US20100270306A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100270306A1
Application number: US12/429,508
Authority: US
Inventors: David A. Shiffer
Original assignee: Tech II Inc
Current assignee: IPL Dayton Inc
Priority date: 2009-04-24
Filing date: 2009-04-24
Publication date: 2010-10-28

Abstract

A container and closure assembly includes a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around the opening. The assembly also includes a closure configured to be attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure also includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a second side edge that form a gap. A tab extends downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and is positioned in the gap. A first vertex segment is attached to the second skirt portion, and a second vertex segment is attached to the tab.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to assemblies that include a container and a removable closure associated therewith. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a closure having a tab, which is configured to facilitate removal of the closure from an associated container.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Container assemblies are useful for storing products therein. In particular, container assemblies may be used to store prepared food products, such as soups, pastas, and other foodstuffs. Container assemblies may include a container and a removable a closure. The container includes a removable top portion that may be separated from the rest of the container to expose the contents therein. In use, the container holds a quantity of dry, liquid, or semi-liquid product, such as foodstuffs, therein. The container may have a generally cylindrical shape and a generally flat bottom. The cylindrical portion of the container defines a cavity suitable to contain the product. The flat bottom stabilizes the container when the container is placed on a flat surface, such as a table. Users may withdraw the product within the container through an opening in the top of the container. Some containers are made of materials that may be placed in a microwave oven, enabling users to heat the product within the container easily and quickly.

The container may further include a lip that defines the opening in the top of the container after the removable top portion is separated from the lip. The lip may be part of a separate structure that is attached to the generally cylindrical wall of the container, or alternatively may be formed integral with the cylindrical wall. The lip may cooperate with the closure to ensure the closure remains secured to the container.

The removable top portion closes the opening in the top of the container to prevent the product within the container from spilling and/or leaking from the container through the opening. Additionally, the removable top portion may form an air and liquid impervious seal that preserves the freshness of a food product stored within the container. When closing the opening of the container, the removable top portion is connected to the lip. The removable top portion may include a pull tab or other similar device to assist a user in detaching the removable top portion from the rest of the container. Once the removable top portion has been detached from the container, it may not be reattached thereto.

The closure is configured to be removably connected to the container. In particular, before use, the closure fits over the lip and the removable top portion. Additionally, after the top portion has been removed from the rest of the container, the closure may be coupled to the container to prevent some of the food product within the container from splattering out of the container while the food product is being heated in a microwave oven.

The closure may define a space into which the lip of the container is fitted when the closure is connected to the container to ensure the closure remains coupled to the container. Removal of the closure from the container does not require a separate tool; however, removal of the closure from the container may be relatively difficult since the closure may need to be temporarily distorted and forced over the lip.

In order to securely engage the container, but be readily removable therefrom, some closures incorporate movable locking portions to facilitate removal of the closure from the container. When in a first position the movable locking portions block removal of the closure from the associated container; however, when moved to a second position the locking portions allow removal of the closure from the container. Such closures, nonetheless, may still be difficult to remove from a container because the locking portions may require use of a relatively large removal force or may be inconveniently situated. Additionally, known locking portions that do not require the use of a large removal force tend to only lightly engage the container and may easily become undesirably separated from the container.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved container assembly. What is further needed is a closure that securely attaches to an associated container when coupled to the container, yet is readily removable therefrom.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a container and closure assembly is provided. A container and closure assembly includes a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around the opening. The lip defines a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface therebetween. The container and closure assembly also includes a closure configured to be attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure also includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The closure also includes a tab extending downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and positioned in the gap. The closure further includes a first vertex segment attached to the second skirt portion, a second vertex segment attached to the tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The plurality of spaced apart ribs are positioned at least partially in the first internal closure space, and are attached to both the top portion and the cylindrical structure. When the closure is secured to the container, the top surface of the lip is positioned in contact with the plurality of spaced apart ribs, the bottom surface of the lip is positioned in contact with both the first vertex segment and the second vertex segment, and the outer surface of the lip is positioned in contact with the second skirt portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a closure is provided. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure further includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The closure further includes a tab extending downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and positioned in the gap. The closure still further includes a first vertex segment attached to the second skirt portion, a second vertex segment attached to the tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The plurality of spaced apart ribs are each positioned at least partially in the first internal closure space and are attached to both the top portion and the cylindrical structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and closure assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container and closure assembly ofFIG. 1 taken along the line2-2 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view of the container and closure assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the closure of the container and closure assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container and closure assembly ofFIG. 1 taken along the line5-5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the closure of the container and closure assembly ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the closure of the container and closure assembly ofFIG. 1, however, showing an alternative shape of the top portions of the

