WO2004007312A1

WO2004007312A1 - Closure for a container

Info

Publication number: WO2004007312A1
Application number: PCT/DK2003/000494
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marike Hermine Bernadet Rupert; Liliana Roman JØRGENSEN
Original assignee: Glud & Marstrand A/S
Priority date: 2002-07-12
Filing date: 2003-07-11
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: AU2003242518A1; EP1546001A1

Abstract

A closure for a first container (50), said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall (52) extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure (58), the side-wall comprising locking means (60) adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure. The closure comprising a cover portion (62) covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion (64) adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means. The closure may further comprise a locking member (66) adapted to be reversibly changed between two positions: a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt.In some embodiments a layer of resilient material extends along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt.

Description

A CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a closure for a container, which comprises a skirt portion adapted to engage with a corrugation on a container, the closure being adapted to disengage the corrugation upon pressure applied on a cover portion of the closure.

Background of the invention

Generally closures can be divided into two main categories. A first category of closures which may be removed from a container by use of a tool and a second category of closures which may be removed from a container by use of two hands.

The first category comprises closures which may be removed by applying a force to the closure by use of a tool e.g. a screwdriver. The screwdriver may be inserted into a channel between the closure and the container and by twisting the tool the closure is loosened and can be removed.

The twisting movement of the tool may damage the closures so that a tight seal between the closure and the container may not be obtained when the closures has been removed a number of times. Thus a product held in the container may be damaged due to e.g. oxidation. If paint is held in the container the paint may dry or loose its ability to stick to a surface. If food is held in the container the food may be exposed to bacteria.

The second category comprises closures which may be removed by use of two hands. The closure comprises a skirt which when flipped disengage a corrugation in the container and thus allows removal of the closure.

Thus none of the two categories of closures enables a user to remove the closure by use of only one hand, which is desirable in situations where e.g. a painter or a bricklayer is holding tools in another hand.

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a closure for a container which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages. Furthermore it is an object of an embodiment to provide a container which does not open by accident.

A further object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a closure which the user does not cut his fingers on. An additional object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a closure wherein a part of the closure is protected from corrosion. One other object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a closure and a can which are shaped such that stacking of a second container is possible, thus making packing of a plurality of containers possible.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is also to provide container which is substantially air and/or liquid tight such that a container e.g. may be used for paint or other substances which deteriorate when exposed to air.

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a closure system which is closed mechanically and wherein application of heat is not needed when closing the system.

Description of the invention

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

- a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and

- a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for - peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means,

the closure further comprising a locking member adapted to be reversibly changed between two positions:

- a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt.

According to a second aspect the present invention relates to a closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure the closure comprising

a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and - a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, and

- a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt.

According to a third aspect the present invention relates to a closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for - peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means,

wherein the closure further comprises stacking supporting means adapted to support stacking of a second container on top of the closure by limiting movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the skirt portion of the closure.

According to a fourth aspect the presenet invention relates to a closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising - a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and

- a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for

- peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and

- peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means,

wherein the closure and/or the first container comprises sealing means adapted to provide a substantially tight closure between the closure and the first container.

In the following elements and features of the first, second, third and fourth aspect of the present invention will be described in further detail.

In one embodiment the cover portion is substantial planar such that when the lugs are pushed inwardly the cover portion remains substantially planer. In said embodiment the skirt will not expand upon pressure applied on the cover portion. However when the pressure applied inwardly to the skirt is removed, the skirt will expand. In a second embodiment the cover portion is convex when the skirt is in the contracted position. When pressure is applied to the convex surface of the cover portion, said cover portion will change to a concave position wherein the skirt is in the expanded position.

The cover portion of the closure may be shaped so as to cover the entire opening of the container, thus ensuring that fluids or objects held in the container are kept in the container even if the container is placed upside down. The cover may also be shaped so as to cover only a part of the container. The cover may e.g. be shaped with holes so that fluids or elements held in the container can be dosed in a desired dose when the container is held upside down. In an embodiment the cover may be shaped so as to enable dosing of salt or corn or grain or cereals or spices such as pepper. The shape of the closure may be circular or elliptic or quadrangular.

The skirt portion may comprise a plurality of slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs. The width of the slits i.e. the distance between the lugs, may be equal for all slits but may also vary so that a first slit is wider than a second slit. The slits may be distributed evenly along the skirt portion but may also be unevenly distributed. In an embodiment the width of the slits may vary so that the lugs are arranged in groups such as in groups of two slits, such as in groups of three slits, such as in groups of four slits, such as in groups of five slits. The lugs may have different heights and/or widths. When the lugs engage with the corrugation the pressure applied from the lugs to the wall of the container may be equal but the pressure may also be different from lug to lug. In an embodiment every second lug may apply a first pressure to the wall of the container and every other lug may apply a second pressure to the wall of the container.

The lugs may provide for a peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure inwardly applied on the skirt portion i.e. in a direction transverse to the outer wall of the container. When such pressure is applied to the lugs, said lugs may be moved to a position where the lugs engage the corrugation of the container. The lugs may be released from the engaging position upon pressure applied on the cover portion, the pressure being applied in a direction substantially towards the centre of gravity of the container. When such pressure is applied to the cover portion the lugs may disengage the corrugation of the container.

