TAMPER EVIDENT PACKAGE AND CLOSURE FOR PACKAGE

Abstract

A package includes a container and a closure. The container includes a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor to at least partially define a product storage region. The closure is configured to mount selectively to the container to block access to the product storage region. The closure includes a cover extending across the second end of the container, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover to engage with the closure mount of the container, and a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt.

Claims

1. A package comprising: a container including a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor to at least partially define a product storage region, the sidewall including a sidewall panel having a first end coupled to a periphery of the floor and a second end spaced apart from the first end, a closure mount coupled to an exterior surface of the sidewall panel at a position closer to the second end than the first end, and a band mount coupled to the exterior surface of the sidewall panel and located below the closure mount at a position closer to the second end than the first end, and a closure configured to mount selectively to the container at the second end of the sidewall panel, the closure including a cover extending across the second end of the container, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover to engage with the closure mount of the container, and a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt, wherein the tamper-evident band includes a band ring extending annularly around the sidewall panel, a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened, and a band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring, the band anchor being movable between a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward a central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end and the distal end abuts against the band mount to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a notch and the notch is configured to flex as the band anchor moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a plurality of notches.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the band anchor has a first thickness at each of the notches and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at a location offset from each of the notches.

4. The package of claim 2, wherein each notch is spaced an equal distance from one another.

5. The package of claim 2, wherein each of the notches has a first circumferential length about the central axis and each of the notches is spaced circumferentially from each neighboring notch by a second circumferential length about the central axis, the second circumferential length being greater than the first circumferential length.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the band anchor has a thickness and the thickness increases from the proximal end of the band anchor to the distal end of the band anchor.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the frangible connector includes a plurality of frangible segments and each frangible connection has a triangular-shaped profile including a curved side facing toward the central axis, a first circumferential side coupled to a first end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis, and a second circumferential side coupled to a second end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis and away from the first circumferential side.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the closure further includes a stacking ring coupled to a top end of the cover and extending in an upward direction away from the cover, and wherein a second closure is configured to be stacked on the stacking ring, the second closure including an band anchor abutting the stacking ring.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the stacking ring is positioned radially inward of the periphery of the cover to provide a stacking shoulder at a location radially outward of the stacking ring and directly above the skirt.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein the closure mount includes one or more threads.

11. The package of claim 1, wherein the band mount includes a rib extending annularly around the central axis.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the container further includes a bumper coupled to the exterior surface of the sidewall panel at a location below the closure mount and the band mount and closer to the second end of the sidewall panel than the first end.

13. A closure configured to mount selectively to a container, the closure comprising: a cover, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover, and a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt, wherein the tamper-evident band includes a band ring, a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened, and a band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring, the band anchor being movable between a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward a central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to engage a portion of the container to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a notch and the notch is configured to flex as the band anchor moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

14. The closure of claim 13, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a plurality of notches.

15. The closure of claim 14, wherein the band anchor has a first thickness at each of the notches and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at a location offset from each of the notches.

16. The closure of claim 14, wherein each of the notches has a first circumferential length about the central axis and each of the notches is spaced circumferentially from each neighboring notch by a second circumferential length about the central axis, the second circumferential length being greater than the first circumferential length.

17. The closure of claim 13, wherein the frangible connector includes a plurality of frangible segments and each frangible connection has a triangular-shaped profile including a curved side facing toward the central axis, a first circumferential side coupled to a first end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis, and a second circumferential side coupled to a second end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis and away from the first circumferential side.

18. The closure of claim 13, wherein the distal end of the band anchor is located below a lower end of the band ring in the molded, unlocking position and above the lower end of the band ring in the attached, locking position.

