United States Patent [191
`W1lde et al.
`
`.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,545,496
`Oct. 8, 1985
`
`*
`
`[54] PLASTIC CLOSURE WITH MECHANICAL
`PILFER B AND
`
`_
`[75] Inventors: Sheldon L. W1lde; Thomas J.
`McCandless, both of Crawfordsville,
`Ind.
`[73] Assignee: H-C Industries, Inc., Crawfordsville,
`Ind’
`The portion of the term of this patent
`subsequent to Dec. 6, 2000 has been
`disclaimed
`
`[ * ] Notice:
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 608,318
`_
`[22] F1led:
`Dec. 1, 1983
`
`4,332,577 6/1982 Mumford .......................... .. 215/246
`4,343,408 8/1982 Csaszar ..... ..
`.. 215/252
`4,345,692 8/1982 Obrist et a1.
`.. 215/252
`4,352,436 10/1982 Chartier et a1.
`.... .. 215/252
`4,369,889 6/1983 Ostrowsky . . . . .
`. . . . .. 215/246
`4,418,828 12/1983 Wilde et a1. ....................... .. 215/252
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0008190 2/1980} European Pat. Off. .
`2339541 8/1977' France -
`,
`56'74445 6/1981 Jap?“ -
`1052734 12/1966 Umted K1ngdom .............. .. 215/252
`1361180 7/1974 United Kingdom .
`1384370 2/1975 United Kingdom .
`2068912 8/1981 United Kingdom .
`
`[63]
`
`Primary Examiner—Donald F. Norton
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dressler, Goldsmith, Shore,
`Related Us. Application Data
`& M'
`, L .
`Sutker
`llnamow td
`Continuation of Ser. No. 286,375, Jul. 26, 1981, Pat.
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`No. 4,418,828.
`[51] Int. Cl.4 ............................................ .. B65D 41/34 A novel plastic closure is disclosed having a self-engag
`
`[52] US. Cl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . . . . .. 215/252
`
`ing locking pilfer band arrangement for engagement
`
`[58] Field of Search
`[56]
`References Cited
`
`215/252, 253
`
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,423,582 7/ 1947 Coleman ........................... .. 215/252
`3,249,247 5/ 1966 Bfslblol
`215/252
`3’329’295 7/1967 Flelds """ "
`215/252
`3,441,161 4/1969 Van Baarn
`215/252 X
`_
`' . . _
`3 504 818 4/1970 Crisci at a]
`I 215/252
`3:673:761 7/1972 Leitz _
`i """"""""""" "
`3,929,246 12/1975 Leitz .................................. .. 215/252
`4,033,472 7/1977 Aichinger ..
`215/256
`
`I‘OWI] l
`
`,
`
`,
`
`1126131303111 ----- -
`215/246
`4,206,851 M1980 Ostrowsky
`215/252
`4,305,516 12/1981 Peme et al.
`215/253
`4,322,009 3/1982 Mumford .... ..
`4,322,011 3/1982 Mumford .......................... .1 215/270
`
`with a locking ring on the neck of the container to
`which the closure is applied. The pilfer band includes a
`plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly extend
`ing relatively thin ?exible wings or ?ngers which move
`to an out-of-the-way position during application of the
`closure to the container. When the closure is in place on
`the container, the Wings are disposed such that they
`.
`.
`.
`engage the surface of the locklng rlng on the container
`neck when the closure is moved for removal from the
`container- During removal, each wing engages the
`locking ring so that resistance to removal of the closure
`is created in the pilfer band, whereby areas of reduced
`strengtl; frfacl’iure clearly 1nd1c1at1ng partlal or complete
`remova O t e closure mm‘ e comamer'
`
`'
`
`'
`
`‘
`
`'
`
`12 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures
`
`30
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`28
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`6
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`36
`38
`4
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`42
`\ l2
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
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`U.S. Patent Oct. 8, 1985
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`4,545,496
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`FIG.
