Container closure system

Abstract

A reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container includes a slide assembly that includes a pair of lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel portions between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion, extending laterally from one of the lateral channel portions. The cover portion is sized and shaped to be folded over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide enclosure. The slidable portion is slidable within the slide enclosure after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

Description

BACKGROUND

Containers with which a reusable (or reclosable) dispensing opening closure is attached abound in present society. For example, packages, such as those in which powders (e.g., table salt, detergents, bath salts, etc.) are sold to consumers are often provided with a reusable closure in the form of an extendable spout formed of paperboard or metal. The spout can be “opened” by rotating a portion of the spout away from the container to allow contents of the container to be poured through the spout. The spout can be “closed” by rotating the portion of the spout to its original position against or inside the container to prevent (or at least limit) contents of the container from spilling from the container.

Another widely used example of containers of this type is the disposable cup utilized in selling beverage products such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. Conventional containers such as these often include a lid or cap that can be attached to the container after it has been filled with the beverage. The lid or cap often includes a reusable closure in the form of movable structure that allows the consumer to expose (e.g., “open”) a dispensing orifice in the lid or cap to allow the consumer to dispense (e.g., sip or drink) the beverage from the container. Many of the more sophisticated designs of such lids or caps include movable structure that can be “closed” after drinking the beverage to at least partially seal the lid or cap to limit spillage of the beverage.

While such reusable closure devices have been provided on beverage containers, or lids or caps of such containers, with some degree of success, conventional devices such as these often significantly increase the cost of the container and/or its lid or cap, and often do not provide a closure that can be repeatedly and reliably used a number of times. For example, most such conventional closures require that the container itself (or the lid or cap of the container) be formed with some type of receiving structure in order for the closure to be effectively integrated with the container. This feature can not only negatively affect the cost and effort required to manufacture the container or lid, it can increase the cost and effort required to install the closure on or in the container.

In addition, efforts to provide such containers with a closure that can be used multiple times throughout the product life of the container have resulted in closure systems that are overly complex. Such overly complex systems can both increase the costs associated with forming and attaching the closure systems and can result in a closure system that is not intuitive to use. The resulting closure system can confuse consumers, which might damage the system in attempting to use it, or the consumer may not appreciate and thereby enjoy the benefits of the system.

SUMMARY

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a dispensing orifice closure that can be easily attached to a wide variety of container designs, and that can be reliably and easily reused during the life cycle of the container.

The present invention provides a reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container, including: a slide assembly that can include a pair of lateral channel portions, a slidable portion rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel portions between the lateral channel portions, and a cover portion, extending laterally from one of the lateral channel portions. The cover portion can be sized and shaped to be folded over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide enclosure. The slidable portion can be slidable within the slide enclosure after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a lid for use on a container is provided, including a base that can have attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the base to the container and that can have a material dispensing orifice formed or formable therein. A slide assembly can be coupled to the base. The slide assembly can include at least one lateral channel portion, a slidable portion rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portion, and a cover portion, extending from the lateral channel portion. The cover portion can be operable to be folded over the lateral channel portion and the slidable portion to thereby form a slide enclosure for the slidable portion. The lateral channel portion and the cover portion can be attached to an outer surface of the base with the slide assembly being positioned on the base to be operable to selectively cover and uncover the material dispensing orifice.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a container with a reusable closure is provided, including: disposing a slide assembly on the container adjacent a portion of the container from which material will be dispensed from the container. The slide assembly can include: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion, extending over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion. The method can also include: attaching each of the lateral channel portions to the container; and selectively coupling the cover portion to the lateral channel portions or to the container to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of providing a reusable closure to a container lid is provided, the container lid having attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the lid to the container and having a material dispensing orifice formed or formable therein. The method can include: disposing a slide assembly on the container lid adjacent the material dispensing orifice, the sliding assembly including: at least one lateral channel portion; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portion; and a cover portion, foldably extending from the lateral channel portion. The method can also include: attaching the lateral channel portion to the container lid; and selectively attaching sections of the cover portion to the lateral channel portion, or to the container lid, to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container lid after being ruptured from the lateral channel portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of making a reusable closure assembly for use on a container is provided, including: obtaining a blank of material; forming rupturable sections in the blank of material to delineate in the blank of material: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; and a slidable portion between the lateral channel portions; and forming a cover portion in the blank of material, the cover portion being sized so as to be foldable over each of the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

FIG. 1A is a top, plan view of a closure assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a top, plan view of a closure assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A through 2C are a series of side, sectional views (taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 3A) showing a series of positions of the closure assembly of FIG. 1A as it is attached to a portion of a container;

FIG. 3A is a top, plan view of container lid or cap having the closure assembly of FIG. 1A attached thereto;

FIG. 3B is a top, plan view of container lid or cap having the closure assembly of FIG. 1B attached thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side, sectional view (taken along section 4-4 of FIG. 3A) of a container lid or cap with a closure assembly in accordance with the present invention attached thereto; and

FIG. 5 is a top, plan view of a portion of a container having the closure assembly of FIG. 1B attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1A through 5, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the claims.