In an embodiment the closure may comprise a locking member for locking the lugs in the position wherein they engage the locking means. The locking member may be shaped so that the closure can not be removed from the container without removing the locking member from the closure. One advantage of the locking member is that the container may be dropped from an elevated position without releasing the lugs from the engaging position. The elevated position may be more than 50 cm above a surface, such as 100 cm above a surface, such as at least 150 cm above a surface, such as at least 200 cm above a surface, such as at least 250 cm above a surface, such as at least 300 cm above a surface, such as at least 350 cm above a surface, such as at least 400 cm above a surface, such as at least 500 cm above a surface, such as at least 1.000 cm above a surface. In an embodiment the locking member is designed so that the container may be dropped from en elevated position of 1800 cm or 1200 cm or 800 cm and thus the container may fulfil the requirements of UN-approval. When the container is dropped it may strike the target or ground on the side or on a corner of the container.

In an embodiment the locking member may be adapted to be positioned in two positions. A first position allowing peripheral expansion of the skirt and a second position preventing peripheral expansion of the skirt. Furthermore the locking member may be divided into a first and second levelled positioned part, the first part covering the lugs when the member is in the first position and the second part covering the lugs when the member is in the second position. The circumference of the first part may be larger than the circumference of the second part. The advantage of such an embodiment is that the locking member covers the lugs and thus minimises damage of said lugs. The size of the internal circumference of the second part of the locking member may be substantially equal to or bigger than the size of a circumference of a circle defined by the outer surface of the lugs, when the inner surface of the lugs engage with the corrugation.

The size of the internal circumference of the first part of the locking member may be substantially equal to or bigger than the size of a circumference of a circle defined by the outer surface of the lugs, when the inner surface of the lugs does not engage with the outer surface of the container.

The first and the second part may be made of two different materials but may also be made from the same materials. In an embodiment the first part is made of an expansible material and the second part is made of a non-expansible material. The expansive material may be rubber or leather or silicone.

In one embodiment the locking member may be releasably mounted to the closure, e.g. so that the locking member may be removed from the closure. In another embodiment the locking member may be non-releasably mounted to the closure, e.g. so that the locking member may not be removed without damaging the lugs.

The closure may be made of paper and/or cardboard and/or rubber and/or wood and/or metal and/or alloys and/or composites and/or leather and/or silicone and/or plastic, such as PP, PA, PMMA, PC, PELD, PEHD, PET or elastomers or polymers or rubber or metal or composites or wood or leather or cardboard or paper or any combination thereof. In an embodiment the closure may be made of metal and provided with an elastic material on the inner surface such that the closure may be changed between the two positions.

The material of which the closure is made may contain a colour on the outer surface e.g. for indication of the colour of a paint contained in the container or for indication of a code relating to the danger of the material contained in the container or a code relating to the product type contained in the container. In an embodiment the colour may be integrated in the material of the locking member e.g. by use of coloured plastic.

In an embodiment the locking member may be made of a rubber material or any other flexible material. As the locking member is flexible it may extend from the closure and to a position where it engages the side-wall of the container. This provides the advantage that the locking member may not be lost as it either is positioned around the closure or around the container.

The locking member may comprise one or more attachment arms, which may be mounted to a surface and/or the side of the cover. The attachment arms may be made of the same material as the locking member but may also be made of another material e.g. an elastic material. In an embodiment the arms may be mounted by means of glue or by rivets or heat sealed or welded. The locking member may comprise at least one handgrip which may allow a user to move the member from the first to the second position or vice versa

The locking member may be adapted to be changed between the two positions a plurality of times such as 1000 times or 1 million times. This may be done by providing the locking member with a hard-wearing material or by making the locking member of a hard-wearing material.

The locking member may be adapted to be changed from the locking position to the unlocking position and back to the locking position. Thus, it may be possible for a user of the container to open the container and close it air tight again. For instance, if the container is filled with paint, the paint may be preserved over a long period as it does not dry.

In an embodiment at least a part of the locking member may be resilient so as to allow changing between the locking position and the un-locking position by means of finger pressure. This means that the closure may be locked and unlocked without the use of tools. For instance, it is not necessary to use a screw driver to open the closure end or a hammer to fit the closure to the container again. It may be possible to remove the locking member with one hand and with two hands.

At least a part of the cross sectional shape of the locking member may be curved. For instance, at least a part of the cross sectional shape of the locking member may be concave and/or convex. Furthermore the locking member may comprise a locking and an un-locking levelled interconnected part,

- the locking part covering the lugs when the locking member is in the locked position and

- the un-locking part covering the lugs when the locking member is in the un-locked position.

The inner surfaces of the locking part and the un-locking part may be curved in substantially the same shape as the outer part of the skirt portion. The locking part and the un-locking part may, for instance, both be concave while the skirt portion is convex and vice versa.

In an embodiment the circumference of at least a part of the un-locking part is larger than the circumference of at least a part of the locking part. As an example both the un-locking part and the locking part may be concave such that the surfaces are bending inwardly from two edge points to an inner point of the concave part. One edge point of the locking part and one edge point from the un-locking part may be positioned close to each other and thus the inner point of the locking part may have a larger circumference than an edge point of the un-locking part. Furthermore the inner point of the un-locking part may have a larger circumference than an edge point of the locking part.

