FLIP-TOP TAMPER EVIDENT CLOSURE

Abstract

A dispensing closure for a container that includes a flip-top lid, a main body, a first hinge integrally molded to and pivotably connecting the lid to the main body, and a tamper-evident element. The first hinge is located on a top surface of the main body and permits pivoting of the lid relative to the main body between a closed and open position. The tamper-evident element is initially intact and secured to portions of both the lid and the top surface of the main body in the closed position before the lid is first pivoted open, initial sealing state. The tamper-evident element is configured to fracture where the tamper-evident element is secured to the lid when the lid is first pivoted to the open position following the initial sealing state, with a portion of the tamper-evident element remaining secured to the top surface of the main body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application 63/338,604 filed May 5, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 18/312,676 filed May 5, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a dispensing closure for a container, and more particularly, to a flip-top tamper evident closure attachable to and non-removable from a container to maximize recyclability and reclamation of materials while minimizing packaging material waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Over the years measures have been incorporated, and in some cases imposed, to protect food, nutraceutical, and medicine containers from tampering after a product is placed in those containers. The most well-known mechanism is the tamper-evident connection between a closure (cap) and a container. The most common type of such tamper-evidence system is a security ring that engages with and locks onto a rim of a container neck and is connected to the closure by frangible fingers. Twisting of the closure relative to the container causes the fingers to sever or break, permitting the closure to be removed while leaving the ring on the container, thus providing visual evidence that the closure was opened.

Another type of tamper-evidence device is a pull-off seal that is adhered to the rim of the container. A user must tear off the seal before being able to access the contents of the container.

Sustainability and the need for recycling of product packaging is extremely important in today's society. Conventional bottles and closures have, for years, been made from recyclable plastic materials. The increased use of recycled resins (i.e., reprocessed plastics) in packaging is driving demand for these materials, making it essential to reclaim as much plastic packaging as possible—particularly polypropylene and polyethylene, which are widely used in closures yet recycled at lower rates than other materials such as PET, commonly used in containers.

Closures unattached to containers are often not recycled and may be rejected by recycling equipment, increasing waste. Recently, to resolve this sustainability concern, product manufacturers have been interested in “tethered” closures, that is, the closure remains attached and non-separable from the container so that, when the product packaging has reached end of life, consumers recycle the packaging as a complete unit. This ensures that the closure enters the recycling stream to be reclaimed with the container, reducing waste material, and increasing the supply of higher-quality feedstock for recycled resin production. To reduce waste in conventional packages, the closure should also be free of liners, shrink wrapping, or other tamper evident paraphernalia that may be separated from the package.

It would be of further benefit to manufacture packaging components that minimize plastic use, are lightweight and low-profile, reduce environmental impact, and do not require specific orientations or placements during manufacturing to reduce added time and cost.

A need exists for an improved tamper-evident closure system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Itys purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a dispensing closure for a container. The dispensing closure comprises a flip-top lid having a lid thickness, a main body, a first hinge integrally molded to and pivotably connecting the flip-top lid to the main body, and a tamper-evident element. The first hinge may be located on a top surface of the main body and configured to permit pivoting of the flip-top lid relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position. The tamper-evident element may be initially intact. The tamper-evident element is initially secured to at least a portion of the flip-top lid and to at least a portion of the top surface of the main body in the closed position before the flip-top lid is first pivoted to the open position, which may define an initial sealing state. The tamper-evident element may be configured to fracture where the tamper-evident element is secured to the flip-top lid when the flip-top lid is first pivoted to the open position following the initial sealing state. Following the fracture of the tamper-evident element, at least a portion of the tamper-evident element may remain secured to the at least a portion of the top surface of the main body.

The tamper-evident element may further include a line of weakening proximate to where the tamper-evident element is secured to the flip-top lid, wherein the tamper-evident element is preferably configured to fracture along the line of weakening.

Optionally, the line of weakening may be nonlinear.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the tamper-evident element may be sonically welded to at least a portion of the top surface of the main body.

In a further embodiment, the main body may include at least one recess on the top surface of the main body. The tamper-evident element may comprise at least one flap integrally molded to the flip-top lid through the line of weakening, wherein the at least one flap protrudes from a lateral side of a portion of the flip-top lid. The at least one flap has a flap thickness and may be configured to mate with the at least one recess when the flip-top lid is pivoted into the initial sealing state.

