MXPA99011275A - Inviolable closure and my manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug indicator closure of an integrally molded plastic construction, characterized in that it comprises: a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for interconnecting external threads on a container termination, a plug indicating band connected by frangible means to one edge of the skirt, and a stop tab extending axially outwardly and radially from the inside of an edge of the remote skirt band, the stop tab having a remote circumferentially continuous edge of the web placed in a parallel plane to the base wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings adjacent to the band and a plurality of circumferentially spaced corners, each of the corners being placed circumferentially between an adjacent pair of openings, the corners operating during the reversal of the flange detention, of an orientation axially outer as molded to an axially inner orientation for use, to absorb compressive stresses on the stop flange and thereby insulating portions of the stop flange surrounding the openings of the compression forces

Description

WINTER CLOSURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with tamper-evident closures (or tamper-evident or tamper-indicating closures), methods of making such closures and a package including such a closure on a container.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is conventional to form an inviolable closure (or indicator of tampering or unauthorized) having a band attached to the skirt of the closure by integral frangible bridges. The band has a retention element (for example, a ridge or cord) that engages with a cord that is on the container to resist unscrewing the closure, such that the separation of the closure breaks the frangible bridges that join the band to the skirt of the closing. The US patent Re 33,265 assigned to the assignee hereby discloses an tamper-evident closure or inviolable closure of this nature, in which the tamper-indicating or tamper-evident band (tamper-evident band) is completely divided or separated from the closure skirt. and remains with the container after separation from the closure of the container. U.S. Patent No. REF: 32248 5,295,600 also assigned to the assignee herein, discloses an tamper-evident closure in which the tamper indicating band remains attached to the closure skirt and is removed from the container with the closure. Although tamper-evident closures or inviolable closures of the types described in the patents indicated have enjoyed substantial commercial success and acceptance in the art, further improvements are still desired. In particular, problems are encountered when this type of closure is used with a container in so-called wet finishing applications, in which the liquid may spill during or after the filling operation on the outer surface of the container finish to be arranged between the end of the container and the skirt of the container after the. application of the lid. Wet finishing situations of this type are encountered during hot fill, cold fill and aseptic filling situations, in which the containers are filled near the flange or overflow prior to the application of the lid. Wet finishing situations can also be found during filling operations in which the liquid can drip from the filling machinery over the finished container. In wet finishing situations of this type, problems are encountered in connection with the draining and drying of the area between the external surface of the container finish and the skirt of the closure, for example between the threads in the container finish and the skirt and around the tamper indicating band and the retention element. The liquid trapped in this area can result in the growth of fungi and ildiú. It is a general object of the present invention to provide a closure and manufacturing method that facilitate the draining of liquid products after application of the lid and an improved air flow between the closure and the container finish for drying after application. from the top. Another related object of the present invention is to provide a closure and manufacturing method that obtains the above objects while retaining the advantages of the closures described in the patents indicated above in terms of ease of application to the container finish after filling (load lower upper and lower temperature) and total or partial rupture of the indicator band-tampering of the closure skirt to provide the tamper-indicating characteristic. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a package that includes a closure and a container that is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with wet finishing applications as described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An tamper-evident closure or tamper-evident indicator of integrally molded plastic construction in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments of the invention includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for engagement with external threads. that are on a finished container. A tamper indicating band or tamper-evident band is attached to the edge of the skirt by frangible elements such as a plurality of integral frangible bridges spaced circumferentially. A retaining flange extends axially outwardly and radially inwardly from an edge of the band remote from the skirt for its inversion and engagement with a bead lying on the container finish. The retaining lip has a circumferentially continuous free edge remote from the web, disposed in a plane parallel to the base wall. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures are disposed in the rim of the web. retention adjacent to the band for draining the liquid between the closure skirt and the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced V-cuts are disposed in the retaining flange at the free edge of the rim, each V-cut is disposed circumferentially between an adjacent pair of drain openings. The V-cuts operate during the reversal of the retaining flange, from an axially outward orientation, such as is molded, to an axially inward orientation for use, to absorb the compressive stresses on the retaining flange and to isolate thereby portions of the retention flange that surround the drainage openings of such compression efforts. The V-cuts also work immediately after the inversion of the retention flange to maintain the geometry of the openings and thereby promote the drainage of the liquid during use. The inverted relief V cuts are preferably on the outer surface of the retaining flange (before inversion) and are circumferentially uniform in dimension to the retaining flange. The thickness of the retention flange between the inverted relief V cuts increases from the tamper indicating band to the free edge of the retention flange, while the thickness of the retention flange below the V cuts is uniform. Thus, the V-cuts increase in depth radially towards the free edge of the retaining flange. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the V-cuts are in the form of cavities or enclosures arranged on the external surface of the retention flange opening (before inversion) on the free edge of the retention flange. The dimension of the V-cuts radially and axially along the surface of the retaining flange is about half or less than the overall dimension of the retaining flange. In a modified embodiment of the invention, the V-cuts comprise channels extending axially and radially along the surface of the retaining flange between the free edge and the band. The circumferential dimension of each cut in V is less than the circumferential spacing between the drainage openings and is of the order of one third of such circumferential dimension. The drainage openings in the retaining flange can be rectangular in shape (in which square ones are included), semicircular or triangular. The drainage openings are arranged in the retaining flange adjacent the web and preferably extend radially partially to the web. According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of circumferentially spaced ears or projections extend radially inwardly of the closure skirt for an opposite radial splice with the cord lying on the container finish. A) Yes, the protrusions or ears separate the skirt of the bead from the container to promote drainage of the liquid between the container finish and the skirt of the container and allow the free passage of drying air to the region between the container finish and the skirt of the container. container. This aspect of the invention is useful in connection with fasteners having a retention element either in the form of a flange such as the US patent indicated above Re 33, 265 or in the form of a cord as illustrated in U.S. Patents 4,322,009 and 4,432,461, both assigned to the assignee hereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, together with objects, features and additional advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container and closure package according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the termination of the container and closure in the package of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of the closure in the package of Figures 1 and 2, as it is molded, that is, prior to the reversal of the retaining ring; Figure 3A is a fragmentary sectional view of the portion of the closure within the circle 3A in Figure 3; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the closure illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation view, on an enlarged scale, of a drainage opening in the retaining ring of the closure of Figures 3 and 4, taken from the direction 5 in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the closure illustrated in Figures 3-6, illustrating an inverted relief V cut taken from the direction 7 in Figure 3; Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 in Figure 7; Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are fragmentary perspective views of the tamper indicating band of the closure and retaining ring according to respective preferred embodiments of the invention; Figure 15 is a partially sectioned elevation view similar to that of Figure 3, but showing a modified embodiment of the invention; Figure 15A is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the closure illustrated in Figure 15; Figure 15B is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of Figure 8, but illustrating the embodiment of Figures 15 and 15A; Figure 16 is a partially