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`I
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`20
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`,,¢>\,1 ‘ ‘ ““““*“““§)_/,2
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
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`US. Patent 0m. 8, 1985
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`Sheet 2 of 5
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`4,545,496
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
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`U.S. Patent ‘ Oct. 8, 1985
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`Sheet4of5
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`4,545,496
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 5 of 16
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`US. Patent Oct. 8, 1985,
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`SheetSofS
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`4,545,496
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 6 of 16
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`

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`1
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`4,545,496
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`PLASTIC CLOSURE WITH MECHANICAL PILFER
`BAND
`
`This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 286,375,
`?led July 26, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,828.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to plastic
`closures for bottles and other like containers, and more
`particularly to an improved plastic closure having an
`integral self-engaging pilfer band.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`A wide variety of closures are known for closing and
`sealing bottles and other like containers. One type of
`closure is typically provided with internal threads on its
`side wall portion which are adapted to engage external
`threads on the neck of the container for retention of the
`closure on the container. Rotation of the closure with
`respect to the container results in the closure moving
`axially of the bottle neck so that the closure may be
`removed and the container opened. Other types of clo
`sures include arrangements for interlocking with the
`necks of the containers to which they are applied with
`little or no relative rotation by way of a snap ?tting or
`the like.
`One desirable feature for closures of the above de
`scriptions is a provision for indicating whether the con
`tainer has been previously opened by removal of the
`closure therefrom. To this end, various arrangements
`for so-called pilfer bands are known. These arrange
`ments are sometimes referred to as tamper bands, guar
`antee bands, or security rings. Frequently, a peripher
`ally extending annular locking ring or other arrange
`ment is provided on the neck of the container for inter
`action with the pilfer band of the closure for indication
`of closure tampering.
`For a closure made from plastic material, it is desir
`able that the pilfer band be formed integrally with the
`shell or cap portion of the closure. When the closure is
`applied to a container, the integral pilfer band portion of
`the closure is typically brought into association with the
`annular locking ring or other arrangement provided on
`the neck of the container so that the pilfer band opera
`tively interacts therewith for indicating whether the
`closure has been removed from the container.
`Because the application of closures to containers is
`preferably performed on a high speed production line, it
`is desirable that application be possible with the fewest
`number of production steps. Heretofore, the pilfer band
`arrangement for some plastic closures has required one
`or more speci?c production processes for properly
`associating the pilfer band arrangement with the lock
`ing ring or other retaining means provided on the neck
`of the container.
`For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,671, issued to Lietz,
`illustrates a method of applying pilfer-proof closures
`wherein a security ring provided on a plastic closure is
`deformed by heat and pressure to roll it onto an under
`cut portion of the neck of the container. Similarly, U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,033,472, to Aichinger, illustrates a closure for
`containers having a downwardly depending band of
`heat deformable thermoplastic which is heat deformed
`so as to engage with a bead provided on the container
`neck.
`Another type of heat-deformable pilfer band arrange
`ment is illustrated in British Pat. No. 1,384,370, issued to
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`Behringer, et al. This patent teaches a closure with an
`integral heat-shrinkable pilfer-band comprising resilient
`memory plastic which is flared outwardly for applica
`tion of the closure to a container, and is then heated, in
`a heat tunnel for example, whereby the resilient mem
`ory of the band causes it to “shrink” and deform so as to
`engage an annular locking ring on the container rack.
`Clearly, the drawbacks of plastic closures of this type
`will be readily appreciated in that not only does the
`application of these types of closures require additional
`production steps in a high speed bottling operation, but
`additionally mandate that the bottler or other packager
`provide the requisite specialized machinery for applica
`tion of the closures in the prescribed fashion.
`Thus, the development of an effective, self-engaging
`pilfer band for a plastic closure which would be suitable
`for application to bottles or other like containers with
`out the use of specialized production equipment would
`signi?cantly enhance the desirability of plastic closures
`for use in a high speed bottling operation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance with the present invention, a molded
`plastic closure having an integral pilfer band for a bottle
`or like container is disclosed. In the preferred embodi
`ment, the closure is adapted for use on a container hav
`ing a threaded neck portion which includes a peripher
`ally extending annular bead portion or looking ring,
`although .the closure may be readily adapted for use on
`containers having non-threaded neck portions.
