FLIP TOP CLOSURE FOR CONTAINER

Abstract

A closure is provided having a closure body dimensionally formed for closing an opening within a container. A closing flap is pivotally positioned on the closure body and is moveable between an opened position, wherein the flap is pivoted upward, and a closed position, wherein the flap is pivoted to overlap a recess in a top surface of the body. A frangible area is provided in the recess. A flexible dome is formed on the closing flap. A contact member projects from the flap, opposite the dome. The contact member is positioned adjacent the frangible area when the closing flap is in the closed position. A downward actuation force to the dome causes a flexing of the dome toward the frangible area and at least a partial tearing of the frangible area.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to closure assembly for a container. Preferably, the closure includes a frangible discharge opening within the body of the assembly.

BACKGROUND

Closures in the form of a lid or overcap for a container are provided in a number of forms. An example of a container with sealing rim for receiving a plastic overcap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,306. Means for sealing a container in conjunction with the reclosable lid or overcap are also known. One example of a seal for a container is the provision of a flexible membrane sealed to the rim of the container, with the membrane being removable to provide access to the contents of the container.

Wells U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,597 shows a container having a top closure including a scored section that may be deformed inwardly to create an opening for access to the product within the container. A separate tab member is attached to the top closure and includes a projecting chime on its lower surface. The tab member can be moved into alignment with the scored section and for engagement with the chime to separate the scored section.

Patel, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,693 shows a container having a formed recess or cavity on the upper surface of an end section of the container. A closing flap is provided at the base of the cavity with a fitment or ring provided in the recess, above the flap. The fitment is retained by a covering surface. The lower surface of the ring member forms a lancing surface that, upon application of a force, causes the closing flap to tear away from the container surface.

Robichaud, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,999 shows a closure assembly attached to a multi-layer package wall. The closure includes a sealing flap and a separate pushing member positioned in a recess formed by the closure. The pushing member includes a central rib that contacts a sealing surface at the base of the closure. A separation line in the sealing surface aligns with the rib. Upon application of an opening force on the pushing member, the rib causes a tear along the separation line, creating side flaps that move into the container.

Taylor U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,055 shows a pivoting lever having a piercing edge formed on one end for breaking a sealing surface formed within the upper surface of a container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure related to a closure assembly for a container. The assembly includes a closure body dimensionally formed for closing an opening within the container. The closure body includes a top surface having a recess formed therein. A closing flap is pivotally positioned on the top surface, with the flap having an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the flap is pivoted upward from the top surface. In the closed position, the flap is pivoted to overlap the recess and may engage with the top surface to secure the flap to the body. A frangible area is defined within the recessed surface and the closing flap is aligned with and overlaps the frangible area in the closed position. A flexible dome is formed within and is projected convexly from an upper surface of the closure flap. A contact member projects from a lower surface of the closure flap and is aligned with the flexible dome on the flap. The contact member is positioned adjacent the frangible area, when the closing flap is in the closed position. The application of a downward activation force applied to the dome causes a flexing of the dome toward the top surface and a corresponding engagement force by the projecting member on the frangible area within the recess. The engagement force causes a destructive tearing of the frangible area and a separation of at least a portion of the frangible area from the top surface, forming an opening in the closure body.

In a further aspect of the assembly, the closing flap is integrally formed with the closure body. The closure assembly preferably is integrally formed from a thermoplastic material and is injection molded. The container may be separately formed or may be (at least in part) integrally molded with closure.

In a further aspect of the assembly, the frangible area includes a defined apex formed adjacent the outer periphery of the body. The contact member preferably engages the frangible area adjacent the apex. The frangible area may further include a base, positioned radially inward of the apex, with the base forming a flexing hinge for the frangible area after opening.

In a still further aspect of the assembly, the dome on the closing flap is preferably formed within the recess area, projecting from the upper surface of the flap no further than the plane of the top surface of the closure body.

In a further aspect of the assembly, the closing flap further includes an engagement tab for releasably retaining the flap in the closed position. The closure body may further include a peripheral skirt projecting from an underside of the body. The skirt is preferably dimensioned for engagement with a rim of the container and for fixing the closure body over the container opening.

