U.S. patent application number 12/112245 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for tamper-indicating dispensing closure.
Invention is credited to Coy M. Herald, Ramesh Kamath, David A. Szasz.
Application Number | 20080257852 12/112245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35907929 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herald; Coy M. ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
TAMPER-INDICATING DISPENSING CLOSURE
Abstract
A tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a closure body,
and an associated flip-top lid pivotally connected to the closure
body for movement between a closed position and an open position.
The flip-top lid includes a tamper-indicating flange frangibly
connected thereto, with the closure body including a pocket-like
retention cavity within which the tamper-indicating flange is
received during initial closing movement of the flip-top lid.
During initial opening movement of the lid, the tamper-indicating
flange is broken away from the flip-top lid, and thereafter
permanently retained within the retention cavity to provide a
clear, visual indication that the flip-top lid of the closure has
been opened.
Inventors: |
Herald; Coy M.; (Ft. Wayne,
IN) ; Kamath; Ramesh; (Carmel, IN) ; Szasz;
David A.; (Crawfordsville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
200 PARK AVE., P.O. BOX 677
FLORHAM PARK
NJ
07932
US
|
Family ID: |
35907929 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112245 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11182138 |
Jul 15, 2005 |
7374053 |
|
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12112245 |
|
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60588439 |
Jul 16, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 55/024 20130101;
B65D 2401/15 20200501; B65D 2401/20 20200501; B65D 47/0804
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/237 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/10 20060101
B65D047/10 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A tamper-indicating dispensing closure, comprising a closure
body having a top wall, a first skirt depending from said top wall,
a dispensing opening provided in said top wall, and a retention
cavity extending radially outwardly from said first skirt, said
retention cavity including an inner wall defined by a portion of
said first skirt, and an outer wall spaced from said inner wall,
said closure body including first and second retention lugs
extending into said retention cavity; and a flip-top lid connected
to said closure body for movement between a closed position, in
which said flip-top lid covers said dispensing opening, and an
opened position, in which said dispensing opening is not covered by
said flip-top lid, said flip-top lid including a second skirt
having an edge surface which is engageable with said top wall of
said closure body when said flip-top lid is in its closed position,
a tamper-indicating flange depending from said edge surface such
that said tamper-indicating flange is receivable by said retention
cavity when said flip-top lid is in its closed position, said
tamper-indicating flange including a first retention hook
engageable with said first retention lug when said flip-top lid is
in its closed position, and a second retention hook engageable with
said second retention lug when said flip-top lid is in its closed
position, and at least one frangible member connecting said
tamper-indicating flange to said edge surface such that said at
least one frangible member fractures when said flip-top lid is
initially moved from its closed position to its opened position,
whereby said tamper-indicating flange is retained within said
retention cavity upon its disconnection from said flip-top lid, and
whereby said disconnected tamper-indicating flange provides a
visual indication that said flip-top lid has been initially moved
from its closed position.
11. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 10, wherein
said retention cavity includes a first sidewall extending between
said inner and outer walls at one end of said retention cavity, and
a second sidewall extending between said inner and outer walls at
an opposite end of said retention cavity, said first retention lug
extending from said first sidewall and said second retention lug
extending from said second sidewall.
12. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 11, wherein
said first retention hook is positioned at one end of said
tamper-indicating flange, and said second retention hook is
positioned at an opposite end of said flange.
13. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 12, wherein
said tamper-indicating flange includes a first edge positioned
proximate to said edge surface of said flip-top lid when said
tamper-indicating flange is connected to said flip-top lid, and a
second edge positioned distal from said edge surface of said
flip-top lid when said tamper-indicating flange is connected to
said flip-top lid.
14. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 13, wherein
said tamper-indicating flange includes a first opening formed in
said second edge of said flange and positioned adjacent to said
first retention hook to facilitate flexure of said first retention
hook in response to its engagement with said first retention lug,
and a second opening formed in said second edge of said
tamper-indicating flange and positioned adjacent to said second
retention hook to facilitate flexure of said second retention hook
in response to its engagement with said second retention lug.
15. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 14, wherein
said first retention hook includes a first guide surface engageable
with said first retention lug when said flip-top lid is moved from
its opened position to its closed position for facilitating
engagement of said first retention hook with said first retention
lug, and said second retention hook includes a second guide surface
engageable with said second retention lug when said flip-top lid is
moved from its opened position to its closed position for
facilitating engagement of said second retention hook with said
second retention lug.
16. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 15, wherein
each of said first and second guide surfaces are angled relative to
said second edge of said tamper-indicating flange.
17. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 16, wherein
said at least one frangible member includes a plurality of
spaced-apart frangible members.
18. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 17, wherein
each of said plurality of frangible members is connected to said
first edge of said tamper-indicating flange prior to disconnection
of said tamper-indicating flange from said flip-top lid.
19. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 18, wherein
said edge surface of said flip-top lid includes a first abutment
positioned proximate to said first retention hook of said
tamper-indicating flange such that said first abutment is
engageable with said first edge of said flange as said flip-top lid
is moved from its opened position to its closed position, and a
second abutment positioned proximate to second first retention hook
of said flange such that said second abutment is engageable with
said first edge of said flange as said flip-top lid is moved from
its opened position to its closed position.
20. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 19, wherein
said retention cavity includes a lower wall extending between said
first and second sidewalls thereof and between said inner and outer
walls thereof.
21. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 20, wherein
said lower wall of said retention cavity includes a first end
spaced from said first sidewall of said retention cavity and a
second end spaced from said second sidewall of said retention
cavity.
22. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 21, wherein
said flip-top lid includes a plug seal that is releasably inserted
within said dispensing opening of said closure body when said
flip-top lid is in its closed position.
23. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 22, wherein
said plurality of frangible members includes three frangible
members.
24. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 23, wherein
said closure body includes attachment means for attaching said
tamper-indicating dispensing closure to a container.
25. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 24, wherein
said flip-top lid is formed integrally with said closure body.
26. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 25, further
comprising connecting means for movably connecting said flip-top
lid to said closure body.
27. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 26, wherein
said connecting means includes a hinge.
28. The tamper-indicating dispensing closure of claim 27, wherein
said first skirt of said closure body is round, and said second
skirt of said flip-top lid is round.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/182,138, filed Jul. 15, 2005, which claims
the benefit of priority from Provisional Application No.
60/588,439, filed Jul. 16, 2004, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a dispensing
closure having an integral flip-top lid, and more particularly to a
dispensing closure having a flip-top lid which includes a
tamper-indicating flange frangibly connected thereto, with the
flange retained within a retention cavity of the closure when the
lid is initially moved from a closed position to an open position
for providing visual tamper-indication.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Dispensing plastic closures have come into widespread use by
virtue of the convenience by which they permit consumers to readily
manipulate the closure for dispensing contents from an associated
container. This type of closure typically includes a closure body
for fitment to the associated container, with the body defining one
or more dispensing openings through which the contents of the
container can be dispensed. This type of closure further includes a
flip-top lid pivotally joined to the closure body, such as by a
living hinge, so that the lid can be moved between open and closed
positions with respect to the closure body, thereby opening and
closing the dispensing opening. These types of closures are
particularly useful on flowable food products, such as condiments
or the like, with use on deformable (i.e., squeezable) containers
further facilitating convenient dispensing.
[0004] Closures of this type are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.
5,685,444, No. 6,234,334, and No. 6,405,885, the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0005] As will be appreciated, it is desirable to provide this type
of dispensing closure with a tamper-indicating or tamper-evident
feature, whereby consumers can readily visually discern whether the
flip-top lid of the closure has been previously opened. While it is
known to provide separate seal elements or the like applied to such
closures for tamper-indication, the use of such additional sealing
elements complicates closure manufacture. It is thus desirable to
configure such a dispensing closure to include an integral
tamper-indicating arrangement. At the same time, it is desirable
that such a tamper-indicating arrangement function without undue
complexity, and avoid the need to separate one or more loose
components of the closure during initial opening.
[0006] The present invention is directed to a one-piece
tamper-indicating dispensing closure which can be economically
manufactured, is reliable in operation, is easily and conveniently
manipulated by consumers, and avoids separation of any loose
components during initial opening of the closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a
closure body, and an associated pivotal flip-top lid.
Tamper-indication is provided by a tamper-indicating flange
frangibly connected to a main body of the lid, with the closure
defining a pocket-like retention cavity within which the flange is
received when the lid is initially moved to its closed position.
The tamper-indicating flange is retained in the cavity, by fracture
of its frangible connection, when the flip-top lid is initially
moved from its closed position to an open position, thereby
providing clear visual tamper-indication. The tamper-indicating
flange is thereafter permanently retained within the retention
cavity.
[0008] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present
closure includes a closure body having a top wall portion, and an
annular depending skirt portion. The annular skirt portion may
include an internal thread formation, an internal retention bead,
internal retention lugs, and the like for effecting securement of
the closure body, and thus the dispensing closure, to an associated
container.
[0009] The top wall portion of the closure body defines a
dispensing opening for dispensing contents from the associated
container to which the closure body is fitted. For some
applications, it can be desirable to provide a plurality of
dispensing openings.