slits

126,130.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure and referring now toFIG. 1, a container andclosure assembly10 is shown. The container andclosure assembly10 includes acontainer14 and aclosure18. Thecontainer14 holds a quantity of dry, liquid, and/or semi-liquid product. In particular, thecontainer14 may be used to contain a food product for human consumption. Accordingly, thecontainer14 may be made from materials that are conventionally used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products. Specifically, thecontainer14 may be made from materials that enable a user to heat the food product stored within thecontainer14 by placing thecontainer14 in a microwave oven, as described below.

As shown inFIG. 2, thecontainer14 includes abody22 and alip26. Thebody22 may have any shape that is suitable to contain a food product. For instance, thebody22 may have an approximately cylindrical, elliptical, rectangular, or other polygonal shape. The bottom of thebody22 is closed to contain the food product therein; however, anupper end34 of thebody22 defines anopening30 through which a product contained within thecontainer14 may be withdrawn.

Referring now toFIG. 3, thelip26 includes surfaces that cooperate with theclosure18 to secure theclosure18 to thecontainer14. Thelip26 is connected to theupper end34 of thebody22, and is positioned completely around theopening30. Thelip26 may be separately made and connected to thebody22. For instance, thelip26 may be a metallic component that is coupled to apolymeric body22 as is conventional in the art of containers of this type. Alternatively, thelip26 may be integrally formed with thebody22 by a thermoplastic molding process so that both thelip26 and thebody22 collectively define a single polymeric component.

Thelip26 defines atop surface38 and abottom surface42. Thelip26 further defines anouter surface46 positioned between thetop surface38 and thebottom surface42. Each of thetop surface38, thebottom surface42, and theouter surface46 are configured to interface with a portion of theclosure18 when theclosure18 is coupled to thecontainer14. Depending on the shape of the lip26 a distinct separation between thetop surface38,bottom surface42, andouter surface46 may not be readily discernable. For instance, thelip26 may have a largely rounded shape without sharp corners to define the surfaces. Accordingly, thetop surface38,bottom surface42, andouter surface46 refer to the top, bottom, and outer portions of thelip26 regardless of whether the surfaces are clearly defined.

A top portion (not illustrated) of thecontainer14 may be removably connected to thelip26 of thecontainer14. The top portion may cover theopening30 and provide an air-tight seal for thecontainer14. Accordingly, food products may be stored in thecontainer14 for a substantial period of time without spoiling. A circular score line (not shown) may be defined in the top of the container to facilitate separation of the top portion from the lip so as to allow easy opening and access to the contained food product without the need for an additional tool such as a can opener. Additionally, the top portion may include a pull tab (not shown) to facilitate separation of the top portion from the rest of thecontainer14.

Theclosure18 of the container andclosure assembly10 may be detached from thecontainer14 to expose the top portion of the container. After theclosure18 is detached from thecontainer14, the top portion may be separated from the rest of thecontainer14 to create theopening30 through which a food product may be withdrawn from thecontainer14. Thereafter, as shown inFIG. 1, theclosure18 may be reattached to thecontainer14. Then, the container and closure assembly10 (now without its container top portion) may be placed in a microwave oven for heating of the food product contained in thecontainer14.

Theclosure18 may be made from materials conventionally used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products. Exemplary, materials for making theclosure18 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (“PP”) and other injection moldable thermoplastics. Specifically, theclosure18 may be made from nucleated PP having a density of approximately 0.800 to 1.00 grams per cubic centimeter and a melt index of approximately 50 to 170 grams per 10 minutes.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, theclosure18 includes atop portion50, askirt portion54, and askirt portion58. Thetop portion50 defines a periphery of theclosure18. In particular, thetop portion50 may define acircular periphery62; however, thetop portion50 may define a periphery of any shape as required by the shape of theopening30. Thetop portion50 may have a diameter between approximately 9.0 to 12.0 centimeters and may be formed of a material having a thickness of approximately 0.20 to 0.60 millimeters. Additionally, thetop portion50 may include a plurality of vent holes66 to allow steam to pass throughclosure18.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, theskirt portion54 extends downward from thecircular periphery62 of thetop portion50 to form acylindrical structure70 defining aninternal closure space74. Theskirt portion54 may extend downward from thecircular periphery62 approximately 0.30 to 0.70 centimeters. Theskirt portion54 may have a thickness of approximately 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters.