raised view sectioned similar to that of Figures 3 and 15, but showing another modified embodiment of the invention; and Figure 16A is a view similar to that of Figure 3A, but showing the portion of the closure of Figure 16 within the circle 16A. •fifteen DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures 1-3 illustrate a package 20 according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, which comprises a container 22 of molded glass or plastic construction and an inviolable closure 24 or tamper-indicating indicator threaded thereon. The container 22 has a finish 26 extending axially to receive the closure 24. The closure 24 has a base wall 30 on which a sealing liner 32 is secured. An annular peripheral skirt 34 extends downwardly from the base wall 30 of the closure and has internal threads 36 to secure the closure 24 on external threads 28 of the container 22. (Adjectives of direction, such as "down" are taken with reference to the vertical orientation of the container and closure illustrated in Figures 1 and 2). An tamper-evident tamper evident band 38 is secured to the lower end of the skirt 34, separated therefrom by a circumferential scraping 40. The tamper indicating band 38 is thus coupled to the skirt 34 of the closure by a circumferentially spaced arrangement of frangible bridges. 41 (figures 2 and 3). The bridges 41 are preferably formed during the slag operation, as described in the patents referred to above. Alternatively, the bridges can be molded on the inner surface of the skirt 34 and the band 38, as shown in U.S. Patents 4,407,422 and 4,418,828. Alternatively, but less preferable, the band 38 may be attached to the skirt 34 by a thin frangible reinforcement molded integrally with the closure. A retaining flange 42 extends radially inwardly and axially upwardly (Figure 2) from the lower end of the band 38 to a position below a cord 44 extending radially outwardly over the container 22 below the threads 28. The cord 44 is sometimes called the transfer cord of the container or the cord "A", referring to the fact that the cord 44 defines a dimension "A" of the container finish. The retaining flange 42 is preferentially swelled radially inwardly from the web 38, which is thinner at the integral junction with the web 38 and thicker at the free edge that is connected to the bead of the container. The closure 24 can be injection molded or compression molded as taught in U.S. Patent 5,554,327. The liner 32 can be formed separately or more preferably molded by in situ compression into a preformed closure as described in U.S. Patents 4,984,703 and 5,451,360. U.S. Patents 5,488,888, 5,522,293 and 5,564,319 disclose techniques for forming slag or dividing line 40 and bridges 41 in the slagging operation. U.S. Patents 5,755,347 and Re 33,265 disclose techniques for inverting the configuration retaining rim 42 as molded from Figure 3 to the configuration of Figure 2 prepared for use. All patents indicated herein, assigned to the assignee hereof, are incorporated by reference herein for purposes of background. Figures 3-8 describe closure 24 as molded, prior to inversion of retaining flange 42, formation of dividing line 40 and molding of liner 32. A circumferential arrangement of axially extending projections or ears 50 are formed on the radially inner surface of the skirt 34 during the integral molding operation and extend radially inwardly of the skirt surface. In the embodiment of Figures 3-8, the ears or projections 50 are formed in the conical portion of the skirt 34 below the threads 36 and above the band 38, in a position such that the lower ends of the projections 50 do not they are intersected or cut by the divider line 40. As best seen in Figure 3A, the projections 50 effectively form an axial extension of the upper portion of the skirt 34 and are arranged for a radial splice with the cord 44 on the finish 26 of the container as illustrated in figure 2.. Thus, the projections 50 ensure that the skirt 34 remains radially spaced from the cord 44, so long as the area between the circumferentially spaced projections is free for drainage of the liquid from between the closure and the threads of the finish and for the air intake of the container. drying As an additional feature that is best seen in Figure 4, the projections 50 also cooperate with the retaining ring 42 when the latter is inverted and pressed against the opposite surface of the band 38 to form a splice surface for the backing tooling. during the formation of the divider line 40. In a 48 mm closure (standard finished size) according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-8, there are twenty-four projections 50 having centers spaced at 15 °. . Each projection 50 has a preferred circumferential dimension of 0.1524 cm (0.060 inches). The spacing between the surfaces of the diametrically opposed projections is 4,798 cm (1,889 inches) (nominal), compared to a standard "A" dimension for cord 44 of 48.18 or 48.64 mm. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the circumferential dimension of the projections 50 is greater than the axial dimension of the projections. A circumferential array of drainage openings 52 are formed in the retaining flange 42 during the molding operation. The drainage openings 52 are disposed immediately adjacent the inviolable strip 38 and preferably extend radially to the inner surface of the band 38., as best seen in Figure 6. The walls of the edge of the opening in the flange 42 and the band 38 are oriented axially and parallel to each other due to the axial orientation of the tooling of the mold forming the openings. The openings 52 are completely limited by the flange 42 and the band 38. That is, the drain openings 52 do not extend to the free edge 54 of the retaining flange 42 remote from the band 38. Rather, the free edge 54 of the flange The retention is circumferentially continuous and arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the base wall 30 of the closure before the inversion (Figures 3-8) and after the inversion (Figure 2). In the 48 mm embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-8, the drain openings 52 are rectangular, have a radial dimension of 0.1148 cm (0.0452 inches) and a circumferential dimension of 0.4648 cm (0.183 inches). The openings 52 extend 0.0559 cm (0.022 inches) to the band 38, which has a bottom end thickness of 0.1067 cm (0.042 inches). The total radial and axial length of the flange 42, measured from the web 38, is 0.0409 cm (0.0161 inches). The thickness of the flange 42 adjacent the web 38 is 0.033 cm (0.0013 inches) to 0.0318 cm (0.035 inches). A circumferential array of reversed relief V-cuts 56 are disposed around the outer surface of the retaining flange 42. Each V-cut 56 is disposed circumferentially midway between an adjacent pair of drain openings 5-2. The thickness of the retaining flange 42 between the inverted relief cuts V 56 increases between the band 38 and the free edge 54, as previously described. However, as best seen in Figures 7 and 8, the thickness of the retention flange 42 between each V-cut 56 is substantially uniform throughout the length and width of the V-cut, in other words, the depth of cut in V 56 is increased to the free edge 54. When the closure 24 is molded, the plastic material must flow around the mold insertion parts forming the drainage opening 52. This material flow forms a knit or woven line or area in the retaining flange 42 behind each drainage opening 52, which is an area of weakness in which the retaining flange 42 can be broken during the reversal of the retention flange. The purpose of the V-cuts 56 is to form weakened areas in the thinner portions of the retaining flange 42 formed by the V-cuts, which are distorted during inversion due to the compression forces applied to the retaining flange and insulated by this such compressive efforts of the areas surrounding the drainage openings. The inverted relief V-cuts 56 thus help to prevent cracking of the retaining ring under the drain openings during inversion. In addition, the inverted relief V cuts prevent twisting or crushing of the retention flange in the drainage openings following the inversion, thereby ensuring that the entire areas of the openings are available for drainage of the liquid during use. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the V-cuts 56 comprise enclosures or cavities formed in the outer surface of the rim 42 at the free edge 54 (that is, they open to the free edge) and spaced apart from each other. band 38. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there are twelve equally spaced drain openings 52 and twelve equally spaced reversed relief V-cuts 56 disposed about retaining flange 42. V-shaped cuts 56 have circumferential dimensions of 0.152 cm (0.060 inches) at the base of each V cut, which open outward from the base at an angle of 60 °. (All the exemplary dimensions in the application are nominal). The radial / axial dimension of each V cut throughout of the flange surface is 0.157 cm (0.062 inches). The circumferential dimension of each V cut (0.152 cm (0.060 inch)) is thus substantially less than the circumferential dimension between the openings 52 (approximately 0.838 cm (0.33 inch)). It is preferable that the drain openings 56 help to prevent fissuring in the openings 52 as described and helping to maintain the circularity of the retaining flange 42 after inversion Fig. 9 illustrates the tamper indicating band 38 and the retaining flange 42 according to the preferred embodiment described above in the present, which includes rectangular drainage openings 52 and V-shaped cuts 56 of investment relief. Figures 10-14 illustrate associated modified embodiments of the invention. In Figure 10, the retaining flange 42 includes triangular drain openings 52 and no relief cut V-shaped cut. It is believed that a more uniform flow of material can be obtained during the molding operation employing triangular drainage openings 52, such that the weaving or weaving areas of weakness formed at the apex of each opening adjacent the edge 54 of the Retaining flange will be less pronounced and V relief cuts of investment are not necessary. In an exemplary 48 mm embodiment according to Figure 10, there are twelve equally spaced drainage openings 52, each having a radial dimension of 0.157 cm (0.062 inches) (as compared to a radial dimension of the overall retaining flange of 0.396). cm- (0.156 inches)). and the lateral edges at 45 ° angles to the radius. Figure 11 illustrates a retaining flange 42 having a rectangular drain opening 52 but having no relief cut. Figure 12 illustrates a retaining flange 42 having semicircular drain openings 52", each having a diametrical or straight dimension circumferentially oriented to the retaining flange and a semicircular edge extending to the retaining flange. The relief of relief is positioned between each adjacent pair of semicircular drainage openings 52. Figure 13 illustrates an embodiment in which the retaining flange 42 has square drainage openings 52 and has no inverted relief V-cuts. illustrates a modality in which the retaining flange 42 includes semicircular drainage openings 52, again without any reversed relief cut in. It is believed that the plastics material will flow more evenly and uniformly around the semicircular edges of the plugs. of mold forming openings 52, reducing or eliminating the weakness of knitting or weaving line between each drainage opening and the free edge 54 of the retaining flange, such that reversed relief V-cuts 56 may not be required to prevent cracking of the retaining flange beneath the drainage openings in these embodiments. Figures 15, 15A and 15B illustrate a modified closure 24 in accordance with the present invention. The closure 24 is basically the same as the closure described above, with the exception that the drainage slots 60 are provided on the inner diameter of the skirt 34 and the inverted relief cuts V are in the form of channels 56. Each slot 60 is rectangular in geometry, has a longitudinal dimension extending axially along the inner surface of the skirt through the threads of the container. The radial or depth dimension of the grooves 60, as best seen in Figure 15A, is greater than the thickness of the threads 36, such that each drainage groove 60 extends radially to the body of the skirt 34. The purpose of the slots 60 is to promote drainage of the liquid beyond the container and threads of the closure to a position within the band 38 adjacent the retaining flange 42, from which the liquid is drained through the openings 52. The slots 60 they also promote circulation of the drying air in the region of the container and threads of the closure between the container finish and the closure of the container. In an exemplary embodiment of 48 mm, there are nine slots 60 'equally spaced, each having a circumferential dimension of 0.317 cm (0.125 inches). The radial dimension of the slots is 0.0254 cm (0.010 inches) greater than the radius of the inner wall or wall "T" of the closure. The V-shaped slots 56 extend axially and radially along the surface of the flange 42 from the band 38 to the free edge of the band. Figures 16 and 16A illustrate a closure 24 which is basically the same as the closure in Figures 1-8, except that the projections 50 are axially elongated to operate "not only as separating projections with respect to the bead 44 of the container, but also as the frangible bridges that couple the band 38 to the skirt 34. That is, the projections 50 are integrally molded on the inner surface of the skirt 34 and the band 38 as in the previous embodiments and are of elongated axial dimension compared to the previous embodiments to extend across the plane of the dividing line 40. In this way, when the skirt is scoured to form the dividing line 40, which separates the skirt 34 from the band 38, the dividing line intersects but does not fully penetrate the projections 50. Thus, the projections 50 serve as the frangible bridges that connect the skirt 34 to the band 38 and are not requires a two-stage scaling operation.It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the cited invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, it is claimed as property, what is contained in the following claims: 1. An improper tamper indicating closure of integrally molded plastic construction, characterized in that it comprises: a base wall having a peripheral skirt with threaded internal to engage with the external threads of a container finish; a tamper indicating band attached to a skirt edge by a plurality of circumferentially spaced frangible bridges and a retaining flange extending from an edge of the skirt away from the skirt; the retaining flange has a continuous circumferentially continuous free edge of the strip disposed in a plane parallel to the base wall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced V-cuts formed on an outer surface of the retaining flange adjacent to the free edge. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the V-cuts operate during the reversal of the retention flange, from an axially outward orientation to an axially inward orientation to be used to absorb the compressive stresses on the rim of the rim. retention. The closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining flange further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings, the V-cuts operate during the reversal of the retaining ring to isolate portions of the retaining flange surrounding the retaining flanges. openings of compression efforts. 