Closure cap for containers

Claim 2

A closure cap for a container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including outwardly of said rim an annular downwardly and inwardly tapering sealing surface, comprising a metal cap element having a top panel portion, a depending attached annular skirt joined peripherally with said panel portion, the annular skirt being telescoped over said rim and contracted tightly about said sealing surface, a prescored tearstrip integral with said metal panel portion and skirt and defined by a continuous score comprising a pair of unequal length divergent, radially outwardly directed scores, the shorter one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the longer one of said scores extending into the skirt to be at least in close proximity to the lower edge of the latter, said pair of scores beginning in the central region near the axis of said panel portion and merging in said region, pull-ring means and means attaching said pull-ring means to the one end of the tear-strip adjacent the said merged scores, the attached pull-ring being disposed substantially flat against the portion of the tear-strip in the top panel and said pull-ring overlying said top panel portion of the tear-strip, the pull-ring means being operable as a lever for initiating the severing of the tear-strip from said panel upon lifting said pull-ring means and continued pulling force applied to said pull-ring means severs the cap skirt at its lower periphery only along the path of said longer one of the scores of said tear-strip, thereby causing one-piece removal of said cap element from contracted engagement with said container.

Claim 3

The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the tear-strip includes a slot in the metal along said score in the top panel opposite the location of attachment of said pull-ring means on the tear-strip, said means being disposed intermediate said slot and said terminal ends of he pair of scores, thereby minimizing resistance to initiation of tearing of the strip upon operating said pull-ring means.

Claim 4

The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the closure cap includes a liner underlying the top panel portion of the metal cap element.

Claim 5

The closure cap defined in claim 3, wherein the liner comprises a cuplike element of plastic material interposed between the metal cap element and the container, engaging the annular sealing surface of the container and covering the mouth of the container.

Claim 6

A two-piece closure cap for a glass container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including, outwardly of said rim, an annular downwardly, inwardly tapering sealing surface comprising an elastomer cap element having an annular sealing ring and an integral, annular, downwardly and inwardly depending sidewall, said sealing ring engaging over the annular rim of said container mouth, said sidewall having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum external diameter of said rim, said elastomer cap element adapted to snap-fit over said container rim and engage said sealing surface, a metal cap element nestingly overlying said elastomer cap element comprising a panel portion, a depending attached skirt about the periphery of said panel portion, a continuous prescored tear-strip integral in said metal panel portion and skirt and defined by a pair of radially, outwardly directed scores each beginning in the central region of the top panel, one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the other of said scores extending farther along the skirt terminating at least in close proximity to the lower peripheral edge of the latter, and an arcuate score merging with said pair of scores in said central region of the top panel, pull-ring means, and means attaching said pull-ring means to said tear-strip adjacent said arcuate score and disposed substantially flat against the tear-strip and encircle said arcuate score, said pull-ring means operating as a lever thereby initiating severing the tear-strip raising the pull-ring substantially, the unequal length scores providing for removal of the metal cap element in one piece by the operation of the pull-ring means to the extEnt of severing the skirt periphery only in the path of said furthermost score.

Claim 7

A two-piece closure cap for a glass container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including, outwardly of said rim, an annular downwardly, inwardly tapering sealing surface comprising an elastomer cap element having an annular sealing ring and an integral, annular, downwardly and inwardly depending sidewall, said sealing ring engaging over the annular rim of said container mouth, said sidewall having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum external diameter of said rim, said elastomer cap element adapted to snap-fit over said container rim and engage said sealing surface, a metal cap element nestingly overlying said elastomer cap element comprising a panel portion, a depending attached skirt about the periphery of said panel portion, a continuous prescored tear-strip integral in said metal panel portion and skirt and defined by a pair of radially, outwardly directed scores each beginning in the central region of the top panel, one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the other of said scores extending farther along the skirt terminating at least in close proximity to the lower peripheral edge of the latter, and an arcuate score merging with said pair of scores in said central region of the top panel, pull-ring means, and means attaching said pull-ring means to said tear-strip adjacent said arcuate score and disposed substantially flat against the tear-strip and encircle said arcuate score, said pull-ring means operating as a lever thereby initiating severing the tear-strip raising the pull-ring substantially, the unequal length scores providing for removal of the metal cap element in one piece by the operation of the pull-ring means to the extEnt of severing the skirt periphery only in the path of said furthermost score.

Claim 8

The two-piece closure cap defined in claim 5, wherein the arcuate scored segment of the tear-strip includes a slot in the top panel opposite the pull-ring means fastening means.

Claim 9

The closure cap defined by claim 5, wherein a radial score extends from said tear-strip in the top panel outwardly and opposite the pair of score lines of the tear-strip, permitting ease in breaking the cap diametrically in the top panel facilitating one-piece removal.

Claim 10

The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the pull-ring means is comprised of polyethylene.

Claim 11

The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the pull-ring means is comprised of polyethylene.

Claim 12

A convenience opening closure comprising a tear-strip portion therein defined by means weaking the closure along a predetermined path, a pull removal device for severing said tear-strip portion, a fastener attached to said tear-strip and having a head portion to be applied in firmly connecting said device to the tear-strip, said device including an aperture receiving said fastener prior to application of the head portion thereof, and a performed collar in said aperture and interposed between said fastener and said device, the head of said device being applied and covering said collar to firmly engage said collar.

Claim 13

A convenience opening closure comprising a tear-strip portion therein defined by means weaking the closure along a predetermined path, a pull removal device for severing said tear-strip portion, a fastener attached to said tear-strip and having a head portion to be applied in firmly connecting said device to the tear-strip, said device including an aperture receiving said fastener prior to application of the head portion thereof, and a performed collar in said aperture and interposed between said fastener and said device, the head of said device being applied and covering said collar to firmly engage said collar.

Claim 14

The closure defined by claim 10 which is comprised of a metal, the collar including an enlarged flange portion bearing against the outer surface of the pull removal device adjacent its aperture, the head portion of the fastener comprising a flattened rivet formed subsequent to telescopic assembly of said collar and removal device on the fastener, the rivet engaging said flange.

Claim 15

The closure defined by claim 11, wherein the pull removal device comprises a pull-ring.

Claim 16

The closure defined by claim 12, wherein the pull-ring is comprised of a plastic material, and the collar is comprised of metal, the flange thereof extending radially substantially over the underlying pull-ring.

Claim 17

The closure defined by claim 13, wherein the plastic pull-ring is comprised of polyethylene.

Claim 18

The closure defined by claim 12, wherein the pull-ring is comprised of metal.

Claim 19

The closure defined by claim 10, wherein the collar comprises a metal bushing interposed between said fastener and the pull removal device.

Claim 20

The closure defined in claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises a hollow rivet formed integrally from the metal tear-strip in said closure.