Stackable non-round plastic closure with a living hinge

Abstract

A new and improved plastic closure is disclosed herein. The closure contains a breakout seal that leaves the opening flush with the wall of the closure, an interference fit lock for the seal, bypass walls to maintain freshness when the lid is closed, and induction heat sealing of the closure to the container.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A. Field of the Invention

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/255,343, entitled Plastic Closure, filed Dec. 13, 2000. This invention relates to the art of enclosures, and particularly plastic closures for composite cans, and even more particularly to plastic closures adapted for use on non-round composite cans.

[0003] B. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Composite cans are made of multiple materials and contain a paper-based tube, a metal, plastic, or paper bottom closure, and metal, plastic, or paper top. In the past, the paper sidewalls of the cans were made by winding adhesive coated paper around a mandrel. Recent advances in machining have allowed the production of non-round containers to be faster and require less material. The non-round containers can be manufactured with barrier properties for a variety of requirements.

[0005] The ability to create the containers, cost-effectively, with barrier properties allows the containers to replace the existing bag-in-box packaging. The current closures for these non-round containers fall short in convenience, style, and function.

[0006] The present invention provides a new and improved plastic closure and breakout seal and overcomes certain difficulties inherent in the related inventions while providing better overall results.

[0007] C. Definitions

[0008] “Freshness seal”—a seal or fit that prevents static movement of air.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, the plastic closure is a one-piece design with a living hinge.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure is made of a thermoplastic resin that is compatible with a barrier layer, and the closure and the barrier layer can be bound together by induction heating, adhesive, or friction fit.

[0011] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the breakout seal locks open by an interference fit.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, when the breakout seal is removed, the opening is flush with the internal wall.

[0013] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the closure has bypass walls for freshness sealing.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure is designed to allow easy and convenient stacking of the containers.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a non-round plastic dispensing closure for a non-round composite container, the closure includes a one-piece thermoplastic resin body, the body comprising a top side, a first top wall, a second top wall, the second top wall being concentrically larger than the first top wall, a middle wall, the middle wall being concentrically larger than the second top wall, a bottom wall, the bottom wall extending circumferentially downward from the middle wall, the bottom wall being concentrically smaller than the middle wall and concentrically larger than the first top wall, interference fit protrusions, bypass walls, and an opening through which contents of the associated container can be removed without removing the closure, a resealable flap, the flap connected to the body by a living hinge, the flap comprising a latch, a lip, a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf, a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf, a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls, and hinge sealing means, a tamper-evident break-out seal, wherein the seal rotates approximately 180° with respect to the body, the seal locking open by interference fit with the interference fit protrusions, the seal, in the closed position, resting flush against the wall of the body, the seal having reinforcement flanges, and an opening in the body, the opening having vertical walls, wherein once the seal is opened, no protrusions on the vertical walls exist to inhibit removal of the contents of the associated container.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a dispensing closure includes a body, the body having bypass walls, a resealable flap, the resealable flap connected to the body via a living hinge, the resealable flap creating a freshness seal with the bypass walls, and an opening, the resealable flap closing the opening.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure further includes a tamper-evident seal, the seal being capable of rotating substantially 180°, the seal being locked in the open position via interference fit.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the seal is flush against a wall opening in the closed position.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the body further includes a top side, a wall, the wall extending circumferentially downward from the top side, and interference fit protrusions.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the flap further includes a latch, a lip, and hinge sealing means.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the flap further includes a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf, a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf, and a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure is non-round.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure is attached to a non-round composite container.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a dispensing container includes a composite body, the body having a top, a bottom, at least one wall, and an opening, the opening being at the top of the composite body, and a closure, the closure covering the opening of the composite body the closure comprising a closure body, the body having bypass walls, a resealable flap, the flap connected to the body via a living hinge, the flap creating a freshness seal with the bypass walls, and an opening, the flap closing the opening.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure is attached to the container via one of the group comprising: 1) an adhesive; 2) friction fit; and, 3) induction sealing.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closure is made of a material compatible with a barrier coating lining the inside of the container.