Other features and variations of the assembly will become apparent by a review of the disclosure below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings one or more forms that are presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a closure assembly positioned within a top opening of a container.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the closure assembly shown in FIG. 1, with a closing flap portion shown in an opened position.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the closure assembly with the closing flap portion shown in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the closure assembly of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the closure assembly with the closing flap portion shown in an opened position.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the closure assembly as taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 with the closing flap portion shown in an opened position and a portion of a container shown in phantom.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the closure, with the flap portion shown in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a first cross sectional view of the closure as taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, with the flap portion shown in the closed position.

FIG. 9 is a second cross sectional view of the closure assembly of FIG. 7 with the closing flap portion shown in a closed position and with an activation force being applied to the closing flap for opening a frangible portion within the body of the closure.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the closure body with the closing flap portion in an opened position and with the frangible portion in an opened condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals identify like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a combination of a closure assembly and container forming a sealed package. In the drawings the closure assembly is generally referred to by the numeral 10 and the container is referred to by the numeral 12. In FIG. 1, the closure assembly 10 is positioned on the top end 14 of the container 12. Typically, the container top end 14 includes an opening having a defined rim. The closure assembly 10 is inserted onto or within the opening and conforms with or otherwise engages the rim. The closure assembly 10 is preferably formed from a thermoplastic material and is preferably injection molded. The container 12 may be separately formed from any number of known materials. The container 12 may also be (at least in part) integrally molded with closure assembly 10.

In FIG. 1, the closure assembly 10 is shown to include a closure body 16 dimensionally formed for closing the opening within the top end 14 of the container 12. The closure body 16 includes a top surface 18. The top surface 18 includes a recess 20 formed therein and a closing flap 22 pivotally positioned on the top surface, adjacent the recess 20. The closing flap 22 is integrally formed with the closure body 16 and is connected to the top surface 18 at the inward base of the recess 20. The flap 22 is connected to the closure body by a living hinge. The flap 22 may be pivoted from an opened position, wherein the flap 22 is pivoted upward from the top surface 18, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a closed position, wherein the flap 22 is pivoted to overlap the recess 20 and engage with the top surface 18, as shown in FIG. 3. As outlined in FIG. 2, a frangible area 24 is provided within the recess 20 of the top surface 18. The closing flap 22 is aligned with and overlaps the frangible area 24 in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 3. A flexible dome 26 is formed on the closing flap 22.

The underside surface 30 of the closure body 16 is shown in FIG. 4. The recess area 20 projects downwardly within the underside surface 30. The frangible are 24 is defined by a series of grooves 32 in the underside surface 30. The underside grooves 32 correspond to the outline in FIGS. 1 and 2 and form a reduced thickness in the closure body 16. The grooves 32 serve to form tear lines in the top surface 18 and upon tearing to create an opening in the closure body 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the closure body 16 includes an outer periphery 34 that generally conforms to the dimension of the opening in the top end 14 of the container 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Projected downwardly from the outer periphery 34 is an annular skirt 36. The skirt 36 is dimensioned to fit within the container opening. An outward projecting rim flange 38 is formed on the outer periphery of the skirt 36. The rim flange 38 engages the rim of the container opening. The rim flange 38 forms a leveling stop for the insertion of the skirt 36 into the container opening. The positioning of the closure assembly 10 within the top end 14 of the container 12 is shown in the cross section of FIG. 6.

The dome 26 is formed on an upper surface 28 of the flap 22 and includes a convex top surface. As shown in the cross sections of FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the curved dome 26 is formed in the closing flap 22 below the plane of the top surface 18 of the closure body 16. This positioning of the dome 26 creates a level upper surface for the closure assembly 10, permitting the stacking of a secondary container and closure combination. The dome 26 may, however, project upwardly, if desired. In FIG. 7, the flap 22 is pivoted into the opened position, away from the recess 20. A cross section of the flap 22 in the open position is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the flap 22 is pivoted to the closed position, with the flap 22 fixed in the recess 20.

