NZ540040A - A container and closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) and plastic closure (12). The container (10) is formed by a receptacle (14) having a plastic collar (16) which defines an opening (18) for the container. The plastic collar (16) is fixed to the receptacle (14) by a free edge (24) of a rim formation (22) engaging an undercut (30) in the plastic collar (16). The receptacle is preferably metal and its free edge is a raw edge of the metal. The plastic closure (12) and the plastic collar (16) include complementary structures to seal one to the other, for example to provide bayonet-type (56-68), screw threaded or bead-in-groove snap-fit couplings. The plastic of the collar (16) is soft relative to that of the closure (12) to allow ease of removal of the closure whilst meeting stackability (due to a hard plastic closure) and sealability (due to a hard to soft plastics interconnection) requirements.

Description

54004 0 Patent Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE: A CONTAINER AND CLOSURE We NCI Holdings Pty Ltd, an Australian company, of 24 Groom Street, Clifton Hill, Victoria, 3068, Australia, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 A CONTAINER AND CLOSURE Technical Field The present invention relates to packaging and in particular to a container and a 5 plastic closure for the container for packaging a product such as for example paint. The invention also relates to a container per se, a closure perse and to a component of the container, namely a collar that defines an opening of the container. A container and closure according to the invention may be used for packaging many types of products either in liquid, granular or powder form 10 including for example industrial products such as paints and foodstuffs such as instant coffee powder.

Background The discussion below of the background to the invention is included to explain 15 the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was, in Australia, published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

It is known to provide plastic closures for metal containers, such as tin plate 20 cans, and also for plastic cans for a product such as for example liquid paint. In order to satisfy consumer requirements, such closures are generally formed of a plastic that is sufficiently soft to allow them to be removable from and resealable onto a can. However if a plastic closure is too soft, then other desirable features such as stackability and sealability (or at least maintenance of sealing) 25 may be lessened. Known practical plastic closures tend to be difficult to remove because the plastic needs to be relatively stiff to satisfy stackability requirements. Thus known closure to container connections involving plastic to metal or plastic to plastic connections have limited versatility (that is, a range of desirable but competing features cannot be readily provided) because of the 30 need to meet consumer requirements as to ease of removal and application of a closure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container and a plastic closure therefor which allow wide flexibility in their interconnection for sealability R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 3 combined with ease of use for a consumer. It is also an object to provide separately a plastic closure, a container and a component of the container.

Disclosure of the Invention 5 According to the invention there is provided a container and a plastic closure for the container, the container having a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle and a plastic collar fixed and sealed thereto which is for defining an opening of the container, the receptacle having a rim formation at an opening of the receptacle which provides a free edge and wherein the plastic collar is fixed to the receptacle by engagement of the free edge with the plastic collar, the plastic collar and the plastic closure having complementary structures adjacent the peripheries thereof for the plastic closure to engage the plastic 15 collar and thereby close the container, wherein the plastic of the collar is soft relative to that of the closure.

The invention allows for the plastic collar to be formed from a relatively soft plastics material and the plastic closure to be formed from a relatively hard 20 plastics material and thereby have rigidity whereby a consumer requirement as to ease of removal of the closure can be satisfied (that is, a hard closure is easily removable from a soft collar) whilst other desirable features such as stackability (due to a hard plastic closure) and sealability (due to a hard to soft plastics interconnection) can be satisfactorily met. Indeed, the use of a hard 25 plastic closure (in contrast to a soft plastic closure as in the prior art) allows for improved "feelability" for a consumer to be able to correctly locate the closure and to lock it, for example by a turning movement as will be described herein below, to a softer plastic collar. The invention offers other advantages which will become evident from the following description.

The generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle may be a metal can or a plastics base (that is, a plastic receptacle). If the receptacle is metal, the free edge may be a raw edge of the metal. If the receptacle is plastic, it may be formed from polypropylene and be moulded to have a free edge. In either case, R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 4 preferably the free edge faces generally away from the opening of the container.

Preferably the receptacle is a metal can and the free edge is a raw edge of the 5 metal of the can which faces generally away from the opening of the container. Engagement of a raw edge of the metal can with a soft plastic collar allows for a very secure fixation of the plastic collar to the metal can. The fixation is advantageously ensured by the plastic collar having an undercut surface formed therein and the raw edge engaging the undercut surface. Similarly, a free edge 10 of a generally rigid plastic receptacle also allows for a very secure fixation of a soft plastic collar to a more rigid plastic receptacle.

