Closure cap with injection molded annular gasket and method of making same

A closure cap comprising:

• a shell which includes an end panel and an integral skirt downwardly extending therefrom, said end panel having a generally circular inside surface of a given outer diameter;
• and,
• an injection molded annular gasket formed directly on the end panel to define a unitary, integral shell and gasket arrangement, said annual gasket having a ring-shaped body which includes an outer edge and an inner edge, said outer edge having a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of said end panel inner surface whereby said outer edge of said gasket body is inwardly spaced from the outer periphery of said end panel inside surface to define a substantially gasket-free annular border which surrounds said ring-shaped gasket body, said gasket having a width sufficient to provide a top seal with an end finish of a container mouth to which said closure is applied, said inner edge of said ring-shaped gasket body surrounding a substantially gasket-free interior portion of said inside surface of said end panel, said gasket also including a first inwardly extending tab of generally uniform cross section formed therewith and a second inwardly extending tab integrally formed therewith, said second tab including an inner-most and an outer-most portion, said inner-most portion having a relatively large cross section with respect to the cross section of said outer-most portion.