WO2001068468A1

WO2001068468A1 - Barrier closure having side molded graphics

Info

Publication number: WO2001068468A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/006380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Laveault
Original assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-03-10
Filing date: 2001-02-28
Publication date: 2001-09-20
Also published as: AU2001238708A1

Abstract

A closure (10) for a container includes a composite shell having an end wall (14) and a depending annular sidewall (16), the sidewall (16) having molded raised graphics (20) on an outside surface. A method for molding the closure (10) of the invention includes the use of an axially split and laterally openable mold (61) part for producing raised end wall (14) and sidewall (16) graphics (20, 22, 24). A closure (10) can include an inner barrier shell (40), and an over-molded outer shell (50). The barrier shell (40) is impermeable to oxygen and the outer shell (50) has strength to resist pressure and temperature induced stresses during inbottle pasteurization of beer products. The barrier shell (40) includes raised end wall (14) and sidewall (16) graphics (20, 22, 24) which extend through the outer shell (50). The outer shell (50) can include graphics (20, 22, 24) on its end wall (14) and sidewall (16) which are completed by the exposed barrier layer (40) graphics. The barrier shell (40) can be provided with an annular channel, holding the gas seal (46), for receiving a rim of the container, to lock the rim to the barrier shell (40) to prevent disengagement of the rim from the gas seal (46) during pasteurization.

Description

:LΞ o? IMVΞNTICN^"

BARRIER CLOSURE HAVING S.

The invention is directed to closures for containers and tne manufacture thereof. Parcicularly, the invention is directed co a plastic closure for a bottle hicn can include molded graphics on a sidewall of the closure.

Plastic closures for closing and sealing bottles are m w de use today, particularly for containing carnonated beverages. Such closures typically include a shell having an end wall and a depending skirt or sidewall, and an internal gas seal. The gas seal is typically m the form of a liner or a disc formed m, or placed within, the shell. The skirt has internal threads which scrεw onto a bottle neck, and the internal gas seal acts to seal the closure to the bottle finish. Such closures are described for example m U.S. Patencs 4,457,753; 4,753,360; 4,372,573; and 4,613,121, all herein incorporated by reference.

In e manufacture of such closures, three dimensional or raised σrachics ca be molded into an outer surface of tne er.c wall with relative ease. After molding, cne female mold naif and the male meld naif (or "core"), nic.n form the closure, can oe seDaratec axially, i ε , along cne centra- ax s cf tne closure, without interference w cn tne graphics .-.ow≤ver, c s mere difficult tc mold raisec graphics en cne exterior surface cf c e surrounding skirc or sidewall Such raised graphics are an obstruction that interferes witr. subsequent axial movement of tne female mold half during separaticn from the molded closure. The present inventor has recognized chat it would be advantageous to provide a closure which can include molded raised graohics on the exterior surface of the skirc or sidewall.

For closures intended to seal containers whicn hold beer products, luice or similar liquids, additional considerations are necessary. In the manufacture of beer produces, a pasteurization process is undertaken to kill undesirable microorganisms A typical pasteurization process requires that che temperature of the oroduct be raised to IDOOF and retained at this temperature for 15 minutes. It is desirable to undertake this process after the beer product is bottled, i.e., after a boctle is filled with beer product and a bottle closure is sealed to the bottle finish. However, the pressure withm the bottle, and the temperature of the beer product during this process, can cause the closure and/or the internal gas seal to fa l. Subsequently, if oxygen enters the container or bottle ncldmg the beer product, and results m a proportion of more than about 1% oxygen per volume, the oeer roduct will be spoiled. Therefore, the present inventor r.as recognized the advar.ca of providing a cost effective closure which has increased cxyger barrier properties and can withstand the increased temperature and pressure or a pasteurization process.

The present invention contemplates an improved closure for sealing a container and a method of manufacturing such an improved closure. The invention provides a closure having sidewall graphics en an exterior surface of a skirt or sidewall of the closure, and a molding method for creating the sidewall graphics. The sidewall graphics can be m addition to graphics applied to an end wall of the closure. As a further aspect of the invention, the closure can include an outer shell composed of a structural plastic, an inner shell comprising a gas -impermeable barrier layer, and a gas seal, to create a cost effective, composite wail closure. The inner shell is configured having an annular groove which, via an annular gas seal, receives a rim of the container to lock the rim to the inner shell. This prevents separation of the container rim and the gas seal during pasteurization.