Preferably the rim formation extends outwardly of the receptacle and engages a surface of the plastic collar adjacent its periphery to provide an engagement 15 area such that the plastic collar is sealed to the receptacle. Alternatively the rim formation may extend inwardly of the receptacle and likewise engage a surface of the plastic collar so as to provide a seal between the two. In either embodiment, the rim formation may be a semi-curl that provides a free edge for a plastic receptacle or a raw edge of the metal of a can for engaging the plastic 20 collar. Alternatively for a metal can, a free edge that is not raw but is seamed may be provided.

The plastic closure may be such as to fit over or within the plastic collar. That is, in one embodiment the plastic closure may include a peripheral skirt that fits around an exterior surface of the plastic collar, or in an alternative embodiment, the plastic closure may include a depending flange which fits around an interior surface of the plastic collar.

The complementary structures of the plastic closure and the plastic collar for 30 engaging one to the other may include structures which require a turning movement of the closure relative to the collar which is effective to couple one to the other to establish and maintain a seal between the two, as in for example a bayonet type coupling. The complementary structures may be effective to draw the plastic closure and the plastic collar into tighter engagement to seal R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc between the two, as in for example a screw thread type coupling. Such a bayonet or screw thread type coupling between a more rigid plastic closure relative to the plastic collar allows consumer requirements of ease of placement and removal of the plastic closure to be easily satisfied whilst at the same time 5 providing for a more secure coupling of the closure to the container and thereby of the sealability of one to the other.

According to another aspect of the invention there is a provided a plastic collar for fixing to a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle to form a container, 10 the plastic collar including a surface with which a free edge of the receptacle provided by a rim formation at an opening of the receptacle, is engageable to fix and seal the collar onto the receptacle, the plastic collar including structures adjacent its periphery for a closure to be engaged with the plastic collar, wherein the plastic of the collar is soft relative to that of a closure engageable 15 therewith.

The invention also provides a container as such including a plastic collar as above described fixed to a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle.

The invention also provides a plastic closure for a plastic collar the plastic of which is soft relative to that of the closure, wherein the collar is sealingly fixable onto a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle, the plastic closure including structures adjacent its periphery for engaging the plastic collar.

The invention also provides a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle for forming a container that comprises the receptacle and a plastic collar fixed thereto, the receptacle having a rim formation at an opening of the receptacle that provides a free edge for engaging a surface of the plastic collar to fix the collar onto the receptacle, wherein the plastic of the collar is relatively soft.

Preferably the receptacle is a metal can and the free edge of the rim formation is a raw metal edge of the can.

R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ 14204-05 120505.doc 6 The invention furthermore includes a plastic collar plus a plastic closure as above described being integrally moulded instead of being formed as two separate components.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be performed, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings 10 Fig. 1 is a sectioned partial view of a container and closure according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a collar of the container of Fig. 1 together with a plastic closure therefor.

Fig. 3 is a sectioned partial view of another embodiment of a container and 15 closure according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of a plastic collar as in the Fig. 3 embodiment together with a plastic closure therefor.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section along line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6a is an expanded view of portion of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 illustrates an integrally moulded plastic collar plus a plastic closure according to an embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 8 is a sectioned partial view of another embodiment similar to that of Fig. 1 illustrating modifications.

Detailed Description of Embodiments The embodiments disclosed hereinbelow are described with reference to a container and closure in a normal orientation wherein the container has a top opening, thus terms such as "above", "upward", "downward", "upper", "lower", 30 "top", "bottom", "outer", "inner", and "inward" or "outward" are to be construed in light of this orientation. However it is to be understood that other orientations are equally possible and that consequential changes in terms such as those listed may be required in light of those other orientations.

