Easy opening closure

Abstract

A closure for receptacles such as bottles which includes a solid 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.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A closure for receptacles which comprises: 
 a solid cylindrical core member having a frangible structure along which the solid cylindrical core member can be stripped apart along an axial direction by pulling an end thereof.    
     
     
         2 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein the frangible structure comprises a groove or a perforation.  
     
     
         3 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 2 , wherein the frangible structure has a non-linear cross-section.  
     
     
         4 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein the frangible structure extends along an axis of the solid cylindrical core member without extending through at least one end of the solid cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         5 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 1 , wherein solid cylindrical core includes two spiral shaped frangible structures that are aligned along an axis of the solid cylindrical core member and which are spaced apart from one another near a center of the solid cylindrical core member and individually extend through opposite ends of the solid cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         6 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 2 , wherein the frangible structure has a spiral shape.  
     
     
         7 . A closure for a receptacle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pulling structure on at least one end thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle which comprises: 
 providing a receptacle which is sealed with a closure having a strippable solid core member; and    pulling the strippable core member apart along a frangible structure provided therein.    
     
     
         9 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 8 , wherein the frangible structure comprises a groove or a perforation.  
     
     
         10 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 9 , wherein the frangible structure has a non-linear cross-section.  
     
     
         11 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 9 , the frangible structure extends along an axis of the solid cylindrical core member without extending through at least one end of the solid cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         12 . A method of removing a closure from a receptacle according to  claim 8 , further comprising a pulling structure on at least one end thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A closure for receptacles which comprises: 
 a solid cylindrical core member having a spiral cut that is centered about an axial center of the solid cylindrical core member and extends along the axial center of the solid cylindrical core member without extending through at least one end of the solid cylindrical core member.    
     
     
         14 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 13 , wherein the spiral cut has a non-linear cross-section.  
     
     
         15 . A closure for receptacles according to  claim 13 , wherein the solid cylindrical core includes two spiral shaped cuts that are aligned along an axis of the solid cylindrical core member and which are spaced apart from one another near a center of the solid cylindrical core member and individually extend through opposite ends of the solid cylindrical core member.  
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a rupturable solid closure which comprises: 
 providing a solid cylindrical core member;    forming a spiral cut along an axial center of the solid cylindrical core member which spiral cut does not extend through at least one end of the solid cylindrical core member.    
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a rupturable solid closure according to  claim 16 , wherein the solid cylindrical core member includes an outer cylindrical surface and the spiral cut does not extend through the outer cylindrical surface.  
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a rupturable solid closure according to  claim 16 , wherein the solid cylindrical core member includes an outer cylindrical surface and the spiral cut extends through the outer cylindrical surface and the method further comprises forming a coating over the outer cylindrical surface and over the spiral cut therein.  
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a rupturable solid closure according to  claim 18 , wherein the solid cylindrical core member and the coating are made of similar materials.  
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a rupturable solid closure according to  claim 18 , wherein the solid cylindrical core member and the coating are made of different materials.