19. A method of manufacturing a closure for a container, the method comprising steps of: molding the closure from one or more polymeric materials, the closure including: a cover, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover, and a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt, the tamper-evident band including a band ring, a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened, and a band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring, and inverting the band anchor from a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward a central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to engage a portion of the container to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a notch and the notch flexes as the band anchor moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further includes stacking the closure with at least one other closure with the band anchor in the attached, locking position such that a stacking gap is formed radially inward of a lower end of the band ring to receive a stacking ring of the at least one other closure to nest the closure with the at least one other closure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package, in accordance with the present disclosure, including a container and a closure configured to mount selectively to the container to block access to a product storage region provided by the container;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a portion of the package of FIG. 1 showing the closure mounted on the container and including a cover, a skirt coupled to the cover, and a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt and configured to indicate to users when the closure has been opened for the first time;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the tamper-evident band including a band ring, a frangible connection coupled to an upper end of the band ring and the lower end of the skirt, and a band anchor coupled to an inner surface of the band ring, and showing the band anchor in an attached, locking position to engage with a portion of the container and block upward movement of the tamper-evident band as the closure is opened;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 showing the container including a floor and a sidewall and showing the sidewall including a sidewall panel, a closure mount configured to mate with the skirt of the closure, and a band mount configured to block movement of the tamper-evident band in the upward direction relative to the closure;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the closure showing the band anchor in the locking position;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross section of the closure showing the band anchor in the locking position;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closure showing the band anchor in a molded, unlocking position;

[0015] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the closure showing the band anchor in the molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends downwardly away from the cover and radially inward toward a central axis of the closure;

[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the closure showing the band anchor in the attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends upwardly toward the cover and radially inward toward a central axis of the closure;

[0017] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 9 showing the band anchor in detail;

[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross section taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 showing a frangible segment included in the frangible connector;

[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a closure stack including a first closure nested with a second closure;

[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross section of the closure stack of FIG. 12 showing the first closure including a band anchor in the attached, locking position to provide a stacking gap configured to receive a stacking ring of the second closure; and

[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross section of another closure stack showing a first closure including a band anchor in the molded, unlocking position and a distal end of the band anchor received in a recess defined by a second closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] A package 10 includes a container 100 and a closure 200 configure to couple selectively to the container 100 to block access to a product storage region 119 defined by the container 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The container 100 includes a floor 120 and a sidewall 110 coupled to the floor 120 and extending in an upward direction away from the floor 120 to at least partially define the product storage region 119.

[0023] The sidewall 110 of the container 100 includes a sidewall panel 112 having a first end 114 coupled to a periphery 115 of the floor 120 and a second end 116 spaced apart from the first end 114 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The sidewall 110 may further include a closure mount 145 coupled to an exterior surface 146 of the sidewall panel 112 at a position closer to the second end 116 than the first end 114. The sidewall 110 may further include a band mount 148 coupled to the exterior surface 146 of the sidewall panel 112 and located below the closure mount 145 and at a position closer to the second end 116 than the first end 114. The closure mount 145 may include one or more threads. The band mount 148 may include a rib extending annularly around the central axis 214 or a plurality of ribs positioned about the central axis 214.

[0024] The closure 200 includes a cover 210 extending across the second end 116 of the container 100, a skirt 220 coupled to a periphery 212 of the cover 210 and extending in a downward direction away from the cover 210 to engage with the closure mount 145 of the container 100, and a tamper-evident band 230 coupled to a lower end 222 of the skirt 220 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tamper-evident band 230 is configured to be retained to the container 100 after the closure 200 is opened for the first time to indicate to users that the package 10 has been opened.

[0025] The tamper-evident band 230 includes a band ring 240, a frangible connector 242, and a band anchor 235 as shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9. The band ring 240 extends annularly around the sidewall panel 112. The frangible connector 242 interconnects the lower end 222 of the skirt 220 and an upper end 241 of the band ring 240. The frangible connector 242 is configured break as the closure 200 is opened to separate the band ring 240 from the skirt 220. The band anchor 235 is configured to engage the band mount 148 to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band 230 relative to the container 100 to cause the frangible connector 242 to break as the closure 200 is opened for the first time.

[0026] The band anchor 235 includes a proximal end 233 coupled to an inner surface 243 of the band ring 240 and a free, distal end 231 spaced apart from the band ring 240. The proximal end 233 provides a living hinge for the band anchor 235. The distal end 231 of the band anchor 235 is located below a lower end 245 of the band ring 240 in a molded, unlocking position and above the lower end 245 of the band ring 240 in an attached, locking position.

[0027] The band anchor 235 is integrally molded with the rest of the closure 200 during manufacture of the closure 200. The band anchor 235 is molded with the closure in a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor 235 extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover 210 and toward a central axis 214 of the closure 200 from the proximal end 233 to the distal end 231 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This orientation facilitates molding of the closure 200 and removal of the closure 200 from a mold after the closure 200 is formed by minimizing overhangs in a part removal direction P toward the cover 210.