The invention provides a closure which incorporates raised graphics molded on the sidewall of the inner shell of the closure. The raised graphics can be made substantially flush with surrounding regions of the closure sidewall by subsequently over-molding an outer layer or outer shell tc a ceptr. approximately equal to a raiseα he gnt cf cne sice'-.all αrao cs In this manner, cwo or more colors car. De c spla/eα en c e sidewall, tne raised graphics being one color anc cne surrounding over-molded, outer shell oeing a second color Ths co colors can complete a two color depiction or display on the sidewall The outer snell can have a knurl ΞC profile Tne sidewall grannies can be molded to conform to the same knurled profile The invention includes a method for creating a closure having end wall and sidewall graphics and -.wo or more colors The method includes the steps of

1) molding a gas seal;

2) over-molding a shell of barrier material over the gas seal, the shell including end wall and s de wall grapmcs raised from the surface of the shell; and

3) over-molding an outer shell of one or more colors over the barrier shell (preferably one or two colors) , surrounding the sidewall graphics to a height equal to the raised height of the sidewall graphics, creating a flush exterior surface.

Step 2 is advantageously accomplished by the use of a side retractable or "collapsible" mold whicn allows the mold to be opened up laterally outwardly after molding, to allow the mold to be axially separated from the molded shell. The invention provides a composite wall closure which is cos -ef fectivelv manu actured. 7h« composite closure shell provides a strong pare wnich can w cr.scar.α tne elevatec temperature and pressure of a pasteurization process, cue ce cne material selection of cne oucεr sne , ar.c. crevices ar e receive Darner against oxygen permeation cr.rc-.gr. cne closure, cue tc cr.e acerial selection of cne inner snell

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and tne embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective v ew of a closure of the present inve tion,

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of c e closure sπo r. in Figure 1 ,

Figures 3A through 3G are diagrammatical, cross-sectional views, illustrating the method steps used to manufacture the closure of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment closure of the present invention,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment closure of the present invention; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of three components of the closure of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line S- 8 of F σure 5.

Wnile tnis invention is s sceptmle cf em-oociTe-c ~

Gifferer.c forms, tnere are snown m tne craw_-ιgs a-c w te descrmec herein m detail specific eτ-Doα_me~.ts trerεof _*.:." tre uncerstardmg tnat tne present disclosure -.s to ne considered as an exempli ication of tne principles of the invention a a is noc intended to limit the invention to tne specific err-ooaimer.cs illustrated

Figure 1 illustrates a closure 10 avmg an enα wai_ 14 ano a depending skirt or sidewall 16 The end wail αisplays a seam 17 and different colors IS, 19 or. opposite sides of the seam 17 The seam can be straignt, irregular, wavy or otner shape The end wall includes molded graphics 20, such as advertising, a corporate logo, a trademark, instructions, art, designs, or otner graphics The sidewall 16 has straight knurls or rios 15 on an outside surface thereof, extending axially and spaced apart circum εrentially around the sidewall 16 The ribs 15 enhance finger gripping and manipulation of tne closure

The sidewall 16 also includes a graphic section or region 21 which includes molded graphics 22 One or more circumferentially spaced-apart further graphic sections or regions 23 (shown in Figure 2) can include molded graphics 24. The graphics 22, 24 can be of the same cnaracter (advertising, a corporate logo, etc.^ as that described with respect to molded grapmcs 20. A tamper evidence band, or "pilfer oand" 30 is arranged on a free lower edge portion of the sidewall Tne banα 30 can be formed c^ the mold, or can. ne defined c sccr.ng ^~ a ir.cer step Afcer re closure is initially fit cr.ee a neccie or oc^er cor.eamer, the nand -use oε croken ce n.tiall remove c^e clcs-.re from cne nocc_e The ribs 15 and c e pilfer pare C car. oe co figurec as shown m U S Parent No 4,497,755, nerem incorporated by ro"srence

Figure 2 illustrates tne structure of tne closure 10 The closure includes an inner shell 40 composed of a polymer ma_terial, sucn as ΞVOH or co-polymer n io- The inner shell 40 serves as a gas Darner, at least for preventing oxygen from pene_trating tnrough the end wall 14. For neer products, the inner shell material should be FDA approved for direct contact wi_th foods witn 8 percent alcohol. The inner shell 40 includes _tnrεads 41 for engaging a threaded bottle neck.

