Ceremonial plug closure and package

Abstract

A closure includes a plastic shell having a base wall and a skirt with at least one internal thread segment for threaded engagement with at least one external thread segment on a container neck finish. A stopper, preferably of natural or synthetic cork, is secured to the base wall within the skirt and has an outer surface for sliding fit within the inside diameter of the container neck finish. An annular seal is disposed on the base wall surrounding the stopper within the skirt for sealing engagement with an end surface of the container neck finish. The closure can readily be removed from the container neck finish by unthreading the closure shell and pulling the plug from the container neck finish. The sliding fit between the external surface of the stopper and the inside diameter of the neck finish is sufficiently tight to provide a popping sound as the closure is removed from the neck finish.

1 . A closure for application to a container having a neck finish with at least one external thread segment, an end surface and an inside diameter, said closure including:
 a plastic shell having a base wall and a skirt with at least one internal thread segment for threaded engagement with the external thread segment on the container neck finish,   a stopper secured to said base wall within said skirt, said stopper having a cylindrical outer surface for sliding fit within the inside diameter of the container neck finish, and   an annular seal on said base wall surrounding said plug within said skirt for sealing engagement with a surface of the container neck finish.   
   
   
       2 . The closure set forth in  claim 1  wherein said annular seal includes a sealing gasket. 
   
   
       3 . The closure set forth in  claim 2  wherein said sealing gasket is of synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       4 . The closure set forth in  claim 3  wherein said sealing gasket includes barrier resin to resist transmission of gases, water vapor and/or flavorants. 
   
   
       5 . The closure set forth in  claim 3  wherein said stopper is of synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       6 . The closure set forth in  claim 5  wherein said stopper and said sealing gasket are of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. 
   
   
       7 . The closure set forth in  claim 6  wherein said stopper and said sealing gasket include barrier resin to resist transmission of gases, water vapor and/or flavorants. 
   
   
       8 . The closure set forth in  claim 1  wherein said annular seal is a linerless seal that is of one-piece construction with said shell. 
   
   
       9 . The closure set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stopper is of synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       10 . The closure set forth in  claim 9  wherein said stopper includes barrier resin to resist transmission of gases, water vapor and/or flavorants. 
   
   
       11 . The closure set forth in  claim 1  including a tamper band frangibly connected to an edge of said skirt remote from said base wall. 
   
   
       12 . The closure set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stopper is of natural cork or synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       13 . A package that includes:
 a container having a neck finish with at least one external thread segment, an end surface and an inside diameter,   a closure that includes:   a plastic shell having a base wall and a skirt with at least one internal thread segment in threaded engagement with said at least one external thread segment on said neck finish   a stopper secured to said base wall within said skirt, said stopper having an outer surface in sliding engagement with said inside diameter of said neck finish, and   an annular seal on said base wall surrounding said stopper within said skirt for sealing engagement with said end surface of said neck finish.   
   
   
       14 . The package set forth in  claim 13  wherein said annular seal includes a sealing gasket. 
   
   
       15 . The package set forth in  claim 14  wherein said sealing gasket is of synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       16 . The package set forth in  claim 15  wherein said sealing gasket includes barrier resin to resist transmission of gases, water vapor and/or flavorants. 
   
   
       17 . The package set forth in  claim 15  wherein said stopper is of synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       18 . The package set forth in  claim 17  wherein said stopper and said sealing gasket are of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. 
   
   
       19 . The package set forth in  claim 18  wherein said stopper and said sealing gasket include barrier resin to resist transmission of gases, water vapor and/or flavorants. 
   
   
       20 . The package set forth in  claim 13  wherein said annular seal is a linerless seal that is of one-piece construction with said shell. 
   
   
       21 . The package set forth in  claim 13  wherein said stopper is of synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       22 . The closure set forth in  claim 21  wherein said stopper includes barrier resin to resist transmission of gases, water vapor and/or flavorants. 
   
   
       23 . The package set forth in  claim 13  wherein said closure shell includes a tamper band frangibly connected to an edge of said skirt remote from said base wall, and wherein said neck finish includes an external abutment for engagement by said tamper band during removal of said closure from said neck finish at least partially to separate said tamper band from said skirt. 
   
   
       24 . The package set forth in  claim 13  wherein said neck finish includes a plastic fitment secured to said container, said fitment including said at least one external thread segment, said end surface and said inside diameter. 
   
   
       25 . The package set forth in  claim 13  wherein said stopper is of natural cork or synthetic resin construction. 
   
   
       26 . The package set forth in  claim 13  including a pressurized product within the container, removal of said stopper creating a popping sound at said package.