In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used.

The singular forms “a” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a control” includes reference to one or more of such controls, and reference to “an array” includes reference to one or more of such arrays.

As used herein, two or more items or components that are “rupturably coupled” to one another are coupled to one another, or formed integrally with one another, in such a manner that the items or components can be separated from one another to consistently form two or more individual, operable components.

As used herein, relative terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” etc., are used to refer to various components of containers, lids or caps of containers, or reusable closures for containers. It is to be understood that such terms in no way limit the present invention but are used to aid in describing the components of the reusable closures, and containers and/or lids and caps generally, in the most straightforward manner. When such terms are used in connection with beverage containers, it is to be understood that they are in reference to the generally accepted orientation of beverage containers when positioned for use. In such an orientation, the container is generally vertical with a lid or cap attached to an upper portion of the container.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, when an object or group of objects is/are referred to as being “substantially” liquid-tight, it is to be understood that the object or objects are either completely liquid-tight or are nearly completely liquid tight. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.

The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an opening that is “substantially free of” material would either completely lack material, or so nearly completely lack material that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked material. In other words, an opening that is “substantially free of” material may still actually contain some such material as long as there is no measurable effect as a result thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention provides a reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container. The closure assembly can include a slide assembly, shown generally at 12a, 12b that can include one or more lateral channel portions 14, 14′, and a slidable portion 16a, 16b that can be rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel portions between the lateral channel portions. A cover portion 18a, 18b can extend laterally from one of the lateral channel portions. The cover portion can be sized and shaped to be folded over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide enclosure (best appreciated in FIG. 2C, discussed in more detail below). The slidable portion can be slidable within the slide enclosure after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

The slide assembly 12a, 12b can be utilized to provide a reusable (e.g., reclosable) closure that can be used in connection with a variety of containers to provide a method by which consumers can “open” the container to dispense material from the container, then “close” the container to prevent inadvertent dispensing of the material from the container. In most cases, the reclosable closures of the present invention will be positioned adjacent a dispensing orifice (such as orifice 24 in lid or cap 22 of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4) to allow a consumer to selectively cover and/or uncover the orifice. Thus, when a container is referred to herein as “open,” it is to be understood that the condition being described is that in which an orifice formed in the container is not completely covered by any portion of the reusable closure. Similarly, when a container is referred to herein as “closed,” it is to be understood that the condition being described is that in which the orifice formed in the container is covered by some portion of the reusable closure, and materials are restricted or prevented from flowing through the orifice.

The reusable closures of the present invention can be incorporated into a variety of known container configurations including, without limitation, boxes, cylinders, cartons, bags, and cups, etc., as well as lids, covers or caps that can be positioned on the boxes, cylinders, cartons, bags, cups, etc. In one aspect of the invention, the reusable closures can be configured for attachment to a lid of a beverage cup. In such a situation, a portion of the closure at issue (generally the “slide portion,” as discussed in more detail below) will be moveable into and out of position over an orifice formed in the lid of the beverage cup to “open” and “close” the orifice.

In other embodiments of the invention, the closures can be attachable to portions of containers such as boxes, bags, cylinders, in a variety of locations on the containers and a portion of the closure can be moveable to open or close an orifice formed (or formable) in the containers. The present closures can be used in connection with containers configured to store and dispense liquids, pastes, powders, granules, pellets, particles, etc. The containers (or lids or caps of the containers) with which the closures can be utilized can be formed from paper goods, polymers, metals, etc., and can be relatively flexible or relatively rigid.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the slidable portion 16a, 16b is coupled between the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ by material strands defined by an array of perforations 20 formed in the slide assembly 12a, 12b. Thus, the perforations 20 define a series of connecting threads that maintain connection between the slidable portion and the lateral channel portions during typical handling conditions. The array of perforations can ensure that the slidable portion does not become separated from the remainder of the slide assembly prior to the time at which it is desired to move the slidable portion, which, as discussed below, is generally after the container carrying the closure has been acquired by a consumer.

