Closure including cap and fitment having gripping member

Abstract

A fitment including a spout flange, a spout, a frangible membrane and a gripping member. The spout projects upward from the spout flange and has upper and lower ends and an inner wall. The frangible membrane seals off the spout and has a peripheral edge joined to the inner wall surface along a line of weakness. The gripping member is adapted to facilitate removal of the frangible membrane from the spout.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fitment comprising: 
 a spout flange;    a spout projecting upward from said spout flange, said spout having upper and lower ends and an inner wall;    a frangible membrane sealing off said spout and having a peripheral edge joined to said inner wall surface along a line of weakness; and    a gripping member adapted to facilitate removal of said frangible membrane from said spout, said gripping member including a semicircular member having first and second terminal ends, said first end being connected to said frangible membrane adjacent said line of weakness, and said second end being remotely located from said first end.    
     
     
         2 . A fitment according to  claim 1  wherein said semicircular member has an inner wall and an outer wall, said fitment further comprising gripping protrusions extending radially inward from said inner wall.  
     
     
         3 . A fitment according to  claim 1  wherein said semicircular member is helically shaped.  
     
     
         4 . A fitment according to  claim 1  wherein said second end of said semicircular member is located above said upper end of said spout.  
     
     
         5 . A fitment according to  claim 1  wherein said semicircular member extends approximately 270°.  
     
     
         6 . A fitment comprising: 
 a spout flange;    a spout projecting upward from said spout flange, said spout having upper and lower ends and an inner wall;    a frangible membrane sealing off said spout and having a peripheral edge joined to said inner wall surface along a line of weakness; and    a gripping member adapted to facilitate removal of said frangible membrane from said spout, said gripping member including a straight member having first and second terminal ends, said first end being connected to said frangible membrane adjacent said line of weakness, and said second end being remotely located from said first end;    wherein said gripping member is monolithically formed with said spout flange, spout and frangible membrane such that said straight segment extends at an acute angle with respect to said frangible membrane.    
     
     
         7 . A fitment according to  claim 6  wherein said straight member extends at an angle of approximately 15° to approximately 45° with respect to said frangible membrane.  
     
     
         8 . A fitment according to  claim 6  wherein said straight member extends at an angle of approximately 30° with respect to said frangible membrane.  
     
     
         9 . A fitment according to  claim 6  wherein said gripping member includes a rib extending substantially perpendicular from a surface of said straight segment adjacent said second terminal end.  
     
     
         10 . A fitment comprising: 
 a spout flange;    a spout projecting upward from said spout flange, said spout having upper and lower ends and an inner wall;    a frangible membrane sealing off said spout and having a peripheral edge joined to said inner wall surface along a line of weakness; and    a gripping member adapted to facilitate removal of said frangible membrane from said spout, said gripping member including a horizontally extending member having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said frangible membrane adjacent said line of weakness, and said second end being remotely located from said first end;    wherein a portion of said horizontally extending member is above said upper end of said spout.    
     
     
         11 . A fitment according to  claim 10  further comprising a frangible connector interconnecting a portion of said horizontally extending member and an adjacent portion of said frangible membrane, said frangible connector located between said first and second ends.  
     
     
         12 . A fitment according to  claim 11  further comprising at least two frangible connectors, each frangible connector interconnecting a portion of said horizontally extending member and a respective portion of said frangible membrane.  
     
     
         13 . A fitment comprising: 
 a spout flange;    a spout projecting upward from said spout flange, said spout having upper and lower ends and an inner wall;    a frangible membrane sealing off said spout and having a peripheral edge joined to said inner wall surface along a line of weakness;    a gripping member adapted to facilitate removal of said frangible membrane from said spout, said gripping member including a horizontally extending member having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said frangible membrane adjacent said line of weakness, and said second end being remotely located from said first end; and    a frangible connector interconnecting a portion of said horizontally extending member and an adjacent portion of said frangible membrane, said frangible connector located between said first and second ends.    
     
     
         14 . A fitment according to  claim 13  further comprising at least two frangible connectors, each frangible connector interconnecting a portion of said horizontally extending member and a respective portion of said frangible membrane.  
     
     
         15 . A fitment comprising: 
 a spout flange;    a spout projecting upward from said spout flange, said spout having upper and lower ends and an inner wall;    a frangible membrane sealing off said spout and having a peripheral edge joined to said inner wall surface along a line of weakness;    a gripping member adapted to facilitate removal of said frangible membrane from said spout, said gripping member including a horizontally extending member having a lower edge and a first end, said first end being connected to said frangible membrane adjacent said line of weakness; and    a frangible connection interconnecting a portion of said lower edge of said horizontally extending member and an adjacent portion of said upper end of said spout.    
     
     
         16 . A fitment according to  claim 15  wherein said gripping member further comprises a second terminal end, said second end being remotely located from said first end.  
     
     
         17 . A fitment according to  claim 15  wherein said horizontally extending member extends at least approximately 270° along said upper end of said spout.  
     
     
         18 . A fitment according to  claim 15  wherein horizontally extending member comprises a lower tapered edge which terminates at said frangible connection.  
     
     
         19 . A fitment according to  claim 15  wherein a web interconnects said gripping member and said frangible membrane adjacent said line of weakness.  
     
     
         20 . A fitment according to  claim 15  further comprising a stop adapted to limit propagation along said frangible connection, said stop interrupts said frangible connection adjacent said first end of said horizontally extending member.  
     
     
         21 . A fitment according to  claim 20  wherein said stop comprises an aperture in said frangible connection adjacent said first end of said horizontally extending member.  
     
     
         22 . A fitment according to  claim 15  wherein said horizontally extending member of said gripping member includes cap-engaging structure.  
     
     
         23 . A fitment according to  claim 22  wherein said cap-engaging structure includes an external thread adapted to cooperate with an internal thread of a cap.