Container having a closure-orienting feature and related method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container having a body defining an interior volume of the container and having an opening; a finish extending around the opening and defining an axis; a thread located on the finish for securing a closure to the finish; and a first orientation surface on the container for engaging a second orientation surface on the closure to orient the closure at a predetermined angle with respect to the body about the axis. A method of securing a closure to a body of a container in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to the body is also disclosed.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a body defining an interior volume of the container, the body having an opening;    a finish extending around the opening, the finish defining an axis;    a thread located on the finish for securing a closure to the finish; and    a first orientation surface on the container for engaging a second orientation surface on the closure to orient the closure at a predetermined angle with respect to the body about the axis.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first orientation surface is defined by a recess on the container and the second orientation surface is defined by a protrusion on the closure.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the finish includes an upper region bounding the opening and the recess is located on the upper region of the finish.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the closure includes an upper surface having an interior portion and an exterior portion, and the protrusion is located adjacent the interior portion of the upper surface.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the container includes a shoulder portion adjacent to a lower portion of the finish and the recess is located on the shoulder portion; and    the closure includes a skirt and the protrusion is located on the skirt.    
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first orientation surface is defined by a protrusion on the container and the second orientation surface is defined by a recess on the closure.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first orientation surface is defined by a first protrusion on the container and the second orientation surface is defined by a second protrusion on the closure.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure having a spout.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body is a preform.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is blow molded.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the finish is adapted and configured to accept a non-oriented closure without substantial engagement between the non-oriented closure and the first orientation surface.  
   
   
       12 . A method of securing a closure to a body of a container in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to the body, the method comprising: 
 placing the closure onto a finish attached to the body; and    turning the closure about an axis to engage threads on the closure with threads on the finish until a first orientation surface on the container engages a second orientation surface on the closure to orient the closure at a predetermined angle with respect to the body about the axis.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first orientation surface is defined by a recess on the container and the second orientation surface is defined by a protrusion on the closure.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first orientation surface is defined by a protrusion on the container and the second orientation surface is defined by a recess on the closure.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first orientation surface is defined by a first protrusion on the container and the second orientation surface is defined by a second protrusion on the closure.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 placing a non-oriented closure onto the finish; and    turning the non-oriented closure about the axis to engage threads on the non-oriented closure with threads on the finish;    wherein the non-oriented closure does not substantially engage the first orientation surface.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the container is blow molded.  
   
   
       18 . A container comprising: 
 a body defining an interior volume of the container, the body having an opening;    a finish extending around the opening, the finish defining an axis; and    a thread located on the finish for securing a closure to the finish;    wherein the container includes a recess and the closure includes a protrusion for engaging the recess to orient the closure at a predetermined angle with respect to the body about the axis.    
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the finish includes an upper region bounding the opening, and the recess is located on the upper region.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the closure includes an upper surface having an interior portion and an exterior portion, and the protrusion is a lug located proximate the interior portion of the upper surface.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 18 , further comprising a shoulder portion adjacent to a lower region of the finish, wherein the recess is located on the shoulder.  
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the closure includes a skirt, and the protrusion is a lug extending from the skirt.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 18 , further comprising a closure having a spout.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the container is blow molded.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the finish is adapted and configured to accept a non-oriented closure without substantial engagement between the non-oriented closure and the recess.