R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 7 Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a container 10 and a plastic closure or lid 12 therefor. The container 10 has a metal body in the form of a can 14 and a plastic collar 16 that is fixed and sealed to the metal can 14 and which defines an opening 18 of the container 10. The metal can 14, which is for example 5 manufactured from tin plate, has a necked in side wall 20 that extends to a rim formation 22 at an opening of the metal can. The rim formation 22 is a semi-curl which extends outwardly of the metal can 14 of container 10 and ends in a free edge which in this embodiment is a raw edge 24 of the metal from which the can 14 is formed. Raw edge 24 faces generally away from (for example 10 downwardly in the orientation of the container 10 as depicted in Fig. 1) the opening 18 of the container 10. The plastic collar 16 includes a channel 26 adjacent its periphery formed between an outer side wall 28 and an inner wall 32 of the plastic collar 16. Within the outer side wall 28 and from the channel 26 interior there is formed an undercut surface 30. The channel 26 has an 15 internal shape that is complementary to the shape of the rim formation 22 such that when the plastic collar 16 is fitted onto the metal can 14 over its rim formation 22, for example by pressing it onto the metal can 14, the rim formation 22 is an interference fit within the channel 26 and the raw edge 24 engages the undercut surface 30. The engagement of the raw edge 24 and the 20 undercut surface 30 fixes the plastic collar 16 onto the metal can 14 in that it prevents detachment of the plastic collar 16 from the metal can 14. This fixing is assisted by the interference fit of the rim formation 22 within the channel 26. Furthermore, the complementary shapes of the contacting areas of the rim formation 22 and the interior of channel 26, and the interference fit of the rim 25 formation 22 within the channel 26 establishes a sealed connection between them. This sealed connection is assisted by the inner side wall 32 of channel 26 of plastic collar 16 extending some distance along the interior surface of the necked side wall 20 of the metal can 14.

The plastic collar 16 includes an integrally formed pourer 34 (see Fig. 2). This is a structure or member which extends across the collar 16 generally over the opening of the metal can 14 defined by the rim formation 22 and which includes an aperture that constitutes the opening 18 of the container 10. The opening 18 is shaped to assist the pouring of a liquid product, for example a paint, from the R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ 14204-05 120505.doc 8 container 10 and for this purpose it may for example include an outwardly directed lip 36 (see Fig. 2). The opening 18 may also have a straight edge 37 (see Fig. 2) opposite the pourer lip 36 which provides a brush swipe for a container 10/closure 12 package that is for paint.

The plastic collar 16 includes a raised portion 38 around its periphery having an end surface on which is formed a bead 40, the purpose of which will be described below.

The outer side wall 28 of the plastic collar 16 extends to an outwardly directed flange 42. The flange 42 has an inwardly facing surface 44 that is shaped to provide close clearance for the necked in side wall 20 of metal can 14 and it has an outwardly facing surface 46 which is "in line" with the outer surface of the metal can 14. A handle 48 for the container is also formed with the collar 16 15 and is attached to the flange 42 at opposite locations 50 (see Fig. 2) and has adjacent notches 52 for hinging of the handle 48. A frangible bridge 54 located midway between attachment locations 50 also originally connects the handle 48 to the flange 42. This bridge 54 prevents unwanted movement of the handle 48 thereby facilitating stacking of collar 16 plus closure 12 assemblies for use in 20 automatic filling and capping machinery. The bridge 54 also stops handle 48 movement during the automatic capping of a collar 16/closure 12 assembly onto a metal can 14 by pressing.

The outer facing surface of side wall 28 of plastic collar 16 includes four circular 25 projections 56 evenly spaced around its periphery, the purpose of which will be described below.

The plastic closure 12 is a lid that has a cover portion 58 and an outer skirt 60 that fits over the outer side wall 28 of plastic collar 16 and is sized such that its 30 outer facing surface is "in line" with surface 46 of flange 42. Thus the container 10 (that is, metal can 14 plus plastic collar 16) and the plastic closure 12, when they are engaged, present a straight sided package which better utilizes the available packing space for example on a pallet. The outer surface of skirt 60 may include a shoulder 62 for facilitating stacking of closed containers 10. That R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ 14204-05 I20505.doc 9 is, the metal can 14 of a container 10 has a base (not shown) having a shape that fits over a plastic closure 12 and seats on the shoulder 62.