[0010] The present dispensing closure further includes a flip-top
lid, including a main body, joined to the closure body for movement
between a closed position covering the dispensing opening, and an
open position wherein the dispensing opening is uncovered. The
flip-top lid may include a plug element positionable generally
within the dispensing opening when the flip-top lid is in its
closed position. The flip-top lid is preferably formed integrally
with the closure body, and joined thereto by an integral living
hinge.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the flip-top lid
includes a tamper-indicating flange depending from the main body of
the lid. The tamper-indicating flange is joined to the main body of
the lid by a frangible connection which, in the preferred
embodiment, comprises a plurality of spaced apart frangible
bridges.
[0012] For tamper-indication, the closure body defines a retention
cavity for receiving the tamper-indicating flange of the flip-top
lid when the lid is in its closed position. The tamper-indicating
flange is retained in the retention cavity, by fracture of the
frangible connection when the flip-top lid is initially moved from
its closed position to its open position. The retention cavity is
preferably positioned on the closure body opposite the living hinge
joined to the flop-top lid to the closure body.
[0013] A closure of the present type can be efficiently formed by
injection molding, wherein the closure is formed such that the
flip-top lid is integrally joined to the closure body, and the
flip-top lid is in its open position. Prior to application to an
associated container, the flip-top lid is moved to its closed
position, and the tamper-indicating flange inserted into the
retention cavity of the closure body. In this configuration of the
closure, the closure can be readily stored and shipped, and applied
to an associated container.
[0014] During initial opening movement of the flip-top lid, such as
by a consumer for dispensing the container's contents, the
frangible connection joining the tamper-indicating flange to the
main body of the lid is fractured and broken, permitting the lid to
be easily pivoted to its open position. The contents in the
container can then be conveniently dispensed. The tamper-indicating
flange is retained in the retention cavity, and does not interfere
with normal opening and closing of the flip-top lid to permit
repeated dispensing of the container's contents as desired.
[0015] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the retention
cavity is defined by a cavity wall connected in spaced relation to
the annular skirt portion of the closure body. The retention cavity
includes at least one retention lug positioned between the cavity
wall and the skirt portion. The tamper-indicating flange of the
flip-top lid defines at least one retention hook for engaging the
retention lug when the flange is received in the retention cavity
in the closed position of the lid. In the preferred form, the
retention cavity includes a pair of retention lugs positioned at
respective opposite ends thereof, while the tamper-indicating
flange defines a pair of retention hooks at respective opposite
edges thereof for respectively engaging the pair of retention
lugs.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become readily apparent from the following detailed description,
the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present
tamper-indicating dispensing closure illustrating the closure in an
open position;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a relatively enlarged, perspective view of a
closure body of the present dispensing closure; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a relatively enlarged, perspective view of a
flip-top lid of the present dispensing closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is riot intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0021] With reference first to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a
one-piece tamper-indicating dispensing closure 10 embodying the
principles of the present invention. As will be recognized by those
familiar with the art, dispensing closure 10 is sometimes referred
to as a flip-top closure, in that it includes an integral lid
portion which can be moved between an open position and a closed
position with respect to a body of the closure, thereby opening and
closing a dispensing opening of the closure. This type of closure
can be efficiently formed from suitable polymeric material, such as
polypropylene, typically by injection molding. During manufacture
of the present closure by injection molding, the closure is
ordinarily molded in the open position illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0022] Dispensing closure 10 includes a closure body 12 having a
top wail portion 14 and an annular, depending skirt portion 16. The
top wall portion 14 defines a dispensing opening 18 for dispensing
the contents from an associated container (not shown) to which the
closure body is fitted. To this end, the skirt portion 16 can
include an internal thread formation, an internal retention bead,
internal retention lugs, or the like for effecting securement of
the dispensing closure 10 to an associated container.
[0023] The dispensing closure 10 further includes a flip-top lid 20
including a main body 22, joined to closure body 12 for movement
between a closed position covering the dispensing opening 18, and
an open position wherein the dispensing opening is uncovered. The
flip-top lid 20 is preferably joined to closure body 12 by a
flexible, unitary living hinge 24 which permits pivotal movement of
the flip-top lid with respect to the closure body in accordance
with the illustrated embodiment, flip-top lid 20 can include a plug
seal element 26 which is positionable generally within dispensing
opening 18 in the closed position of the lid to facilitate sealing
of the opening.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the dispensing
closure 10 is configured for tamper-indication, that is, to provide
readily visually discernable evidence that the flip-top lid 20 has
been previously opened after its initial movement into its closed
position with respect to the closure body 12. To this end, the
flip-top lid 20 includes a tamper-indicating flange 28 which
depends from the main body 22 of the flip-top lid, and is joined
thereto by a frangible connection. In the preferred form, the
frangible connection is provided by a plurality of spaced apart
frangible bridges 30 which fracturably retain the tamper-indicating
flange 28 on the main body of the lid 20.
