Threaded Tamper Evidence Finish and Closure for Container

Abstract

A tamper evidence container is provided for sealing contents within an interior of a container formed by blow-molding a container preform. The container includes threads disposed around a neck portion to threadably engage a cap with the finish of the container. The threads advantageously engage with similar threads within the cap for sealing contents within the container. Between the threads is a valley that extends inwardly to form an inner edge on the outside wall of the container finish. The inner edge of the valley has a diameter that is equal and/or greater than the diameter of the handling valley immediately above the tamper evidence ledge. In an exemplary embodiment, the valley has a diameter that is equal to the diameter of the handling valley. In another exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the valley is greater than the handling valley between the tamper evidence ledge and the threads.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A finish portion of a preform for rotatably engaging with a tamper evidence closure to seal contents within an interior of a container formed from the preform, the finish portion comprising:
 a cylindrical body that begins at an opening to the interior of the container and extends to and includes a tamper evidence ledge;   one or more threads configured to provide a means to fasten the tamper evidence closure to the container;   a valley disposed between the one or more threads having an inner diameter; and   a handling valley disposed between the one or more threads and the tamper evidence ledge.   
     
     
         2 . The finish portion of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evidence ledge is configured to cooperate with a tamper evidence band of the closure to indicate whether or not the closure has been loosened after being installed by a manufacturer. 
     
     
         3 . The finish portion of  claim 1 , wherein the handling valley and a neck portion of the container are configured to enable gripping fingers to engage with and support the container during air-conveying the container along a manufacturing assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The finish portion of  claim 1 , wherein the handling valley provides a separation between the tamper evidence ledge and the one or more threads suitable for receiving a pair of gripping fingers of an air conveyor system. 
     
     
         5 . The finish portion of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evidence closure includes a tamper evidence band disposed around the circumference of the tamper evidence closure and attached thereto by way of a multiplicity of thin connections. 
     
     
         6 . The finish portion of  claim 1 , wherein the valley disposed between the one or more threads has an inner diameter that is greater than the diameter of the handling valley. 
     
     
         7 . The finish portion of  claim 1 , wherein the valley disposed between the one or more threads has an inner diameter that is equal to the diameter of the handling valley.