The junction of the cover portion 58 and outer skirt 60 of plastic closure 12 is 5 formed with an internal thicker section 64 for reinforcement. This reinforcing section 64 has a surface that includes a groove 66 for receiving the bead 40 of the raised portion 38 of plastic collar 12. Thus the reinforcing section 64 of closure 12 includes a bottom surface having a groove 66 that is of complementary shape to the top surface of raised portion 38 that includes the 10 bead 40. The internal surface of skirt 60 includes grooves 68 having an L-shape for receiving the circular projections 56 of plastic collar 16 whereby the projections 56 and grooves 68 provide a bayonet coupling for engaging the plastic closure 12 to the plastic collar 16. The cover portion 58 has a cross bar type handle 70 formed therein (seen from the underside in Fig. 2) to assist in 15 turning the closure 12 to connect and disconnect the bayonet couplings 56-68. When the plastic closure 12 is engaged on the plastic collar 16 with the bayonet projections 56 fully seated in the grooves 68, the complementary surfaces of raised portion 38 of collar 16 and reinforcing section 64 of plastic closure 12, including the facing surfaces of bead 40 and groove 66, are pressed together to 20 establish a sealed engagement between the closure 12 and the collar 16. Thus the bayonet couplings 56-68, and complementary surfaces of portion 38 and section 64 together with bead 40 and groove 66, are complementary structures adjacent the peripheries of the plastic collar 16 and plastic closure 12 for the plastic closure 12 to sealingly engage the plastic collar 16 and thereby close the 25 container 10.

The plastic collar 16 is formed from a relatively soft plastic, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLPE) and the plastic closure 12 from a harder plastic such as polypropylene (PP). Thus the closure 30 12 is formed from a more rigid plastics material than that of collar 16. The use of a softer plastic for the collar 16 provides for optimization of sealabilty between the metal can 14 and the plastic collar 16, and between the plastic collar 16 and the plastic closure 12. It also allows for press fitting of the plastic collar 16 over the rim formation 22 of metal can 14, that is, the plastic material is R:\Mary\No Delete\NZl4204-05 120505.doc able to stretch over the rim formation 22. Effectively the soft plastic material of collar 16 when moulded to the correct tolerances can flow over and form itself around the curled edge 22-24 of the metal can 14 thereby ensuring sealability and fixation of the plastic collar 16 on the metal can 14.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment having some features in common with the Fig. 1 embodiment (which are similarly referenced except in the 100-199 number series instead of 10-99 number series) and other different features to be described below (which are referenced using odd numbers in the 100-199 10 series). Thus Fig. 3 shows a container 110 and a plastic closure or lid 112 therefor, the container 110 having a metal can body 114 and a plastic collar 116 that defines an opening 118 of the container 110. The metal can 114 has a necked in side wall 120 that extends to a rim formation 122, which is an outer semi-curl that ends in a raw edge 124. The plastic collar 116 includes a 15 channel 126 adjacent its periphery having an undercut surface 130. As in the Fig. 1 embodiment, the rim formation 122 is an interference fit within the channel 126 and raw edge 124 engages the undercut surface 130 to fix and seal the plastic collar 116 onto the metal can body 114. Also as in the Fig. 1 embodiment, the plastic collar 116 has an outwardly facing surface 146 which is 20 "in line" with the outer surface of metal can 114.

Instead of a flange 46 as in the Fig. 1 embodiment, the plastic collar 146 includes a depending skirt 147 which may have a handle 148 (see Fig. 4, not shown in Fig. 3) attached thereto at opposite locations 150 and having notches 25 152 to allow hinging of the handle 148.

The plastic collar 116, plastic closure 112 combination of Fig. 3 differs from that of Fig. 1 in that the closure 112 includes a flange 161 that depends from a cover portion 158 adjacent its periphery and which fits around the interior of the plastic 30 collar 116. The outer facing surface of this flange 161 includes four equally spaced circular cross-section projections 156 and the plastic collar 116 includes grooves 168 within formations 169 located around a sloped inside surface 171 thereof (Fig. 3 is a section at a formation 169 and thus does not show surface 171). The projections 156 and grooves 168 provide bayonet couplings for R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 11 engaging the plastic closure 112 onto the plastic collar 116 and thereby onto the container 110. The turning of closure 112 by a user that is needed to complete the coupling is facilitated by the provision of a cross-bar type handle 170 (see Fig. 4) formed in closure 112.

The plastic collar 116 includes above the channel 126 and joining the inner side wall 132 thereof an inwardly sloped surface 139. The end of flange 161 of plastic closure 112 is formed with a step 141 which provides complementary surfaces for engaging the surfaces 139, 132 for sealing the plastic closure 112 10 to the plastic collar 116 when the bayonet couplings 156-168 are engaged.