Loca_ted withm the shell 40 is a gas seal 46, such as an o- πnσ, disc or liner. The seal 46 is preferably an annular me ner having an inverted U-snaped cross section tnat sealmgly receives a too rim of the bottle neck. The seal is preferably composed of ΞVA, LDPΞ or PVC. The inner shell 40 includes the end wall molded graphics 20 and the sidewall molded graphics 22, 24. The grannies 20, 22, 24 are raised above the adjacent surfaces I4a, 16a, 15b of the inner shell 40, respectively.

An outer snell 50 is over-molded onto the inner shell 40 to a height substantially equivalent zo the height of tne graphics 20, 22, 24 raised aoovε tne ad_jacent surfaces 14a, I5a, 15b. The outer snell 50 can be a same cr a differer.c color as the inner shell 40 The outer shell 5C car. be composed cf a "s_tructural plastic" which s economical and suf iciently pcrcr.g _to wi_tnstand tne temperatures and pressures of ir.-ooctie pasteurization, such as polypropylene The c„:εr snell 50 includes the straight knurls or ribs 15 (snown m Figure 1) for fmαer traction during screwing or unscrewing of tne closure onto or from the bottle.

The graphics 22, 24 are molded m an axial, straign -knurl profile. That is, tne grannies have a varying raised height corresponding either to the raised ribs 15 or to tne respective valleys 15a, between ribs 15. Thus, the graphics 22, 24 and the ribs are aligned and made flush. When a different color is used for the outer shell, the inner shell graphics 20, 22, 24, ex_tending through the outer shell 50, complete a two or more color display. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 three colors are used: a first color 42 is used for the inner shell 40 and the two colors 18, IS are used for the outer shell 50.

Fiσures 3A through 3G illustrate the steps used m forming the closure. The closure is injection molded. Particular injec_tion molding hardware is disclosed generally m U.S. Patents 3,718,419; 4,019,711; 3,660,001; 4,155,698; 4,552,328; 4,381,892; and 4,618,121, ail incorporated herein by reference. One injec_tion molding machine suitable for practicing the invention is a four barrel injection molding machine manufactured by Ferromatik Milcron Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Referring to Figure 3A, a molding apparatus 54, includes an upner mold part 55 separanle from a core pin 57 The core pin 57 includes an annular upstanding rim 58 wr.icn together wit an annular cavity 5S of cne upper mole pare 55, defines a mold cavi_ty for molding tne gas seal 46 The upper mold part 55 includes a channel or "runner" 54a for receiving a plastic in_jec_tion nozzle (not shown) Plastic is injected via the in_jection nozzle through the runner 54a to form tne seal 46.

Referring to Figure 33, the core pm 57 has now been located within a further upper mold assembly 61 The assembly 61 includes a top mold part 61a and a plurality of side mold parts 61b, 61c, Sid, 61e (61d and 6Iε shown m Figure 3C⁾ . The side mold parts 61b, 61c, old, and βle are each movable a short distance laterally to radially separatε from each other. The en_tire upper mold assembly 61 is axially separable along the direction Y from a lower mold part 62.

The upper mold assemnly 61 has an inside surface 61f that is spaced from the core pin 57 to form a cavity for molding the inner shell 40. The upper mold assembly 61 includes shaped recesses 20a, 22a, 24a which form the corresponding graphics 20, 22, 24 on the inner shell 40. The mold assembly 61 can also include shaped recesses 65a, 67a to form further sidewall grannies 66 , 61 , that are angularly offset from the respective ad_jacent graphics 22, 24 (shown m Figure 3C) . Additionally, the upper mold assembly 61 can include contours to form a varying heiαh_t to the graphics 22, 24 to conform to the straight knurl profiles m the graphic sections 21, 23 Tne upper mold assemrlv mcludes a runner 54 wr.ich receives a clastic injection nozzle (not shown) for injecting plastic into ere cavity to form tne inner shell 40 Referring tc Figure 3C, the upper meld assemply 61 forms a split mold cavity, that is, the assembly 61 is split along planes parallel to tne axis Y, forming parting planes 63. After the inner shell 40 is sufficiently solidified, the upper mold assembly 61 is opened up laterally and the four separated moid parts 61D, 61c, 61c, 61e are moved radially m the directions RI, R2 , R3 , R4 respectively. The mold parts are moved the distance apart that is sufficient to allow the mold parts 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e to be axially separated from the inner shell 40, along the axis Y, without interference with the raised graphics 22, 24, 66 , 67. The top mold part 61a can be moved axially without interference with the graphics 20.