`The closure includes a cap having a top wall portion,
`and a cylindrical, preferably threaded skirt portion de
`pending from the top wall portion integrally formed
`therewith.
`‘
`The closure of the present invention further includes
`a pilfer band integral with and depending from the skirt
`portion of the cap. In the preferred embodiment, the
`pilfer band is distinguished from the skirt portion of the
`cap by a fracturable area which comprises a peripheral
`weakened skirt portion. The fracturable area preferably
`comprises scoring of the closure so that the pilfer band
`is detachably connected to the cap of the closure by
`frangible bridges. Depending upon the desired result
`during removal, the fracturable area may be provided
`so that the pilfer band is completely severed from the
`cap of the closure, and thus remains on the container
`after the cap is removed. Alternately, the pilfer band
`may be provided with an area of reduced strength and
`joined to the skirt portion of the cap by an integral
`connector portion whereby the pilfer band is severable
`and removable from the container together with the
`cap.
`The closure may be of the so-called composite type,
`and include a liner portion of plastic material disposed
`adjacent the top wall portion of the cap which is
`adapted to sealingly engage the mouth of the container
`for effectively sealing the contents therein. It will be
`understood, however, that the pilfer band arrangement
`of the present invention would be equally suited for use
`on non-composite plastic closures. Alternate embodi
`ments of the invention illustrate closures of the so-called
`plug seal type which include sealing arrangements for
`sealing against the inner diameter or surface of the con
`tainer mouth.
`In accordance with the present invention, the pilfer
`band of the closure includes a novel arrangement for
`effecting locking engagement with the neck of the con
`tainer which is essentially self-engaging. The pilfer band
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 7 of 16
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`

`
`3
`includes engagement means which are adapted to en»
`gage a portion of the neck of the container after the
`closure is applied to the container.
`The engagement means of the pilfer band comprise a
`plurality of relatively thin, ?exible ?ngers or wings
`which extend integrally inwardly of an annular band
`portion of the pilfer band. The wings are spaced cir
`cumferentially of the closure, and their free or inner
`edge portions generally define a circle having a diame
`ter less than the annular locking ring of the container
`neck. Preferably, each wing extends inwardly from the
`band portion of the pilfer band at an angle, and each is
`disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation
`of the closure.
`In an embodiment of the present invention wherein
`the closure is rotatably applied to the container, the
`wings of the pilfer band engage the container neck such
`that when the closure is rotated for removal from the
`container, the pilfer band resists rotation and thus frac
`tures the fracturable area of the weakened skirt portion.
`In another embodiment, where the closure is applied to
`the container with little or no relative rotation, the
`wings cam against the container neck urging the pilfer
`band outwardly of the container so that areas of re
`duced strength on the band fracture for indicating re
`moval.
`In the preferred embodiment of the closure, mechani
`cally locking interaction of the wings of the pilfer-band
`with the container neck is provided in a novel fashion
`relating to the angular disposition, resilient ?exibility,
`and dimensions of the wings. Speci?cally, each of the
`wings includes a camming edge portion which is
`adapted to engage and cam against the locking ring of
`the container neck when the closure is rotated for re
`moval from the container. Preferably, the camming
`edge portion of each wing is generally complemental to
`the locking ring of the container neck.
`Rotation of the closure for removal from the con
`tainer results in axial displacement of the closure rela
`tive to the container neck causing a camming action
`between the locking ring and the wings of the pilfer
`band which urges the wings to bend or ?ex about their
`edges integral with the band portion of the pilfer band.
`However, the preferred embodiment of the present
`pilfer band arrangement provides that the wings are
`dimensioned such that there is a lack of clearance be
`tween the container neck and the annular band portion
`inwardly of which the wings extend. Thus, the tip or
`free end portion of each wing is urged into locking
`engagement with a portion of the container neck dis
`posed adjacent and below the locking ring of the neck.