The perforations 20 can be of a variety of sizes, shapes, density, etc., and are not limited to the generally slit-like geometry illustrated in the figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the perforations include micro-perforations that can be formed in the slide assembly by methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The perforations can be formed during the process in which the overall shape of the slide assembly is cut, punched or otherwise separated from a larger blank or sheet of material (not shown).

The blank or sheet material (not shown) from which the slide assembly can be formed can include a wide range of available materials, including paperboard, paper, plastic, metals, and similar materials capable of being formed and manipulated as described herein. In one aspect of the invention, the slide assembly is formed of material different than a material of the container (or lid or cap of the container) on which the slide assembly is to be attached. In other embodiments of the invention, the slide assembly is formed from the same material as the container or container lid.

While the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures include a slidable portion 16a, 16b rupturably coupled to one or more lateral channel portions 14, 14′, in one embodiment of the invention (not shown in the figures), the slidable portion need not be coupled to the lateral channel portions. In this embodiment, the slidable portion can be rupturably coupled to the container (or lid or cap of the container) and can be disengaged from the container or lid by a consumer when it is desired to move the slidable portion into a particular position. The slidable portion can be rupturably coupled to the container or lid, for example, by way of a “spot” of adhesive that can maintain the slidable portion in an initial position but that is not sufficiently robust to prevent the slidable portion from later being released by a consumer.

One advantage to rupturably coupling the slidable portion 16a, 16b to the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ by way of a series of perforations lies in the fact that, once ruptured, the perforations create a series of finger-like projections (not shown) on lateral sides of the slidable portion and the lateral channel portions. Once created during the rupturing process, these projections create an interference fit between the slidable portion and the lateral channel portions that serves to at least partially restrain movement of the slidable portion between the lateral channel portions.

By only partially restraining movement of the slidable portion, the slidable portion can be relatively easily manipulated by a consumer, yet tends to remain in a desired position when not being manipulated by the consumer. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the slidable portion 16a, 16b includes an outer cross section that substantially matches, or corresponds to, an internal cross section of the slide enclosure. In this manner, the slidable portion can be restrained from movement in directions other than the slide path defined by the slide enclosure.

In addition to being rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ by way of a series of perforations, the slidable portion 16a, 16b can be rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portions in a number of alternate manners. For example, the lateral channel portion can be removably bonded to the lateral channel portions, can be removably attached to the lateral channel portions by way of adhesive tape, etc., as would occur to one having ordinary skill in the art having possession of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate stages of a typical application of a closure 12a of the present invention to a container 22. As shown in FIG. 2A, the closure can first be disposed over the container (or a portion of the container, or a lid or cap of the container) in the generally flat or planar orientation illustrated in FIG. 1A. The cover portion 18a can then be folded over each of the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ and the slidable portion 16a, as illustrated by FIG. 2B (a fold crease 39, FIGS. 1A and 1B, can optionally be formed in the slide assembly to aid in accurately or easily folding the cover portion near the lateral channel portion 14′). Once the cover portion is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2C, the lateral channel portions and the cover portion can be attached to or joined with the container 22 to secure the closure 12a in position on the container (note that the slidable portion of the closure will generally be positioned adjacent a dispensing orifice (not shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C) formed or formable in the container 22).

It will be appreciated that the cover portion 18a and the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ cooperate to form or define a slide enclosure (shown generally at 33 in FIG. 2C) within which the slidable portion 16a can slide. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, the slide enclosure is an area defined by inner sides of the lateral channel portions, cover portion and the upper surface of the container 22 (the area that is shown substantially consumed by the slidable portion 16a). Prior to attachment of the slide assembly 12a to a container, the slide enclosure is essentially three-sided, with the cover and each of the lateral channel portions each comprising one side of the enclosure. Once the slide assembly is attached to a container, the surface of the container to which the slide assembly will be attached becomes the fourth side of the slide channel. In this manner, the slidable portion is nearly completely restricted from movement in directions other than the direction corresponding to a path orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 2C (e.g., “into” and “out of” FIG. 2C).