At least a part of the cross-sectional shape of the locking part and/or un-locking part may be curved. The cross-sectional shape of the locking part and the un-locking part may form an s-shape. The locking part and/or the un-locking part may be expansible. Thus when the locking member is changed between the locking position and the un-locking position at least a part of the locking member may expand. Accordingly, a certain amount of force must be applied to the locking member in order to change between the two positions. The locking part and/or the un-locking part may in another embodiment be non-expansible.

In an embodiment the locking member may be adapted to be changed from a locked position to an un-locked position in such a way that the locking member may not again be positioned in the locking position. This may make it possible to detect if the container has been opened. In another embodiment the locking member may be changed back to the locking position.

The locking member may be adapted to be changed from an un-locked position to a locked position. Thus it is possible to for e.g. a sales man in a paint shop to fill the container with the paint which the consumer desires and afterwards lock the container. The system may also make it possible to deposit material or liquids in the container which are to be kept away form e.g. children.

In an embodiment the closure may comprise a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt. The material may be attached to the edges of the lugs so as to protect the use of the closure from sharp edges. Furthermore the resilient material may be attached between the lugs so as to adapt the closure to containing e.g. a liquid when said container is placed upside down. Thus the closure may be used for dosing a material or a liquid in the container e.g. dosing a detergent. In another embodiment the layer of resilient material cover at least the slits and the lugs. In the latter embodiment the resilient material may be coloured e.g. so as to mark the colour of paint contained in the container.

The resilient material may be a rubber such as a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber or modified high polymer with elastic properties. The resilient material may enable movement of the lugs when both lugs and slits are covered by said resilient material. In another embodiment the resilient material may be adapted to force the lugs in the engaging position.

The layer of resilient material may cover at least the slits and the lugs. The resilient layer may cover the entire closure but could also cover only the slits or only the lugs or only a part of the slits and/or the lugs. The resilient material may be a rubber material such as a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber or modified high polymer with elastic properties. The rubber material may also be latex.

The resilient material may cover at least a part of the closure so as to inhibit corrosion in at least a part of the closure and/or the first container and/or the second container. The area of application of the resilient material may comprise a metal material and thus by application of the resilient material the metal is not exposed to air. Furthermore if the resilient material is applied to the skirt of the closure, the area that said skirt engages on the container is also not exposed to air and is thus protected from corrosion. An advantage of the resilient material may be that said resilient material covers sharp edges on the closure and thus protects the user from cuts e.g. in the fingers.

In one embodiment of the present invention the resilient material is adapted to provide a seal between the closure and the first container. The seal may be combined with other seals on the container.

In embodiments wherein the resilient material is applied to the skirt the resilient material may be expandable so as to allow expansion of the skirt. Thus when the skirt is expanded the distance between the lugs may change and the resilient material may be adapted to cope with said change in distance.

Furthermore the closure may comprise a locking member for locking the lugs in the position wherein they engage the corrugation.

The closure may further comprise stacking supporting means adapted to support stacking of a second container on top of the closure by limiting movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the skirt portion of the closure. The container may be limited in a direction perpendicular to a normal of the closure but may also be limited in a specific direction or a specific angle in relation to a normal of the closure.

The stacking supporting means may be adapted to engage at least a part of a bottom part of the second container. The stacking supporting means may engage a side-wall in the lower part of the container or the bottom part it self. If the second container comprises a wall part extending in a direction parallel to a normal of the bottom part of the container the stacking supporting means may be adapted to engage said wall part.

The stacking supporting means may be comprised in the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking means. The stacking supporting means and the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking means may be made of the same material. For instance, the skirt portion and the stacking supporting means may be moulded into one piece. In another embodiment the stacking supporting means may be attached to the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking means. The stacking supporting means may be glued to the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking means, but could also be attached by means of a snap-lock or other attachment means. As an example, the stacking supporting means may be provided during the deep-drawing or stamping process of making the closure, i.e. the stacking supporting means may be constituted by one or more depressions or groves in the cover portion of the closure, either extending in a direction towards the container or away from the container when the closure is fitted to the container. As another example, the staking supporting means is constituted by one or more separate components glued, adhesively bonded, welded or in any other way fastened to the outer surface of the closure, i.e. to a surface facing away from the container, when the closure is fitted to the container.

At least a part of the surface of the stacking supporting means may have adhesive properties. This may make it possible to elevate the second container while at the same time elevating the first container as it sticks to the second container. The adhesive properties may also make it possible to stick the cover to the side of a container when the cover is removed. This may ensure that the user of the container and cover does not loose the cover, as the user always knows where the cover is.

The stacking supporting means and the second container may be adapted to be attached to each other by means of a locking attachment. As an example the locking attachment may comprise a snap-lock attachment. Thus the first container including the closure may be attached to the second container. This may enable sales of products wherein two components are needed but may not be mixed unless it is about to be used. As an example a hardener or an accelerator could be provided in the second container, which must be mixed with the product in the first container in order to provide a desired material e.g. an epoxy material. Other examples could be food products that must be mixed in order to obtain a meal.

