Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
417 words
A molded plastic closure having a central axis for sealingly engaging a helically threaded finish portion of a container, the finish portion of the container terminating in a rim, said closure comprising: a top panel portion having a top side and a bottom side, said top panel portion being adapted to span the finish portion of the container and extending transversly of said central axis; and an annular skirt having an outside and an inside, said annular skirt extending from said top panel portion in a direction which is generally parallel to and coaxial with said central axis, said annular skirt being adapted to surround at least a portion of the finish portion of the container and comprising: helically extending thread means projecting radially inwardly from said inside of said annular skirt, said helically extending thread means being adapted to engage the helically threaded finish portion of the container to permit said closure to be applied to the container by a screwing action and to be removed from the container by an unscrewing action, said helically extending thread means having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being positioned closer to said top panel portion of said closure than said second portion and extending at a first helical angle with respect to a plane extending transversly of said central axis of said closure, said second portion extending at a second helical angle with respect to said plane, said first helical angle being less than said second helical angle; and radially inwardly projecting bead means positioned between said second portion of said helically extending thread means and said bottom side of said top panel portion, said radially inwardly projecting means being spaced from said bottom side of top panel portion and being adapted to engage a sealing liner in a position adjacent to said bottom side of said top panel portion without the need for an adhesive to retain the sealing liner in the position adjacent to said bottom side of said top panel portion, the sealing liner being adapted to form a seal against the rim of the finish portion of the container when said closure is tightly applied to the container, said radially inwardly projecting bead means further having a first end and a second end which is circumferentially spaced from said first end, each of said first end and said second end of said radially inwardly projecting bead means being positioned adjacent to said first portion of said helically extending thread means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
417 words
A molded plastic closure having a central axis for sealingly engaging a helically threaded finish portion of a container, the finish portion of the container terminating in a rim, said closure comprising: a top panel portion having a top side and a bottom side, said top panel portion being adapted to span the finish portion of the container and extending transversly of said central axis; and an annular skirt having an outside and an inside, said annular skirt extending from said top panel portion in a direction which is generally parallel to and coaxial with said central axis, said annular skirt being adapted to surround at least a portion of the finish portion of the container and comprising: helically extending thread means projecting radially inwardly from said inside of said annular skirt, said helically extending thread means being adapted to engage the helically threaded finish portion of the container to permit said closure to be applied to the container by a screwing action and to be removed from the container by an unscrewing action, said helically extending thread means having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being positioned closer to said top panel portion of said closure than said second portion and extending at a first helical angle with respect to a plane extending transversly of said central axis of said closure, said second portion extending at a second helical angle with respect to said plane, said first helical angle being less than said second helical angle; and radially inwardly projecting bead means positioned between said second portion of said helically extending thread means and said bottom side of said top panel portion, said radially inwardly projecting means being spaced from said bottom side of top panel portion and being adapted to engage a sealing liner in a position adjacent to said bottom side of said top panel portion without the need for an adhesive to retain the sealing liner in the position adjacent to said bottom side of said top panel portion, the sealing liner being adapted to form a seal against the rim of the finish portion of the container when said closure is tightly applied to the container, said radially inwardly projecting bead means further having a first end and a second end which is circumferentially spaced from said first end, each of said first end and said second end of said radially inwardly projecting bead means being positioned adjacent to said first portion of said helically extending thread means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 1 in which said top panel portion and said annular skirt are integrally molded in a single piece from a hard thermoplastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 2 in which the principal ingredient of said thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and PET.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 3 in which said radially inwardly projecting bead means has a circumferential extent between said first end and said second end of less than 360°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 4 wherein said radially extending bead means is positioned in a plane that extends transversly of said central axis of said closure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 5 wherein said radially extending bead means comprises a continuous bead extending circumferentially from said first end to said second end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 6 wherein said radially inwardly projecting bead means projects radially inwardly from said inside of said annular skirt by a distance in the range of 0.005 in. to 0.015 in.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 7 wherein said distance is approximately 0.010 in.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
. A molded plastic closure according to claim 6 wherein said circumferential extent of said radially inwardly projecting bead means is at least approximately 240°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 9 wherein said circumferential extent is approximately 278° plus runout.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 5 wherein said radially extending bead means has a top surface that extends inwardly and downwardly from said inside of said annular skirt, said top surface being disposed at an angle, in a plane that extends along said central axis, in the range of 20° to 50°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 11 wherein said angle is approximately 30°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A molded plastic closure according to claim 4 wherein said first helical angle is approximately 0° and wherein said first portion of said helically extending thread means has a circumferential extent of approximately 75°.