AU2005276942A1 - Container-closure arrangement having skirt projections within flange openings - Google Patents

Description

WO 2006/021034 PCT/AU2005/001267 1 CONTAINER-CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT Technical Field An improved container-closure arrangement is disclosed, for example, an 5 arrangement wherein at least the closure is moulded from plastic and which is adapted when assembled to be resistant to closure removal when dropped, and to be resistant to pilfering (eg. to be tamper proof) etc. Background Art 10 With containers used for holding chemicals such as paints, solvents, oils, powders etc it is desirable that the closure does not become detached from the container as a result of inadvertent dropping of the container and/or from shifting loads during handling, transport etc. It is also desirable that the closure is, at least to some extent, tamper proof. 15 Many countries have developed so-called container drop tests in an attempt to prescribe minimum performance standards for container-closure arrangements. An example of one such international standard is UN lH2/Yl.5/40. Attempts have been made in the art to prevent closures from becoming detached from a container as a result of inadvertent dropping etc. 20 US 4,034,889 discloses a plastic container of rectangular shape, with top 2 having flaps 5. Tooth-shaped projections 8 located on the flaps mesh with a notched portion 11 of container shoulder 10. US 5,979,691 discloses a plastic container of rectangular shape, with lid 12 having members 24 extending therefrom. Each member has a latch 26, which latches 25 into an aperture 32 of container wall 30. US 6,021,917 discloses a plastic container of circular shape with an arrow-like projection 7 extending from lid 1. The projection 7 extends through and is latched into orifice 15 of pail latch 14. Each of these documents thus provides for additional latching over that 30 provided for by a bead-latch arrangement at the upper end of the container rim. The present applicant in WO 02/30780 discloses a bead-latch arrangement at the upper end of a container rim for attaching a closure to the container. In addition, WO 02/30780 discloses additional means of securing a remote end of an external skirt WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 2 of the closure to a projecting flange of the container. Summary A container-closure arrangement is provided comprising: 5 (i) a container having a base, a peripheral wall, a rim forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and a flange formed integrally with and extending out from the wall below the rim; (ii) a closure having a central portion that is arranged to overfit the opening of the container, a skirt formed integrally with the central portion and arranged to surround the 10 rim when the closure is fitted to the container, the skirt being positionable adjacent to the flange when the closure is fitted to the container; and (iii) a plurality of discrete projections, each extending from the skirt, and each being insertable into a respective opening in the flange; wherein, once a given projection has been inserted into a respective opening in 15 the flange, a portion of that projection is caused to assume an orientation by a corresponding formation of the flange, or a portion of the flange is caused to assume an orientation by a corresponding formation of the projection, such that removal of that projection from the opening is resisted. Thus, once the projection has been inserted into the opening, by causing the 20 projection or flange portion to assume an orientation that resists projection removal from the opening, an alternative or additional means of securely fastening the closure to the container is provided. In effect, the closure can be locked to the container. The applicant has observed that drop test and transportation performance and resistance to pilfering (ie. tamper proofing) are accordingly improved. 25 In a first embodiment each projection typically comprises a portion that is deflectable relative to a remainder of the projection by the corresponding formation of the flange such that, once inserted into the opening, the formation maintains the portion in a deflected orientation to thereby resist projection removal from the opening. In this first embodiment the formation of the flange causes the projection portion to assume an 30 orientation wherein removal of that projection from the opening is resisted. In a second embodiment the portion of the flange is typically located adjacent to the corresponding formation of the projection. In the second embodiment each projection typically comprises a recess or aperture into which the formation of the WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 3 flange can extend such that, when the projection is inserted into the opening, the formation is first deflected by the projection until it aligns with the recess or aperture and, once so aligned, moves into the recess or aperture such that the projection then resists removal from the flange. In this second embodiment the recess or aperture 5 defines the corresponding formation of the projection, and thus it is the recess or aperture that causes the formation of the flange to assume an orientation wherein removal of that projection from the opening is resisted. In a further variation the portion or corresponding formation can be formed at or on the container and may project therefrom to interact with the projection once it has 10 been inserted into the flange opening, although this embodiment may be less easy to manufacture (eg. mould) then the embodiment in which the portion or corresponding formation is formed at or on the flange. Whilst the closure could comprise a single skirt (eg. where the projections permanently attach the skirt to the flange), typically the skirt comprises two or three 15 skirt portions frangibly coupled together, with each projection extending from a distal end of the distal skirt portion. The employment of frangibly coupled skirt portions can thus provide a ready means of closure removal. For example, where three skirt portions are employed, a middle one of the skirt portions can define a removable tear strip. Removal of this tear strip then frees the closure for removal from the container. Where 20 two skirt portions are employed, a line of severance between these portions can be defined. Severance along this line then frees the closure for removal from the container. In the first embodiment, once deflected, the deflectable portion typically assumes a locking position whereat the projection is locked in and against the flange, thereby locking the closure to the container. In this regard, whilst the deflectable portion 25 may lock at partial insertion of the projection into the opening, typically it locks at full projection insertion. In the first embodiment, the corresponding formation of the flange can comprise a discrete protrusion formed within the flange, or it may simply be defined by an internal wall of the flange, or an external wall of the container. Once inserted into the 30 opening typically the deflectable portion is deflected laterally towards or away from the container wall, and into a latching position with respect to the flange. In the first embodiment, each projection may be defined by a tab extending from the skirt, with the deflectable portion then comprising a tongue formed within the tab.

WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 4 The tongue can be attached along one of its edges to a remainder of the tab to define a tongue hinge. In one variation of the first embodiment, in profile, the tongue can have the same thickness as the remainder of the tab. In this variation the protrusion can then be a 5 boss formed integrally with and projecting out from an inner wall of the flange within the opening, or can project out from an external wall of the container. Thus, when the projection is inserted into the opening, the boss engages against the tongue and deflects it into a locking position with respect to the flange. Preferably the boss is generally dome-shaped to facilitate tongue movement therepast, or may be defined as a ridge. 10 In another variation of the first embodiment, in profile, the tongue can have a thickness greater than the remainder of the tab. In this other variation the internal wall in the flange opening can then be located to deflect the tongue into a locking position once the projection has been inserted into the opening. In this other variation, the tongue, in profile, can taper outwardly from tongue hinge such that, as the projection is 15 inserted into the opening, the tongue interferes with and is deflected by an internal wall of the flange into a locking position. Alternatively, the tongue can interfere with and be deflected by an external wall of the container to cause the tongue to pivot into a locking position. In either case, the tongue may be deformed as it is inserted into the opening. In the second embodiment the formation can be defined as a latch which, in 20 profile, tapers outwardly from a location adjacent to an entrance to the opening, to a location remote from the opening entrance. The remote part of the latch can define a shoulder, with the latch taper facilitating projection movement therepast until the latch aligns with and then moves into the recess or aperture, such that an edge of the recess or aperture latches under the shoulder. This latching thus locks the projection within the 25 flange. In the second embodiment each projection can again be defined by a tab extending from the skirt, but in this embodiment the recess or aperture is now defined centrally within the tab. Typically the flange extends peripherally right around the container wall, 30 although it can be provided as respective discrete flanges corresponding in location to each projection when the closure is mounted to the container. In addition to the plurality of projections (ie. at locations other than where the projections are located), the skirt or a distal skirt portion can be adapted for fastening at WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 5 the flange. This fastening may provide additional fastening between the closure and container to that provided by the projections. In this regard, reference is made to the disclosure in the applicant's patent application WO 02/30780, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The closure and container configurations depicted in 5 WO 02/30780 can be employed together with the projection arrangements defined and described herein. Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the 10 container-closure arrangement as defined in the Summary, specific container-closure arrangements will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled container-closure arrangement; 15 Figure 2 shows a perspective detail of the container-closure arrangement of Figure 1 in a disassembled (pre-filling) configuration; Figure 3A shows a sectioned perspective view through a portion of the closure taken on the line 3A-3A of Figure 2, and showing a first tab configuration; Figure 3B shows a sectioned perspective view similar to Figure 3A, but 20 showing a second tab configuration; Figure 3C shows a cross-sectional side detail through a portion of the arrangement taken on the line 3C-3C of Figure 1, but with Figure 3C also showing how the closure is mounted to the container at a location remote from a tab configuration; Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional side view through the tab of Figure 3A, and 25 Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional side detail of this tab, of part of the closure to which the tab is connected, and of part of the container to which the closure is mounted, with Figure 4B illustrating a first mode of tab insertion; Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional side view through the tab of Figure 3B, and Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional side detail of this tab, of part of the closure to which 30 the tab is connected, and of part of the container to which the closure is mounted, with Figure 5B illustrating a second mode of tab insertion; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view through a tab having a configuration somewhat like the tab of Figure 3B, and shows a cross-sectional side WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 6 detail of part of an alternative closure mounted to an alternative container, with the container having a straight (vertical) side wall, and with Figure 6 illustrating a third mode of tab insertion; Figure 7A shows a cross-sectional side view through an alternative (flared) tab 5 configuration and Figure 7B shows a cross-sectional side detail of this tab, of part of the closure to which the tab is connected, and of part of the container to which the closure is mounted, with Figure 7B illustrating a fourth mode of tab insertion; and Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view through another (flared) tab, and shows a cross-sectional side detail of part of a closure similar to Figure 6 that is mounted to the 10 container of Figure 6, with the container having a straight (vertical) side wall, and with Figure 8 illustrating a fifth mode of tab insertion. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a container-closure 15 arrangement comprises a container in the form of generally square-bottomed pail 10, and a closure in the form of lid 11. A pivotable handle may be connected to the container at opposing holes 12 for ease of handling. Whilst a square pail and lid is shown, the closure mechanisms described herein are equally applicable to pails and lids having plan shapes that are rectangular, circular, etc. 20 The pail and lid are typically moulded from a polymer, and may be moulded from eg. polypropylene or high density polyethylene. Alternatively, the pail can be formed from metal (eg. steel). The handle may be formed from steel or a plastic material. The pail may be moulded in any desired size and can have a volumetric capacity in the order of 4 to 25 litres. In this regard, reference is made to the disclosure 25 in the applicant's patent application WO 02/30780, the relevant contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The pail 10 has a base 13 which can be sized to locate within a well 14 of the lid, so that a number of assembled pail-lid arrangements may be stacked one upon another. The pail has a peripheral wall 15 and, as shown in Figure 2, a rim 16 forms an 30 upper margin of the wall 15 and surrounds an opening of the pail. A bead 17 is formed integrally with and either surrounds the rim 16 or is provided as discrete bead segments around the rim. The bead has an undersurface 18 (Figure 3C) that extends from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 15.

WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 7 An annular flange 19 is formed integrally with and typically surrounds the peripheral wall 15 of the container, although a number of discrete projecting flanges can be provided as an alternative. The flange is located below the level of the bead 17 and typically comprises two wall portions 20 and 21. The wall portion 20 can be inclined 5 with respect to the peripheral wall 15 of the container (Figures 1 to 5) or may project orthogonally therefrom (as in the arrangements of Figures 6 to 8). The wall portion 21 typically depends from the outer margin of the wall portion 20. A rebate 23 can be formed in the flange at the junction of the two wall portions 20 and 21 to assist with tamper-proofing the join between lid and pail. 10 Whilst the lid 11 may comprise a continuous (unbroken) depending skirt extending peripherally therearound, typically the skirt comprises a number of skirt portions. In this regard, the lid comprises a first skirt portion 26, a second skirt portion 29 and typically a third skirt portion 31. The first skirt portion 26 is formed integrally with the central portion 25 and is sized to surround and engage the pail bead 17. Thus, 15 whilst the first skirt portion 26 can extend right down to the flange when the lid is mounted to the pail (and thus define a continuous depending skirt), typically it is connected to the further skirt portions (as described below). An annular ledge 27 is located within and is formed integrally with the first skirt portion 26, and the ledge 27 is positioned to locate in interlocking engagement with the undersurface 18 of the bead 17 20 when the lid is mounted to the pail. When bead 17 is formed as discrete bead segments around the rim, the ledge 27 may accordingly be formed as corresponding ledge segments around and within the first skirt portion 26. The first skirt portion 26 may be shaped to flare outwardly from the ledge 27, to provide for subsequent access to an internal surface 28 that is profiled with gentle 25 curves to accommodate the fingers of a person who seeks to lift the lid from the pail (ie. after tear strip removal - described below). This shaping also facilitates a sliding inter engagement of the lid and the pail when the lid is pushed onto the pail. Similarly, the bead 17 may be shaped as shown to facilitate sliding engagement between the lid and the pail when the lid is pushed onto the pail. 30 The second skirt portion 29 depends from and is frangibly connected to first skirt portion 26 by way of an integrally moulded thin connecting web 30. The third skirt portion 31 is provided as an extension of the second skirt portion 29 and is frangibly connected thereto by an integrally moulded web 32. The frangible connection WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 8 together of skirt portions 26, 29 and 31 thereby define the second skirt portion 29 as an easily removable tear strip. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the second skirt portion 29 may also be formed with an integral tear tab 37 for initiating tear strip removal. 5 The third skirt portion 31 can locate within the rebate 23 of the flange 19, to provide a tamper-proof join between the lid and pail. The third skirt portion 31 may also be thermally or chemically bonded in that rebate 23. In addition, projecting rim 50 of the third skirt portion 31 is typically push-fitted (Figure 3C) into and locks in a groove 52 of the container flange 19, after the container has been charged with material, and as 10 the lid 11 is mounted to the pail 10 for the first time. Again reference is made to the relevant description of the applicant's patent application WO 02/30780. Referring now to each of Figures 3A and 3B, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, a discrete projection in the form of generally rectangular tab 70 or 70' respectively is shown in a cut-away perspective view through 15 the lid 11. A plurality of tabs 70 or 70' (typically at least four around a