[0027] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is illustrated in the following drawings:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a side view of the inventive closure, showing the breakout seal in the locked position;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the inventive closure, showing the reinforcement flanges on the breakout seal;

[0031] FIG. 3 is side view of the inventive closure, showing the breakout seal in the closed position;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of the inventive closure, showing the lid in the open position and showing the bypass walls;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inventive closure, showing the breakout seal being held in place by an interference fit;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inventive closure;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the inventive closure, showing the breakout seal locked in the open position;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a non-round container with the inventive closure on it;

[0037] FIG. 9A is a top view of the inventive closure in the closed position;

[0038] FIG. 9B is a side view of the inventive closure in the closed position;

[0039] FIG. 10A is an exploded cross-sectional view of section C of FIG. 9B along line A-A of FIG. 9A, showing the hinge in the closed position;

[0040] FIG. 10B is an exploded view of section B of FIG. 9B, showing the connection of the inventive closure in the closed position;

[0041] FIG. 11A is a top view of the inventive closure in the open position;

[0042] FIG. 11B is a side view of the inventive closure in the open position;

[0043] FIG. 12A is an exploded cross-sectional view of section C of FIG. 11B along line A-A of FIG. 11A, showing the hinge in the open position;

[0044] FIG. 12B is an exploded view of section B of FIG. 11 B, showing the connection of the inventive closure in the open position;

[0045] FIG. 13A is a top view of the inventive closure in the open position;

[0046] FIG. 13B is a side view of the inventive closure in the open position, showing the tamper evident seal locked in the open position;

[0047] FIG. 14 is an exploded cross-sectional view of section C of FIG. 13B along line A-A of FIG. 13A, showing the hinge and the seal in the open position;

[0048] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the closure, showing the lid in the open position and the seal in the closed position;

[0049] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the inventive composite container with the closure in the closed position; and,

[0050] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the inventive composite container with the closure in the open position and the seal in the closed position.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0051] With reference now to FIGS. 1-8, a closure 10 has a body 12, which has a top 34, a bottom wall 14, a middle wall 56, first and second top walls 58, 60, a latch receiver 32, bypass walls 26, an opening 48, and an opening rim 20. In this embodiment, the opening 48 has a tamper evident seal 16, which covers the opening 48. The seal 16 has a seal lip 46 for closing flush against opening rim 20, reinforcement flanges 22, and the seal 16 can be locked into place via interference fit wall 36. Also shown is lid 18, which has a latch 28, bypass wall receivers 30, first, second, and third walls 44, 54, 50, lid lip 52, and is connected to the body 12 by a living hinge 24. The closure 10 is used, as shown in FIG. 8, on container 38.

[0052] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, and 3-5, in this embodiment, the closure 10 is rectangular-shaped, with rounded comers. The body 12, as mentioned above, has a top 34, the first and second top walls 58, 60, the middle wall 56, and the bottom wall 14. The first top wall 58 extends downwardly, at substantially a 90° angle from the top 34, the second top wall 60 extends outwardly then downwardly, at substantially a 90° angle from the first top wall 58. The second top wall 60 is concentric about the first top wall 58, the second top wall 60 having a greater circumference. The first and second top walls 58, 60 form a U-shape, ending at the lid 18 attached to the top 34. The middle wall 56 encompasses the entire dimensions of the closure 10, and extends outwardly then downwardly, at substantially a 90° angle from the second top wall 60. The middle wall 56 circumnavigates the entire closure 10 and has a larger diameter than either the first or second top walls 58, 60. The bottom wall 14 extends downwardly from the middle wall 56. The bottom wall 14 circumnavigates the entire closure 14 and has a diameter substantially the same as the second top wall 60. The bottom wall 14 fits into the container 38 and middle wall 56 rests on the top edge of the container 38, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The lid 18, when in the closed position, continues the first and second top walls 58, 60 around the closure 10. The design of the closure 10, in particular the arrangement of the walls 14, 56, 58, 60, is designed to allow the closures 10 to be stackable one of top of the other. When stacked, the bottom wall 14 fits over the first and second top walls 58, 60, and rests against the middle wall 56.