While the figures generally illustrate a slide assembly 12a, 12b that includes a pair of lateral channel portions 14, 14′, it is to be understood that the present invention can utilize only a single lateral channel portion that borders the slidable portion on one side, while the cover portion can be attached to the container or container lid on the other side to thereby restrain movement of the slidable portion on the other side. For example, in this embodiment (which is not shown in the figures), the lateral channel portion 14 of FIG. 2C could be omitted and the cover portion 18a could be attached directly to the container 22 adjacent the slidable portion 16a. In this manner, the cover portion would serve essentially the same purpose as the lateral channel portion 14.

The slidable portion 16a, 16b, can remain attached to the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ (via material strands defined between the array of perforations 20, for example) during the entire folding and attaching process described immediately above. Thus, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2C, the slidable portion remains attached to the lateral channel portions until it is desired that the slidable portion be disengaged from the remaining portions of the closure 12a, 12b for use by a consumer. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the closure 12a can be attached to a container lid 22 in the “open” position shown in FIG. 3A. A consumer can attach the lid 22 to a beverage cup (not shown) after filling the beverage cup with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. As is known in the art, the lid or cap 22 can include sealing structure (31 in FIG. 4) to enable the lid or cap to form a substantially liquid-tight seal over the beverage cup.

The lateral channel portions 14, 14′ and the cover portion 18a, 18b can be attached to the container 22 in a variety of manners. In one aspect of the invention, shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A, the slide assembly 12a and the container 22 can be formed of a polymeric material. When it is desired to attach or join the slide assembly to the container, the lateral channels and cover portion can be attached to or joined with the container or container lid by way of plastic welding, sonic welding, etc., illustrated schematically by welds 37 (FIGS. 2C, 3A and 3B).

In addition to welding the slide assembly components to the container, the components can be attached by way of adhesive, cement, mechanical fasteners, etc., as would occur to one having ordinary skill in such art and having possession of the present disclosure. Also, in one embodiment, the cover portion 18a, 18b can be attached over or to the lateral channel portions 14, 14′ simultaneously with the lateral portions, or the lateral portions can be attached in a first operation, with the cover portion being attached at a later time or procedure.

In one embodiment, the container lid or cap 22 can be installed over the beverage container (not shown) with dispensing orifice 24 covered by a portion of the slidable portion 16a (as shown, for example in FIG. 4). At the point of sale, the consumer can grasp engagement structure or nub 26a and separate (e.g., “tear”) the slidable portion from the lateral channel portions 14, 14′, at which point the slidable portion is free to slide within the enclosure formed by the lateral channel portions and the cover portion until at least a portion of the orifice 24 is not covered by the slidable portion, allowing the consumer to dispense the beverage through the at least partially “open” orifice (as illustrated by the “open” position of the slidable portion in FIG. 3A). Of course, the container or cap can also be provided to the end consumer with the slidable portion 16a initially in the “open” position, and a consumer would separate the slidable portion from the remainder of the closure system in order to “close” the orifice.

As shown by directional indicators 28 (FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4), once the slidable portion 16a, 16b has been disengaged from the lateral channel portions 14, 14′, the slidable portion can be moved within the enclosure formed by the lateral channel portions and the cover portion to selectively cover and uncover the dispensing orifice 24. In this manner, the consumer can easily expose the dispensing orifice to dispense the beverage when desired: then cover the dispensing orifice to prevent inadvertent spillage of the beverage.

The slidable portion 16a, 16b of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 can include one or more detents 30 that can aid in mechanically “locking” the slidable portion in a “closed” position over the dispensing orifice 24 to limit or prevent inadvertent opening of the container 22. The detent can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes and in one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the detent can be shaped substantially the same as the dispensing orifice 24 to provide a good seal when positioned over (and, in some embodiments, partially within) the dispensing orifice.

In addition to the single detent 30 illustrated in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that one or more additional detents (not shown) can be included that provide a number of additional advantages. For example, a second detent (not shown) can be provided that would engage a dimple (not shown) in the upper portion of the container or cap 22 to “lock” the slidable portion in an open configuration (e.g., when the slidable portion is moved to uncover the orifice 24).

It is also contemplated that a vent hole (not shown) can be formed in the upper surface of the container or cap 22 to allow the beverage to flow easily through the orifice 24. In this embodiment, the detent 30 shown in FIG. 4 can be positioned such that it will “ride” along the upper surface of the container or cap 22 and thereby create a gap between the slidable portion and the upper surface of the container. This gap can aid in providing good airflow to (and through) the vent opening when the slidable portion is in the “open” position.