`The result of this interaction is an interference-like look
`ing action taking place as each wing is urged into en
`gagement with the container neck as the camming edge
`portion of each wing is urged against the locking ring of
`the container neck.
`As the closure is rotated for removal from the con
`tainer, the above locking interaction of the pilfer band
`with the container neck resists the torque applied to the
`closure, and thus creates shear forces within the closure.
`When these shear forces reach a magnitude which is
`suf?ciently great, the peripheral weakened skirt portion
`of the closure fractures, thus providing a clear indica
`tion that the closure has been removed, or partially
`removed, from the container.
`Depending upon the requirements of a speci?c user,
`the pilfer band itself of the closure may be provided
`with an area of reduced strength, such as a vertical
`
`4,545,496
`4
`score, so that the pilfer band is severed and thus remov
`able from the container. Preferably, a connector portion
`of relatively great strength is also provided, and inte
`grally connects the pilfer band with the cap of the clo
`sure so that the pilfer band is removed from the con
`tainer together with the cap. Alternatively, the fractur
`able weakened skirt portion of the closure may be pro~=
`videcl such that after the area fractures, the pilfer band
`is completely severed and detached from the cap of the
`closure so that the cap may be removed while the pilfer
`band remains on the container.
`In other embodiments of the present invention, the
`wings of the pilfer band extend inwardly of the band
`portion of the pilfer band and are adapted to essentially
`engage the locking ring only of the container neck so
`the pilfer band resists removal of the closure, with en
`gagement of the free edge portion of each wing with the
`portion of the container neck adjacent the locking ring
`being unnecessary.
`In one embodiment, where the closure is rotatably
`applied to and removed from the container, the fric
`tional engagement of the wings with the surface of the
`locking ring and the resiliency of each wing are suf?
`cient to create resistance to rotation which results in
`fracture'of the pilfer band from the skirt portion of the
`closure. When frictional engagement is not sufficient to
`create the desired rotation resistance, serrations or
`other surface irregularities may be provided on the
`locking ring for enhancing engagement with the wings
`of the closure pilfer band.
`A further embodiment of the present invention com
`prises a closure where the pilfer band remains integrally
`connected with the closure skirt portion after removal
`from the container. In this embodiment, the closure
`pilfer band includes one or more areas of reduced
`strength, such as vertical scores. Indication of opening
`of the container is provided by the wings on the closure
`pilfer band in accordance with the present invention.
`In this embodiment, movement of the closure axially
`of the container neck for removal urges the wings into
`engagement with a locking ring or other suitable sur
`face on the container neck, whereby the wings are
`urged and cammed outwardly and away from the con
`tainer, thereby tensioning and stressing the pilfer band
`so that the areas of reduced strength fracture. The
`wings may then clear the container neck so that the
`pilfer band is removed from the container with the cap
`of the closure, the fracturable nature of the pilfer band
`providing a clear indication of opening. Signi?cantly,
`this embodiment of the invention provides this indica
`tion as a result of relative axial movement of the closure
`and container, and is thus suited for containers where
`the closure is threaded off, or where the closure is re
`moved from the container with limited or no relative
`rotation.
`As noted above, one signi?cant feature of the present
`invention is the self-engaging nature of the pilfer band
`arrangement for providing locking engagement of the
`pilfer band with the locking ring provided on the con
`tainer neck. This feature is facilitated by the action of
`the wings of the pilfer band during application of the
`closure to a container. Because of the relatively ?exible
`nature of each of the wings, application of the closure to
`a container results in the wings engaging the container
`neck and bending or ?exing outwardly of the container
`so that the closure may be properly and efficiently put
`in place. Preferably, each wing is disposed angularly
`with respect to the band portion of the pilfer band so
`
`25
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`35
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`40
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`45
`
`65
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 8 of 16
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`

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`6
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a further
`embodiment of a closure in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`4,545,496
`5
`that ?exing to an out-of-the-way position is accommo
`dated.