The plastic closure 112 includes a shoulder stacking feature 162 as in Fig. 1. However the plastic collar 116 does not include a similar pourer/brush swipe 36/37 like that of Fig. 1, instead it provides a pouring area as approximately 15 indicated by the line referenced 136.

Like the Fig. 1 embodiment, the plastic collar 116 is moulded from a relatively soft plastics material for fitting onto metal can body 114 and establishing a seal therewith, and plastic closure 112 is moulded from a relatively harder plastics material for rigidity and for sealability with the collar 116, and ease of handling 20 by a consumer.

Figs 5 to 6a show a further embodiment of a container 210 and cover 212. The container 210 has a metal can 214 and a plastic collar 216 fixed and sealed thereto via a rim formation 222 of the metal can 214 providing a raw edge 224 25 which engages an undercut surface 230 formed in the plastic collar 216. Unlike the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3, the rim formation 222 is not fitted within a channel of the plastic collar 216, instead the plastic collar 216 includes a surface 226 which the semi-curl of the rim formation 222 engages to ensure the plastic collar 216 is sealed to the metal can 214. The metal can 214 is necked 30 in at 220 (as in the Figs. 1 and 3 embodiments) and the plastic collar 216 has an outer facing side periphery that is substantially in line with the outermost wall of the metal can 214 for packaging economy of multiple of the containers 210 within a given space. The plastic collar 216 includes a depending skirt 227 which bears against the necked in side wall 220 of metal can 214.

R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 12 The plastic collar 216 includes an integrally moulded tear-away membrane 228 having a tab 230 to facilitate tearing it away. Thus the plastic collar 216 does not originally define an opening of the container 210, instead it includes a tear-away membrane 228 which is for defining an opening 232 (see Fig. 5) of the container 210. The collar 216 with the membrane 228 intact seals the opening of the metal can 214 defined by the rim formation 222. The container 210 and closure 212 of Figs. 5 to 6a is for a product such as an instant coffee powder or granules.

The plastic collar 216 includes an upstanding wall 234 having a tapered outer surface 236 that includes a bead 238, the purpose of which will be described below.

The cover 212 comprises a plastic closure 240 and a metal, for eg. tin plate, covering attachment 242. The plastic closure 240 has a cover portion 244 and a peripheral structure 246 that fits over the plastic collar 216. The peripheral structure includes a sloped interior surface 248 that includes a groove 250 of complementary shape to the surface 236 with bead 238 of the plastic collar 216. 20 The surfaces 236-238 of plastic collar 216 and surfaces 248-250 of plastic closure 240 together with the plastics materials of the collar 216 and closure 240 are such that when the closure 240 is forced over the collar 216, the closure 240 hooks over the bead 238 with a noticeable click, indicating that the closure 240 is properly closed, and the contacting surfaces also provide a seal 25 between the plastic closure 240 and the plastic collar 216 that is of sufficient quality to preserve goods within the container 210 after the seal provided by the inner membrane 228 is broken.

The tin plate covering attachment 242 provides a reinforcing function for the 30 closing and sealing surfaces 236-238 and 248-250. The attachment 242 is generally cup-shaped with a side wall 252 having a rim formation 254 in the form of an inside semi-curl that provides a raw edge 256. The plastic closure 240 includes an undercut surface 258 which the raw edge 256 engages, when the covering attachment 242 is fitted to the plastic closure 240, to fix the metal R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 13 attachment 242 onto the plastic closure 240 to form the cover 212. From an inspection of Fig. 6a, it can be seen that the engagement location of the rim formation 254 of metal attachment 242 on the exterior of plastic closure 240 is generally opposite the interior surfaces 248-250 (250 being the groove for reception of bead 238 of collar 216). Thus the metal covering attachment 242, via its side wall 252, effectively provides a spring-like reinforcement force that assists the engagement of plastic closure 240 onto plastic collar 216. The metal covering attachment 242 also conveniently provides surfaces on which decorative printed matter can be applied.

The plastic closure 240 may be moulded with a hinge tab 260 (see Fig. 6) having extensions (not shown) for snap fitting into complementary structures (not shown) on the plastic collar 216. A suitable structure would be known by persons skilled in the art and therefore is not further described herein. Also a 15 tamper evidencing feature, such as a strip or band 262 (see Fig. 6a) that must be torn away, for which purpose the strip or band 262 includes a depending tab 264, may be associated with the plastic closure 240. Effectively the strip or band 262 prevents opening of the cover 212 until it is removed. This and other suitable tamper evidencing structures would also be known by persons skilled in 20 the art and are not therefore further described herein.