The engagement structure 26a of FIGS. 1B, 3B and 5 can take a variety of forms and can be attached to or formed with the slidable portion 16b in a number of manners. As discussed in more detail below, the engagement structure can be a nub formed or attached to the slidable portion near a middle portion of the slidable portion and can extend through the cover portion 18b. The engagement structure can also comprise an opening or detent (not shown) formed in the slidable portion to enable a consumer to manipulate the slidable portion. The engagement structure can include frictional components (not shown) formed or attached thereto to enhance a gripping interface between the engagement structure and a consumer's finger. The frictional component can include, without limitation, a series of ridges, bumps, dimples, textural irregularities, and/or similar features that can increase a consumer's “grip” on the engagement structure.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1B, 3B and 5, the slidable portion 16b includes engagement structure 26b and the cover portion 18b includes a receiving opening 32 configured to receiving the engagement structure 26b. Thus, as the cover portion is folded, or otherwise positioned, over the slidable portion 16b, the engagement structure 26b extends through (or is otherwise accessible through) the receiving opening 32.

In this embodiment, a consumer can manipulate the slidable portion by grasping or contacting the engagement structure and sliding the engagement structure within the receiving opening. This embodiment of the invention is advantageous in that the engagement structure is centrally located relative to the closure assembly 12b, and in that the slidable portion is even further restrained to a particular slide path relative to the remaining portions of the closure once disengaged therefrom. This can aid in ensuring that the slide portion, once positioned over the dispensing orifice, is not subject to significant lateral movement, possibly resulting in inadvertent spillage of the material contained within the container.

FIG. 5 illustrates a generic container 22c on which slide assembly 12b has been attached. It will be appreciated that the present invention is adapted to be utilized with a variety of container shapes and sizes, as the present closures do require specialized structure be attached to or included in the container 22c in order to receive the components of the slide assembly 12b. In other words, the present closure can be attached to nearly any surface of a container, and need not be disposed adjacent edges of the container (i.e., needn't “wrap-around” corners of the container), as is the case with many conventional closure systems.

In addition to the structural and procedural considerations discussed above, the present invention also provides a method of providing a container with a reusable closure, comprising: disposing a slide assembly on the container adjacent a portion of the container from which material will be dispensed from the container, the slide assembly including: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion, extending over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion; attaching each of the lateral channel portions to the container; and selectively coupling the cover portion to the lateral channel portions or to the container to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

Coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the container can include joining the lateral channel portions with the container, and can include simultaneously joining the lateral channel portions and the cover portion with the container.

Coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the container can include coupling each of the lateral channel portions to a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the container.

The present invention also provides a method of providing a reusable closure to a container lid, the container lid having attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the lid to the container and having a material dispensing orifice formed or formable therein. The method can include disposing a slide assembly on the container lid adjacent the material dispensing orifice, the sliding assembly including: at least one lateral channel portion; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portion; and a cover portion, foldably extending from the lateral channel portion. The method can include attaching the lateral channel portion to the container lid, and selectively attaching sections of the cover portion to the lateral channel portion, or to the container lid, to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container lid after being ruptured from the lateral channel portion.

The method can include simultaneously joining the lateral channel portion and the cover portion with the container lid.

The present invention also provides a method of making a reusable closure assembly for use on a container, including: obtaining a blank of material; forming rupturable sections in the blank of material to delineate in the blank of material: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; and a slidable portion between the lateral channel portions; and forming a cover portion in the blank of material, the cover portion being sized so as to be foldable over each of the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion.

Forming rupturable sections in the blank of material can include forming a series of perforations in the blank of material. The rupturable sections can be formed in the same procedure in which the blank of material is formed, or during a different procedure or a different time than the blank of material is formed.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container, comprising:

a slide assembly, including: a pair of lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel portions between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion, extending laterally from one of the lateral channel portions, the cover portion being sized and shaped to be folded over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide enclosure;

the slidable portion being slidable within the slide enclosure after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the slidable portion is coupled to each of the lateral channel portions by material strands defined by an array of perforations formed in the slide assembly.

3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide assembly includes two arrays of perforations formed in the slide assembly, the two arrays being substantially parallel to one another.

4. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide assembly is formed from a unitary sheet of material.

5. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the three-sided enclosure includes an internal cross section that substantially matches an external cross section of the slidable portion.

6. The closure of claim 1, further comprising engagement structure, associated with the slidable portion, the engagement structure being configured to enable a user to engage the slidable portion to manipulate the slidable portion.