As shown in the cross sections of FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, a contact member 40 projects from a lower surface 42 of the closure flap 22. The contact member 40 is formed on the underside of the flexible dome 26 on the lower surface 42 of the flap 22. The contact member may be formed as a rib, button, tab or other desired form of projection. The contact member 40 is positioned adjacent to or in contact with the frangible area 24 within the recess 20, when the flap 22 is in the closed position. Preferably, the frangible area 24 includes a tapered or triangular form, with an apex 44 located at an outward position, relatively close to the outer periphery 34 of the closure body 16. As shown, the apex 44 includes a rounded top edge with an outwardly tapering side edges extending therefrom. The contact member 40 is positioned closely adjacent the apex 44 in the closed position of the flap 22. As shown in FIG. 8, the grooves 32 in the underside surface 30 of the closure body 16 include a hinge groove portion 32a and a tearing groove portion 32b. The hinge groove 32a is formed at the base of the triangular shaped frangible area 24, opposite the apex 44. The closing flap 22 includes an engagement tab 46 on its underside edge for resilient engagement with a latch surface 48 on the outer periphery 34 of the closure body 16. The frictional interaction of the tab 46 with the latch surface 48 retains the flap 22 in the closed position.

In FIG. 9, there is graphically shown the application of a downward activation force, designated by the arrow 50. The activation force 50 is applied to the top surface of the dome 26. Due to the flexibility of the dome 26, the normally convex shape of the dome 26 tends to invert under the activation force 50. The inversion of the dome 26 creates a corresponding movement of the contact member 40 and an engagement force applied against the apex 44 of the frangible area 24. The groove 32b that defines the apex of the frangible area 24 creates a weakened portion of the recessed surface 20. The activation force 50 is preferably accentuated by the inversion of the dome 26. This flexing of the dome 26 creates a force sufficient to start the destructive tearing of the frangible area 24, starting at the apex 44. The relative positioning of the contact member 40 adjacent the apex 44 locates the engagement force at the apex 44, causing a tearing along the grooves 32b, towards the base of the triangular area.

The engagement force resulting from the movement of the dome 26 and its underside contact member 40 is sufficient to start the tearing of the grooves 32b adjacent the apex 44 of the frangible area. Hence, the opening 52 of the closure assembly 10 is initiated by the actuation force 50. The continued opening of the frangible area 24 may be accomplished by first moving the flap 22 from the closed position (FIGS. 8 and 9) to the opened position (FIG. 6). A further opening force may then be applied to the (at least) partially opened frangible area 24 to complete movement of the separated portion into the container. The separated portion of the frangible area 24 is preferably pivoted about the hinge groove 32a. The hinge groove 32a forms a flexing edge or living hinge for the pivoted movement of the separated portion of the frangible area 24 once there is a tear along the side grooves 32b. In FIG. 10, the frangible area 24 is pivoted downward into the volume below the underside surface 30 of the closure assembly 10.

The closure assembly is contemplated to be formed from an olefin material, preferably polypropylene or polyethylene. The material is desirably flexible, so that the flap may be repeatedly pivoted between the opened and closed positions and so that the dome member resiliently moves in response to the activation force. The convex formation of the dome is contemplated to create a flex upon inversion to force the contact member into engagement with the frangible area.

The body of the closure is preferably formed of the same or a similar flexible material as the closing flap. The frangible area of the body is preferably torn or otherwise separated from the body without cracking or chipping of the frangible flap or the surrounding portions of the recess. More rigid materials may result in the breaking of the material and pieces may fall into the storage volume of the container.

The engagement force created by the projecting contact member is preferably located at a relatively weakened portion of the frangible are formed within the body of the closure assembly. The combination of the flexing of the dome and the location and movement of the contact member concentrates the engagement force on the frangible area to start the tearing of the opening flap. If the frangible area is provided without the flap, dome and contact member, it has been found that opening a frangible flap is difficult and inconsistent. A finger or thumb force is often spread out, permitting the surface to flex rather than initiating a tear. Moreover, the materials may resiliently resist finger (thumb) opening, causing the consumer to use a tool (such as a spool, knife, etc.) to create the opening. The use of a tool may cause excessive force to be applied, resulting in a fracture or break, pieces falling into the container, or other negative consequences.

