Method and apparatus for forming a closure device and a container

Abstract

A method for forming a closure device for a container is disclosed including providing a first mold component having a first annular groove. The first annular groove is configured to form a skirt of the closure device. A plurality of ejector blades are provided and are positioned within the mold component. The blades include a notch for forming a lug on an inner surface of the skirt. The lug is back-locked relative to the mold component. A moldable material is introduced into a mold cavity to form the closure device. The device is removed from the mold component by moving the blades along a path defined by tracks formed in the mold component that is generally along a vertical axis of the mold component, wherein the path includes a radially outward component, and the moving of the blades relieves the back-lock of the lug formed on the closure device.

1 . A method of molding a closure device for a container comprising:
 providing a first mold component having a first annular groove, wherein the first groove is configured to form a skirt of the closure device;   providing a second mold component configured to cooperate with the first mold component to form a complete mold assembly, the mold assembly defining a mold cavity, wherein cooperating faces of the first mold component and the second mold component define a parting line; and   introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity to form an upper portion of the closure device and the skirt of the closure device, wherein the skirt is substantially wholly formed below the parting line of the mold assembly within the first mold component.   
   
   
       2 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising a second annular groove that is substantially concentric with the first annular groove, the second annular groove being configured to form a spring of the closure device. 
   
   
       3 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the closure device is formed above the parting line of the closure device. 
   
   
       4 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the closure device is formed below the parting line of the closure device. 
   
   
       5 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is one of flat and curved. 
   
   
       6 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein an outer surface of the upper portion further comprises a snap ring configured to cooperate with an inner surface of the container for releasably securing the closure device with the container. 
   
   
       7 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing a container having a bayonet portion formed on an open end of the container, the bayonet portion being configured to correspond with the skirt of the closure device for releasably locking the closure device to the container. 
   
   
       8 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the upper portion forms a web between upper edges of the skirt. 
   
   
       9 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of tracks in the first mold component, wherein the tracks are positioned generally perpendicular to the first annular groove, and the tracks are configured to receive a plurality of ejector blades for movement therein. 
   
   
       10 . The method defined in  claim 9  further comprising the step of providing a plurality of ejector blades within the tracks of the mold component, the blades including a notch thereon for forming a lug on an inner surface of the skirt of the closure device, the lug being back-locked relative to the mold component. 
   
   
       11 . The method defined in  claim 10  further comprising the step of removing the closure device from the mold assembly by sliding the ejector blades along a path that is oriented generally along a vertical axis of the first mold component, wherein the path includes a radially outward component, and the sliding of the blades relieves the back-lock of the lug formed on the closure device. 
   
   
       12 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the spring is formed below the parting line of the mold assembly.