Tamper evident multiple door closure

• US 20070056972A1
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J L Clarke Incorporated
• Original Assignee: J.L. CLARK, INC. (Henry Crown & Co.)
• Inventors: Solowiejko, George
• Granted Patent: US 8,113,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/254.200
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/022 the bottom presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the closure or peripheral elements projecting therefrom B65D21/0222 and B65D21/0223 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/15 Tearable part of the closure B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0804 integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0842 consisting of a strap of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/06 for dispensing powdered or granular material B65D83/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A server lid for a container with an integral tear strip tamper evident feature is presented. A tear strip for the tamper evident feature is molded as an adjunct to a base member which forms the closure. The tear strip is joined to the base by at least one frangible web, and hinges about the frangible web to overlie front edges of one or more flaps formed in the server lid. Ultrasonic welds connect the overlying tear strip to the flaps or adjacent the flaps for providing a tamper evident feature. The shape of the server lid provides stackability in that the base rim of the container will fit over the upper portion of the lid, including frangible webs to allow interfitting of one container bottom with the container closure of the next, to allow the containers to be stacked on a shelf without substantial danger of slipping or tipping.

Claims

1. A closure for a container, the closure being a single molded plastic unit and comprising in combination:

a base member having at least one arcuate shaped side and constructed to close an open end of an associated container, the base member having at least one dispensing opening formed therein;

at least one flap joined to the base member at a hinge line along one edge of the base, the flap being positioned to close the dispensing opening, and when closed, having a front edge which is opposite to and parallel to the hinge line;

a tear strip formed on an edge of the base opposite the hinge line and connected to the base by at least one frangible web, the tear strip hinging about the frangible web to a position overlying the front edge of the flap; and

at least one plastic weld for connecting the overlying edge of the tear strip to the flap to provide a tamper evident feature.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one plastic weld connects the tear strip to a portion of the base member adjacent a flap front.

3. The closure of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one frangible web of the tear strip has an upstanding shoulder connected to a horizontal ledge such that when the tear strip is sealed over the at least one flap, the tear strip presents a stacking shoulder.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein a projection defines the position of the at least one plastic weld, and the at least one plastic weld is an ultrasonic weld.

5. The closure of claim 4 wherein the projection is formed on the tear strip.

6. The closure of claim 1 wherein the tear strip is curved.

7. The closure of claim 1 wherein the front edge of the at least one flap is sloped and the overlying edge of the tear strip lies on the sloped front edge.

8. The closure of claim 1 in which at least one of the at least one plastic weld connects the tear strip to the at least one flap on the upper surface of the at least one flap near the front edge thereof.

9. The closure of claim 1 in which the closure provides three dispensing openings, three flaps for individually closing the dispensing openings, and wherein the tear strip has plastic welds to at least two of the flaps.

10. The closure of claim 1 in which the base member has a peripheral shoulder for providing a stacking ledge, and wherein the tear strip has a profile which is shouldered to provide a stacking rim.

11. The closure of claim 1 in which five frangible webs interconnect the tear strip to the base member.

12. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of flaps.

13. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of arcuate shaped sides.

14. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of plastic welds.

15. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a container wherein the closure is coupled to the container by at least one container attachment weld.

16. The closure of claim 15 wherein the at least one container attachment weld is an ultrasonic weld.

17. The closure of claim 15 wherein the at least one container attachment weld is a line weld.

18. The closure of claim 15 wherein the weld is a spot weld.

19. The closure of claim 15 wherein the at least one container attachment weld comprises a first weld disposed near a first side of the container.

20. The closure of claim 19 wherein the at least one container attachment weld further comprises a second weld disposed near a second side of the container opposing the first side.

21. In combination, a container and a closure, the combination comprising:

at least one sidewall and a bottom attached to the sidewall to form the container, the container having an open end;

a base member of the closure constructed to close the open end of the container, the base member having at least one dispensing opening formed therein; and

at least one flap joined to the base member, the flap being positioned to close the dispensing opening, a portion of at least one of the base member and the at least one flap being sloped;

whereby at least a portion of the bottom of the container is sloped to accommodate a sloped upper surface of a subjacently disposed closure.

22. A closure for a container, the closure being a single molded plastic unit and comprising:

a base member constructed to close an open end of an associated container, the base member having at least one dispensing opening formed therein;

at least one flap joined to the base member, the flap being positioned to close the dispensing opening;

an outer flange extending generally downward from the base member;

an inner flange extending generally downward from the base member, the inner flange having an angled leading edge, an abutment for engaging and resisting separation of the container from the closure, and a groove for receiving an upper portion of the container; and

a channel disposed between the outer flange and the inner flange.