square lid, ie. at least one at each side) are intermittently located along each side of lid 11, to project downwardly therefrom. Figure 2 shows four such tabs being arranged along each side of lid 11. Typically each tab 70 or 70' is integrally moulded with the third skirt portion 20 31 to project downwardly therefrom as shown, and replaces projecting rim 50 for the length of the tab. In addition, a corresponding tab recess 72 for each tab is defined in the flange 19 and replaces a corresponding length of the groove 52. Thus, the recess 72 for a given tab is typically located in the flange adjacent to and aligned with the groove 52. Whilst the recess 72 can be defined separately from groove 52, typically it is 25 contiguous therewith. In an alternative configuration, the tab 70 may also project downwardly from a single unbroken skirt (eg. where second skirt portion 29 defining a tear strip is not provided) or it may subtend directly from second skirt portion 29 (eg. where the third skirt portion 31 is not provided). 30 In the tab embodiment of Figure 3A, an aperture 73 is defined in the tab 70 as shown. The aperture 73 can receive therein a protrusion from the flange 19 when the tab has been inserted into its recess 72, as described below. In the tab embodiment of Figure 3B, an alternative tab 70' is provided with an WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 9 integral tongue portion 74, which is deflectable, relative to a remainder of the tab, about a hinge line HL, when the tab has been inserted into its recess 72, as described below. Typically the tabs 70,70' are provided with a bevel face 76 to facilitate and guide tab insertion into tab recess 72. 5 By locating the tabs 70,70' at a number of discrete, evenly spaced locations around the periphery of the lid 11, an additional fastening of the lid 11 to pail 10 is achieved, over and above that provided by the fastening of the third skirt portion 31 to the flange (ie. in the ways described in WO 02/30780). The tabs firmly secure the lid to the pail so that the arrangement is able to meet the drop test requirements of many 10 countries, and so that the lid is securely fastened against removal as a result of inadvertent dropping, knocking or bumping etc. The tabs also provide an additional tamper-proofing feature, helping to prevent lid removal, pilfering etc. Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, the tab 70 is shown prior to insertion (Figure 4A) and after 15 having been inserted into tab recess 72 (Figure 4B). Insertion is assisted by bevel face 76 which defines a relatively narrower insertion end 78 of the tab. To further assist tab insertion the opening to recess 72 can be flared outwardly at 80. The aperture 73 is shaped to receive a protrusion in the form of a locking lug 81, the lug 81 being integrally formed with and projecting from a depending inner wall 20 section 82 of flange 19. When tab 70 is fully inserted into recess 72 the locking lug 81 projects into the aperture 73 such that tab inner edge 83 is located and captured behind a shoulder 84 defined at an in-use lower end of lug 81. It will also be seen that, in profile and moving downwardly in recess 72, lug 81 tapers outwardly down to shoulder 84. This outward tapering facilitates movement of 25 tab end face 78 past lug 124, and typically causes the flange inner wall section 82 to flex inwardly until the lug registers with aperture 73, and the tab inner edge 83 has moved past the shoulder 84. In effect, when this occurs, the flange inner wall section 82 is caused to snap back outwardly away from the pail wall, to lock tab inner edge 83 under shoulder 84. In addition, to maintain the tab in a locked position, it will be seen 30 that the faces of tab inner edge 83 and shoulder 84 are parallel to each other and are respectively inclined. Thus, when an upward force is applied to lid 11, the tab 70 is caused to be drawn into and against the flange inner wall section 82, enhancing the locking of the tab in and to the flange.

WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 10 Referring now to Figures 5A and 5B, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, the tab 70' is shown prior to insertion (Figure 5A) and after having been inserted into tab recess 72 (Figure 5B). Insertion is again assisted by bevel face 76 and narrower tab insertion end 78. Again, to further assist tab insertion the 5 opening to recess 72 is flared outwardly at 80. In this embodiment, an inside face of flange wall portion 21 is provided with a protrusion in the form of generally dome-shaped boss 85. The boss 85 is located such that, as tab 70' is inserted into recess 72, the boss engages against tongue 74. During progressive tab insertion the boss causes tongue 74 to be urged against the flange inner 10 wall section 82 so that it flexes inwardly until the tongue moves past an inset lower edge 86 of wall section 82 (ie. defined by a cut-away section of wall section 82). Again, when this occurs, the tongue 74 is caused to snap inwardly (in the direction of arrow P, the tongue pivoting around hinge line HL) and flange inner wall section 82 is caused to snap outwardly away from the pail wall. This locks an upper edge of tongue 74 under 15 wall section lower edge 86. The boss 85 then maintains the tongue 74 in this position, thereby preventing tab removal from recess 72 (eg. when an upward force is applied to lid 11). The tongue may be configured to assume the locking position earlier than full tab insertion (eg. by shortening the tongue or extending up the cut-away section of wall 20 section 82). Referring now to Figure 6, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, an alternative pail 10' and lid 11' is shown employing an alternative tab mounting arrangement. This arrangement can be employed for straight sided containers, such as metal cans etc. 25 In this embodiment, the flange 19 comprises an outer wall portion 21 subtending from a laterally (eg. orthogonally) extending wall portion 20. In addition, in this embodiment the skirt portions 26 and 29 sit flush against the wall 15 of pail 10' at rim 16. The second skirt portion 29 is provided as a more pronounced tear strip 87, and tab 70 is connected to the second skirt portion 29 via web 32 (rather than to a third skirt 30 portion 31, which in this embodiment is not required). In addition, the bead 17 is formed to protrude inwardly of rim 17 so that ledge 27 instead projects inwardly from the central portion 25 of lid 11'. Furthermore, the first skirt portion 26 is provided with a peripheral ledge 88 to facilitate press fitting of the lid WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 11 11" onto pail 10" (eg. by a ring press tool) and to facilitate removal of the lid once tear strip 87 has been removed (eg. by finger or tool). In this embodiment a boss 85' is formed to project outwardly from pail wall 15 and is typically moulded or formed integrally with the wall. Tongue portion 74 is also 5 adapted to pivot laterally outwards from pail 10' in use. Typically the tongue portion 74 at least is formed from a deformable material to facilitate its insertion into recess 72. Alternatively, or additionally, that part of the flange surrounding tab recess 72 can be formed from a deformable (eg. polymeric) material and/or can be deflected during insertion. To further facilitate tongue bending 10 during insertion, and to facilitate pivoting once inserted, a cut-away groove 90 can be provided along the hinge line HL, where the tongue portion is attached to the remainder of tab 70. Furthermore, in this embodiment, bevel 76 is now provided on an opposite side of tab 70, the bevel again facilitating tab insertion into recess 72, but also facilitating tab 15 movement around boss 85' (ie. preventing an inner sharp edge of tab end 78 from catching on boss 85' during tab insertion). During tab insertion into recess 