Referring now toFIG. 1, theskirt portion58 extends downward from apart78 of thecylindrical structure70. In particular, theskirt portion58 may extend downward from thepart78 of thecylindrical structure70 approximately 0.7 to 1.2 centimeters. Theskirt portion58 includes aside edge82 and aside edge86 that are spaced apart from each other to form agap90. As shown most clearly inFIG. 5, theskirt portion58 may also include abottom skirt portion94 that defines askirt ridge98. Theskirt ridge98 extends from theside edge82 to theside edge86. Additionally, when theclosure18 is secured to thecontainer14 theskirt portion58 contacts theouter surface46 of thelip26.

Theclosure18 further includes a plurality of spaced apartribs102 that increase the rigidity of theclosure18. Theribs102 are positioned at least partially in the firstinternal closure space74 and are attached to both thetop portion50 and thecylindrical structure70. Theribs102 may be located completely within the firstinternal closure space74 as shown inFIG. 2. Theribs102 extend from the top portion50 a distance approximately equal to the distance theskirt portion54 extends from thecircular periphery62. As shown inFIG. 4, theribs102 have a width W that is between approximately 3.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Additionally, theribs102 may be approximately equally spaced apart along thecylindrical structure70 as shown inFIG. 4.

When theclosure18 is coupled to thecontainer14, theribs102 are configured to become seated upon thelip26, as shown inFIG. 5. In particular, theribs102 define a plurality of bottom rib edges106 configured to contact thetop surface38 of thelip26 when theclosure18 is secured to thecontainer14. Additionally, the bottom rib edges106 define a plane P. The plane P forms a boundary between theskirt portion54 and theskirt portion58. In particular, theskirt portion54 is located above the plane P, and theskirt portion58 is located below the plane P.

Referring again toFIG. 1, theclosure18 includes atab110 that may be moved or pivoted from a default or relaxed position (see FIG.3—solid lines) to an unrelaxed position (see FIG.3—phantom lines). When thetab110 is located in the unrelaxed position, theclosure18 is unlocked from thecontainer14 and may be easily removed therefrom. On the other hand, when thetab110 is located in its relaxed position, theclosure18 is locked to (or positively engaged with) thecontainer14.

Thetab110 extends downward from apart114 of the cylindrical structure70 (see, e.g.,FIG. 1). As shown inFIG. 4, thetab110 is positioned in agap90 defined by arib118 and arib122. In particular, therib118 has a surface that defines a plane P1. Likewise, therib122 has a surface that defines a plane P2. Thetab110 is located completely between the plane P1 and the plane P2 to enable thetab110 to move easily from its relaxed position (solid inFIG. 3) to its unrelaxed position (phantom inFIG. 3). Additionally, thetab110 defines a width that extends from theside edge82 to theside edge86. The width of thetab110 is approximately 1.0 to 3.0 centimeters.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, theclosure18 defines aslit126 and aslit130 that forms thetab110. The

slits

126,130 separate thetab110 from theskirt portion58. Theslit126 is defined between theside edge82 of theskirt portion58 and thetab110. Likewise, theslit130 is defined between theside edge86 of theskirt portion58 and thetab110. Additionally, the position of the

slits

126,130 is also defined in relation to the plane P1 and the plane P2. In particular, theslit126 may be located between the plane P1 and the plane P2. Likewise, theslit130 is located between the plane P1 and the plane P2.

Theslit126 and theslit130 each extends from the bottom to the top of theskirt portion58. The

slits

126,130 do not extend into thefirst skirt portion54. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, theslit126 defines aclosed slit end134 and theslit130 defines aclosed slit end138. Both theclosed slit end134 and theclosed slit end138 lie within the plane P. Note that theclosed slit end134 and theclosed slit end138 do not extend into theskirt portion54. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 7, the closed slit end134′ and the closed slit end138′ may have a rounded or radiused shape.