`During application to a container having a locking
`ring or other suitable surface on the container neck for
`engaging the wings of the closure pilfer band, each
`wing engages and cams out of the way of the locking
`ring of the container neck until the cap of the closure
`sealingly engages the container mouth. The wings of
`the pilfer band are adapted to move past the locking
`ring, and then are disposed adjacent to and below the
`locking ring of the neck. The resilience of the wings
`causes them to again resume their original inwardly
`directed disposition, with each wing engagable with the
`locking ring. Signi?cantly, the lateral ?exibility of the
`wings results in much less stretching of the pilfer band
`during application of the closure than with arrange
`ments heretofore known. Consequently, there is rela
`tively less stress put upon the fracturable skirt portion of
`the closure during application. In the preferred embodi
`ment, the free end locking portion of each wing engages
`that portion of the container neck disposed below the
`locking ring, while in other embodiments engagement
`of the free end portion of each wing with this portion of
`the container neck is unnecessary.
`Thus, a plastic closure in accordance with the present
`invention provides a novel self-engaging pilfer band
`arrangement which is highly effective for indication of
`tampering or opening of the container, but which
`avoids the need for specialized equipment and/or pro
`duction line processes for effectively providing the
`desired interaction between the pilfer band arrangement
`and the container neck.
`
`30
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a plas
`tic closure in accordance with the present invention
`applied to a bottle or like container;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking into the plastic
`closure of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view taken along
`lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 4—4 of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 illus
`trating the closure of FIG. 1 during application to the
`container;
`FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the
`closure of FIG. 1 during removal of the closure from
`the container;
`FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view further
`illustrating the closure of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating removal of
`the closure illustrated in FIG. 1 from a container;
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an
`further embodiment of a plastic closure in accordance
`with the present invention applied to a bottle or like
`container;
`FIG. 10 is a view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary view similar to
`FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating removal of
`60
`the closure of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a
`further embodiment of a plastic closure in accordance
`with the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a view taken along lines 13—13 of FIG. 12;
`and
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG.
`13 during removal from a container; and
`
`65
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`45
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`50
`
`5
`
`25
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`While the present invention is susceptible of embodi
`ment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings
`and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred
`embodiment and alternate embodiments with the under
`standing that the present disclosure is to be considered
`as an exempli?cation of the invention and is not in
`tended to limit the invention to the specific embodi
`ments illustrated.
`'
`With reference now to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a
`molded plastic closure 10 in accordance with the pre
`ferred embodiment of the present invention. Closure 10
`is shown applied to a bottle or like container 12. Closure
`10 may be fabricated from any of a variety of plastic
`materials, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.
`Closure 10 includes a cap 14 (sometimes referred to as
`a shell) which includes a generally circular top wall
`portion 16 and a generally cylindrical skirt portion 18
`depending from and integral with top wall portion 16.
`Skirt portion 18 includes internal threads 20 which are
`adapted to mate with and engage ‘external container
`neck threads 22 which are formed integrally with con
`tainer neck 24. Additionally, container neck 24 includes
`a peripherally extending, continuous annular bead por
`tion or locking ring 26 disposed beneath neck threads
`22.
`As shown, plastic closure 10 includes a plastic liner 28
`positioned adjacent to top wall portion 16. Cap 14 in
`cludes an annular liner-retaining lip 30 which extends
`inwardly of the cap and aids in retention of plastic liner
`28. As shown in FIG. 1, plastic liner 28 is adapted to be
`brought into and maintained in sealing engagement with
`the side of the mouth of the container de?ned by the top
`of container neck 24. It will be appreciated, however,
`that a closure in accordance with the present invention
`may be provided with a sealing arrangement other than
`side sealing liner 28 shown.
`Skirt portion 18 of cap 14 includes a plurality of cir
`cumferentially spaced, vertically extending external ribs
`32 which facilitate gripping of closure 10 by mechanical
`bottling machinery, or by a consumer for removing the
`closure from the container with their hands.
`In accordance with the present invention, an integral
`pilfer band 34 is provided adjacent to skirt portion 18, as
`shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Pilfer band 34 preferably is
`formed integrally with the closure 10 during its forma
`tion, and extends continuously about the closure and
`de?nes the lower edge thereof.