The form of the grooves and shape of the frangible area may be varied as desired. In the present form, the apex of the frangible area creates a natural stress concentration area for the application of the engagement force of the contact member. Positioning the apex closely adjacent the outer periphery of the closure body, stiffens the material at the location of the apex. Variations in the form and position of the grooves (tear lines) are possible to create a receiving area for the engagement force. The form of the groove (32a) at the base or hinge end of the frangible flap is contemplated to be transverse to the tearing of the frangible grooves (32b) to restrict the tearing action and retain the frangible flap connected to the closure body upon opening (FIG. 10).

The dome forms a flexible bubble, preferably creating an accentuated transfer of the actuation force to the contact member for creating the engagement force. The flexing of the dome further creates a visual indication of flexing.

The interaction of the tab on the end of the flap with the latch surface on the peripheral edge of the closure body serves to frictionally retain the closing flap in the closed position. The flap stays within the plane of the top surface during shipment and seals the access opening created by the separated portion of the frangible flap (FIG. 10).

In the drawings and specification, there is set forth one or more embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, these terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Additional structure and variations of those structures shown and described are contemplated and will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the present disclosure. The scope of the invention is set forth by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A closure for a container comprising:

a closure body dimensionally formed for closing an opening within a container, the closure body having a top surface, the top surface having a recess formed therein;

a closing flap, the closing flap pivotally positioned on the top surface, the pivoting of the flap having an opened position, wherein the flap is pivoted upward from the top surface, and a closed position, wherein the flap is pivoted to overlap the recess and engage with the top surface;

a frangible area provided in the recess of the top surface, the closing flap aligned with and overlapping the frangible area in the closed position of the flap;

a flexible dome formed within and projected convexly from an upper surface of the closing flap; and

a contact member projecting from a lower surface of the flap, the contact member aligned with the dome on the flap, the contact member positioned adjacent the frangible area when the closing flap is in the closed position;

wherein the application of a downward actuation force to the dome, when the closing flap is in the closed position, causes a flexing of the dome toward the top surface within the recess and a corresponding engagement force by the contact member on the frangible area within the recess, the engagement force of the contact member causing a tearing of the frangible area from the closure body and a separation of at least a portion of the frangible area, forming an opening in the body.

2. The closure as in claim 1 wherein the closing flap is integrally formed with the closure body.

3. The closure as in claim 2 wherein the closing flap is connected to the closure body by a living hinge.

4. The closure as in claim 1 wherein the closure body comprises an outer periphery.

5. The closure as in claim 4 wherein the frangible area includes an apex formed adjacent the outer periphery of the body.

6. The closure as in claim 5 wherein the contact member engages the frangible area adjacent the apex.

7. The closure as in claim 6 wherein frangible area further comprises a base radially inward of the apex, the base forming a flexing hinge for the frangible area after opening.

8. The closure as in claim 1 wherein the dome is formed within the recess, and projects within the plane of the top surface of the closure body.

9. The closure as in claim 1 wherein the closing flap further comprises an engagement tab for releasably retaining the flap in the closed position.

10. The closure as in claim 1 wherein the closure body further comprises a peripheral skirt projecting from an underside of the body, the skirt dimensioned for engagement with a rim of the container and for fixing the closure body over the container opening.

11. A closure for a container comprising:

a closure body dimensionally formed for closing an opening within a container, the closure body having a planar top surface, an outer periphery and a recessed surface defined within the top surface;

a closing flap, the closing flap pivotally attached to the top surface, the pivoting of the flap having an opened position, wherein the flap is pivoted upward from the top surface, and a closed position, wherein the flap is pivoted to overlap the recessed surface and engaged with the periphery of the closure body;

a frangible area provided in the recess of the top surface, the closing flap aligned with and overlapping the frangible area in the closed position of the flap, the frangible area defined by one or more grooves in the recessed surface, the grooves defining weekend lines within the surface, the grooves forming an apex adjacent the outer periphery;

a flexible dome formed within and projected upward from an upper surface of the closing flap; and

a contact member projecting from a lower surface of the flap, the contact member aligned with the dome on the flap, the contact member positioned adjacent the frangible area when the closing flap is in the closed position and aligned with the apex of the grooves;

wherein the application of a downward actuation force to the dome, when the closing flap is in the closed position, causes a flexing of the dome toward the frangible area within the recess and a corresponding engagement force by the contact member on the apex, the engagement force of the contact member causing a tearing along the grooves and at least a partial separation of frangible area from the closure body, forming an opening in the body.