The stacking supporting means may extend from an upper surface of the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking means, thus being parallel to a normal of the upper surface, but could also be transverse to said normal. The stacking supporting means may be made from an elastic material and thus when a second container is pressed into the stacking supporting means a groove may be formed in the stacking supporting means. Said groove may engage a part of the second container.

In an embodiment the stacking supporting means may be adapted for stacking of containers having different circumferential sizes and/or different cross-sectional shapes. Thus the same stacking supporting means may be adapted to stacking of circular containers and quadrangular containers but could also be adapted to stacking of e.g. two substantially round containers with different radii.

The stacking supporting means may comprise a plurality of concentric stacking supporting means, adapted for containers having different circumferential sizes and/or different cross sectional shapes. Said shapes may be round or quadrangular or triangular or another polygonal shape. The stacking supporting means may comprise a plurality of points extending from the surface of the closure. The stacking supporting means may comprise one point or two points or three points or four points or five points or six points or seven points or eight points or nine points or ten points. The points may form a polygon or a circle or any other shape. The stacking supporting means may comprise a plurality of points extending from the surface of the cover portion.

The stacking supporting means may limit movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the cover portion when the second container is placed in a locking position. The stacking supporting means may comprise circumferential inwardly or outwardly extending track adapted to engage with a corresponding protrusion of the second container or vice versa. The track of the stacking supporting means may also be adapted to engage a track in the second container. The stacking supporting means and the second container may both comprise a protrusion adapted to engage each other. At least one of the track and the protrusion may be a thread, such as a screw thread such as a square thread, such as a multiplex thread, such as a right-handed thread, such as a left-handed thread such as a internal thread or a female thread such as a metric thread.

In one embodiment at least a part of the stacking supporting means may extend a first distance over a plane defined by an upper surface of the first container. Thus even though the stacking supporting means is provided on the closure a part of it may extend over the aforementioned plane. In some embodiment the majority or all of the stacking supporting means is provided over the said plane. Accordingly in said embodiment the stacking supporting means may not be provided as a depression on the closure extending into the opening of the first container. The first distance may be between 0,1 mm and 50 mm, such as between 0,5 mm and 30 mm, such as between 0,7 mm and 20 mm, such as between 1 mm and 10 mm, such as between 3 and 7 mm. A part of the stacking supporting means may be provided in one distance over said plane while another is provided in another distance.

The a bottom part of the second container i.e. the container stacked on the closure of the first container may be positioned above a plane defined by an upper surface of the first container, when said second container is in a stacked position.

The stacking supporting means may comprise a flexible material comprising plastic and/or rubber. Thus when the closure is moved between the contracted and expanded position wherein the skirt engages and disengages the container respectively, the stacking supporting means when provided on the surface of the closure may be able to cope with the change in the shape of the surface of the closure. Accordingly the stacking supporting means when provided on the surface of the closure is adapted to cope with the change from the convex to the concave shape of the upper surface of the closure.

In one embodiment at least a part of an upper surface of the cover portion is convex when the skirt is in the contracted position, and wherein at least a part of an upper surface of the cover portion is concave when the skirt is in the expanded position. The closure may comprise a surface relief such as a hologram e.g. comprising a picture, a symbol or grating. When the closure is in the convex position the hologram may show one picture and when the closure is in the concave position the hologram may show a different picture.

The closure may comprise a metal material and/or composites and/or a plastic material, (such as any kind of plastic mentioned previously in this application) or any combination thereof. In one embodiment at least a part of the skirt may comprise a plastic material and at least a part of the cover portion may comprise a metal material. As an example the lugs may be made of a plastic material and the rest of the closure may be made of a metal material.

In an embodiment the cover may comprise sealing means for providing a substantially tight closure between the cover and the container. The sealing means may be adapted to allow gasses to pass in only one direction e.g. the sealing means may be adapted to allow diffusion of gasses from the inside of the container to the outside. The sealing means may comprise a plurality of different sealing means adapted to seal different types of fluids.

The sealing means may comprise at least one compound positioned on an inner side of the cover, and which is adapted to engage a surface of the container. For instance, the compound may be adapted to engage the locking means. The locking means may be a corrugation or a curl portion or a bead portion. A part of the container different from the locking means may also comprise a curl portion or a corrugation or a bead portion which the compound may engage. In another embodiment the sealing means may comprise a compound positioned on at least a part of the container which is adapted to engage with the cover, e.g. the sealing means may be positioned on the locking member or a curl portion or a bead portion or a corrugation.

The container may be adapted to contain food such as cookies, such as soups, such as sauces, such as meat, such as dough, such as butter e.g. peanut butter or garlic butter, such as margarine made from animal and/or vegetable oils and/or fat. In another embodiment the container may be adapted to contain solvents or paints or dangerous goods or other liquids.

According to one embodiment the invention relates to a closure arrangement for a container, said closure arrangement comprising a closure and a locking member, the container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by the closure, the side-wall comprising a locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure the closure comprising a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for, peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and, peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, the locking member being adapted for an un-locking position allowing the peripheral expansion of the skirt and a locking position preventing the peripheral expansion of the skirt, the locking member being fixed to the closure when the locking member is in the un-locking position.

