Closure

Abstract

A container for the temporary storage of fluids and in particular liquids. The container comprises a flexible outer sack ( 211 ) enclosing a flexible inner fluid bladder ( 210 ) having an inlet port ( 215 ) and an outlet port ( 216 ) so that fluid may toe introduced and drained from the inner bladder. The inner bladder is configured with a plurality of folded regions such that when a fluid is introduced into its interior the inner bladder unfolds within the outer sack in such a way that reduces the risk of pinching of the inner bladder resulting in uneven filling and tearing of the bladder. The fluid container is suitable for use with conventional crate and pallet systems for the transport of liquids and semi-liquids.

1 .- 54 . (canceled) 
   
   
       55 . A closure for closing an opening of a container comprising a neck defining an opening, the closure comprising:
 attachment means for attaching, in use, the closure to the container;   a sealing surface inclined to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the closure, and located such that when the closure is attached to the container by the attachment means the sealing surface is engageable with the container;   wherein the sealing surface is provided on a projection extending from the closure, and the projection comprises a cavity;   wherein the closure comprises a stop, such that in use the stop limits movement of the neck relative to the closure when the closure is attached to the container; and   the closure further comprising a groove arranged between the stop and the sealing surface such that the neck contacts the sealing surface at a position spaced from the stop when the closure is attached to the container.   
   
   
       56 . A closure as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the sealing surface faces radially outwardly from the central axis of the closure. 
   
   
       57 . A closure as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the attachment means comprises one or more helical threads or grooves. 
   
   
       58 . A closure as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the closure comprises a restraining surface substantially facing the sealing surface, such that when the neck contacts the sealing surface the restraining surface is located adjacent the neck to prevent substantial radial movement of the neck. 
   
   
       59 . A closure as claimed in  claim 55  wherein at least part of the closure is formed from a polymeric material, and the polymeric material comprises polylactic acid (PLA) or a derivative thereof. 
   
   
       60 . A closure as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the closure comprises a top part which is dome-shaped. 
   
   
       61 . A closure in combination with a container; the combination comprising:
 an attachment means for removeably attaching the closure to the container;   the container comprising a neck defining an opening;   the closure for closing the opening and comprising a sealing surface; the sealing surface inclined to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the closure;   the sealing surface located such that when the closure is attached to the container by the attachment means, the neck engages the sealing surface;   wherein the sealing surface is provided on a projection extending from the closure, and the projection comprises a cavity;   wherein the closure comprises a stop, such that in use the stop limits movement of the neck relative to the closure; and   the closure further comprising a groove arranged between the stop and the sealing surface such that the neck contacts the sealing surface at a position spaced from the stop.   
   
   
       62 . A closure and container as claimed in  claim 61  wherein the neck of the container comprises a radiussed surface, the radiussed surface engageable with the sealing surface of the closure. 
   
   
       63 . A closure as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the closure is sized to interact with a container such that the closure is deformable on engagement with the container, such that engagement of the closure relative to the container can flatten a curved external surface of the closure such that at least one flattened surface is formed on the external surface of the closure. 
   
   
       64 . A closure for closing an opening of a container, the closure comprising:
 a thread or groove engageable with a corresponding portion of a container to provide closure of the container, wherein the closure is sized to interact with the container such that the closure is deformable on engagement with the container, such that engagement of the closure relative to the container can flatten a curved external surface of the closure such that at least one flattened surface is formed on the external surface of the closure.   
   
   
       65 . A closure as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the flattened surface is provided on an external circumferential surface of the closure. 
   
   
       66 . A closure as claimed in  claim 64  comprising two or more threads, or groups of threads, such that a flattened surface is provided between the two or more threads or groups of threads. 
   
   
       67 . A closure as claimed in  claim 66  comprising four threads or groups of threads. 
   
   
       68 . A closure as claimed in  claim 66  wherein the threads or groups of threads are spaced symmetrically around the circumference of the closure. 
   
   
       69 . A closure as claimed in  claim 68  wherein the attachment means are located at four symmetrically located areas around the periphery of the closure. 
   
   
       70 . A closure in combination with a container; the combination comprising:
 an attachment means for removeably attaching the closure to the container;   the container comprising a neck defining an opening; and   the closure for closing the opening formed as defined in  claim 64 .