[0053] It is to be understood that the preceding description is merely one embodiment of this invention, and is not intended to limit it in any manner. Any configuration or shape of closure can be used, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0054] With continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lid 18 has first, second, and third walls 44, 54, 50, and latch 28. The walls 44, 54, 50 enable the lid 18 to create a freshness seal for the closure 10 that prevents static movement of air. When the lid 18 is in the closed position, walls 44, 54, 50 become the middle wall 56, second top wall 60, and first top wall 58, respectively. The closure 10, in the area of the opening 48, has an interior wall 62, against which the second wall 54 rests when the lid 18 is in the closed position. The lid 18 snaps into place, thereby creating a freshness seal that prevents static movement of air. The first wall 44 overlaps the interior wall 62, thereby creating an extra seal to maintain freshness. It is to be understood that the particular configuration of the walls is not intended to limit the invention in any manner, and that any configuration, chosen using sound engineering judgment, can be used.

[0055] The lid 18 closes completely against the rest of the closure 10, including the hinge 24 area of the lid 18. Currently, when lids are closed, there is a space, or crack, remaining around the edges of the lid. This space allows air and moisture to enter the container 38 and the contents do not remain fresh as long. In this embodiment, the closure 10 has bypass walls 26 on either side of the closure 10, extending from first and second top walls 58, 60. The bypass walls 26 extend out into the opening 48, so that when the lid 18 is closed, no space or crack is left. The lid 18 is now sealed tightly and the contents of the container 38 remain fresh longer. The bypass walls 26 have a substantially similar configuration to the first and second walls 44, 54 of the lid 18. The lid 18 has a bypass wall receiver 30, shown in FIG. 12A, that acts as the female end when the lid 18 is in the closed position. The bypass wall receiver 30 has a substantially similar shape as the bypass wall 26. The bypass wall receiver 30 receives the bypass walls 26, and the lid 18 closes over the interior wall 62 in order to create a freshness seal that prevents the static movement of air. The particular configuration of the bypass walls and bypass wall receiver are merely one embodiment of this invention, and are not intended to limit it in any manner. The bypass walls and bypass wall receivers can be designed in any manner chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0056] With reference now to FIGS. 9A-14, the closure 10 is shown in exploded format, showing the hinge 24 and the connection of the lid 18 to the body 12. The lid 18 has a latch 28, which includes a latch finger 40, which extends downwardly from the latch 28. The latch finger 40 is received by latch receiver 32, as shown in FIG. 10B and 12B. It is to be understood that the latch 28, latch receiver 32, and latch finger 40 are merely one embodiment of this invention, and that any means of connecting the lid 18 to the closure 10 could be used, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0057] With reference now to FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 14, the closure 10 is shown with the seal 16 in the open position. The seal 36 has a seal lip 46, which, when the seal 36 is the closed position, is flush against the interior wall 62 of the opening 48. The seal 16 also is connected to the body 12 via a living hinge 64. This seal living hinge 64 allows the seal 16 to rotate approximately 160°. Depending on the thickness of the seal 16, the seal 16 may rotate as much as approximately 180°. This rotation of the seal 16 prevents the seal 16 from falling into the container 38, while not interfering with the flow of contents from the container 38. The seal 16 can be any design or configuration, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment. In this embodiment, the seal 16 is held in the open position by interference fit walls 36. The seal 16 is pushed downwardly until an interference fit is accomplished between the seal 16 and the walls 36.

[0058] In this embodiment, the tamper evident breakout seal 16 leaves an opening 48 that is flush with the internal wall 62 of the closure 10. The connection shown in FIGS. 9A-10B show the breakout seal 16 in the closed position. The design of the seal 16, and the fact that the seal 16 is attached to the closure 10 on the bottom of the seal 16 instead of on the top of the seal 16, creates the flush opening 48. The flush opening 48 allows for easier and faster dispensing of the contents of the container 38.

