Brief Notes on the fourteen different types of Closure

Closures are the essential device by which containers of finished product can be opened and closed. It is important that cap size fits the bottle neck finish in order to obtain proper sealing. The first digit corresponds to the cap diameter (in mm.) The second digit stands for the height and thread design of the neck or cap finish.

Closure is the most important part of container because:

1. It protects the product from environmental contamination.

2. It prevents loss of material during transportation and storage.

3. It enhances stability of product.

4. It prevents microbial attack.

Closures are mainly following types:

1. Liner caps :

Liner type consideration is an important part of the cap selection process. Some liners tend to withstand chemicals better than others, while other liner material types are better used for moisture barriers.

2. Thread caps :

It is an uninterrupted spiral design threaded closure. The main purpose of a threaded closure is to match with corresponding bottle threads to provide sealing and resealing of containers. Threaded caps are available in a variety of styles including smooth, ribbed and dome cap.

3. Snap Caps : A closure held in place by a bead (a depressed or raised circle or ring around a container or closure) rather then a thread.

4. Lug Caps :

A closure with raised internal impressions that inter-mesh with identical threads on the finish of the container.

5. Disc Top Caps :

Disc top caps typical screw on to a bottle similar to a screw cap, though there is no need to unscrew and remove the cap in order to dispense. Disc top caps are made with a slight indent in the plastic top, which is designed to have a light amount of pressure applied to in order to expose the orifice where the product can be dispensed. Simply applying light pressure to the open end of the cap will easily close the cap.

6. Twist Top Caps :

Twist top caps allow for greater control of the flow of product. Twist top caps are applied to the packaging the same way screw top caps are, though in order to dispense the product there is no need to unscrew the entire cap. Instead the top part of the cap is twisted to allow for the product to be dispensed through the top of the closure.

7. Snap Top Caps :

The closure is screwed on to the packaging. To dispense the product the hinged cap is flipped up, product dispensed and then resealed by simply pressing the cap back on to the beaded finish.

8. Flip-Top Spout Caps :

A closure designed to have the dispensing spout retract into the closure when not being used. The flip top is opened to dispense the product.

9. Glass Droppers :

A closure that includes an attached dropper and rubber bulb.

10. Spout Caps :

A closure designed to aid in the dispensing of the container contents through a hole at the end of the cone shaped cap.

11. Sifter Caps:

A closure that allows for the shaking out of dry products.

12. Pump Type:

Pumps allow for high viscosity products to be easily dispensed. Pumps can be used with glass, plastic or metal containers. Pumps allow for an equal amount of product to be dispensed each time.

13. Sprayer Type:

Sprayers allow low viscosity products to be misted out of the container.

14. Orifice Reducer :

Orifice reducer allow a great deal of control over the amount of product being dispensed. There are two types of orifice reducers, one that can be inserted into the bottle by the customer and the other that comes in the tamper-evident closure.