As with the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3, the plastic collar 216 may be moulded from a soft plastics material and the plastic closure 240 from a hard plastics material for the same reasons as for the Figs. 1 and 3 embodiments. 25 Alternatively the collar 216 and closure 240 may be formed as a one piece moulding having a hinge strap integrally joining the collar and closure. In such an alternative embodiment, the greater stiffness that is desirable for the plastic closure compared to the plastic collar may be provided by a metal covering attachment such as the attachment 242. The embodiment of Figs. 5 to 6a also 30 includes a shoulder 266 for stackability as in the Figs. 1 and 3 embodiments.

Fig. 7 illustrates a plastic closure 240 and a plastic collar 216 formed as a one piece moulding having a hinge strap 270 joining the closure and the collar. A metal covering attachment 272 (similar to that of Figs. 5 to 6a which is R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 14 referenced 242) is shown attached to the plastic closure 240. The closure 240 includes a hinged tab element 274 at its periphery having a lip 276 which is a structure for latching with a complementary structure on the plastic collar 216 for holding the closure 240 in a sealed closed position on the collar 216.

Another element 278 on the collar is for providing a tamper evidencing feature upon initial sealing of the closure 240 on the collar 216. The element 278 is a short strip that is hinged to the collar 216 at 280 and is relatively permanently snap joinable to the collar 216 above the hinge 280 at spaced connection points 282 via pins 284 at each end of the strip to provide a pocket which covers or 10 contains the tab element 274. Thus the tab element 274 cannot be accessed to unlatch and thus open the closure 240 from the collar 216 without first removing the strip element 278. The strip element 278 includes a tab (not shown) allowing it to be torn away from the collar 216. The collar 216, closure 240, hinge strap 270, latching tab 274 and tamper evidencing strip element 278 are 15 mouldable as a unitary structure in a manner, as known by persons skilled in the art, whereby the plastic of the collar 216 can be soft relative to that of the closure 240.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the metal can body 214 is generally square in 20 cross-section, however it has a circular opening as defined by rim formation 222 to optimise sealability by giving equal contact force around the full circumference. Nevertheless other than a circular opening may have been provided. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses circular or other shaped cross section containers having circular or other shaped 25 openings.

Fig. 8 illustrates modifications for an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 1. The same reference numerals as those in Fig. 1 have been used to show corresponding features. The modifications are that the integrally moulded 30 handle 48 is replaced with a separate plastic snap-fit handle 72 and the integrally moulded pourer 36/brush swipe 37 is replaced with a separately attached member 74. The handle 72 includes at each end thereof a divided protrusion 76 having an enlarged head structure for snap fitting into a complementary recess 78 in the flange 42 of plastic collar 16. The protrusion R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 76 and recess 78 are shaped to allow rotational movement of one within the other for altering the position of the handle 72.

The member 74 may provide a pourer 36-brush swipe 37 (not shown in Fig. 8) 5 as in the Fig. 1 embodiment. Alternatively it may provide a tear-away portion (not shown in Fig. 8) somewhat similar to the portion 228 of Figs. 5-6a, although for a container for paint the aperture that is left upon removal of such a tear away portion may provide a pouring portion and possibly an oppositely located brush swipe edge. The member 74 includes a peripheral wall 80 for contacting 10 the inner side wall 32 of plastic collar 16 and a curved top portion 82 having a bead 84 at an end thereof for snap fitting engagement with a complementary shaped portion including recess 86 formed in the plastic collar 16. The member 74 may also be moulded from a suitable plastic material that is more rigid than that of the plastic collar 16.

Other features not specifically described above may also be provided for a container and closure according to the invention. For example, a screw-threaded attachment of a plastic closure to a plastic collar of a container may be provided instead of a bayonet coupling. Also the complementary structures of a 20 plastic closure and plastic collar for establishing a seal therebetween when the closure is coupled to the collar of a container, may have shapes other than those that are specifically described above. Also, if such engaging surfaces may be insufficient to establish an appropriate seal, a gasket material may be provided, particularly between the plastic collar and the metal can. Also the 25 above described embodiments show a necked-in metal can, however this is not necessary if packaging within a given space is not of concern. Also the plastic components of a container and closure according to the invention that is for packaging a paint may be provided with anti-skinning features as are known in the art. It will also be evident from the above how a plastic collar can be fixed 30 and sealed onto a more rigid plastic receptacle.

