Bottle and closure

Abstract

A projecting structure is integrally formed with a neck of a bottle or preform, or with a closure. The projecting structure comprises a ring-like element that extends around the neck or closure body and is supported therefrom by a plurality of discrete web formations. Adjacent web formations define in the projecting structure an optionally elongate aperture therebetween.

1 . A bottle or bottle preform comprising:
 a projecting structure that is integrally formed with and located at or adjacent to a neck of the bottle/preform, the projecting structure comprising a ring-like element that extends around the neck and is supported therefrom by a plurality of discrete web formations, wherein adjacent web formations in the projecting structure define an aperture therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent web formations define in the projecting structure an elongate aperture therebetween, 
     
     
         3 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the projecting structure further comprises a sleeve that is located at or adjacent to the neck to surround the neck, wherein the plurality of discrete web formations are integrally formed with and to project outwardly from an outside wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the web formations comprises:
 (i) a pair of closely spaced, opposing element support webs for supporting the ring-like element;   (ii) a single wall having a width comparable to a width of the sleeve.   
     
     
         5 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each element support web defines a concave lateral surface facing into the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an in-use underside surface of each of the web formations defines an ergonomic curvature configured for a user's finger to be closely received against the underside surface in use. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the projecting structure projects out sufficiently from the neck to allow for a portion of a user's finger to engage the underside of the projecting structure so that the bottle can be carried. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle or bottle preform as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each web formation is spaced equidistantly from adjacent web formations around the projecting structure. 
     
     
         9 . A closure for closing over the opening of a bottle, the closure comprising:
 a body attachable to the bottle to surround and close the opening, and   a projecting structure that is integrally formed with the body, the projecting structure comprising a ring-like element that extends around the body and that is supported therefrom by a plurality of discrete web formations, wherein adjacent web formations defining in the projecting structure an elongate aperture therebetween.   
     
     
         10 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each web formation projects either up and away, or laterally, from an outside side wall of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, when the web formation projects up and away from the body outside side wall, an in-use underside surface of each of the web formations defines an ergonomic curvature whereat a user's finger can be closely received against the underside surface in use. 
     
     
         12 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the projecting structure projects out sufficiently from the body to allow for a sufficient proportion of a user's finger to engage the underside of the projecting structure to enable a bottle to which the closure is attached to be carried. 
     
     
         13 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each of the web formations comprises a discrete web. 
     
     
         14 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, when the closure is in an upright in-use orientation and when it is viewed in side elevation, the projecting structure is generally aligned with a top wall of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each web formation is spaced equidistantly from adjacent web formations around the projecting structure. 
     
     
         16 . The closure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the closure body comprises a tamper band, and wherein the projecting structure is integrally formed to project out from the tamper band. 
     
     
         17 . A closure as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the tamper band is retained on the bottle when the closure is removed, whereby the projecting structure is retained at the bottle. 
     
     
         18 . A closure as claimed in in  claim 9 , that is connected via a tether to a band that remains behind on a bottle when the closure is removed therefrom.