[0028] The band anchor 235 is movable from the molded, unlocking position to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor 235 inverts and extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover 210 and the central axis 214 of the closure 200 from the proximal end 233 to the distal end 231 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9. In this orientation, the distal end 231 of the band anchor 235 points toward and is configured to engage the band mount 148 to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band 230 relative to the container 100.

[0029] The band anchor 235 is formed to include at least one notch 236 as shown in FIGS. 5-9. In the illustrative embodiment, the band anchor 235 is formed to include a plurality of notches 236. The notches 236 allow the band anchor 235 to flex as the band anchor 235 changes from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position. In other words, the notches 236 provide flexion zones for the band anchor 325 and are configured to flex as the band anchor 235 moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

[0030] In the illustrative embodiment, each of the notches 236 extends only partway through a thickness of the band anchor 235 as shown in FIGS. 5-9. This provides the band anchor 235 with increased hoop strength and, as a result, resistance to upward movement of the tamper-evident band 230 relative to the container while allowing the band anchor 235 to flex to move from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position. Some tamper-evident bands include apertures or a complete removal of material in portions of the band anchor to allow for the band anchor to flex during install on a container. However, such apertures may allow the band anchor to flex too much such that the tamper-evident band remains attached to the skirt when the closure is opened for the first time.

[0031] Additionally, closure 200 may be a relatively large size or diameter for engagement with a relatively large size or diameter container 100. For example, closure 200 may have a diameter in the range of about 80 mm to about 140 mm, or between 100 mm and 140 mm. Increasing the diameter of the closure 200 generally increases the size or circumferential length of the band anchor 235. When the closure 200 is formed from polymeric materials, this increased size can allow for greater flex of the band anchor 235. The band anchor 235 includes notches 236 that do not extend entirely through the band anchor 235 to increase rigidity of the band anchor 235 and retain the tamper-evident band 230 to the container 100 when the closure 200 is opened while still allowing some flexing of the band anchor 235 to occur to facilitate installation.

[0032] The band anchor 235 has a first thickness 252 at each of the notches 236 and a second thickness 254 greater than the first thickness 252 at a location offset from each of the notches 236. In particular, the location(s) having the second thickness 254 is offset circumferentially from each notch 236. The band anchor 235 may increase in thickness from the proximal end 233 to the distal end 235 at each location having the second thickness 254. Having a thicker distal end 231 compared to proximal end 233 at such locations may increase or reinforce engagement between the band anchor 235 and the band mount 148 and may facilitate bending of the band anchor 235 about the proximal end 233 from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

[0033] Each notch 236 has a proximal end 237 spaced apart from the proximal end 233 and terminates at the distal end 231. Each notch 236 may have a constant thickness 252 from the proximal end 237 to the distal end 231, or may decrease from the proximal end 237 to the distal end 231. In some embodiments, the band anchor 235 may have a constant thickness from the proximal end 233 to the distal end 231 at each notch 236. In some embodiments, the band anchor 235 may decrease in thickness from the proximal end 233 to the distal end 231 at each notch 236.

[0034] Each notch 236 is spaced an equal distance from one another about the central axis 214. Each notch 236 has a first circumferential length 260 about the central axis 214. Each of the notches 236 is spaced circumferentially from each neighboring notch 236 by a second circumferential length 262 about the central axis 214. The second circumferential length 262 is greater than the first circumferential length 260. Such lengths provide the band anchor 235 with increased hoop strength while still allowing the band anchor 235 to flex at each notch 236 as the band anchor 235 moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

[0035] The frangible connector 242 includes a plurality of frangible segments 270 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Each frangible connection 270 has a triangular-shaped profile along central axis 214. The triangular-shaped profile includes a curved side 272 facing toward the central axis 214, a first circumferential side 274 coupled to a first end 271 of the curved side 272 and facing away from the central axis 214, and a second circumferential side 276 coupled to a second end 273 of the curved side 272 and facing away from the central axis 214 and away from the first circumferential side 274. The first and second circumferential sides 274, 276 join one another at a point 278 pointing away from the central axis 214. The triangular-shaped profile of each frangible segment 270 decreases the force required to break the frangible connector 242 as the closure 200 is opened for the first time. This shape may also provides a uniform cross-sectional area across all the segments 270 in the line of draw for the tooling.