`Pilfer band 34 is distinguished from skirt portion 18 of
`cap 14 by a peripheral, fracturable weakened skirt por
`tion. Preferably, this weakened skirt portion comprises
`a plurality of circumferentially spaced, integrally
`molded frangible bridges or ribs 37 which extend be
`tween the inside surfaces of pilfer band 34 and skirt
`portion 18. The fracturable skirt portion further com
`prises a score line 36 which extends peripherally of the
`closure for creating an area of reduced strength be
`tween pilfer band 34 and skirt portion 18. Score line 36
`is preferably formed so that pilfer band 34 is substan
`tially severed and detached from skirt portion 18 except
`for frangible ribs 37. Depending upon the desired
`strength of each rib 37, the cutting edge used to form
`score line 36 may also be used to simultaneously score
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 9 of 16
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`

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`9-1 0
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`7
`or partially cut some or all of ribs 37 depending upon
`the desired strength of the ribs.
`Ribs 37 provide an integral connection between pilfer
`band 34 and skirt portion 18 which is suf?ciently strong
`to accommodate application of closure 10 to container
`12 without failure. However, during rotation for re
`moval of the closure from the container, pilfer band 34
`resists the rotation and thus shear forces are created
`from the torque which act to cause ribs 37 to fail and
`fracture. Where score line 36 is provided substantially
`about the entire periphery of closure 10 and all of ribs 37
`fracture, pilfer band 34 is effectively detachably con
`nected to cap 14 of the closure, and thus fracturing of
`the weakened skirt area indicates partial or complete
`removal of the closure from container 12. Additionally,
`the detachable connection causes pilfer band 34 to re
`main on container 12 after cap 14 is removed therefrom.
`As shown in FIG. 2, pilfer band 34 may be provided
`with a vertical score 54 or other suitable area of reduced
`strength. The inclusion of vertical score 54 accommo
`dates the severance of pilfer band 34 after it has been
`partially or completely detached from cap 14. Prefera=
`bly, score 54 extends substantially through pilfer band
`34. Since it is sometimes desirable to accommodate
`removal of pilfer band 34 from container 12 together
`with cap 14, a non-scored connector portion 56 de?ned
`by score line 36, preferably of relatively greater
`strength than one of ribs 37, joins pilfer band 34 and cap
`14 so that pilfer band 34 is removed from the container
`with the closure after it separates or fractures along
`vertical score 54, as shown in FIG. 8.
`Where removal of pilfer band 34 with cap 14 is de
`sired, an integral connector portion may also be pro
`vided by having score line 36 extend substantially about
`the entire closure, with the depth of the score varied. In
`this way, a majority of ribs 37 may be simultaneously
`partially cut when score 36 is made, with one or more
`ribs 37 being non~scored so that they exhibit relatively
`greater strength then the other ribs 37 and do not frac
`ture during removal of the closure, thus connecting
`pilfer band 34 to cap 14 for removal therewith from the
`container.
`While the above-described arrangement of ribs 37
`and score line 36 provides the desired fracturable area
`distinguishing pilfer band 34 and skirt portion 18 and is
`presently preferred, other scoring arrangements could
`be provided as will be described.
`As best shown in FIG. 3, pilfer band 34 includes a
`generally vertical, circumferentially extending annular
`band portion 38. Pilfer band 34 further includes an an
`nular shoulder portion 40 which is integral with and
`extends inwardly of annular band portion 38.
`In order to provide for mechanically locking interac
`tion between pilfer band 34 and container neck 24, pilfer
`band 34 includes a plurality of relatively thin, ?exible,
`integral wings or ?ngers 42. Each wing 42 comprises a
`tongue-like projection preferably'having a generally
`triangular con?guration, the wings 42 being spaced
`circumferentially about the closure 10. It will be under
`stood, however, that the exact con?guration of each
`wing 42 is a matter of design choice in accordance with
`the principles disclosed herein, and could thus be other
`than generally triangular.
`While each of the wings 42 is generally triangular,
`they are not actually true triangles and include a plural
`ity of distinct edge portions. An edge portion 44 of each
`wing 42 is integral with annular band portion 38 of the
`
`4,545,496
`8
`pilfer band. An edge portion 46 of each wing is integral
`with annular shoulder portion 40.
`Signi?cantly, edge portion 44 is preferably disposed
`at an angle alpha with respect to the vertical and the
`rotational axis of closure 10 (See FIG. 3). As will be
`further described, this angle is signi?cant in that it ac
`commodates application of closure 10 to container 12
`without interference from wings 42. Additionally, angle
`alpha accommodates removal of closure 10 from the
`portion of the mold in which it is formed which forms
`the wings 42, relative rotation of this mold portion and
`the closure facilitating removal. Angle alpha is prefera=
`bly in the range of approximately 20-60 degrees, with
`30 degrees being shown in FIG. 3. It will be appreci—
`ated, however, that angle alpha’ could be zero, i.e.,
`wings 42 would be vertically oriented, for a closure in
`accordance with the principles herein as will be de
`scribed.
`Each wing 42 further includes a ?rst camming edge
`portion 48 which is adapted to engage and cam against
`the lower surface of locking ring 26 during removal of
`closure 10. Preferably, camming edge portion 48 is
`complemental to the lower surface of looking ring 26
`which it is adapted to engage.
`The mechanical locking action of each wing 42 is
`further provided by a second locking free edge portion
`50. Locking edge portion 50 de?nes the free end portion
`of wing 42 which is adapted to lockingly engage and
`interfere with the portion of container neck 24 disposed
`adjacent and below locking ring 26. Each wing 42 is
`further provided with an edge portion 52 extending
`between edge portion 50 and annular band portion 38.
`This edge portion 52 is preferably disposed at an angle
`from the horizontal, as shown, so that camming or flex=
`ing of the wings away from the container neck during
`application of the closure is facilitated.
`As indicated by angle beta in FIG. 4, each wing 42 of
`the present embodiment preferably extends angularly
`inwardly of band portion 38 of pilfer band 34. Angle
`beta is shown measured between a line de?ned by the
`intersection of the generally planar surface of each wing
`and a horizontal plane, and a line tangent to the closure
`at the intersection of the ?rst line with annular band
`portion 38. Angle beta is preferably approximately 75
`degrees. As further discussed, the signi?cance of this
`angular disposition is two-fold. First, during application
`of closure 10 to container 12, angle beta disposes each
`wing 42 so that it extends away from the direction of
`rotation during application, thus accommodating flex
`ing of each wing 42 toward annular band portion 38 as
`the wings are moved by external threads 22 and locking
`ring 26. Further, this angle accommodates the dimen
`sioning of wings 42 so that their length is suf?cient to
`interengage and ?rmly abut and tend to lock against the
`portion of container neck 24 disposed adjacent and
`below locking ring 26.
`It should be noted that during fabrication of the clo
`sure in accordance with the present invention, removal
`of the plunger portion of the mold which forms threads
`20 may deform the wings from the orientation in which
`they are molded. Since removal may result in this unde
`sired deformation, particularly an increasing angle beta
`shown in FIG. 4, it may be necessary to reorient the
`wings, such as by manipulation by a suitable implement
`moved across their surfaces. Experience has shown that
`the resilience or memory of the wings accommodates
`exertion of nominal pressure on the wings in order to
`correctly reorient them. Additionally, variation of the
`
`45
`
`65
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 10 of 16
`
`

`
`4,545,496
`closure and mold temperatures affects the severity of
`the deformation, and they may thus be adjusted to mini
`mize the problem.
`With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the
`action of pilfer band 34 during application of closure 10
`to container 12 will be described. Closure 10 is placed
`on container neck 24 and moved downwardly thereof.
`This operation is preferably performed by rotating clo
`sure 10 with respect to container 12 so that the internal
`threads 20 of skirt portion 18 engage and mesh with
`external threads 22