Easy opening closure with strippable structure

Abstract

A closure for receptacles such as bottles which includes an annular sealing member which is internally reinforced by a cylindrical core. The cylindrical core includes a helically or spirally shaped frangible structure along which the cylindrical core can be pulled, stripped, unwound or torn apart. The closures can be pressed into receptacles using conventional methods. To remove the closures, one pulls, strips or tears the cylindrical core apart. The remaining, unreinforced annular sealing member can be easily removed.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A closure for receptacles which comprises: 
 a cylindrical core member which comprises a helically or spirally wound web member that can be stripped apart by pulling an end thereof; and    an annular sealing member which surrounds the cylindrical core member.    
     
     
         2 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical core member includes a helical or spiral frangible structure which defines the web member.  
     
     
         3 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 2 , wherein the frangible structure comprises a groove or perforation.  
     
     
         4 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure further includes a closed bottom.  
     
     
         5 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 4 , wherein the closed bottom is formed on the cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         6 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 4 , wherein the closed bottom is formed on the annular sealing member.  
     
     
         7 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 6 , wherein a pull tab is coupled to the closed bottom of the closure.  
     
     
         8 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 4 , wherein closed bottoms are formed on both the cylindrical core member and the annular sealing member.  
     
     
         9 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical core member is coupled to the annular sealing member by adhesion.  
     
     
         10 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 8 , wherein an adhesive material is provided between closed bottom of the cylindrical core member and the closed bottom of the annular sealing member.  
     
     
         11 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 9 , wherein the annular sealing member is coated on the cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         12 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 11 , wherein the annular sealing member is bonded on the cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         13 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure further includes a top which is coupled to the cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         14 . A closure for receptacles which comprises: 
 an annular sealing member; and    a strippable core member which is provided within the annular sealing member.    
     
     
         15 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 14 , wherein the strippable core member comprises a cylindrical member having a helically or spirally shaped frangible structure along which the cylindrical member can be pulled apart.  
     
     
         16 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 15 , wherein the frangible structure comprises a groove or perforations.  
     
     
         17 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 14 , wherein the strippable core member comprises a cylindrical member having at least a pair of frangible structures which extend axially to form at least one web that can be pulled from a side of the cylindrical member to collapse the same.  
     
     
         18 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one web has non-parallel side edges.  
     
     
         19 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 14 , where the closure further comprises a closed bottom which is formed on at least one of the annular sealing member and the strippable core member.  
     
     
         20 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle which comprises: 
 providing a receptacle which is sealed with a closure having a strippable core member and an annular sealing member;    pulling the strippable core member apart in a helically or spiral manner to form an elongate web which is removed from the receptacle; and    pulling the annular sealing member from the receptacle.    
     
     
         21 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 20 , wherein the step of pulling the annular sealing element from the receptacle is effected by pulling the strippable core member from the receptacle.  
     
     
         22 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 20 , wherein the receptacle comprises a bottle.  
     
     
         23 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 20 , further comprises resealing the receptacle by inserting a cylindrical member in the annular sealing member and thereafter inserting the annular sealing member in the receptacle.