[0036] The closure 200 further includes a stacking ring 215 coupled to a top end of the cover 210 and extending in an upward direction away from the cover 210 as shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 9. A second closure 200 is configured to be stacked on the stacking ring 215. The second closure 200 is substantially similar to closure 200 and includes an band anchor 235 abutting the stacking ring 215. In particular, the proximal end 233 of the band anchor 235 may be configured to rest on or abut the stacking ring 215. The stacking ring 215 is positioned radially inward of the periphery 212 of the cover 210 to provide a stacking shoulder 216 at a location radially outward of the stacking ring 215 and directly above the skirt 220.

[0037] When the band anchor 235 is in the locking position, a stacking gap or recess 234 is provided directly below the proximal end 233 of the band anchor 235. When the band anchor 235 is in the molded position, the distal end 231 of the band anchor 235 may reside radially inward of the stacking ring 215 and rest on or abut a portion of the stacking ring 215 and/or the cover 210 of a similar closure 200. In this way, the closure 200 can be nested with another closure 200 with the band anchor 235 in either the locking position or the molded position.

[0038] The container 100 may further include a bumper 130 coupled to the exterior surface 146 of the sidewall panel 110 at a location below the closure mount 145 and the band mount 148 and closer to the second end 116 of the sidewall panel 110 than the first end 114.

[0039] A method of manufacturing the closure 200 may include molding the closure from one or more polymeric materials. The closure 200 may be molded by any suitable manner including injection molding, thermoforming, rotary thermoforming, etc. The method may further include inverting the band anchor 235 from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position. In some embodiments, the band anchor 235 is inverted to the locking position during the manufacturing process and prior to being installed on the container 100. For example, a ring, mandrel, or tool can be used to press the band anchor 235 to the locking position after the closure is formed. In some embodiments, the band anchor 235 is inverted during installation of the closure 200 on the container 100 as the band anchor 235 engages the closure mount 145 or the band mount 148.

[0040] The method may further include stacking the closure 200 with at least one other closure 200. In some embodiments, the closure 200 is stacked with at least one other closure 200 with the band anchor in the attached, locking position such that the stacking gap 234 is formed radially inward of the lower end 245 of the band ring 240 to receive the stacking ring 215 of the at least one other closure 200 to nest the closure 200 with the at least one other closure 200. In some embodiments, the closure 200 is stacked with at least one other closure 200 with the band anchor in the molded position such that the distal end 231 is received in a recessed area 280 of the closure 200 radially inward of the stacking ring 215. In each situation, the stacking ring 215 blocks movement of the closures 200, 200 relative to one another in a direction transverse to the central axis 214.

[0041] The closure 200 may further include a plug seal 250 and/or a rim seal 251 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The plug seal 250 is configured to extend into the product storage region 119 of the container 100 and abuts against an inner surface of the sidewall panel 112 to provide a seal therebetween. The rim seal 251 is configured to abut against the second end 116 of the sidewall panel 112 (also called a brim) to provide a seal therebetween.

[0042] The cover 210 may include a central panel 282, a perimeter panel 284, and a shoulder 286 between the central panel 282 and the perimeter panel 284 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The central panel 282 provide a majority of a diameter of the cover 210 (i.e. more than 50%) and is coupled to an inner edge of the shoulder 286. The perimeter panel 284 is coupled to an outer edge of the shoulder 286 and provides the peripheral end 212 of the cover 210. The shoulder 286 transitions the cover 210 from a lower elevation at the central panel 282 to a higher elevation at the perimeter panel 284. The stacking ring 215 is coupled to an upper end of the perimeter panel 284 to position the staking ring 215 as the highest point of the closure 210. In other words, the central panel 282 and the perimeter panel 284 are recessed relative to the stacking ring 215 and the central panel 282 is recessed relative to the perimeter panel 284.

[0043] Some embodiments of a package 10, such as the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, may include a container 100 and a closure 200. Closure 200 may be coupled to container 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Container 100 may include a sidewall 110 and a floor 120 that cooperate to form a product storage region 119 in which any of a variety of products or contents may be stored (see, e.g., FIG. 2). Closure 200 may include a cover 210 and a skirt 220 depending downwardly from cover 210 and may be configured to selectively open or close access to product storage region 119 of container 100. Closure 200 may include a tamper band 230 that is frangibly connected to skirt 220 so that tamper band 230 may separate from skirt 220 when closure 200 is removed from container 100 to provide an indication that package 10 has been opened or tampered with. Container 100 may include a bumper 130 to protect tamper band 230 from accidental or intentional contact, which may for example cause separation of closure 200 from container 100.

