Portola Packaging Limited

Jack L Watts

Brian M Adams

Richard E Repp

Laszlo G Sandor

Adam Green

A container neck is used with a tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure. The neck has a multiple of four first helical threads on a neck stretch portion, and at least one external ratchet tooth on a locking wall portion below the neck stretch. The closure has an upper skirt having second helical threads mating with the first helical thread of the neck and a lower skirt with at least one internal ratchet tooth shaped and positioned to engage the external ratchet tooth when the closure is applied to the neck. The teeth formed on the skirt interior and neck exterior are arranged to provide at least one circumferentially extending stretch of the tamper-evident band where the teeth are not engaged. A line of weakness extending vertically through the disengaged stretch of the tamper-evident band is ruptured when the closure is unscrewed from the neck. The number of helical threads is preferably eight and, in any event, a multiple of four. In one modification the threads are interrupted and the gaps between thread segments are vertically aligned while in another modification the thread segments are staggered. In sill another modification there is a space where vertically aligned segments are omitted to provide space for the down-turned tab of a foil disc sealing the lip on the container. Where the container is made of PET or other accurately molded substance the points of the neck ratchet teeth are rounded to avoid injury to the user.

Interrupted thread cap structure

An internal fitment has a bottom peripheral flange adapted to be ultrasonically welded or otherwise attached to a panel of a paperboard carton surrounding a hold in such panel. Above the flange is a spout which converges upwardly and has a cylindrical external locking bead. Above the spout is an outward slanted tear band and above the tear band is a reclosure cap having a top, a depending skirt formed with internal interrupted beads and a plug. The tear band is connected to the spout and cap by thin horizontal tear lines. A finger grip tab extends outwardly of downward with respect to the tear band so that the consumer may conveniently grip the tab, pulling it circumferentially around the spout to separate the tab from both spout and cap. The cap is dimensioned so that the skirt fits over the outside of the spout, the beads detachably locking under the locking bead. The plug seals against the inside of the spout to prevent spillage.

Growing community of inventors

Atherton, CA, United States of America

Jack L Watts