72, the tongue 74 primarily bends and deforms to enable such insertion. When the tab has been fully inserted as shown in Figure 6, tongue 74 is deflected to locate under flange underside face 92, thereby locking the tab 20 in recess 72 and preventing removal of lid 11' from pail 10'. Referring now to Figures 7A and 7B where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, a further modified tab 70" is shown prior to insertion (Figure 7A) and after having been inserted into tab recess 72 (Figure 7B). In this embodiment, tab 70' has been modified by replacing tongue portion 74 with an enlarged 25 tongue portion 94. In this regard, in profile, enlarged tongue portion 94 is wider at its remote (distal) end 96 relative to the remainder of tab 70". Typically the tongue portion 94 at least is formed from a deformable material to facilitate its insertion into tab recess 72. Alternatively, or additionally, that part of the flange surrounding tab recess 72 can be formed from a deformable (eg. polymeric) material to deform and/or to be deflected 30 during tab insertion into recess 72. In Figure 7B the modified tab 70" is shown fully inserted into tab recess 72, with the flange/recess configuration being similar or identical to the flange/recess configuration shown in Figure 5. However, rather than employing boss 85 to cause WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 12 tongue pivoting, during tab insertion tongue side face 98 is forced into engagement with the recess opening at 80, and thence with an inner face 100 of flange wall portion 21, this engagement causing the tongue portion 94 to pivot around cut-away groove 90. During such insertion inside face 101 of the tongue portion 94 pivots and engages 5 outside face 102 of flange wall portion 82, such that wall portion 82 is caused to flex inwardly. When the tongue portion 94 has moved past the lower edge 86 of wall section 82, the tongue portion is caused to snap inwardly, and flange inner wall section 82 is caused to snap outwardly away from the pail wall. This locks an upper edge 104 of tongue portion 94 under wall section lower edge 86. The inner face 100 of flange wall 10 portion 21 then maintains the tongue portion 94 in this position, thereby preventing tab removal from recess 72 (eg. when an upward force is applied to lid 11). The tab embodiment of Figures 7A and 7B can be modified for use with the lid-pail arrangement of Figure 6. In this regard, reference is now made to Figure 8, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts. In the 15 embodiment of Figure 8 the modified tab 70" of Figure 7A is shown fully inserted into tab recess 72. During tab insertion into recess 72 the inside face 101 of tongue portion 94 rides against an external face of pail wall 15. During such insertion the tongue portion 94 may deform, as may wall portions 20 and/or 21, as the tab moves through the 20 opening at 80. When the tab has been fully inserted into recess 72, the external face of pail wall 15 urges tongue 94 back to its outwardly pivoted position, and maintains it in this position. This is a similar locking position to that assumed by the tongue 74 in Figure 6, and thus the tab is locked in recess 72 and the removal of lid 11' from pail 10' is prevented. 25 Each of the various tab embodiments described effectively lock the lid to the pail and enable an assembled lid-pail arrangement to meet the various drop test requirements of countries across the world (including various south-east Asian countries) whilst enhancing tamper-proofing. The resultant lid-pail mounting can also resist lid removal due to inadvertent bumping, sharp blows etc that occur during 30 production, transportation and in use. Whilst a number of preferred embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that the lid-pail arrangements can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (22)