[0044] As shown in cross-section in FIG. 2, tamper band 230 may be configured to engage with container 100 to form a locking position in which tamper band 230 engages container 100 to prevent or inhibit removal of closure 200 from container 100 without separating tamper band 230 from skirt 220 thereby providing a visual indication that package 10 has been opened. Closure 200 may be a relatively large size or diameter for engagement with a relatively large size or diameter container 100. For example, closure 200 may have a diameter in the range of about 80 mm to about 140 mm.

[0045] Container 100 may have an upper section 140 axially or longitudinally above ring 130 as shown for example in FIG. 3. Upper section 140 may be configured for removable attachment to closure 200, for example, by use of threads. Upper section 140 may include container threads 145. Upper threads 145 may engage closure threads 225 (see FIGS. 4-6). One or more thread starts may be used. For example, as shown in the various figures, 4 thread starts may be used. Using more than 1 thread start may facilitate relatively quick axial movement of closure 200 relative to container 100, and/or shorter or fewer revolutions of closure 200 for removal or attachment. Removal of closure 200 may allow exposure of a brim 141 which may define an opening into product storage region 119.

[0046] Closure 200 may be provided in an attached or locking position, in which a segment 235 of tamper band 230 is extending radially inwardly and/or axially upwardly from a proximate end 233 toward a distal end 231. Proximate end 233 may extend from tamper band 230 at a location axially above a bottom edge of tamper band 230 to provide a stacking recess 234. Stacking recess 234 may provide a stacking or coining area for a portion of closure 200 as discussed more below and shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Segment 235 may include one or more notches 236 for any of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to facilitating inversion of tamper band 230 from the molded or unlocking position shown in FIG. 6 to the locking position shown in FIG. 4, or vice versa. Segment 235 may be substantially continuous or solid to provide hoop strength, which may be helpful particularly in larger size closures 200 and/or may include flexibility via notches 236. In some embodiments, serrations may be used instead of or in addition to one or more notches 236. One or more serrations, if included, may extend substantially through the thickness of tamper band 230 and/or segment 235. Any serrations may extend from distal end 231 toward proximate end 233 and may stop short of proximate end 233, for example, to maintain some hoop strength while also adding flexibility to segment 235 and/or tamper band 230, and/or to optimize the angle at which segment 235 extends radially inwardly and/or axially upwardly or downwardly.

[0047] Closure 200 may include a stacking ring 215 and/or a stacking shoulder 216 at or near cover 210 and/or radially inwardly from skirt 220. Stacking ring 215 may extend upwardly from cover 210 above stacking shoulder 216 to provide an abutment and area for stacking of another closure 200, for example, via stacking recess 234. Closure 200 may be provided with a seal 250 and/or closure 200 may be linerless. Seal 250 may be configured to receive brim 141 of container 100 and/or provide a sealing engagement to prevent or inhibit egress of contents from container 100 while closure 200 is attached.

[0048] A plurality of closures 200 may be stacked as shown for example in FIGS. 7 and 8. Tamper band 230 may be configured to provide stacking recess 234 below proximate end 233 of segment 235 for example by providing proximate end an axial distance above a bottom edge of tamper band 230. As shown in particular in FIG. 8, such a configuration of stacking recess 234 may allow stacking ring 215 of an adjacent closure 200 to be provided radially inwardly of tamper band 230 in a stacked position.

[0049] It is understood that container 10 and/or any component thereof may be made of any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, any of a variety of suitable plastics material, any other material, or any combination thereof. Suitable plastics material may include, but is not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), polylactic acid (PLA), mixtures and combinations thereof, or any other plastics material or any mixtures and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics material may include fillers or filled resin such as mineral, acrylic, glass, and/or other fillers, which may for example be found in post-consumer recycled (PCR) or post-industrial recycled (PIR) materials. It is understood that multiple layers of material may be used for any of a variety of reasons, including to improve barrier properties, or to provide known functions related to multiple layer structures. The multiple layers, if included, may be of various materials, including but not limited to those recited herein.