Referring to Figure 3D, a further upper mold part 76, and a mold shυtoff part 80 are placed over the inner shell 40. This further upper meld part 76 has an inside surface 76a which, together with the outer surface of the inner shell 40, defines a cavity for molding a left side portion 50a of the outer shell 50. The inside surface 76a can have contours to form the straight knurls or ribs 15 which are aligned and flush with the straight- knurl profile of the sidewall graphics 22, 24, 66, 67 of the inner shell 40. The further upper mold part 76 includes a runner 77 which receives a plastic injection nozzle (not shown) for delivennc molten plastic into the cavit. to form cne left s ce por_tion 50a Tie plastic injection nozzle ^ ne usec cc inject a first plastic navmg tne first color 1= orco a _efc sic; cf c e inner shell 40 The rignt siαe of tne inner sne -0 is c.osec off from cne injected plastic oy the mcc snuc off part 80, up to _the position cf tne seam 17 The mold snutoff part 80 can include a side slot 81 whicn allows the snutoff part 80 to oe ins_talled and removed an axial direction without interference with the sidewall graphics 24. Thus, only a left side portion 50a of the outer shell 50 is molded during tnis step

Referring to Figure 3E, the upper mold part 76 is ovanle laterally to separate at a joint 76c. Thus, portions 76d of the upper mold part 76 which form the pilfer pand canine retracted laterally outwardly so that the upper mold part 76 can be removed axially without interference with the formed closure.

As illustrated m Figure 3F, the right side of the inner shell ₄0 is now over-molded by a right side portion 50b of the outer shell 50. The rignt side portion 50b is substantially a mirror image of tne left side portion 50a The rignt side por_tion 50b can be molded with a plastic having the color 19.

The upper mold part 76 shown m Figures 3D and 3F can be reused, such as by being rotated from tne rignt side to the left side, or an additional upper moid part can be used, for forming the right side por_tion 50b. No snutoff part 80 would be required since tne lef_t s de portion 50a is already solidified. As described above, the upper mold part 76 is laterally outwardly retractable to clear the clced closure during axial removal cf tne upper meld part

Referring to Figure 3G, the upper mole pare 76 has ^peer. removed _tc display a compiεcεd closure 10 still neld on Xm core _Din 57 The closure can now be forcibly stripped, and/or unscrewed, from the core pm over the molded threads 41 The core pin 57 can oe collapsible to facilitate removal of the closure The side graphics 22, 24 are substantially flusn with ad_jacen_t regions of tne outer shell 50 The straight knurls 15 of _the outer snell 50 are substantially flushly continuous through the graphics 22, 24, 66, 67

Figure 4 illustrates an alternate molded closure 100. The closure includes a composite shell 106 having an end wall 108 and a depending skirt or sidewall 110. The end wall 108 includes molded graphics 109 The sidewall 110 includes molded graphics 111 having a_t least two colors. In the illustrated embodiment, a moun_tain scene is depicted. The illustrated emoodiment depicts a firs_t color 112 such as green or blue which can be predominant as the body of the mountains, and a second color 113, such as whⁱte, which can depict the snow capped mountain peaks. This, of course, is only a single demonstrative use of two color graphics, and other depictions can be used as well

As illustrated m Figure 5, a gas seal 115 is located withm the composite shell 106. The gas seal 116 can be formed as described above corresponding to Figure 3A An inner snell, sucn as a relatively shallow disc 120, is molded ever tne gas seal 115 The gas seal 115 is thus held snugly within, an annular channel 120a of the disc 120 The seal 115 preferably has ar inverted J-snaped cross section for seai r.gly receiving a rim 170a of a bottle neck 170 The gas seal is prεferaoly composed of EVA, LDPE or PVC The disc 120 is composed of oxygen barrier material such as co-polymer nylon, EVOH or PVC. The entire d sc 120 is composed of the plastic having the color 113.

The disc 120 includes an end wall portion 121 on which is molded tne raised graphics 109. Turned downwardly from tne end wall portion 108 is a sidewall portion 123. The sidewall portior 123 includes raised graphics 125. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 4, tne graphics 125 are the snow-capped mountain peaks. The disc 120 can be molded using a multi -component , retractable mold apparatus, as described above corresponding to Figures 3B and 3C.