The flap thickness of the at least one flap may be less than the lid thickness.

Optionally, the line of weakening may further comprise perforations formed in the tamper-evident element.

The dispensing closure in any of the embodiments may further include a web defined by the line of weakening between the at least one flap and the flip-top lid. The web may have at least one of a web thickness that is less than the flap thickness, spaced apart perforations along a length of the web, or a web thickness that is less than the flap thickness and spaced apart perforations along a length of the web.

In an embodiment, the tamper-evident element may further comprise a layer affixed to at least a portion of a top surface of the flip-top lid and at least a portion of the top surface of the main body, the layer having a layer thickness.

The layer thickness may be less than the lid thickness to facilitate fracturing of the layer along the line of weakening.

The flip-top lid may be made of a first material and the layer may be made of a second material that is different than the first material.

Optionally, the second material may be polymeric.

In an embodiment, the layer may further include weakening elements along the line of weakening. The weakening elements may consist of scores, perforations, and/or a reduced web thickness that is less than the layer thickness.

The layer may have a shape that is substantially circular.

In any of the embodiments, the main body may further comprise a second hinge positioned on an outer edge of the top surface of the main body and adjacent the first hinge. The first hinge and second hinge may define a hinge portion.

In any of the embodiments, the second hinge may include a locking element, a receiving element, and an integrally molded living hinge pivotally coupling the locking element and the receiving element. The hinge portion may lie substantially along a plane when the dispensing closure is in an initial molded state. The locking element may be configured to pivot about the integrally molded living hinge to engage with the receiving element following the initial molded state such that the locking element and the receiving element are not readily separable. The engagement of the receiving element and the locking element may define a locked state.

The layer thickness may be less than the lid thickness to facilitate fracturing of the layer.

The line of weakening may comprise weakening elements formed in the layer to facilitate a directional fracture of the layer. The weakening elements may extend substantially circumferentially along at least a portion of the layer radially inward from an outer edge of the layer and at or radially outward from an outer edge of the flip-top-lid.

The weakening elements may include notches, slits, perforations, and/or a web thickness that is less than the layer thickness.

The weakening elements may be randomly angled, unevenly sized, and/or unevenly spaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention which is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the closure system according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the closure in its initial molded state prior to attachment of the tamper evident flaps.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the closure system according to the first embodiment of the invention, with the closure in its closed and untampered position following attachment of the tamper evident flaps.

FIG. 3A is an alternate embodiment of the closure system of FIG. 3, with the addition of a web creating a frangible attachment between the lid and the flaps.

FIG. 4 is a perspective section view of the closure system of FIG. 3 taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the closure system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the closure system according to the first embodiment of the invention, with the closure in its open and tampered position.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective section view of the closure system of FIG. 6 taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the closure system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of the closure system according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the closure in its closed position prior to attachment of the tamper evident layer.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 10 in its closed and untampered position after attaching the tamper evident layer.

FIG. 12 is a perspective section view of the closure system of FIG. 11 taken along lines 12-12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a section view of the closure system of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the closure system according to the second embodiment of the invention, with the closure in its open and tampered position.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective section view of the closure system of FIG. 14 taken along lines 16-16 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a section view of the closure system of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the closure system according to a third embodiment of the invention in its initial molded state.

FIG. 19 is an exploded front perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 18, with the closure in its closed position prior to attaching the tamper evident layer.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 19 in its closed and untampered position after attaching the tamper evident layer.

FIG. 21 is a perspective section view of the closure system of FIG. 20 taken along lines 21-21 in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a section view of the closure system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the closure system according to the third embodiment of the invention, with the closure system in its open and tampered position.

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective section view of the closure system of FIG. 23 taken along lines 25-25 in FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a section view of the closure system of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a first embodiment of a closure system 10 according to the invention is shown. The closure system 10 may be configured to attach to a container (not shown). The closure system 10 includes a closure 12 that has a flip-top recloseable lid 14 and a main body 18. The main body 18 includes an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 26 which is configured to attach to the neck of a container (not shown). The closure 12 has several positions or states as will be discussed in more detail herein.

