Closure with vertical tear bands

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a closure that has a cover and an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover. A plurality of vertical strips are formed in the annular first skirt. At least a vertical tear band is located between some or all of the vertical strips. Each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together.

1 . A closure comprising:
 a cover;   an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover;   a plurality of vertical strips formed in the annular first skirt; and   at least a vertical tear band located between some or all of the vertical strips,   wherein each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together.   
   
   
       2 . The closure of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a tab coupled to the first skirt; and   a frangible band coupled to the tab,   wherein the frangible band is formed in the first skirt, and   wherein the frangible band is structured to be broken by applying a force on the tab.   
   
   
       3 . The closure of  claim 2  wherein the frangible band has a horizontal portion extending along the first skirt. 
   
   
       4 . The closure of  claim 1  further comprising an annular second skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover in a coaxial relationship with the first skirt. 
   
   
       5 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein an internal surface of the first skirt has a number of ribs that are structured to couple the first skirt with an outer diameter of a neck of a container. 
   
   
       6 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein each of the vertical strips has a rib coupled thereto. 
   
   
       7 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein an external surface of the cover has a dimple. 
   
   
       8 . The closure of  claim 6  wherein the rib has a lower surface and an upper surface,
 wherein the lower surface extends at an angle, θ 1  with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure,   wherein the upper surface extends at an angle, θ 2  with respect to the axis,   wherein θ 1  has a value from about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees, and   wherein θ 2  has a value from about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees.   
   
   
       9 . The closure of  claim 5  wherein one of the number of ribs has a lower surface and an upper surface,
 wherein the lower surface extends at an angle, θ 3  with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure,   wherein the upper surface extends at a preselected angle with respect to the axis, and   wherein θ 3  has a value from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.   
   
   
       10 . The closure of  claim 4  wherein the second skirt terminates at a lower end in a generally tapered surface. 
   
   
       11 . The closure of  claim 4  wherein the first skirt has a first wall,
 wherein the second skirt has a second wall,   wherein a portion of the first wall is located in opposed relation to the second wall,   wherein a recess is defined between the first wall and the second wall, and   wherein the recess is structured to receive an open end of a container and seal the container.   
   
   
       12 . The closure of  claim 4  wherein the first skirt has a first wall that has an upper cylindrical portion extending downwardly from the cover that is coupled to a rib,
 wherein the rib is coupled to a middle cylindrical portion,   wherein the middle cylindrical portion is coupled to another rib, and   wherein the another rib is coupled to a lower cylindrical portion.   
   
   
       13 . The closure of  claim 12  wherein the another rib has a lower surface that extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower cylindrical portion at an angle, θ 1  with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure,
 wherein the lower surface terminates in a rounded portion, and   wherein the rib has an upper surface that extends upwardly and outwardly from the rounded portion at an angle, θ 2  with respect to the axis, and   wherein the upper surface terminates at the middle cylindrical portion.   
   
   
       14 . The closure of  claim 12  wherein the rib has a lower surface that extends upwardly and inwardly from the middle cylindrical portion at an angle, θ 3  with respect to an axis that extends along an axial length of the closure,
 wherein the lower surface terminates in a rounded portion, and   wherein the rib has an upper surface that extends upwardly and outwardly from the rounded portion at a preselected angle with respect to the axis, and   wherein the upper surface terminates at the upper cylindrical portion.   
   
   
       15 . The closure of  claim 10  wherein the second skirt has an upper cylindrical portion that is coupled to the generally tapered surface. 
   
   
       16 . The closure of  claim 15  wherein the generally tapered surface tapers inwardly at a preselected angle from the upper cylindrical portion, and
 wherein the generally tapered surface terminates at a generally flat horizontal surface.   
   
   
       17 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the closure is manufactured in a single piece. 
   
   
       18 . The closure of  claim 1  in combination with a container. 
   
   
       19 . A closure in combination with a container, the combination comprising:
 a cover;   an annular first skirt coupled to the cover that extends downwardly in an axial direction from the cover;   a plurality of vertical strips formed in the annular first skirt; and   at least a vertical tear band located between some or all of the vertical strips,   wherein each of the at least a vertical tear band couples adjacent vertical strips together, and   wherein the first skirt is structured to be coupled to an outer diameter of an open end of a neck of the container.