An outer shell 126 is molded over the disc 120. In this embodiment, the outer shell includes threads 127 for engagement with threads 174 of the bottle neck 170. The outer shell 126 is molded to a depth to substantially make flush the end wall and the sidewall of the closure 100. The graphics 109, 125 of the inner shell, the disc 120, are exposed through the outer shell 126. A tamper evidence band or pilfer band 136 is formed as an extension of the outer shell 126. The outer shell ca be a structural plastic such as polypropylene.

The outer shell can be molded as described above corresponding zo Figures 3 D througn 3 F . If zhe outer shell molded graphics 111 are sufficiently tnree dimensional cc present an obstruction to axial removal cf the upper moid part 75, tr.e a multipart upper meld pare such, as tne upper mold assembly 51 described above corresponding cc Figures 23 and 3C can be used to mold tne outer shell 106 as well. The upper mold assembly can be laterally separated to allow axial removal of the assemnly from the completεd closure.

If the disc 120 and the outer shell 126 are two or more different colors, a multicolor molded closure is displayed.

Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, a two step, two color molding method can complete a depiction on an outside of the closure.

Figure 6 illustrates a further alternate embodiment closure 200. This closure 200 has an end wall 206 and a depending sidewall 208. The end wall includes molded graphics 210. The sidewall includes straight knurls 216, spaced around che circumference of the sidewall 208. The sidewall also includes molded sidewall graphics 220 at intermittent points around its circumference. The end wall 206 and the sidewall 208 can be a first color 226, and the graphics 210, 220 can be a second color 223.

The components of tms embodiment are illustrated in Figure 7. A gas seal 236 is over-molded by an inner shell, such as a disc 240. An outer shell 250 is over-molded onto the disc 240.

The disc 240 provides the end wail graphics 210 and the side wail graphics 220. The disc is composed of plastic of cne second color 22S.

As illuseraced m Figure S, che gas seal 235 has beer, over- mcided by the disc 240 to be tightly fit with an annular channel 260 cf the disc 240. The gas seal 235 has an inverted U- shaped cross section to sealmgly receive a top rim of the bottle neck. The outer shell 250 has been over-molded or.zo the inner shell, the disc 240, to a depth such that the graphics 210, 220 are exposed flushly on an outside of the outer shell 250. As with the previous embodiments, chε outer shell 250 can be composed of a structural plastic, the disc 240 can be composed of an oxygen barrier plastic such as co-polymer nylon or ΞVOH, and the gas seal can be composed of EVA., LDPE, or PVC. The composite closure thus provides effective gas sealing, an effective barrier to oxygen permeation into the bottle, and a structurally strong closure to withstand the temperatures and pressures of pasteurization.

As a further aspect of the invention, the gas seals 46 (Figures 2 through 3C) , 116 (Figure 5), and 236 (Figure 8) each have an inverted U-shaped cross section to capture a rim of a bottle finish such as shown in Figure 5. The various gas seals are confined in annular grooves formed by the respective overmolded inner shell (40, 120, 240). The inner shell can be relatively rigid. During pasteurization, the bottle rim tends to constrict. However, because the inner shell is relatively rigid and the rim is captured within the annular αroove of the inner

lo sneil via t e gas seal, the nm is prevented from disenαacmc from the gas seal curing pasteurization The radial restπctior provided by the inner snell increases tne sealing capabilitv of tne closure coring pasteurization. From tne foregoing, it will be onservεd that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims ail such modifications as fall withm the scope of the claims.

Claims

The invention claimed is.

1 A closure for a container, comprising a snell having an end wail and a depending annular sidewall, said sidewall having molded sidewall grannies on an outside surface thereof.

2. The closure according to claim I, wherein said end wall has molded end wall graphics on an outer surface thereof.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said sidewall is surrounded by an outer shell having a deptn at least equal to a raised height of said molded graphics to make substantially flush an outside surface of said closure.

4. The closure according to claim 3, wherein said outer shell includes outer shell molded graphics.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said shell includes at least one Darner layer, said barrier layer being impermeable to oxygen.

6. The closure according to claim 5, further comprising a gas seal m the form of a ring corresponding to a circumferential surface of a bottle finish sealed by said closure, and wherein said barrier layer is located at said end wail and within said ring.

7. The closure according to claim Ξ, 'wherein said barrier layer is composed of r.vlon.

3. The closure according to claim Ξ, wherein said barrier layer is composed cf ΞVOK .

9. The closure according to claim I, wherem said sidewall is partially surrounded by an outer shell, said molded sidewall graphics exposed through at least one "opening through said outer shell.

