US5511679A — Closure for resealable container

Claim 1

Independent Claim 233 words

A closure for a container having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration, the container having an external and an internal surface, said closure comprising, a circular cap having a periphery, an underside and a top side, a band formed integral with the periphery of the cap, the band having an inner-facing surface and being integrally joined to said cap by means of a web at a location to divide said band into upper and lower portions, means formed between the inner-facing surface of the band at a lower portion thereof and the external surface of the container for cooperative engagement therebetween, a depending flange formed along the periphery of the underside of the cap to be in cooperative engagement with the internal surface of the container, said flange forming a plug seal between the cap and the container when the flange is in engagement with the internal surface of the container, means to separate the band from the cap without disturbing the plug seal, said cap being removable from the container upon separation of the band from the cap but being replaceable upon the container by re-engaging the flange with the internal surface of the container to re-establish the plug seal therebetween; and wherein said means to separate the band from the cap without disturbing the plug seal comprises a tear tab formed on a portion of the band and extending over the cap.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 233 words

A closure for a container having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration, the container having an external and an internal surface, said closure comprising, a circular cap having a periphery, an underside and a top side, a band formed integral with the periphery of the cap, the band having an inner-facing surface and being integrally joined to said cap by means of a web at a location to divide said band into upper and lower portions, means formed between the inner-facing surface of the band at a lower portion thereof and the external surface of the container for cooperative engagement therebetween, a depending flange formed along the periphery of the underside of the cap to be in cooperative engagement with the internal surface of the container, said flange forming a plug seal between the cap and the container when the flange is in engagement with the internal surface of the container, means to separate the band from the cap without disturbing the plug seal, said cap being removable from the container upon separation of the band from the cap but being replaceable upon the container by re-engaging the flange with the internal surface of the container to re-establish the plug seal therebetween; and wherein said means to separate the band from the cap without disturbing the plug seal comprises a tear tab formed on a portion of the band and extending over the cap.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which said means formed between the inner-facing surface of the band and the external surface of the container for cooperative engagement therebetween comprise an annular rib formed on the inner-facing surface of the band and a ridge formed on the external surface of the container.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

A closure as claimed in claim 2 in which the rib is engaged below the ridge.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 51 words

A closure as claimed in claim 1 in which said means to separate the band from the cap without disturbing the plug seal further comprise a score line on the band proximate said tear tab, and a circular score line formed on said web positioned between the cap and the band.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 211 words

A closure for a container having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration, the container having an open top and a closed bottom and external and internal surfaces, said closure comprising a cap having an upstanding circular wall with upper, medial and lower portions and external and internal surfaces, a circular plate secured to a lower portion of the inner surface of said circular wall in a fluid tight connection, the external diameter of the lower portion of said circular wall being slightly greater than the internal diameter of said container open top so as to form a plug seal therewith, a web extending circumferentially around an external surface of a medial portion of said circular wall, a circular band having upper, medial and lower portions with external and internal surfaces, said band secured to said web at an internal surface of a medial band portion to lie in closely spaced relationship with said circular wall, interengaging means on an inner surface of a lower band portion and on the external surface of said container for securing said closure to said container, and means to separate the band from said circular wall, said means including a circumferential score line on said web and a tear tab connected to a portion of said band.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 211 words

A closure for a container having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration, the container having an open top and a closed bottom and external and internal surfaces, said closure comprising a cap having an upstanding circular wall with upper, medial and lower portions and external and internal surfaces, a circular plate secured to a lower portion of the inner surface of said circular wall in a fluid tight connection, the external diameter of the lower portion of said circular wall being slightly greater than the internal diameter of said container open top so as to form a plug seal therewith, a web extending circumferentially around an external surface of a medial portion of said circular wall, a circular band having upper, medial and lower portions with external and internal surfaces, said band secured to said web at an internal surface of a medial band portion to lie in closely spaced relationship with said circular wall, interengaging means on an inner surface of a lower band portion and on the external surface of said container for securing said closure to said container, and means to separate the band from said circular wall, said means including a circumferential score line on said web and a tear tab connected to a portion of said band.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

A closure as claimed in claim 5 in which said tear tab is connected to an upper portion of said band and extends over the cap.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

A closure as claimed in claim 6 in which said tear tab comprises a generally U-shaped structure with the legs of the U connected to said band, gaps being provided in said upstanding wall allowing passage of the legs of the U over the cap.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 65 words

A closure as claimed in claim 7 in which a band score line is provided across the outer surface of said band adjacent to the connection of the tear tab whereby upward pulling of said tear tab separates the band at the band score line and permits peeling away said band along the web score line without disturbing the plug seal in the container opening.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 46 words

A closure as claimed in claim 5 in which said means for engaging the band with the external circumferential surface of the container comprise an annular rib formed on the lower internal band portion and a ridge formed on the external circumferential surface of the container.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

A closure as claimed in claim 9 in which the rib is engaged below the ridge.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-04-30	1999-10-30	2000-04-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-04-30	2003-10-30	2004-04-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-04-30	2007-10-30	2008-04-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Closure for resealable container

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