Another embodiment relates to a storage arrangement comprising a closure arrangement and a container, the closure arrangement comprising a closure and a locking member, the container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by the closure, the side-wall comprising a locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure the closure comprising a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, the locking member being adapted for an un-locking position allowing the peripheral expansion of the skirt and a locking position preventing the peripheral expansion of the skirt, the locking member being fixed to the closure or the container when the locking member is in the un-locking position.

According to yet another embodiment the invention relates to a closure for a container, said container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure the closure comprising a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, wherein the closure and/or the container comprises sealing means for providing a substantially tight closure between the closure and the container.

The sealing means may be provided in the cover portion and/or in the skirt portion and/or at the slits. The sealing means may be provided on the container and/or on the closure. The sealing means may be applied to the container and/or the closure be means of injection moulding and/or dipping and/or spaying. The sealing means may be provided and then glued or heat-sealed to the closure and/or the closure. The material which the sealing means is made of may be selected from the same group of materials as the those which may be used for the layer of resilient material according to the fifth aspect of the invention. In some embodiments the layer resilient material and the sealing means may be made of the same material while in others they may be made of different materials.

The inventions according to the first, second and/or third aspect may be combined in any way and may further comprise any of the features and elements according to the fourth and/or fifth aspect of the invention.

In a fifth aspect the invention relates to a method of releasing a closure from a container having a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part and terminating in a curl portion encircling an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising at least one corrugation,

the closure comprising: a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for a peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure inwardly applied on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said corrugation and for a peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said corrugation and, - a locking member for locking the lugs in the position wherein they engage the corrugation,

the method comprising:

pulling the locking member in a first direction while simultaneously applying, in a direction substantially opposite to said first direction, a pressure on the cover portion, so as to release the closure from the container in one continuous movement.

In an embodiment the locking member may be unlocked using only one hand e.g. the thumb and the index finger on one hand. In another embodiment the locking member may only be removed using two hands e.g. the thumb and the index finger of each hand.

The invention according to the fifth aspect of the invention may further comprise any of the features and elements according to the first aspect and/or the second aspect and/or the third aspect and/or the fourth aspect and/or the sixth aspect of the invention.

In a sixth aspect the invention relates to a method for producing a closure for a container having a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part and terminating in a curl portion encircling an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising at least one corrugation,

the closure comprising:

- a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for a peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure inwardly applied on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said corrugation and for a peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said corrugation and, - a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt,

the method comprising:

- providing a closure comprising

- a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and

- a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for a peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure inwardly applied on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said corrugation and for a peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said corrugation and,

- applying the resilient material to a least a part of the closure.

The resilient material may be applied to the closure by introducing at least a part of the closure into said resilient material. This may be done by heating the resilient material to a temperature where it is in a liquid form and afterwards introduce the closure into the resilient material. Afterwards the closure may be cooled down to a temperature where the resilient material is in a solid state. The resilient material may be applied by lowering at least a part of the closure a resilient material, said material being in liquid form.

At least a part of the lugs may be lowered into a resilient material, said material being in liquid form, but the closure may also be lowered such that the resilient material covers the entire surface of each lug. In an embodiment the resilient material may be sprayed onto at least a part of the closure. Furthermore in one embodiment the resilient material may be moulded onto at least a part of the closure. This may be done by means of injection moulding.

The invention according to the sixth aspect of the invention may further comprise any of the features and elements according to the first aspect and/or the second aspect and/or the third aspect and/or the fourth aspect and/or fifth aspect of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention An embodiment of the invention will now be described in details with reference to the drawing in which:

Figs. 1-2 show the locking member comprising a first and second levelled interconnected part, Figs. 3-10 show a closure with a locking member for locking the lugs in the position wherein they engage the corrugation,

Fig. 11 shows a locking member with three attachment arms mounted to a surface of the cover portion, and Figs. 12-19 show locking members comprising parts movable in relating to each other so as to change the locking member between the locking and un-locking position.

Best mode of carrying out the invention

Fig. 1 shows a container 50 with a side-wall 52 terminating in a curl portion 54 encircling the opening 56 to be closed by a closure 58. The wall comprises a corrugation 60. The closure 58 comprises a cover portion 62 and a skirt portion 64. In fig. 1 the closure 58 is positioned in a position where the skirt portion 64 engage the corrugation 60. A locking member 66 locks the skirt portion 64 in the engaging position. In fig. 1 the locking member 66 is positioned in a second position thus the locking member 66 prevents peripheral expansion of the skirt portion 64. The locking member comprises a first levelled part 68 and second levelled part 70, the first levelled part 68 and the second levelled part 70 are interconnected. The second levelled part 70 covers the skirt portion 64 when the locking member 66 is placed in the second position. Furthermore the locking member 66 comprises a stacking supporting means 71 adapted to limit movement of a second container in a direction transverse to a normal of the cover portion 62.

Fig. 2 is substantially identical to fig 1, but in fig. 2 the locking member 66 is positioned in a first position allowing peripheral expansion of the skirt portion 64.