Turning specifically to FIGS. 1-2, the closure system 10 is shown with the closure 12 in its initial molded state where the lid 14 is pivoted open relative to the main body 18. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the closure system 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the closure 12 in its initial molded state prior to attachment or securing of one or more tamper evident flaps 36, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the closure system 10 of FIG. 1. In the initial molded state, the lid 14 and the main body 18 are approximately orthogonal to each other. The lid 14 is connected to the body 18 through a living hinge (i.e., a thin piece of plastic that is contiguous with the lid and the base so as to provide a flexible attachment. Living hinges are well known and, thus, no further discussion is needed.

The shape of upper portion 24 is designed such that when the lid 14 is closed, the upper portion 24 and lid 14 mate together (i.e., when the lid 14 is closed, the closure 12 forms a substantially continuous, flat upper surface). The upper portion 24 includes recesses 24A located on opposite sides of the top surface of upper portion 24.

The lower portion 26 comprises a landing 20 extending radially inward and has a top surface defining an upper sealing surface 20A so as to better seal the contents of the container when the lid 14 is closed. A portion of the landing 20 further includes a cut into the sealing surface 20A to define an access hole 22 that permits access to the contents of the container.

The landing 20 and lower portion 26 have a first and second diameter, respectively. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter, such that a ledge 30 is formed at the interface between a portion of the side of landing 20 and lower portion 26. The ledge 30 is configured to support or receive the outer rim of lid 14 when the lid 14 is closed. The portion of the side of landing 20 includes one or more radially outwardly projecting protrusions 20B. The lid 14 includes one or more inwardly extending protrusions 14A located circumferentially around the outer rim of the lid 14 that are designed to snap over and be retained by the one or more radially outwardly projecting protrusions 20B when lid 14 is closed, locking the lid 14 to the main body 18.

The recloseable lid 14 is attached to the upper portion 24 of the main body 18 through an integral molded hinge 28, as shown in FIG. 2. The hinge 28 permits the lid 14 to be pivoted open and closed relative to the upper portion 24. The lid 14 includes a lip 14B that a user can grasp with the tip of their finger. When the user lifts the lip 14B, the force causes the inwardly extending protrusions 14A of the lid 14 to detach from the outwardly extending protrusions 20B of the side of the landing 20, allowing the lid 14 to pivot to an open position using the integral molded hinge 28.

The lid 14 includes at least one, and preferably two, tamper evident flaps 36 located on opposite sides of the lid 14. The flaps 36 are thin pieces of plastic protruding from the outer or lateral sides of a portion of the lid 14 and are molded from the same material as the lid 14 and the upper portion 24. More specifically, the flaps 36 are integrally molded to the upper surface of the lid 14. As will become apparent below, the flaps 36 are designed to fracture or break from the remainder of the lid 14 upon first opening of the lid 14. The shape and location of the flaps 36 are designed such that the flaps 36 will mate with the recesses 24A when the lid 14 is in a closed position.

The lid 14 further includes and a first sealing member or plug seal 34 located on an inner or bottom surface of the lid 14. The plug seal 34 protrudes downwardly from the bottom surface of the lid 14 and is configured to contact the inner diameter or edge of the access hole 22 when the lid 14 is in a closed position. The plug seal 34 helps to maintain accurate alignment of the lid 14 to the main body 18 and to prevent unwanted leakage of the contents from within the container when the lid 14 is closed.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, the closure system 10 is shown in its closed and untampered position. This is the state following the initial molding when the lid 14 on the closure 12 is first locked onto the neck of the container with the contents included inside the container, closed, and sealed for distribution to a user. These figures show different views of the closure 12 in its closed, untampered state. More specifically, FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the closure system 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention, with the closure 12 in its closed and untampered position following attachment of the tamper evident flaps 36. FIG. 3A is an alternate embodiment of the closure system 10 of FIG. 3, with the addition of a web 36A creating a frangible attachment between the lid 14 and the flaps 36. FIG. 4 is a perspective section view of the closure system 10 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a section view of the closure system 10 of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lid 14 is closed using the hinge 28 so that the inwardly extending protrusions 14A of the lid 14 snap over and retain the radially outwardly projecting protrusions 20B on the side of the landing 20, locking the lid 14 to the main body 18. The tamper evident flaps 36 mate or seat within the recesses 24A of the upper portion 24, creating a generally continuous, flat upper surface of the closure 12.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, a region along, directly adjacent or proximate to an interface between the flaps 36 and lid 14 is significantly thinned and/or perforated to create thinned, weakened or fracturable, attachment or a web 36A that secures the flap 36 to the lid 14. The web 36A creates a frangible attachment between the flaps 36 and the lid 14.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the lower portion 26 includes a skirt 32 which is configured to extend around and engage with a neck of a container (not shown) during the assembly process. More preferably, the inner diameter of the skirt 32 includes one or more radially inward projecting protrusions 32A spaced around the skirt 32 that are designed to snap over and be retained by one or more outwardly extending protrusions on the neck of the container. The configuration of the connection between the lower portion 26 and the neck of the container is designed to permit the lower portion 26 to be snapped onto the neck of the container and prevent easy removal. Thus, during assembly, as the lower portion 26 is pressed downwardly in the container, the skirt 32 will flex slightly to permit the protrusions 32A on the skirt to roll over the protrusions on the neck and snap onto the container. Other forms of attachment mechanisms could be used for securing the lower portion 26 to the neck of a container so as to prevent it from being removed, such as a one-way ratcheting attachment.

The landing 20 further includes a downwardly protruding second sealing member 40 that provides additional sealing to the container, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 4-5. The outer surface of the second sealing member 40 is configured to engage with the inner diameter of the neck of the container and to maintain proper alignment of the container with the closure 12.

In order to properly seal the lid 14 of the closure system 10, the tamper evident flaps 36 are adhered to their respective recesses 24A such that the two components are not readily separable. The tamper evident flaps 36 may be adhered to the recesses 24A using resistance spot welding, sonic welding, adhesives, solvent bonding, or other methods of permanently adhering plastics that are known in the arts. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper evident flaps 36 are sonically welded to the recesses 24A. As will be discussed below, the flaps 36 are designed to break or fracture off from the remainder of the lid 14 when the lid 14 is first opened (i.e., upon lifting of the lid 14) following the initial seal. In FIGS. 3-5, the lid 14 is secured to the upper portion 24 (i.e., the tamper-evident flaps 36 are not broken and remain integral with the lid 14). Thus, there is a visual indication that the contents of the container have not been accessed and the closure 12 is untampered.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-9, the closure system 10 is shown with the closure 12 in its open and tampered position. These figures show different views of the open, tampered state. More specifically, FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the closure system 10 with the closure 12 in its open and tampered position. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the closure system 10 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective section view of the closure system 10 of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a section view of the closure system 10 of FIG. 8.

When the user grasps the lid lip 14B with the tip of their finger and lifts the lid 14, the force causes the tamper evident flaps 36 to fracture from the lid 14. The flip-top lid 14 can then be pivoted about its hinge 28 into its open position. The contents of the container can now be poured out of the container through the opening formed by the access hole 22. To facilitate the fracturing of the flaps 36, the thickness of the flaps 36 is sufficiently less than the thickness of the adjacent portion of the lid 14 such that the lifting force on the lid 14 fractures the weaker flaps 36.

Additional methods of weakening the lid 14 at desired fracture locations are considered, preferably by creating a line of weakening configured to fracture upon lifting of the lid 14. The line of weakening may be linear (i.e., straight) or nonlinear (i.e., curved).

The line of weakening may be continuous or discontinuous. In one embodiment, the interface connecting the lid 14 to the flaps 36 is thinned to create a web 36A. The web 36A may define the line of weakening. The web 36A is any suitable thickness such that the flaps 36 are easily breakable while ensuring manufacturing feasibility. More specifically, the thickness of the web 36A must be sufficiently thick to allow plastic flow throughout the molding process, while also being sufficiently thin to easily fracture the flaps 36 from the lid 14 when desired (i.e., the lifting force is not excessive over a standard or reasonable amount of force). In one preferred embodiment, the web 36A has a thickness of approximately 0.005″. The flaps 36 may also be scored to define the line of weakening to further facilitate the fracturing. A portion of the lid 14 directly surrounding the line of weakening may include further weakening or thinning. In certain embodiments, the web 36A is discontinuous or segmented across the length of the interface. In other embodiments, the web 36A extends continuously across the length of the interface. In this case, the continuous web 36A may later be scored or perforated when the flaps 26 are sonically welded into their corresponding recesses 24A; however, it should be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended by this consideration.

The tamper evident flaps 36 remain sonically welded to the recesses 24A when the lid 14 is opened causing the fracturing of the flaps 36 to occur between the weld and the lid 14, preferably at the line of weakening. The broken flaps 36 (shown by the jagged edges in the figures) provide a visual indication that the closure has been opened, thus evidence of potential tampering or access of the contents in the container. As such, the adhesion of lid 14 to the upper portion 24 by means of the tamper evident flaps 36 is a tamper-evident feature of the closure.

The closure system 10 provides a unique system for providing tamper-evident protection for a container. In this embodiment, the main body 18 and flip-top lid 14 are all molded integrally and preferably made from the same material as the container, e.g., high density polyethylene. The incorporation of the first and second sealing members 34, 40, respectively, assures product integrity and eliminates the need for a liner, reducing user waste and thereby increasing the sustainability of the system.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-17, another embodiment of the closure system 110 is disclosed. For the sake of simplicity, elements of this second embodiment that are similar to the first embodiment are referred to with the same reference numbers preceded by the numeral “1” and are not described in detail. In this closure system 110, the lid 114 does not include tamper evident flaps with corresponding recesses on the upper portion 124 of the main body 118. Instead, a tamper evident layer 116 is affixed on the top surface of the lid 114, as will be discussed further below. The closure system 110 otherwise operates the same as previously discussed.

Turning specifically to FIG. 10, the closure system 110 is shown with the closure 112 in its closed position prior to attachment of the tamper evident layer 116. This is the state following the initial molding (not shown) when the lid 114 on the closure 112 is first closed by pivoting the flip-top lid 114 about its hinge 128 into the closed position. The tamper evident layer 116 is a thin piece of material that is preferably made of the same polymeric (plastic) material as the lid 114 and the main body 118 (e.g., high density polyethylene or polypropylene), reducing waste. In some embodiments, the lid 114 is made of a first material and the tamper evident layer 116 is made of a second material that is different than the first material. In one preferred embodiment, the second material is made of a polymeric material (e.g., meshes, films, etc.); however, fibrous materials may also be considered. In such embodiments, the tamper evident layer 116 is die cut into a desirable shape, such as a disc, and separately attached to the lid 114 rather than being molded. Preferably, the second material is perforated; however, a non-perforated second material may also be considered. The tamper evident layer 116 may be scored and/or oriented preferentially after adhering to the lid 114. Alternatively, the second material may be designed to facilitate non-oriented tearing. The shape of the tamper evident layer 116 is preferably configured such that the layer 116 may, in one embodiment, be rotated in any direction relative to the upper surface of the lid 114 when adhering the layer 116 to the lid 114 during manufacturing. In other words, the orientation of the tamper evident layer 116 in one embodiment may be independent of the orientation of the closure 112. In one example, the tamper evident layer 116 may be symmetrical (e.g., circular) and positioned at the center of the upper surface of the lid 114. Ease of manufacturing, therefore, is improved because the layer 116 does not require a specific orientation or placement. In an alternate embodiment, the layer may be manufactured so as to fracture more readily in a certain orientation or direction generally aligned with the opening of the lid.

In order to properly seal the lid 114 of the closure system 110, the tamper evident layer 116 is adhered to the top surface of the lid 114 during the manufacturing process such that the two components are not readily separable. The tamper evident layer 116 may be adhered to the top surface of the lid 114 using resistance spot welding, sonic welding, adhesives, solvent bonding, or other methods of permanently adhering plastics that are known in the arts. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper evident layer 116 is sonically welded to the lid 114. The attachment of the tamper-evidence layer 116 to the lid does not need to be over the entire surface of the layer. As will be apparent from the discussion below, it is primarily important to secure a portion of the tamper-evidence layer 116 to the lid 114 and another portion of the tamper-evident layer 116 to the upper portion 124 so that the lid 114 cannot be opened without damaging the tamper-evident layer 116 in a visually apparent manner.

In FIGS. 11-13, the lid 114 is shown in its closed position and untampered state such that it is secured to the upper portion 124 by the tamper-evident layer (i.e., the tamper-evident layer 116 is not broken and remains adhered to the lid 114). Thus, there is a visual indication that the contents of the container have not been accessed and the closure 112 is untampered.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-17, the closure system 110 is shown with the closure 112 in its open and tampered position. These figures show different views of the open, tampered state. More specifically, FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the closure system 110 with the closure 112 in its open and tampered position. FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the closure system 110 of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a perspective section view of the closure system 110 of FIG. 14 taken along lines 16-16 in FIG. 14. FIG. 17 is a section view of the closure system 110 of FIG. 16.

As discussed above, the tamper evident layer 116 is designed to break or fracture when the flip-top lid 114 is first opened following initial sealing. More specifically, when the user grasps the lid lip 114B with the tip of their finger and lifts the lid 114, the force causes the tamper evident layer 116 to fracture into at least two portions, one portion of the tamper-evident layer 116 remaining on the lid 116 and another portion of the tamper evident layer 116 remaining on the upper portion 124. The flip-top lid 114 can then be pivoted about its hinge 128 into its open position. The contents of the container can now be poured out of the container through the opening formed by the access hole 122. To facilitate the fracturing of the layer 116, the thickness of the layer 116 is sufficiently less than the thickness of the lid 114 such that the lifting force on the lid 114 fractures the weaker layer 116 along at least a portion of the edge of the lid 114. In one preferred embodiment, the layer 116 has a thickness proximate the lid 114 of approximately 0.001″. The layer 116 may also be scored or further thinned along a line of weakening on the lid 114 at a desired fracture location to better facilitate the fracturing, for example along the edges of the lid 114. It should be understood, however, that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended by this consideration.

The portion of the layer 116 sonically welded to the upper portion 124 remains adhered to the upper portion 124 following the fracturing of the layer 116. Similarly, the portion of the layer 116 sonically welded to the lid 114 remains adhered to the lid 114 following the fracturing of the layer 116; therefore, when the lid 114 is opened as described, the layer 116 preferably fractures between the weld and the lid 114. The broken tamper evident layer 116 (shown by the jagged edges in the figures) provides a visual indication that the closure 112 has been opened, thus evidence of potential tampering or access to the contents in the container. As such, the adhesion of lid 114 to the upper portion 124 by means of the tamper evident layer 116 is a tamper-evident feature of the closure.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-26, another embodiment of the closure system 210 is disclosed. For the sake of simplicity, elements of this third embodiment that are similar to the first embodiment are referred to with the same reference numbers preceded by the numeral “2” and are not described in detail. Except as otherwise discussed below, the closure system 210 otherwise operates the same as discussed in the previous embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 18, a front perspective view of the closure system 210 in its initial molded state is shown. In this closure system 210, a hinge portion 238 operably couples the lid 214 and main body 218 and is not molded in an orthogonal position, as discussed in the previous embodiments. Instead, the hinge portion 238 is molded in a fully open position such that the hinge portion preferably lies substantially along a plane initially after molding. More specifically, the lid 214 and main body 218 are approximately 180 degrees from each other during the molding operation. The hinge portion 238 includes a snap-action hinge 242 positioned near an outer edge of the upper portion 224 and lid 214. The snap-action hinge 242 is configured to snap the closure 212 into a reasonably permanent position immediately after the initial mold state. The snap-action hinge 242 comprises a locking element 242A and a receiving element 242B. The locking element 242A and receiving element 242B are coupled together via an integrally molded, first living hinge 242C. Once the closure 212 is molded, a force is applied to the receiving element 242B to pivot the receiving element 242B toward the locking element 242A about the first living hinge 242C. The receiving element 242B will engage with the locking element 242B and—after sufficient force is applied—slightly flex and snap over the locking element 242A. Once the locking and receiving elements 242A, 242B are coupled together, they are not readily separable. The snap-action hinge 242 is now said to be in its locked state.

Turning now to FIG. 19, the closure system 210 is shown with the closure 212 in its closed position prior to attachment of a tamper-evident layer 216. This is the state following the initial molding (FIG. 18) when the snap-action hinge 242 is first locked. The hinge portion 238 further includes an integral molded second living hinge 228, which is positioned at an interface between the lid 214 and the snap-action hinge 242. Once the snap-action hinge 242 is in its locked state, the integral molded hinge 228 is positioned on the top surface of the upper portion 224, which is beneficial for ease of assembly of the closure to the bottle during filling. Similar to the integral molded hinges of the previous embodiments, the integral molded hinge 228 permits the lid 214 to be pivoted open and closed relative to the upper portion 224.

The tamper-evident layer 216 is affixed to the top surface of the lid 214 in a similar manner as the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20-22. In this embodiment, however, the layer 216 is shown with an optional concentric score. More specifically, the layer 216 comprises weakening elements 216A including one or more circumferential notches, slits, perforations, etc. that are spaced along at least a portion of and inward from an outer edge of the layer 216. The design of the weakening elements 216A is dependent on various characteristics of the layer 216, including its material selection, thickness, shape, or orientation on the lid 214. In certain embodiments, the weakening elements 216A may be randomly angled, unevenly sized, or unevenly spaced yet substantially circumferential along at least a portion of and inward from an outer edge of the layer 216. The weakening elements 216A are configured to facilitate a directional fracture of the layer 216. For example, when the user lifts the lip 214B of the lid 214, the force causes the layer 216 to fracture from the lid 214 along at least a portion of the weakening elements 216A, as shown in FIGS. 23-26. The weakening elements 216A may instead include a line of weakening having a thickness sufficiently less than the thickness of the remainder of the layer 216, such that the lifting force on the lid 214 fractures the weaker line of weakening. The lid 214 can then be pivoted about the integral molded hinge 228 into its open position. The broken tamper evident layer 216 (shown by the jagged edges in the figures) provides a visual indication that the closure 212 has been opened, thus evidence of potential tampering or access of the contents in the container.

The closure system 210 provides a unique system for providing tamper-evident protection for a container. In this embodiment, similar to the second embodiment discussed herein, preferably all the components of the closure system 210 are made from the same material as the container, e.g., high density polyethylene or polypropylene. Additionally, the closure system 210 is configured to reduce waste and increase ease of manufacturing because the layer 216 does not require a specific orientation or placement.

The embodiments and examples presented herein are intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. Specific configurations are described for clarity, but they represent only a subset of possible implementations that may be developed based on this disclosure. Features of one embodiment may be combined with features of another, whether or not such combinations are explicitly described. For example, the hinge portion 238 comprising a snap-action hinge 242 and an integral molded second living hinge 228 may be combined with tamper evident flaps 36. Similarly, individual features may be omitted from certain implementations without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, substitutions, and adaptations apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art are considered within the scope of this disclosure and its claims.

As used herein, the term “engage” is intended to both direct physical engagement through one or more components as well as operative engagement.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.

The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

Phrases such as “generally within a range,” “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” “roughly,” “sufficiently,” or similar qualifiers, when used with ranges or values, are intended to allow for practical engineering and manufacturing tolerances, measurement uncertainty and performance margins without limiting the claims to absolute numerical boundaries. Unless otherwise defined or restricted in the specification, such terms should be understood to define a variance of plus or minus 5%-10% to the numerical term referred to. These terms are intended to capture acceptable variation that does not materially affect the intended operation or performance of the described system and do not narrow the scope of the claims to exact figures unless expressly stated otherwise. Where a single value or limit is disclosed without an explicit range, it should be interpreted as encompassing that value and all functionally equivalent values within such reasonable variation stated above.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. The various embodiments and elements can be interchanged or combined in any suitable manner as necessary.

The use of directions, such as forward, rearward, top and bottom, upper and lower are with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings and, thus, should not be taken as restrictive. Reversing or flipping the embodiments in the drawings would, of course, result in consistent reversal or flipping of the terminology.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalent.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure for a container, the dispensing closure comprising:

a flip-top lid having a lid thickness;

a main body;

a first hinge integrally molded to and pivotably connecting the flip-top lid to the main body, the first hinge located on a top surface of the main body, the first hinge configured to permit pivoting of the flip-top lid relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position;

a tamper-evident element being initially intact, the tamper-evident element secured to at least a portion of the flip-top lid and to at least a portion of the top surface of the main body in the closed position before the flip-top lid is first pivoted to the open position defining an initial sealing state, the tamper-evident element being configured to fracture where the tamper-evident element is secured to the flip-top lid when the flip-top lid is first pivoted to the open position following the initial sealing state with at least a portion of the tamper-evident element remaining secured to the at least a portion of the top surface of the main body.

2. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident element includes a line of weakening proximate to where the tamper-evident element is secured to the flip-top lid, the tamper-evident element configured to fracture along the line of weakening.

3. The dispensing closure of claim 2, wherein the line of weakening is nonlinear.

4. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tamper-evident element is sonically welded to at least a portion of the top surface of the main body.

5. The dispensing closure of claim 2, wherein the main body includes at least one recess on the top surface of the main body; and

wherein the tamper-evident element comprises at least one flap integrally molded to the flip-top lid through the line of weakening, the at least one flap protruding from a lateral side of a portion of the flip-top lid, the at least one flap having a flap thickness and configured to mate with the at least one recess when the flip-top lid is pivoted into the initial sealing state.

6. The dispensing closure of claim 5, wherein the flap thickness of the at least one flap is less than the lid thickness.

7. The dispensing closure of claim 6, wherein the line of weakening comprises perforations formed in the tamper-evident element.

8. The dispensing closure of claim 6, wherein the line of weakening between the at least one flap and the flip-top lid defines a web, the web having at least one feature selected from a group consisting of: a web thickness that is less than the flap thickness, spaced apart perforations along a length of the web, and a web thickness that is less than the flap thickness and spaced apart perforations along a length of the web.

9. The dispensing closure of claim 2, wherein the tamper-evident element comprises a layer affixed to at least a portion of a top surface of the flip-top lid and at least a portion of the top surface of the main body, the layer having a layer thickness.

10. The dispensing closure of claim 9, wherein the layer thickness is less than the lid thickness to facilitate fracturing of the layer along the line of weakening.

11. The dispensing closure of claim 9, wherein the flip-top lid is made of a first material and the layer is made of a second material that is different than the first material.

12. The dispensing closure of claim 11, wherein the second material is polymeric.

13. The dispensing closure of claim 10, wherein the layer includes weakening elements along the line of weakening, the weakening elements selected from a group consisting of: scores, perforations, and a reduced web thickness that is less than the layer thickness.

14. The dispensing closure of claim 9, wherein the layer has a shape that is substantially circular.

15. The dispensing closure of claim 2, wherein the main body further comprises:

a second hinge positioned on an outer edge of the top surface of the main body and adjacent the first hinge, the first hinge and second hinge defining a hinge portion.

16. The dispensing closure of claim 15, wherein the tamper-evident element comprises a layer affixed to at least a portion of a top surface of the flip-top lid and at least a portion of the top surface of the main body, the layer having a layer thickness.

17. The dispensing closure of claim 15, wherein the second hinge includes:

a locking element;

a receiving element; and

an integrally molded living hinge pivotally coupling the locking element and the receiving element;

wherein the hinge portion lies substantially along a plane when the dispensing closure is in an initial molded state;

wherein the locking element is configured to pivot about the integrally molded living hinge to engage with the receiving element following the initial molded state such that the locking element and the receiving element are not readily separable, the engagement of the receiving element and the locking element defining a locked state.

18. The dispensing closure of claim 16, wherein the layer thickness is less than the lid thickness to facilitate fracturing of the layer.

19. The dispensing closure of claim 18, wherein the line of weakening comprises weakening elements formed in the layer to facilitate a directional fracture of the layer, the weakening elements extending substantially circumferentially along at least a portion of the layer radially inward from an outer edge of the layer and at or radially outward from an outer edge of the flip-top-lid.

20. The dispensing closure of claim 19, wherein the weakening elements include features selected from a group consisting of: notches, slits, perforations, and a web thickness that is less than the layer thickness.

21. The dispensing closure of claim 19, wherein the weakening elements being selected from a group consisting of: randomly angled, unevenly sized, and unevenly spaced.