10. The closure according to claim 7, wherein said outer shell includes outer shell molded graphics.

ii. The closure according to claim 10, wherein said sidewall graphics and said outer shell molded graphics are composed of material having different colors.

12. A method of molding a closure comprising the steps of: molding a ring seal ; over-molding a shell onto said ring seal, said shell having an end wall and depending annular sidewall, said sidewall having sidewall raised graphics on an outer surface thereof; and over-molding an outer layer onto said shell exposing said raised graphics through said outer layer. ₁₃ Tne method accord c to claim 12, wnerεm s=.ιc step of over-molding a shell is furt-er αefired m that a split ~elc cavi_ty is piaceα ever sain ring seal, said split mole c . t^ defminc a sr.ane of said snell, are wrer sa_n snell _s sufficiently solιdιf_ed, said split cavit. _s opened a distance la_terally and the cavity is removed from the shell axially, said cavity opened sufficiently to clear said sidewall raised grannie- dUring axial removal of said cavitv

_]_₀ 14 The method according to -l-;^_ 13, where said cavi_ty is contoured to provide a straignt axial knurl profile on said raised graphics

15 The metnod according to claim 14, where said step 15 of over-molding an outer layer onto said snell is further defined _that a second mold cavity is placed over said snell to define said ou_ter layer, said second mold cavity having contours to form straigh_t axial knurls on said outer layer wnich are flushly con_tinuous with said straight axial knurl profile said raised 20 graphics.

16. The metnod according to claim 12, wherem said steps of over-molding are furtnεr defined in that said shell and saia ou_ter layer are composed of different color plastic materials. 25

17 Tne method according to claim 12, wnere saie step of ever-molding an cuter laver onto said srell is further cefmed m that outer layer raised grannies are melded onto saie cuter la -er

a split mold cavity placεc c er said snell, saie split mold cavity defining a snane of said c_ter layer, and when said outer layer is sufficiently solidified, said split mold cavity is ooer.ee a distance laterally and the cavity is removed from tne outer layer axially, said cavity opened sufficiently to clear said outer layer raised grannies during axial removal of said cavi zy .

18 A closure for a container opening, comprising an outer shell having an end wail and a sidewall; a barrier memner having an annular groove on a bottom side thereof, and located with said outer shell, said barrier member sized to seal said container opening; said barrier member being impermeable to oxygen; and a gas seal held with said groove m said barrier memne .

19. The closure according to claim IS, wherein said gas seal has a channel therein for receiving an end of a bottle fimsh .

20. The closure according to clai¹" IS,

saiα _Darner member includes sicewall grapπcs r.icn extend tr.rc-.g- saie sidewall of said outer snell

2i The closure acccremg to claim 13, wherem said outer snell _includes threads tnerem for engagement to tnreads or a bottle neck

22 The closure according to claim li wne. :m said outer

1₀ shell includes outer shell raised grannies on an outer surrace thereof forming an incomplete display and said barrier menner has por_tions which extend througn said outer shell and whicn comple^te said display

-₅ 23 The closure according to claim 22, where said barrier memner portions extend tnrough said sidewall of said outer shell.

24 A closure for a container, comprising: a shell having an end wall and a depending annular 20 s_idewall, said sidewall having at least two portions composed of plastics of differing colors.

25. The closure according to claim 24, wnerem said por_tions comprise two portions defined on opposite sides or an 25 axially extending seam.

26 The closure according to claim 2-, wr.erem saic portions include firsc and second pcrc-ors eefinec on eppcsice sioes cf an axially excend g seam, a d a cnird pcrcior. ccmpcsed of a pla≤cic of a different color as said firsc a a secor.c portions, and l ocazed entirely wit.n_ng ere of saic first and second portions

27 The closure according to claim 26, wherem said third portion is located on said end wall.

28. The closure according to claim 26, wnerεm said third portion is iooated on said sidewall.

29. A closure for a container, comprising- a rigid inner shell composed of a material substantially impermeable to oxygen; an outer shell overmolded onto said barrier shell.

30. The closure according to claim 29, wherein said inner shell comprises a disc-shaped memner

31. The closure according to claim 29, wherein said inner shell includes an annular channel, and said closure includes an annular gas seal held withm said annular channel, said gas seal having an inverted U- shaped cross section to receiver a rim of a container therein.

32. The closure according to claim 29, wherein said er shell is composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of: EVA, LDPΞ and PVC.

33 The closure according to claim 23, where said inner shell includes an annular channel sized to recεivε a rim of a container therein when said closure is completely fit onto the container .