Fig. 3 shows a container 50 with a side-wall 52 extending from a bottom 72. The container 50 is closed by a closure 58 comprising a cover portion 62 and a skirt portion 64 as shown in e.g. fig. 1 and 2. A locking member 66 locks the closure 58 in the second position thus the locking member 66 prevents peripheral expansion of the skirt portion 64. The locking member 66 comprises a plurality of handgrips 74 allowing a user to move the locking member 66 from the first to the second position or vice versa. The locking member 66 also comprises a stacking supporting means 71.

Fig. 4 shows a container 50 with a side-wall 52 termination in a curl portion 54 encircling the opening 56. The wall comprises a corrugation 60 adapted to be engaged by a skirt portion 64 of the closure 58. The skirt portion 64 is covered by a layer of resilient material 76 extending along and covering the outer surface of the skirt. The locking member 66 comprises a plurality of handgrips 74 and a stacking supporting means 71. Fig. 5 shows a locking member 66 comprising a plurality of handgrips 74 and a stacking supporting means 71. The locking member 66 is adapted to lock the closure 58 of fig. 6. The closure comprises a cover portion 62 and a skirt portion 64 having slits 78 dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs 80. The lugs are not shown in fig. 6 but are disclosed in fig. 7, 9 and 10. The closure 58 comprises sealing means and in the embodiment shown in fig. 6 the sealing means is a compound 82 positioned on an inner side of the cover portion 62. The compound 82 is adapted to engage a surface 84 of the curl portion 54. The skirt portion 64 of the closure 58 is covered by a resilient material 76. According to one embodiment of the invention a closure may be provided comprising the sealing means, but without the locking member. Most of the above mentioned features may be understood more easily when looking at Fig. 9 which shows a container with a closure in perspective view.

In fig. 7 the locking member 66 is placed in the second position thus preventing peripheral expansion of the skirt portion 64. The skirt portion 64 comprises a plurality of slits 78 (see fig 6.) dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs 80. The skirt portion 64 is covered by a resilient material 76. The locking member comprises a plurality of handgrips 74 and a stacking supporting means 71. The closure 58 comprises a cover portion 62, on which a compound 82 is positioned on the inner side. The compound engage with a surface 84 of the curl portion 54 of the container 50. According to one embodiment of the invention the closure may be provided with the compound, but without the locking member.

Fig. 8 shows a container 50 with a side-wall 52 terminating in a curl portion 54 and having a corrugation 60. A closure 58 comprising a cover portion 62 comprises a skirt portion 64 which is divided into a plurality of slits 78 and lugs 80, as shows in fig. 7. The skirt portion is covered by a resilient layer 76, which in an embodiment may serve as the sealing means so that a seal is established between the resilient layer 76 and the surface 84, when the skirt portion 64 of the closure 58 is positioned in the engaging position. In said position the closure 58 may be locked by a locking member comprising a plurality of handgrips 74 and a stacking supporting means 71.

Figure 9 and 10 show a container 50 having a side-wall 52 extending from a bottom 72 and terminating in a curl portion 54 as shown in e.g. fig. 7. A closure 58 comprises a cover portion 62 and a skirt portion 64. The skirt portion having a plurality of slits 78 and lugs 80. The skirt portion is covered by a resilient material 76. A locking member 66 comprises a plurality of handgrips 74 and a stacking supporting means 71.

In fig. 11 is shown a container 50 having a side-wall 52 extending from a bottom 72 and terminating in a curl portion 54 as shown in e.g. fig 7. A closure 58 having a cover portion 62 and a skirt portion 64 as shown in e.g. fig 9 and 10 is placed on the container 50. The closure is kept in the second position by a locking member 66 having a plurality of handgrips 74 and a plurality of attachment arms 86. Furthermore the locking member 66 comprises a stacking supporting means 71.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a closure 58 comprising a cover portion 62 and a skirt portion 64. A locking member 66 comprises a first part 88 and a second part 90 movable in relation to each other. In fig. 12 the locking member 66 is in the un-locking position as the second part 90 is driven in between the two ends 92 of the first part 88 and thus enlarges the inner diameter of the locking member. In fig. 13 the locking member 66 is in the locking position as the second part 90 is not driven in between the two ends of the first part 88. The second part may be slidingly received in the first part e.g. by means of a notch. Thus the second part 90 may not be lost. In some embodiments the locking member may comprise a plurality of first and second parts.

In figs. 14 and 15 a guiding member 94 is adapted to receive the locking member 66 such that it may move between the locking position (as shown in fig. 15) and the un-locking position (as shown in fig. 14). Notches 96 engage locking member slits 98 and thus retain the locking member in relation to the closure 58.

In figs. 16 and 17 the locking member 66 comprises a top part 100 which is attached to the closure 58. Movable members 102 may be attached to each other by means of snap locks 104. Each snap lock 104 comprises a protruding element 106 engagable with a hole 108. When the snap locks are disengaged as shown in fig. 17 the movable members 102 may be moved such that the closure may be un-locked. The movable members 102 are pivotally connected to the top part 100.

In figs. 18 and 19 a locking member 66 is attached to the closure 58. The locking member 66 comprises three downwardly extending sidewalls 110 which may be moved between a locking position and an un-locking position as the sidewalls 110 are pivotally connedted to the rest of the locking member. Hinges 112 may lock the sidewalls 110 in relation to each other as shown in fig. 19 such that the locking member is in the locking position as expansion of the skirts of the closure is not possible. Protruding elements 106 are engagable with holes 108 in the hinges 112.

Claims

1. A closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side- wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

- a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and

- peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and - peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means,

- a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and

- an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt.

2. A closure according to claim 1, further comprising a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt.

3. A closure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprises stacking supporting means adapted to support stacking of a second container on top of the closure by limiting movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the skirt portion of the closure.

4. A closure according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the closure and/or the first container comprises sealing means adapted to provide a substantially tight closure between the closure and the first container.

5. A closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side- wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure the closure comprising

- a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and - a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for

- peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, and

6. A closure according to claim 5, further comprising a locking member adapted to be reversibly changed between two positions:

- a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and

- an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt.

7. A closure according to claim 5 or 6, further comprises stacking supporting means adapted to support stacking of a second container on top of the closure by limiting movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the skirt portion of the closure.

8. A closure according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the closure and/or the first container comprises sealing means adapted to provide a substantially tight closure between the closure and the first container.

9. A closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side- wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, 5 wherein the closure further comprises stacking supporting means adapted to support stacking of a second container on top of the closure by limiting movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the skirt portion of the closure.

10 10. A closure according to claim 9, further comprising a locking member adapted to be reversibly changed between two positions:

a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt. 15

11. A closure according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt.

12. A closure according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the closure and/or the first 20 container comprises sealing means adapted to provide a substantially tight closure between the closure and the first container.

13. A closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side- wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the

25 side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

30 - a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for - peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and 35 - peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means,

14. A closure according to claim 13, further comprising a locking member adapted to be reversibly changed between two positions:

5 - a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt.

15. A closure according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt.

10

16. A closure according to any of claims 13-15, further comprises stacking supporting means adapted to support stacking of a second container on top of the closure by limiting movement of the second container in a direction transverse to the skirt portion of the closure.

15

17. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14, wherein the locking member is adapted to be changed from the locking position to the un-locking position.

18. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14, wherein the locking member is 20 adapted to be changed from the un-locking position to the locking position.

19. A closure according to claim 17, wherein the locking member is adapted to be changed from the locking position to the un-locking position and back to the locking position.

25 20. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member comprises at least two parts movable in relation to each other so as to change the locking member between the locking position and the unlocking position.

30 21. A closure according to claim 20, wherein the at least two movable parts of the locking member are slidingiy received in each other.

22. A closure according to claim 20, wherein the at least two movable parts of the locking member are releasably attachable to each other.

35

23. A closure according to claim 20, wherein the at least two movable parts are pivotally connected to each other.

24. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, further comprising guiding means adapted to guide the locking member between the locking position and the un-locking position.

5 25. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein at least a part of the locking member is resilient so as to allow changing between the locking position and the un-locking position by means of finger pressure.

26. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, 10 wherein at least a part of the cross sectional shape of the locking member is curved.

27. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein at least a part of the cross sectional shape of the locking member is concave.

15 28. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member comprises a locking and an un-locking levelled interconnected part,

- the locking part covering the lugs when the locking member is in the locking position and 20 - the un-locking part covering the lugs when the locking member is in the un-locking position.

29. A closure according to claim 28, wherein the circumference of at least a part of the unlocking part is larger than the circumference of at least a part of the locking part.

25

30. A closure according to claims 28 or 29, wherein at least a part of a cross sectional shape of locking part and/or un-locking part is curved.

31. A closure according to any of claims 28-30, wherein at least a part of a cross sectional 30 shape of the locking part and/or the un-locking part is concave.

32. A closure according to any of claims 28-31, wherein the locking part and/or the unlocking part is expansible.

35 33. A closure according to any of claims 28-31, wherein the locking part and/or the unlocking part is non-expansible.

34. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the lugs engage the locking means when the locking member is in the locking position.

5 35. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member extends along the circumference of the skirt and covers said lugs.

36. A closure according to any claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, 10 wherein the locking member is releasably mounted to the closure.

37. A closure according to any claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member is non-releasably mounted to the closure.

15 38. A closure according to any of claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member is fixed to the closure and/or the first container when the locking member is in the un-locking position.

39. A closure according to any claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, 20 wherein the locking member is made of plastic, such as PP, PA, PMMA, PC, PELD, PEHD,

PET, elastomers, or is made of rubber, or metal, or composites or any combination thereof.

40. A closure according to any claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member comprises one or more attachment arms mounted to a

25 surface of the cover portion.

41. A closure according to claim 40, wherein the arms are mounted by means of glue or by rivets or are heat sealed or welded.

30 42. A closure according to any claims 1, 6, 10 or 14 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking member comprises one or more handgrips allowing a user to move the member from the first to the second position or vice versa.

43. A closure according to any of claims 2, 5, 11 or 15, wherein the layer of resilient 35 material covers at least the slits and the lugs.

44. A closure according to any of claims 2, 5, 11 or 15 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the resilient material is a rubber such as a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber or modified high polymer with elastic properties.

45. A closure according to any of claims 2, 5, 11 or 15 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the resilient material covers at least a part of the closure so as to inhibit corrosion in at least a part of the closure and/or the first container and/or the second container.

5

46. A closure according to any of claims 2, 5, 11 or 15 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the resilient material is adapted to provide a seal between the closure and the first container.

10 47. A closure according to any of claims 2, 5, 11 or 15 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the resilient material is expandable so as to allow expansion of the skirt.

48. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16, wherein the stacking supporting means is adapted to engage at least a part of a bottom part of the second container.

15

49. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the stacking supporting means and the second container are adapted to be attached to each other by means of a snap-lock attachment

20 50. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the stacking supporting means is comprised in the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking member.

51. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, where 25 the stacking supporting means is attached to the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking member.

52. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein at least a part of the surface of the stacking supporting means has adhesive

30 properties.

53. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the stacking supporting means extends from an upper surface of the skirt portion and/or the cover portion and/or the locking member.

35

54. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the stacking supporting means is adapted for stacking of containers having different circumferential sizes and/or different cross-sectional shapes.

55. A closure according to claim 54, wherein the stacking supporting means comprises a plurality of concentric stacking supporting means, adapted for containers having different circumferential sizes and/or different cross sectional shapes.

5 56. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the stacking supporting means comprises a plurality of points extending from the surface of the closure.

57. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon,

10 wherein the stacking supporting means comprises a plurality of points extending from the surface of the cover portion.

58. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the stacking supporting means limits movement of the second container in a

15 direction transverse to the cover portion when the second container is placed in a locking position.

59. A closure according to claim 58, wherein the stacking supporting means comprises circumferential inwardly or ourwardly extending track adapted to engage with a

20 corresponding protrusion of the second container.

60. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein at least a part of the stacking supporting means extends a first distance over a plane defined by an upper surface of the first container.

25

61. A closure according to claim 60, wherein the first distance is between 0,1 mm and 50 mm, such as between 0,5 mm and 30 mm, such as between 0,7 mm and 20 mm, such as between 1 mm and 10 mm, such as between 3 and 7 mm.

30 62. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein a bottom part of the second container is positioned above a plane defined by an upper surface of the first container, when said second container is in a stacked position.

63. A closure according to any of claims 3, 7, 9, 16 or any claim dependent thereon, 35 wherein the stacking supporting means comprises a flexible material comprising plastic and/or rubber.

64. A closure according to any of claims 4, 8, 12, 13, wherein the cover portion comprise sealing means for providing a substantially tight closure between the cover portion and the container.

65. A closure according to any of claims 4, 8, 12, 13 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the sealing means comprises a compound positioned on an inner side of the cover portion, and which is adapted to engage a surface of the container.

66. A closure according to any of claims 4, 8, 12, 13 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the sealing means comprises a compound positioned on at least a part of the container, which is adapted to engage with the cover portion.

67. A closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of an upper surface of the cover portion is convex when the skirt is in the contracted position, and wherein at least a part of an upper surface of the cover portion is concave when the skirt is in the expanded position.

68. A closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises a metal material.

69. A closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises a plastic material and/or composites or any combination thereof.

70. A closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the skirt comprises a plastic material and wherein at least a part of the cover portion comprises a metal material.

71. A closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is adapted to contain food, solvents or paints or dangerous goods or other liquids.

72. A method of releasing a closure from a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

5 - peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means,

the closure further comprising a locking member adapted to be reversibly changed between two positions: 10

- a locking position preventing said peripheral expansion of the skirt and

- an un-locking position allowing said peripheral expansion of the skirt.

the method comprising: 15 pulling the locking member in a first direction while simultaneously applying, in a direction substantially opposite to said first direction, a pressure on the cover portion, so as to release the closure from the container in one continuous movement.

20 73. A closure according to claim 72, further comprising any of the features and elements according to claims 1-71.

74. A method for producing a closure for a first container, said first container comprising a bottom part and a side-wall extending from said bottom part towards an opening to be 25 closed by said closure, the side-wall comprising locking means adapted to collaborate with corresponding lugs of the closure

the closure comprising

30 - a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and

35 - peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, and a layer of resilient material extending along and covering at least a part of an outer surface of the skirt. the method comprising:

providing a closure comprising a cover portion covering at least a part of said opening, and 5 - a skirt portion adapted to extend along the side-wall of said first container and having slits dividing the skirt into a plurality of lugs, the lugs providing for peripheral contraction of the skirt, upon pressure applied inwardly on the skirt portion, to a position wherein the lugs engage said locking means and peripheral expansion of the skirt, upon pressure applied on the cover portion, 10 to a position wherein the lugs disengage said locking means, and

- applying the resilient material to a least a part of the closure.

75. A method according to claim 74, wherein the resilient material is applied to the closure by introducing at least a part of the closure into said resilient material.

15

76. A method according to claim 74 or 75, wherein at least a part of the closure is lowered into a resilient material, said material being in liquid form.

77. A method according to any of claims 74-76, wherein at least a part of the lugs are 20 lowered into a resilient material, said material being in liquid form.

78. A method according to claim 74, wherein the resilient material is sprayed onto at least a part of the closure.

25 79. A method according to claim 74, wherein the resilient material is moulded onto at least a part of the container.

80. A closure according to any of claims 74-79, further comprising any of the features and elements according to claims 1-71.