of protrusions are symmetrically angularly spaced on the closure and the plurality of notches are symmetrically angularly spaced on the neck region in a corresponding manner.

39. The container apparatus of claim 37 wherein plurality of protrusions are asymmetrically angularly spaced on the closure and the plurality of notches are asymmetrically angularly spaced on the neck region in a corresponding manner.

40. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 39 wherein an inner surface of said neck region defines at least part of an inner cavity of the container.

41. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 40 wherein said neck region is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally cylindrical outer surface and a generally cylindrical inner surface.

42. The container apparatus of any one of claim 2, wherein said engagement mechanism comprises:
an annular band on an exterior surface of the neck region;
a shoulder member on the closure;
said engagement mechanism operable such that an opposing generally axial force is created by an interface between the annular band and the shoulder member when the closure engaged with the container, said opposing axial force being in an opposition to an axial opening force oriented generally in a direction for removal of the closure from the container.

43. The container apparatus of claim 42, wherein the at least one of the surface feature on the neck region extends partially radially through the neck region and axially through the annular band.

44. The container apparatus of claim 42 or 43, wherein the at least one surface feature on the closure comprises a plurality of protrusions and the height of the protrusions is equal to or greater than a height between the annular band and the shoulder member when the closure is engaged with the container.

45. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein the container is a bottle.

46. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 45, wherein the container has a body that is generally oval in shape in horizontal cross section.

47. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 46, wherein the closure comprises an outer generally cylindrical shell.

48. The container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein the closure is a flip-top closure.

49. The container apparatus of claim 48 wherein said flip-top closure has a body portion and a lid portion, said lid portion being connected to said body portion and being movable between a closed operational position and an open operational position.

50. The container apparatus of claim 49 wherein said at least one surface feature on said closure is formed on said body portion of said flip-top closure.

51. The container apparatus of claims 49 or 50 wherein said body portion has a generally cylindrical outer side wall, and an generally cylindrical inner wall that is spaced radially inwards of said outer side wall wherein said at least one surface feature extends inwardly from said inner wall.

52. A method for forming the container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 51, the method comprising:
defining at least one of a height, a width and a thickness of said at least surface feature on said neck region;
defining at least one of a height, a width and a thickness of said at least surface feature on said closure;
whereby a minimum torque is defined that is required to be applied to the closure to rotate the closure relative to the container.

53. A method of controlling the application torque required to overcome resistance to relative rotation between a container and a closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container, wherein the container apparatus comprises the container apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 51, the method comprising selecting the configuration of the at least one surface feature on the neck region and the at least one surface feature on the closure so as to control said application torque.

54. A container apparatus comprising:
a container having an opening into an inner cavity of said container;
a closure operable to be engaged with a portion of said container to seal said opening;
at least one surface feature on the container proximate the opening said at least one surface feature being operable to engage with at least one surface feature on the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container, said at least one surface feature of said container and said at least one surface feature of said closure being selectively configured to control the resistance to relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.

55. A container apparatus comprising:
a container comprising an annular neck region having an inner surface, the inner surface defining at least part of an inner cavity of the container; and a closure, said neck region of said container having a first group of surface features operable to engage with a second group of surface features of the closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is attached to the container.

56. The container apparatus of claim 55 wherein the first group of surface features extend axially downward from proximate a top sealing surface of the neck region of the container.

57. The container apparatus of claim 55 or 56, wherein the first group of surface features are notches.

58. A container comprising:
a neck region providing an opening into an inner cavity of said container;
at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container operable to engage with at least one surface feature on a closure to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.

59. The container of claim 58 wherein the neck region of the container is operable to engage said closure by axial relative movement of said closure and said container towards each other.

60. The container of claim 59, wherein during axial relative movement of said closure and said neck region of said container to engage said closure with said neck region, said at least one surface feature of said closure engages with said at least one surface feature of said neck region to provide resistance to relative rotational movement between the container and the closure once said closure is engaged with said neck region.

61. The container of claims 58, 59 or 60, wherein said container is configured for a snap fit connection between said closure and said neck region of said container.

62. The container of any one of claims 58 to 61 wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region comprises a plurality of surfaces features and the at least one surface feature on the closure comprises a plurality of surface features.

63. The container of claim 62, wherein the plurality of surface features on the neck region are a plurality of notches operable to engage with a plurality of protrusions on the closure and each of said plurality of protrusions is operable to engage with at least one of a plurality of notches on said neck region.

64. The container of claim 63, wherein the plurality of notches extend axially downward from a top sealing surface area of the neck region of the container and the plurality of protrusions extend axially downward from a top wall of the closure.

65. A closure operable to be engaged with a neck region of a container, said neck region providing an opening into an inner cavity of said container, said closure operable to seal said opening when engaged with said neck region of said container, said closure having at least one surface feature operable to engage with at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container and be operable to resist relative rotational movement between the container and the closure when the closure is engaged with the neck region of the container.

66. The closure of claim 65 wherein closure is operable to engage with the neck region of the container by axial relative movement of said closure and said container towards each other.

67. The closure of claim 66, wherein during axial relative movement of said closure and said neck region of said container to engage said closure with said neck region, said at least one surface feature of said closure engages with said at least one surface feature of said neck region to provide resistance to relative rotational movement between the container and the closure once said closure is engaged with said neck region.

68. The closure of claims 65, 66 or 67 wherein said closure is configured for a snap fit connection between said closure and said neck region of said container.

69. The closure of any one of claims 65 to 68 wherein the at least one surface feature on the neck region of the container comprises a plurality of surfaces features and the at least one surface feature on the closure comprise a plurality of surface features.

70. The closure of claim 69, wherein the plurality of surface features on the neck region are a plurality of notches and wherein the plurality of surface features on the closure are a plurality of protrusions, and wherein each of said plurality of protrusions is operable to engage with at least one of a plurality of notches on said neck region.

71. The closure of claim 70, wherein the plurality of notches extend axially downward from a top sealing surface area of the neck region of the container and the plurality of protrusions extend axially downward from a top wall of the closure.