1. A container-closure arrangement comprising: (i) a container having a base, a peripheral wall, a rim forming an upper margin of the wall and surrounding an opening of the container, and a flange formed integrally with 5 and extending out from the wall below the rim; (ii) a closure having a central portion that is arranged to overfit the opening of the container, a skirt formed integrally with the central portion and arranged to surround the rim when the closure is fitted to the container, the skirt being positionable adjacent to the flange when the closure is fitted to the container; and 10 (iii) a plurality of discrete projections, each extending from the skirt, and each being insertable into a respective opening in the flange; wherein, once a given projection has been inserted into a respective opening in the flange, a portion of that projection is caused to assume an orientation by a corresponding formation of the flange, or a portion of the flange is caused to assume an 15 orientation by a corresponding formation of the projection, such that removal of that projection from the opening is resisted.

2. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each projection comprises a portion that is deflectable relative to a remainder of the projection by the 20 corresponding formation of the flange such that, once inserted into the opening, the formation maintains the portion in a deflected orientation to thereby resist projection removal from the opening.

3. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein once deflected, the 25 deflectable portion typically assumes a locking position whereat the projection is locked in and against the flange, thereby locking the closure to the container.

4. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the deflectable portion locks at full insertion of the projection into the opening. 30

5. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the corresponding formation of the flange comprises a discrete protrusion formed within the flange, or is defined by an internal wall of the flange or an external wall of the WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 14 container.

6. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein, once inserted into the opening, the deflectable portion is deflected laterally towards or 5 away from the container wall, and into a latching position with respect to the flange.

7. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein each projection is defined by a tab extending from the skirt, with the deflectable portion then comprising a tongue formed within the tab. 10

8. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tongue is attached along one of its edges to a remainder of the tab to define a tongue hinge.

9. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein, in profile, the 15 tongue has the same thickness as a remainder of the tab, and the protrusion is a boss formed integrally with and projecting out from an inner wall of the flange within the opening, or projects out from an external wall of the container, such that, when the projection is inserted into the opening, the boss engages against the tongue and deflects it into a locking position with respect to the flange. 20

10. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the boss is generally dome-shaped to facilitate tongue movement therepast, or is defined as a ridge.

11. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein, in profile, the 25 tongue has a thickness greater than the remainder of the tab, and the internal wall in the flange opening is located to deflect the tongue into a locking position once the projection has been inserted into the opening.

12. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein the tongue, in 30 profile, tapers outwardly from tongue hinge such that, as the projection is inserted into the opening, the tongue interferes with and is deflected by an internal wall of the flange into a locking position, or interferes with and is deflected by an external wall of the container to cause the tongue to pivot into a locking position. WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 15

13. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of the flange is located adjacent to the corresponding formation of the projection, and each projection comprises a recess or aperture into which the formation of the flange can 5 extend such that, when the projection is inserted into the opening, the formation is first deflected by the projection until it aligns with the recess or aperture and, once so aligned, moves into the recess or aperture such that the projection then resists removal from the flange. 10

14. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein the formation is defined as a latch which, in profile, tapers outwardly from a location adjacent to an entrance to the opening, to a location remote from the opening entrance.

15. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein the remote part of 15 the latch defines a shoulder, with the latch taper facilitating projection movement therepast until the latch aligns with and then moves into the recess or aperture, such that an edge of the recess or aperture latches under the shoulder and locks the projection within the flange. 20

16. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein each projection is defined by a tab extending from the skirt, with the recess or aperture being defined centrally within the tab.

17. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion or 25 corresponding formation is formed at or on the container and projects therefrom to interact with the projection once it has been inserted into the flange opening.

18. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the skirt comprises two or three skirt portions frangibly coupled together, with 30 each projection extending from a distal end of the distal skirt portion.

19. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein three skirt portions are employed, with a middle one of the skirt portions defining a removable tear strip, WO 2006/021034 PCTIAU2005/001267 16 whereby removal of this tear strip frees the closure for removal from the container.

20. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein two skirt portions are employed, with a line of severance being defined between these portions, such 5 severance along this line then frees the closure for removal from the container.

21. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the flange extends peripherally right around the container wall, or is defined as a series of respective discrete flanges corresponding in location to each projection when 10 the closure is mounted to the container.

22. A container-closure arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, in addition to the plurality of projections (at locations other than where the projections are located), the skirt or a distal skirt portion is adapted for fastening at the 15 flange.