It is also to be understood that the various features as above described for any particular embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, that is, different R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 16 embodiments of the invention may exhibit any number of and any combination of the features of the embodiments as specifically described above.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the scope of the following claims.

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Claims (51)

1. A container and a plastic closure for the container, the container having a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle and a plastic collar fixed and sealed thereto which is for defining an opening of 5 the container, the receptacle having a rim formation at an opening of the receptacle which provides a free edge and wherein the plastic collar is fixed to the receptacle by engagement of the free edge with the plastic collar, the plastic collar and the plastic closure having complementary structures 10 adjacent the peripheries thereof for the plastic closure to engage the plastic collar and thereby close the container, wherein the plastic of the collar is soft relative to that of the closure.

2. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receptacle is of metal and the free edge of the receptacle is a raw edge of the 15 metal.

3. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the free edge faces generally away from the opening of the container.

4. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plastic collar has an undercut surface formed therein and the free edge 20 engages the undercut surface to fix the plastic collar on the receptacle of the container.

5. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the rim formation of the receptacle which provides the free edge extends outwardly of the receptacle. 25

6. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the plastic collar includes a channel adjacent its periphery having an interior surface of complementary shape to the rim formation, and wherein the rim formation is an interference fit within the channel whereby the plastic collar is sealed to the receptacle. 30

7. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the plastic closure includes a peripheral skirt which fits around the exterior of the plastic collar. R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 18

8. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the plastic closure includes a depending flange adjacent its periphery which fits around the interior of the plastic collar.

9. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 5 wherein the rim formation is a semi curl.

10. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the complementary structures adjacent the peripheries of the plastic collar and the plastic closure are such as to require a turning movement of the closure relative to the collar to couple one or the other to establish and maintain 10 a seal between the two.

11. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the complementary structures are bayonet-type couplings.

12. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the complementary structures provide a screw thread-type coupling. 15

13. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the plastic collar includes a handle integrally formed with the plastic collar.

14. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the plastic collar includes a handle that is snap-fitted to the collar. 20

15. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the plastic collar includes a member that provides a pourer including a lip for pouring a liquid product from the container.

16. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 15 wherein the member also provides a straight edge generally opposite the pourer and over 25 the receptacle for providing a brush swipe for a product such as paint for the container.

17. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said member is integrally formed with the plastic collar.

18. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 30 wherein said member is a separately formed part that is attached to the plastic collar.

19. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a least a portion of the rim formation of the receptacle adjacent the free R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ 14204-05 I20505.doc 19 edge engages a surface of the plastic collar adjacent its periphery to seal the collar to the receptacle.

20. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 19 wherein the plastic collar includes an integrally moulded tear-away membrane that, when 5 torn away, defines the opening of the container.

21. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the complementary structures adjacent the peripheries of the plastic collar and the plastic closure include a bead and groove for a snap-fit interengagement for sealing between the closure and the collar. 10

22. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 21 wherein the plastic closure includes an integrally formed hinge tab that is snap fitted to the plastic collar.

23. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in claim 21 wherein the plastic closure and the plastic collar are formed as a one piece moulding having 15 a hinge strap integrally joining the closure and the collar.

24. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein the plastic collar and the plastic closure include engageable elements for providing a tamper evidencing feature upon initial sealing of the closure to the collar. 20

25. A container and a plastic closure as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 24 wherein the plastic closure includes a cup-shaped metal covering that is attached for the closure so as to provide a resilient reinforcement force to the closure for improving its sealing to the plastic collar.

26. A plastic collar for fixing to a generally rigid body in the form of a 25 receptacle to form a container, the plastic collar including a surface with which a free edge of the receptacle, provided by a rim formation at an opening of the receptacle, is engageable to fix and seal the collar onto the receptacle, the plastic collar including a structure adjacent its periphery for a closure to be engaged with the plastic collar, wherein the plastic of the collar is soft relative to 30 that of a closure engageable therewith.