4. The closure in accordance with the claim 3, characterized in that the openings are rectangular, semicircular, have a circumferentially extending diametrical edge of the retaining or triangular rim having a straight edge extending circumferentially to the retaining rim. 5. The closure in accordance with the claim 4, characterized in that the rectangular openings are square. The closure according to claim 4, characterized in that the rectangular openings are non-square, have a longitudinal edge dimension extending circumferentially to the rim and a short edge dimension radially extending to the rim. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the V-cuts are on an external surface of the retaining flange before the inversion of the retaining flange. 8. The closure in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the V-cuts are of identical geometry. 9. The closure in accordance with the claim 8, characterized in that the V-cuts are of uniform dimension circumferentially to the retaining flange. The closure according to claim 9, characterized in that the thickness of the retention flange between the V-cuts increases from the strip to the free edge and where the thickness of the retention flange below the V-cuts is uniform, The closure according to claim 10, characterized in that the V-cuts comprise cavities in the external surface of the flange adjacent to the free edge. The closure according to claim 10, characterized in that the V-cuts comprise channels extending along the outer surface of the free edge to the band. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a plurality of drainage grooves circumferentially spaced in the skirt that extend axially through the internal threads. The closure according to claim 13, characterized in that the drainage grooves have a radial depth greater than that of the internal threads. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions extending radially inwardly from the skirt to a position opposite a radial cord on the container finish to separate the skirt of the skirt. finished, 16. The closure in accordance with the claim 15, characterized in that the projections are molded integrally on an internal surface of the skirt. 17. The closure in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that the frangible bridges are formed by the projections. 18. A package characterized in that it comprises a closure according to any of the preceding claims on a container having a circumferential cord for its engagement by the retaining flange. 19. A method for forming an tamper indicating closure for a container having a termination with external threads and an external thread, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) forming a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for coupling with external threads on a container finish; (b) forming a tamper indicating band attached to one edge of the skirt by a plurality of circumferentially spaced integral frangible bridges, "(c) forming a retaining flange extending from one edge of the band away from the skirt, the flange The retainer has a circumferentially continuous free edge remote from the band disposed in a plane parallel to the base wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings and a plurality of circumferentially spaced V cuts, each disposed between an adjacent pair of the openings and (d) reversing the retaining flange in such a manner that the V-cuts operate to absorb the compression stresses on the flange and to rotate portions of the retention flange that surround the openings of the compressive stresses. with claim 19, characterized in that it comprises the additional step of: (e) forming a plurality ad of circumferentially spaced projections extending radially inwardly from the skirt to a position to be disposed radially outwardly of the skirt to separate the skirt of the cord. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An inviolable closure or tampering indicator of integrally molded plastic construction, including a base wall (30) having a peripheral skirt (34) with internal threading (36) for coupling with internal threads on a finish of the container. A tamper indicating band (38) is attached to the edge of the skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges (41) circumferentially spaced apart. A retaining flange (42) extends from one edge of the band remote from the skirt for engagement with a bead on the container finish. The retaining flange has a circumferentially continuous free edge (54) remote from the band disposed in a plane parallel to the base wall. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings (52) are disposed in the retaining flange adjacent to the band for liquid drainage between the closure skirt and the container finish. A plurality of cuts in V (56) circumferentially spaced on the retaining flange are located at the free edge of the ring, each V-cut is disposed between an adjacent pair of drain openings. The V-cuts operate during the reversal of the retaining flange, from an axially outward orientation as molded to an axially inward orientation for use, to absorb the compressive stresses on the flange and thereby isolate portions of the flange that they surround the drainage openings of such compressive stresses. A plurality of circumferentially spaced projections (50) are molded on the internal surface of the closure for the opposite splice with the cord on the finish to help facilitate drainage between the skirt and the finish.