7. The closure of claim 6, further comprising a receiving opening, formed in the cover portion, the receiving opening operable to receive or expose the engagement structure of the slidable portion to enable the user to access the engagement structure through the cover portion.

8. A lid for use on a container, comprising:

a base, having attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the base to the container and having a material dispensing orifice formed or formable therein; and

a slide assembly, coupled to the base, the slide assembly including: at least one lateral channel portion; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to one of the lateral channel portion and the base; and a cover portion, extending from the lateral channel portion, the cover portion being operable to be folded over the lateral channel portion and the slidable portion to thereby form a slide enclosure for the slidable portion;

the lateral channel portion and the cover portion being attached to an outer surface of the base with the slide assembly being positioned on the base to be operable to selectively cover and uncover the material dispensing orifice.

9. The lid of claim 8, wherein the attachment structure is operable to form a substantially liquid-tight seal with the container.

10. The lid of claim 8, further comprising a pair of lateral channel portions, each of the lateral channel portions bordering a lateral edge of the slidable portion, and wherein the slidable portion is rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel portions.

11. The lid of claim 10, wherein the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion are substantially coplanar.

12. The lid of claim 8, wherein at least a section of the cover portion is attached atop the lateral channel portion.

13. The lid of claim 8, wherein the lid includes a substantially circular outer periphery.

14. The lid of claim 8, wherein the slide assembly is coupled to the base on only one surface of the base.

15. The lid of claim 8, wherein the slide assembly is coupled over a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the base.

16. The lid of claim 15, wherein the slide assembly and the substantially continuous, planar surface of the base are substantially parallel.

17. The lid of claim 8, wherein the slide assembly and the base are formed from separate materials.

18. The lid of claim 8, further comprising engagement structure, formed on or in the slidable portion, the engagement structure being configured to enable a user to engage the slidable portion to move the slidable portion.

19. The lid of claim 18, further comprising a receiving opening, formed in the cover portion, the receiving opening operable to receive or expose the engagement structure of the slidable portion to enable the user to access the engagement structure through the cover portion.

20. A method of providing a container with a reusable closure, comprising:

disposing a slide assembly on the container adjacent a portion of the container from which material will be dispensed from the container, the slide assembly including: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion, extending over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion;

attaching each of the lateral channel portions to the container; and

selectively coupling the cover portion to the lateral channel portions or to the container to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container after being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the container comprises joining the lateral channel portions with the container.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising simultaneously joining the lateral channel portions and the cover portion with the container.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the container comprises bonding the lateral channel portions to the container.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the container comprises coupling each of the lateral channel portions to a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the container.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling the cover portion to the lateral channel portions or to the container includes aligning a receiving opening formed in the cover portion with engagement structure associated with the slidable portion.

26. A method of providing a reusable closure to a container lid, the container lid having attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the lid to the container and having a material dispensing orifice formed or formable therein, the method comprising:

disposing a slide assembly on the container lid adjacent the material dispensing orifice, the sliding assembly including: at least one lateral channel portion; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portion; a cover portion, foldably extending from the lateral channel portion;

attaching the lateral channel portion to the container lid; and

selectively attaching sections of the cover portion to the lateral channel portion, or to the container lid, to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container lid after being ruptured from the lateral channel portion.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein attaching the lateral channel portion to the container lid comprises joining the lateral channel portion with the container lid.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising simultaneously joining the lateral channel portion and the cover portion with the container lid.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein coupling the lateral channel portion to the container lid comprises bonding the lateral channel portion to the container lid.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein coupling the lateral channel portion to the container lid comprises coupling the lateral channel portion to a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the container lid.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein coupling the cover portion to the lateral channel portion or to the container lid includes aligning a receiving opening formed in the cover portion with engagement structure associated with the slidable portion.

32. A method of making a reusable closure assembly for use on a container, comprising:

obtaining a blank of material;

forming rupturable sections in the blank of material to delineate in the blank of material: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; and a slidable portion between the lateral channel portions; and

forming a cover portion in the blank of material, the cover portion being sized so as to be foldable over each of the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein forming rupturable sections in the blank of material includes forming a series of perforations in the blank of material.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising forming engagement structure in the slidable portion, the engagement structure being configured to enable a user to engage the slidable portion to move the slidable portion.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising forming a receiving opening in the cover portion, the receiving opening operable to receive or expose the engagement structure of the slidable portion, when the cover portion is folded over each of the lateral channel portions, to enable the user to access the engagement structure through the cover portion.