27. A plastic collar as claimed in claim 26 wherein said surface of the plastic collar with which a free edge of the receptacle is engageable to an undercut surface. R:\Mary\No De1ete\NZ14204-05 I20505.doc 20

28. A plastic collar as claimed in claim 27 including a channel adjacent the periphery of the collar which includes the undercut surface for receiving the rim formation of a receptacle in an interference fit for sealing the collar to the receptacle. 5

29. A plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein said structure adjacent the periphery of the collar includes one part, being one of a pin and groove, of a bayonet type coupling.

30. A plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein said structure adjacent the periphery of the collar includes a screw thread. 10

31. A plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 30 including an integrally formed handle.

32. A plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 31 including a member that provides a pourer including a lip for pouring a liquid product from the container. 15

33. A plastic collar as claimed in claim 32 wherein the member also provides a straight edge generally opposite the pourer and over the receptacle for providing a brush swipe for a product such as paint for the container.

34. A plastic collar as claimed in any claim 32 or claim 33 wherein said member is integrally formed with the plastic collar. 20

35. A plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein said structure adjacent the periphery of the closure includes one part, being one of a bead and groove, for snap fitting with the other part provided by a closure.

36. A plastic collar as claimed in claim 35 including an integrally moulded tear-away membrane that, when torn away, defines the opening of the 25 container.

37. A container including a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle having a rim formation at an opening of the receptacle which provides a free edge, and a plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 36 fixed to the receptacle by engagement of the free edge with the plastic collar. 30

38. A container as claimed in claim 37 wherein the receptacle is of metal and the free edge of the receptacle is a raw edge of the metal.

39. A plastic closure for a plastic collar the plastic of which is soft relative to that of the closure, wherein the collar is sealingly fixable onto a generally rigid R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 120505.doc 21 body in the form of a receptacle, the plastic closure including a structure adjacent its periphery for sealingly engaging the plastic collar.

40. A plastic closure as claimed in claim 39 wherein the structure adjacent the periphery of the closure is complementary to a structure on the collar for 5 providing a bayonet-type coupling for securing the closure onto the collar.

41. A plastic closure as claimed in claim 39 wherein the structure adjacent the periphery of the closure is complementary to a structure on the collar for providing a screw threaded coupling for securing the closure onto the collar.

42. A plastic closure as claimed in claim 39 wherein the structure adjacent 10 the periphery of the closure includes one part, being one of a bead and groove, for snap fitting with the other part provided by a collar.

43. A plastic closure and a plastic collar, the plastic collar for fitting to a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle for defining an opening of a container formed by the receptacle and the plastic collar, the plastic collar and 15 the plastic closure having complementary structures adjacent the peripheries thereof for the plastic closure to engage the plastic collar and thereby close the container, wherein the plastic of the collar is soft relative to that of the closure, and wherein the plastic closure and the plastic collar are connected by a hinge.

44. A plastic closure and a plastic collar as claimed in claim 43 wherein the 20 complementary structures adjacent the peripheries of the plastic collar the plastic closure include a bead and groove for a snap-fit interengagement for sealing between the closure and the collar.

45. A plastic closure and a plastic collar as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44 wherein the plastic closure includes an integrally formed hinge tab that is snap 25 fitted to the plastic collar.

46. A plastic closure and a plastic collar as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44 wherein the plastic closure and the plastic collar are formed as a one piece moulding having a hinge strap integrally joining the closure and the collar.

47. A plastic closure and a plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 43 30 to 46 wherein the plastic collar includes an integrally moulded tear-away membrane that, when torn away, defines the opening of the container.

48. A plastic closure and a plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 47 wherein the plastic collar and the plastic closure include engageable R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ 14204-05 120505.doc 22 elements for providing a tamper evidencing feature upon initial sealing of the closure to the collar.

49. A plastic closure and a plastic collar as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48 wherein the plastic closure includes a cup-shaped metal covering that is 5 attached to the closure so as to provide a resilient reinforcement force to the closure for improving its sealing to the plastic collar.

50. A container and a plastic closure for the container, the container having a generally rigid body in the form of a receptacle and a plastic collar fixed and sealed thereto, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 10 figures of the drawing.

51. A plastic collar and a plastic closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 6a or Figure 7 of the drawings. DATED: 12 May 2005 15 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: NCI Holdings Pty. Ltd. 2ND OF CLAIMS R:\Mary\No Delete\NZ14204-05 I20505.doc