[0025] Tamper-indication is further provided by a pocket-like
retention cavity 32 defined by the closure body 12, with the
retention cavity configured for receiving the tamper-indicating
flange 28 when the flip-top lid 20 is in its closed position. The
retention cavity 32 is defined by a cavity wall 34 connected in
spaced relationship to annular skirt portion 16 of the closure
body. Cavity well 34 is permanently connected to the skirt portion
16, with permanent non-removable retention of flange 28 within
cavity 32 contemplated to avoid the creation of any loose or
detachable elements when the closure 10 is opened and manipulated
to provide tamper-indication.
[0026] Permanent retention of tamper-indicating flange 28 in
retention cavity 32 is effected by the provision of at least one,
and preferably a pair, of retention lugs 36 positioned between
cavity wall 34 and skirt portion 36. The pair of retention lugs 36
are preferably positioned at respective opposite ends of the
retention cavity 32.
[0027] Retention of the flange 28 in the cavity 32 is further
effected by the provision of at least one, and preferably a pair,
of retention hooks 38 defined by the flange 28, with a pair of the
retention hooks 38 preferably provided at respective opposite edges
of the flange for respectively engaging the pair of retention lugs
36.
[0028] Highly desirable resistance to tampering is enhanced by
configuring retention cavity 34 to include a lower wall 39 which
extends integrally between cavity wall 34 and skirt portion 16. The
opposite ends of lower wall 39 can be spaced inwardly from
respective ends of the retention cavity to facilitate molding of
retention lugs 36. Lower wall 39 desirably acts to protect
tamper-indicating flange 28 as it is held captive within retention
cavity 32, and thus acts to deter unauthorized manipulation of the
flange 28 if an effort is made to defeat its tamper-indicating
function. Reliable tamper-indication is thus enhanced.
[0029] During initial closing of the flip-top lid 20,
tamper-indicating flange 28 is inserted into retention cavity 32
and retention hooks 38 deformed sufficiently so as to pass between,
and then respectively engage beneath the retention lugs 36. To
facilitate insertion of the flange in this manner, the flange
preferably defines a slot-like, generally elongated opening 40
positioned adjacent to each retention hook to facilitate flexure of
the hook as it engages the respective retention lug 36. To
facilitate this movement, the flange 28 preferably defines a guide
surface 42 generally adjacent each retention hook 28 for
facilitating engagement of the retention lug 36 with the respective
retention hook 38.
[0030] In order to urge the tamper-indicating flange 28 into the
retention cavity 32 during initial closing of the flip-top lid 20,
the main body 22 of the lid preferably defines at least one, and
preferably a pair, of abutment surfaces 44 engageable with
tamper-indicating flange 28 for urging the flange into the
retention cavity during initial closing of the flip-top lid by
movement of the lid from an open position to its closed position.
The abutment surfaces desirably act to transfer forces exerted on
the lid to the flange 28 without excessive loading of the frangible
bridges 30.
[0031] From the foregoing, use of the present tamper-indicating
dispensing closure will be readily appreciated. After the formation
of the closure in the open position illustrated in FIG. 1, the
flip-top lid 20 can be pivotally moved to its closed position, by
flexing movement of living hinge 24. As plug seal 26 is inserted
into dispensing opening 18, tamper-indicating flange 28 is inserted
into retention cavity 32 as the flip-top lid 20 is initially moved
to its fully closed position. During insertion of the flange 28
into the retention cavity 32, guide surfaces 42 engage and co-act
with the retention lugs 36, urging the retention hooks 38 of the
flange 28 generally toward each other as they pass between the
retention lugs 36. As the hooks 38 pass beneath the retention lugs
36, the resilient nature of the retention flange 28 causes the
hooks 38 to be urged away from each other, and into respective
engagement with the retention lugs 36. The flip-top lid 20 is now
retained in its closed position, with the closure 10 ready for
storage, shipment, and application to an associated container.
[0032] Initial opening movement of the flip-top lid 20 is
facilitated by finger-lift 46. During this initial opening
movement, engagement of retention hooks 38 with retention lugs 36
firmly retains the tamper-indicating flange within retention cavity
32. An opening force is applied to the lid which acts to fracture
and break frangible bridges 30, whereby the tamper-indicating
flange 28 is retained in the retention cavity 32 as the lid 20 is
pivotally moved to its open position. The contents of the container
to which the closure 10 is fitted can thereafter be conveniently
dispensed through dispensing opening 18. When dispensing is
complete, the lid 20 can be easily returned to its closed position
by pivoting about hinge 24. While tamper-indicating flange 28 is
retained within retention cavity 32, and thus desirably does not
become loose, the flange 28 is in an out-of-the-way disposition
within the retention cavity 32, and does not interfere with the
normal opening and closing of the lid 20 for dispensing the
container's contents. Desirably, the retention flange 28 is
permanently retained within the retention cavity 32.
[0033] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effected without departing from
the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should
be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended
claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *