Tamper-indicating dispensing closure

• US 20060011573A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Closure Systems International Incorporated (Rank Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Closure Systems International Incorporated (Rank Group Limited)
• Inventors: Kamath, Ramesh, Herald, Coy M., Szasz, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,374,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/237
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/15 Tearable part of the closure B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/20 Frangible elements completely enclosed in closure skirt
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0804 integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/024 Closures in which a part has to be ruptured to gain access to the contents B65D41/32, B65D43/0235, B65D55/022, B65D55/06 take precedence

Abstract

A tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a closure body, and an associated flip-top lid pivotally connected to the closure body for movement between a closed position and an open position. The flip-top lid includes a tamper-indicating flange frangibly connected thereto, with the closure body including a pocket-like retention cavity within which the tamper-indicating flange is received during initial closing movement of the flip-top lid. During initial opening movement of the lid, the tamper-indicating flange is broken away from the flip-top lid, and thereafter permanently retained within the retention cavity to provide a clear, visual indication that the flip-top lid of the closure has been opened.

Claims

1. A tamper-indicating dispensing closure, comprising:

a closure body having a top wall portion, and an annular depending skirt portion, said top wall portion defining a dispensing opening for dispensing contents of an associated container to which the closure body is fitted; and

a flip-top lid including a main body joined to said closure body for movement between a closed position covering said dispensing opening, and an open position wherein said dispensing opening is uncovered,

said flip-top lid including a tamper-indicating flange depending from said main body of said flip-top lid, and joined thereto by a frangible connection,

said closure body defining a retention cavity for receiving said tamper-indicating flange when said flip-top lid is in said closed position, said tamper-indicating flange being permanently retained in said retention cavity by fracture of said frangible connection when said flip-top lid is initially moved from said closed position to said open position.

2. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said retention cavity is defined a by cavity wall connected in spaced relationship to said annular skirt portion.

3. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said retention cavity includes at least one retention lug positioned between said cavity wall and said skirt portion,

said tamper-indicating flange defining at least one retention hook for engaging said retention lug when said tamper-indicating flange is received in said retention cavity in said closed position of said flip-top lid.

4. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said retention cavity includes a pair of said retention lugs positioned at respective opposite ends of said retention cavity,

said tamper-indicating flange defining a pair of retention hooks at respective opposite edges thereof for respectively engaging said pair of retention lugs when said flip-top lid is in said closed position.

5. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said tamper-indicating flange defines a guide surface generally adjacent to each said retention hook for facilitating engagement of said retention lug with said retention hook.

6. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said tamper-indicating flange defines an opening positioned adjacent to said retention hook to facilitate flexure of said hook as it engages said retention lug.

7. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said frangible connection comprises a plurality of spaced apart, frangible bridges connecting said tamper-indicating flange to said main body of said flip-top lid.

8. A tamper-indicating, dispensing closure in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said main body of said flip-top lid defines at least one abutment surface engageable with said flange into said retention cavity during movement of said flip-top lid from said open position to said closed position.

9. A tamper-indicating, dispersing closure in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said retention cavity includes a lower wall extending between said cavity wall and said annular skirt position.