[0050] It is further understood that container 10 or any component thereof may be substantially rigid, substantially flexible, a hybrid of rigid and flexible, or any combination of rigid, flexible, and/or hybrid, such as having some areas be flexible and some rigid. It is understood that these examples are merely illustrative, are not limiting, and are provided to illustrate the versatility of options available in various embodiments of container 10.

[0051] It is further understood that any of a variety of processes or combination thereof may be used to form container 10, any component thereof, or any layer or substrate used therein. In some embodiments, container 10 and/or any component thereof may be formed substantially of injection molded HDPE or PP, although other materials and forming processes may be used instead of or in addition to HDPE or PP and injection molding, respectively. Various materials and/or processes may be used to form container 10 and/or any component thereof as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, container 10 may be substantially a one-piece design and/or substantially formed as an integral or unitary structure.

[0052] These and other modifications and variations may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of that which is described in the claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.

[0053] The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are contemplated and non-limiting:

[0054] Clause 1. A package includes a container.

[0055] Clause 2. The package of clause 1, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the container including a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor to at least partially define a product storage region.

[0056] Clause 3. The package of clause 2, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the sidewall including a sidewall panel having a first end coupled to a periphery of the floor and a second end spaced apart from the first end.

[0057] Clause 4. The package of clause 3, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the sidewall including a closure mount coupled to an exterior surface of the sidewall panel at a position closer to the second end than the first end.

[0058] Clause 5. The package of clause 4, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the sidewall including a band mount coupled to the exterior surface of the sidewall panel and located below the closure mount at a position closer to the second end than the first end.

[0059] Clause 6. The package of clause 5, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, including a closure configured to mount selectively to the container at the second end of the sidewall panel.

[0060] Clause 7. The package of clause 6, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a cover extending across the second end of the container.

[0061] Clause 8. The package of clause 7, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover to engage with the closure mount of the container.

[0062] Clause 9. The package of clause 8, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a tamper-evident band.

[0063] Clause 10. The package of clause 9, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the tamper-evident band includes a band ring extending annularly around the sidewall panel and/or a central axis of the closure.

[0064] Clause 11. The package of clause 10, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the tamper-evident band including a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened.

[0065] Clause 12. The package of clause 11, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the tamper-evident band including a band anchor.

[0066] Clause 13. The package of clause 12, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring.

[0067] Clause 14. The package of clause 12, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the band anchor being movable between a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0068] Clause 15. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the distal end is configured to abut against the band mount to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container.

[0069] Clause 16. The package of clause 15, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a notch and the notch is configured to flex as the band anchor moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

[0070] Clause 17. The package of clause 16, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a plurality of notches.

[0071] Clause 18. The package of clause 17, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor has a first thickness at each of the notches and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at a location offset from each of the notches.

[0072] Clause 19. The package of clause 18, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein each notch is spaced an equal distance from one another.

[0073] Clause 20. The package of clause 19, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein each of the notches has a first circumferential length about the central axis and each of the notches is spaced circumferentially from each neighboring notch by a second circumferential length about the central axis, the second circumferential length being greater than the first circumferential length.

[0074] Clause 21. The package of clause 20, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor has a thickness and the thickness increases from the proximal end of the band anchor to the distal end of the band anchor.

[0075] Clause 22. The package of clause 21, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the frangible connector includes a plurality of frangible segments and each frangible connection has a triangular-shaped profile including a curved side facing toward the central axis, a first circumferential side coupled to a first end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis, and a second circumferential side coupled to a second end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis and away from the first circumferential side.

[0076] Clause 23. The package of clause 16, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the closure further includes a stacking ring coupled to a top end of the cover and extending in an upward direction away from the cover, and wherein a second closure is configured to be stacked on the stacking ring, the second closure including an band anchor abutting the stacking ring.

[0077] Clause 24. The package of clause 23, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the stacking ring is positioned radially inward of the periphery of the cover to provide a stacking shoulder at a location radially outward of the stacking ring and directly above the skirt.

[0078] Clause 25. The package of clause 16, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the closure mount includes one or more threads.

[0079] Clause 26. The package of clause 16, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band mount includes a rib extending annularly around the central axis.

[0080] Clause 27. The package of clause 26, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the container further includes a bumper coupled to the exterior surface of the sidewall panel at a location below the closure mount and the band mount and closer to the second end of the sidewall panel than the first end. Clause 28. A closure configured to mount selectively to a container.

[0081] Clause 29. The closure of clause 28, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a cover.

[0082] Clause 30. The closure of clause 29, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover.

[0083] Clause 31. The closure of clause 30, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt.

[0084] Clause 32. The closure of clause 31, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the tamper-evident band includes a band ring.

[0085] Clause 33. The closure of clause 32, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the tamper-evident band includes a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened.

[0086] Clause 34. The closure of clause 33, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the temper-evident band includes a band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring.

[0087] Clause 35. The closure of clause 34, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor is movable between a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward a central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to engage a portion of the container to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container.

[0088] Clause 36. The closure of clause 35, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a notch and the notch is configured to flex as the band anchor moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

[0089] Clause 37. The closure of clause 36, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a plurality of notches.

[0090] Clause 38. The closure of clause 37, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor has a first thickness at each of the notches and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at a location offset from each of the notches.

[0091] Clause 39. The closure of clause 34, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein each of the notches has a first circumferential length about the central axis and each of the notches is spaced circumferentially from each neighboring notch by a second circumferential length about the central axis, the second circumferential length being greater than the first circumferential length.

[0092] Clause 40. The closure of clause 34, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the frangible connector includes a plurality of frangible segments and each frangible connection has a triangular-shaped profile including a curved side facing toward the central axis, a first circumferential side coupled to a first end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis, and a second circumferential side coupled to a second end of the curved side and facing away from the central axis and away from the first circumferential side.

[0093] Clause 41. The closure of clause 34, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the distal end of the band anchor is located below a lower end of the band ring in the molded, unlocking position and above the lower end of the band ring in the attached, locking position.

[0094] Clause 42. A method of manufacturing a closure for a container, the method including molding the closure from one or more polymeric materials.

[0095] Clause 43. The method of clause 42, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the closure including a cover.

[0096] Clause 44. The method of clause 43, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover.

[0097] Clause 45. The method of clause 44, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closure including a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt.

[0098] Clause 46. The method of clause 45, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the tamper-evident band including a band ring, a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened, and/or a band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring.

[0099] Clause 47. The method of clause 46, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the method including inverting the band anchor from a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward a central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to engage a portion of the container to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container.

[0100] Clause 48. The method of clause 47, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the band anchor is formed to include a notch and the notch flexes as the band anchor moves from the molded, unlocking position to the attached, locking position.

[0101] Clause 49. The method of clause 48, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the method further includes stacking the closure with at least one other closure with the band anchor in the attached, locking position such that a stacking gap is formed radially inward of a lower end of the band ring to receive a stacking ring of the at least one other closure to nest the closure with the at least one other closure.

[0102] Clause 50. A closure stack including a first closure and a second closure.

[0103] Clause 51. The closure stack of clause 50, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closures each including a cover.

[0104] Clause 52. The closure stack of clause 51, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closures each including a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover.

[0105] Clause 53. The closure stack of clause 52, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the closures each including a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt.

[0106] Clause 54. The closure stack of clause 53, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the tamper-evident band including a band ring, a frangible connector interconnecting the lower end of the skirt and an upper end of the band ring and configured to separate the band ring from the skirt when the closure is opened, and/or a band anchor having a proximal end coupled to an inner surface of the band ring and a distal end spaced apart from the band ring.

[0107] Clause 55. The closure stack of clause 54, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, the band anchor being movable between a molded, unlocking position in which the band anchor extends at a downwardly-sloped angle away from the cover and toward a central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal, to an attached, locking position in which the band anchor extends at an upwardly-sloped angle toward the cover and the central axis of the closure from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to engage a portion of the container to block upward movement of the tamper-evident band relative to the container.

[0108] Clause 56. The closure stack of clause 55, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, at least one of the closures including a stacking ring coupled to an upper end of the second cover and extending in an upward direction away from the second cover.

[0109] Clause 57. The closure stack of clause 56, any other suitable clause or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein a stacking gap is formed directly radially inward from the band ring of the first closure and directly below the band anchor of the first closure when the band anchor is in the attached, locking position to receive the stacking ring of the second closure so that the first and second closures are nested with one another.