NON-REMOVABLE FINISH AND CLOSURE SYSTEM
Non-removable finish and closure finish system that resists rotational movement so as to be rendered substantially non-removable by the consumer. The closure and finish have complementary thread segments with ratchet-type engaging portions or lugs extending below thread segments on the finish and closure, the closure lugs being disposed on an inner skirt spaced radially inwardly from an outer skirt to inhibit access to the interlocking lugs.
1 - 28 . (canceled)
29 . A non-removable closure and finish system comprising:
a plastic container having a longitudinal axis and an upper cylindrical neck finish with at least two thread segments symmetrically disposed around an outer wall of the finish;
a plurality of finish lugs disposed beneath each of the finish thread segments adjacent a lowermost end of each finish thread segment;
a plastic closure having a top wall, an outer skirt and an inner skirt disposed radially inwardly from the outer skirt, at least two closure thread segments symmetrically disposed around an inner wall of the inner skirt and adapted to lie beneath a respective finish thread segment; and
a plurality of closure lugs on the inner wall of the inner skirt adjacent a lowermost end of each closure thread segment, the closure lugs being disposed to lie between the finish lugs for resisting removal of the closure from the finish.
30 . The system of claim 29 , wherein each of the closure and finish lugs has a ramp edge to facilitate application of the closure to the finish, and an opposed abutment edge for locking the closure to the finish.
31 . The system of claim 29 , wherein at least some of the lugs are at least double the height of the thread segment.
32 . The system of claim 29 , wherein a projecting stop is disposed at the lowermost end of the finish thread segment to prevent over-torquing of the closure on the finish.
33 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the inner skirt is of a lesser height than the outer skirt with respect to the longitudinal axis.
34 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the finish is relatively more rigid than the closure.
35 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the finish thread segments and lugs are relatively more rigid than the closure thread segments and lugs.
36 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the closure is an injection molded article.
37 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the closure is an injection molded article of polyolefin or polyester material.
38 . The system of claim 37 , wherein the container has an injection molded finish of a polyester material.
39 . The system of claim 29 , wherein there are at least two diametrically opposed thread segments on each of the closure and finish.
40 . The system of claim 29 , wherein there are four or more sets of diametrically opposed thread segments on each of the closure and finish.
41 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the finish and closure thread segments each have overlapping ends.
42 . The system of claim 29 , wherein each thread segment has four or more lugs.
43 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the finish lugs are integral with the lower surface of the thread segment.
44 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the finish lugs are spaced apart from one another.
45 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the container finish and closure form a standing end.
46 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the finish and closure lugs prevent rotational movement to loosen the closure on the finish.
47 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the container has at least one gripping surface or labeling surface and the finish lugs are positioned to orient a hinge or spout on the closure with respect to the at least one gripping surface or labeling surface.
48 . A non-removable plastic closure and finish system comprising:
complementary sets of thread segments on the closure and finish, each segment having a plurality of ratchet-type engaging portions disposed adjacent one end of the segment, each engaging portion having a ramped leading edge to facilitate rotation in one direction and a trailing abutment edge to resist rotation in the opposite direction;
and the closure having an outer skirt and an inner skirt, the inner skirt being radially spaced from the outer skirt and having an inner wall on which the thread segments and engaging portions are disposed.
49 . The system of claim 48 , wherein:
the engaging portions on the finish are disposed below the finish thread segments; and
the engaging portions on the closure are spaced apart adjacent the one end of the closure thread segment.
50 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the finish engaging portions are integral with the finish thread segment.
51 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the finish engaging portions are spaced from the finish thread segment.
52 . The system of claim 48 , wherein a stop is provided at the one end of the finish thread segment.
53 . The system of claim 48 , wherein a stop is provided on the inner wall of the inner skirt to engage the leading edge of the finish thread segment.
54 . The system of claim 48 , wherein there are two sets of thread segments on the closure and finish with overlapping ends.
55 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the finish engaging portions have a diameter greater than the finish thread segment diameter, and the closure engaging portions have a diameter less than the closure thread segment diameter.