[0059] In this embodiment, the closure 10 is a one-piece design made of a thermoplastic resin material that is compatible with the material used in barrier layers (not shown). It is to be understood however, that the closure 10 may be made of any material chosen using sound engineering judgment. The closure 10 can be attached to the container 38 by adhesive, friction fit, induction sealing, or any other method chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0060] In another embodiment of this invention, if the closure 10 is made of a material that is compatible with the barrier coating (such as container lined with foil on the inside) the container 38 and closure 10 may be sealed via induction heating. The barrier coating is not limited to foil, but can be any barrier coating chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0061] In another embodiment of this invention, the closure 10 does not have a breakout seal 16. The container 38 may not need a seal 16, or a removable internal foil seal (not shown) could be used when an additional seal is needed.

[0062] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to non-round containers, but can be used on any container, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0063] The invention has been described with reference to several embodiments of the invention. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended by applicant to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0064] Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

Claims

1. A non-round plastic dispensing closure for a non-round composite container, the closure comprising:

a one-piece thermoplastic resin body, the body comprising:

a top side;

a first top wall;

a second top wall, the second top wall being concentrically larger than the first top wall;

a middle wall, the middle wall being concentrically larger than the second top wall;

a bottom wall, the bottom wall extending circumferentially downward from the middle wall, the bottom wall being concentrically smaller than the middle wall and concentrically larger than the first top wall;

interference fit protrusions;

bypass walls; and,

an opening through which contents of the associated container can be removed without removing the closure;

a resealable flap, the flap connected to the body by a living hinge, the flap comprising:

a latch;

a lip;

a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf;

a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf;

a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls; and,

hinge sealing means;

a tamper-evident break-out seal, wherein the seal rotates approximately 160° with respect to the body, the seal locking open by interference fit with the interference fit protrusions, the seal, in the closed position, resting flush against the wall of the body, the seal having reinforcement flanges; and,

an opening in the body, the opening having vertical walls, wherein once the seal is opened, no protrusions on the vertical walls exist to inhibit removal of the contents of the associated container.

2. A dispensing closure comprising:

a body, the body having bypass walls;

a resealable flap, the resealable flap connected to the body via a living hinge, the resealable flap creating a freshness seal with the bypass walls; and,

an opening, the resealable flap closing the opening.

3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the closure further comprises:

a tamper-evident seal, the seal being capable of rotating substantially 180°, the seal being locked in the open position via interference fit.

4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the seal is flush against a wall opening in the closed position.

5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the body further comprises:

a top side;

a wall, the wall extending circumferentially downward from the top side; and, interference fit protrusions.

6. The closure of claim 5, wherein the flap further comprises:

a latch;

a lip; and,

hinge sealing means.

7. The closure of claim 6, wherein the flap further comprises:

a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf;

a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf; and,

a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls.

8. The closure of claim 7, wherein the closure is non-round.

9. The closure of claim 8, wherein the closure is attached to a non-round composite container.

10. A dispensing container, the container comprising:

a composite body, the body having a top, a bottom, at least one wall, and an opening, the opening being at the top of the composite body; and,

a closure, the closure covering the opening of the composite body the closure comprising:

a closure body, the body having bypass walls;

a resealable flap, the flap connected to the body via a living hinge, the flap creating a freshness seal with the bypass walls; and,

an opening, the flap closing the opening.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the closure further comprises:

a tamper-evident seal, the seal being capable of rotating substantially 180°, the seal being locked in the open position via interference fit.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the seal is flush against a wall opening in the closed position.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the closure body further comprises:

a top side;

a wall, the wall extending circumferentially downward from the top side; and,

interference fit protrusions.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the flap further comprises:

a latch;

a lip; and,

hinge sealing means.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the flap further comprises:

a first wall, the first wall having a first shelf;

a second wall, the second wall having a second shelf; and,

a third wall, the third wall having a third shelf, the first wall extending downwardly at substantially a 90° angle from the flap, the second shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle to the first wall, the second wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second shelf, the third shelf extending outwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the second wall, the third wall extending downwardly at a substantially 90° angle from the third shelf, the third wall creating a freshness seal against the bypass walls.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the closure is non-round.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the container is a non-round composite container.

18. The container of claim 10, wherein the closure is attached to the container via one of the group comprising: 1) an adhesive; 2) friction fit; and, 3) induction sealing.

19. The container of claim 18, wherein the closure is made of a material compatible with a barrier coating lining the inside of the container.