The process used to form the

slits

126,130 may depend on the process used to form theclosure18. For instance, if theclosure18 is formed utilizing an injection molding machine, the

slits

126,130 may be formed by a pair of contact points between first and second mold components of the injection molding machine. The contact points are points of physical contact between the first and second mold components that define two regions in which molten plastic cannot infiltrate, thereby creating a pair of voids in theclosure18 corresponding to the

slits

126,130. Alternatively, the

slits

126,130 may be cut into theclosure18 after the rest of theclosure18 is formed. For example, a heated cutting instrument or a traditional cutting instrument may be used to cut the

slits

126,130 into theclosure18.

As shown inFIG. 3, thetab110 may include abottom tab portion142 which defines atab ridge146. Thetab ridge146 may frictionally engage a user's finger to enable thetab110 to be easily pivoted from the relaxed position (solid lines) to the unrelaxed position (phantom lines). Thetab ridge146 may extend from theslit126 to theslit130 as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

Theclosure18 further includes at least two detents provided as protrusions, protuberances, or

vertex segments

150,154 configured to secure theclosure18 to thecontainer14. Thevertex segment150 is attached to the skirt portion58 (seeFIGS. 2 and 4). Thevertex segment154, as shown inFIGS. 2,3,4,6, and7, is attached to thetab110. When theclosure18 is coupled to thecontainer14, the

vertex segments

150,154 engage thelip26 to secure theclosure18 to thecontainer14. To remove theclosure18 from thecontainer14, thetab110 is moved to the unrelaxed position (as shown in phantom inFIG. 3) so that thevertex segment154 is disengaged from thelip26 thereby permitting theclosure18 to be easily removed from thecontainer14.

Thevertex segment150 has a length that extends for a distance at least partially around theskirt portion58. In particular, thevertex segment150 extends for a distance D1 as shown inFIG. 4. Similarly, thevertex segment154 has a length that extends for a distance at least partially around thetab110. In particular, thevertex segment154 extends for a distance D2 as shown inFIG. 4. For example, thevertex segment154 may extend from theslit126 to theslit130. The distance D1 is approximately equal to the distance D2.

Referring toFIG. 2, the

vertex segments

150,154 secure theclosure18 to thecontainer14 by overlapping with thelip26. In particular, when theclosure18 is secured to thecontainer14 thebottom surface42 of thelip26 is positioned in contact with the

vertex segments

150,154. To this end, the

vertex segments

150,154 include an approximately flat

upper surface

158,162 configured to extend below thebottom surface42 of thelip26 when theclosure18 is coupled to thecontainer14. The

flat surfaces

158,162 may overlap thebottom surface42 of thelip26 between approximately 0.8 to 1.5 millimeters. A greater amount of overlap between the

flat surfaces

158,162 and thebottom surface42 of thelip26 may result in aclosure18 that is more securely coupled to thecontainer14. For instance, when thetab110 is in its relaxed position (solid inFIG. 3), theflat surface158 and theflat surface162 are configured to abut thebottom surface42 of thelip26. Accordingly, the

flat surfaces

158,162 prevent theclosure18 from being removed from thecontainer14 when thetab110 is in the relaxed position. As mentioned above, however, thetab110 may be moved to its unrelaxed position (phantom inFIG. 3) in whichflat surface162 is spaced apart from theupper end34 of thecontainer14 and does not overlap thebottom surface42 of thelip26. When thetab110 is in its unrelaxed position, theflat surface162 is spaced apart from thelip26 thereby permitting theclosure18 to be easily removed from thecontainer14.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the position of the

vertex segments

150,154 may be defined in relation to aninternal closure space166. In particular, theskirt portion58 and thetab110 lies in anannular space170. Theannular space170 encircles theinternal closure space166. Both thevertex segment150 and thevertex segment154 are located in theinternal closure space166.

In operation, the container andclosure assembly10 may be used to contain a food product contained therein. Typically, a user prepares the food product stored within thecontainer14 for consumption by first removing theclosure18 from thecontainer14. To remove theclosure18 from thecontainer14 the user grasps thetab110 and moves it from its relaxed position to its unrelaxed position in the direction of arrow A shown inFIG. 3. While holding thetab110 in its unrelaxed position, the user applies an upward force to theclosure18 in the direction of arrow B shown inFIG. 2 to lift thevertex segment154 away from thelip26. Oncevertex segment154 has been lifted away from the lip, theclosure18 may be easily removed from thecontainer14. Thereafter, pressure on thetab110 may be relaxed so that thetab110 returns to its relaxed state.

After removing theclosure18 from thecontainer14, a user may separate the top portion from the rest of thecontainer14. The top portion is separated by grasping a pull tab connected to the top portion, and pulling the pull tab away from thecontainer14 as is known in the art. Separation of the top portion from thecontainer14 creates theopening30 through which the food product may be withdrawn from the container.

If the user desires to heat the food product stored in thecontainer14, the user reattaches to theclosure18 to thecontainer14 after removing the top portion. To reattach theclosure18 to thecontainer14, a user places theclosure18 on top of thecontainer14 such that theinternal closure space166 surrounds the upper portion of thecontainer14. Next, the user applies a downward force to thetop portion50 in the direction of arrow C shown inFIG. 2 thereby causing the

vertex segments

150,154 to engage thelip26 of thecontainer14 as described above. The downward force may also be applied to thecircular periphery62 until theupper surface38 of thelip26 is seated upon the bottom rib edges106.

Once theclosure18 has been reattached to thecontainer14, the container andclosure assembly10 may be placed in a microwave oven to heat the food product contained in thecontainer14. The

vertex segments

150,154 ensure that theclosure18 remains securely coupled to theclosure assembly10 during the heating process. Additionally, thetop portion50 of theclosure18 prevents the food product from boiling over or spattering as the microwave oven heats the food product. Additionally, the vent holes66 permit steam to advance out of the container andclosure assembly10. After the microwave oven has heated the food product to the desired temperature, theclosure18 may be removed from thecontainer14 as described above.

Variations and modifications of the present invention as described above are possible; however, all variations and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are considered to be within the scope of the protection granted by this Letters Patent.

Claims

1. A container and closure assembly, comprising:

a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said opening, said lip defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface therebetween; and

a closure configured to be attached to said container, said closure including:

a top portion defining a circular periphery,

a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space,

a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap,

a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and positioned in said gap,

a first vertex segment attached to said second skirt portion,

a second vertex segment attached to said tab, and

a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical structure,

wherein, when said closure is secured to said container, (i) said top surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said plurality of spaced apart ribs, (ii) said bottom surface of said lip is positioned in contact with both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment, and (iii) said outer surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said second skirt portion.

2. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib,

said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane P1,

said second rib has a second surface that defines a second plane P2, and

said tab is located completely between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.

3. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 2, wherein:

a first slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,

a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,

said first slit is located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2, and

said second slit is located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.

4. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 3, wherein said second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second slit.

5. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein:

said first vertex segment extends for a first distance D1,

said second vertex segment extends for a second distance D2, and

said first distance D1 is approximately equal to said second distance D2.

6. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges that contact said top surface of said lip when said closure is secured to said container,

said plurality of bottom rib edges defines a plane P,

said first slit defines a first closed slit end,

said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and

both said first closed slit end and said second closed slit end lie within said plane P.

7. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure.

8. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said first internal closure space.

9. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein:

said second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space,

said annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and

both said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment are located within said second internal closure space.

10. The container and closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein:

said tab includes a bottom tab portion that defines a first ridge extending from said first slit to said second slit, and

said second skirt portion includes a bottom skirt portion that defines a second ridge extending from said first side edge to said second side edge.

11. A closure, comprising:

a top portion defining a circular periphery;

a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space;

a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap;

a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and positioned in said gap;

a first vertex segment attached to said second skirt portion;

a second vertex segment attached to said tab; and

a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical structure.

12. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib,

said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane P1,

said second rib has a second surface that defines a second plane P2, and

13. The closure ofclaim 12, wherein:

14. The closure ofclaim 13, wherein said second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second slit.

15. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein:

said first vertex segment extends for a first distance D1,

said second vertex segment extends for a second distance D2, and

said first distance D1 is approximately equal to said second distance D2.

16. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein:

said plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges,

said plurality of bottom rib edges defines a plane P,

said first slit defines a first closed slit end,

said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and

17. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure.

18. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said first internal closure space.

19. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein:

said second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space,

said annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and

20. The closure ofclaim 11, wherein: