Multi-material, multi-shot, injection molded dispensing closure having a removable seal

• US 5,755,360 A
• Filed: 07/11/1996
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seaquist Closures Limited (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AptarGroup Incorporated
• Inventors: Elliott, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US08/678,162
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 222/153.07, 222/556, 222/541.9, 264/255, 264/241
• US Class Current: 222/153.07
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/103 Membranes with a tearing element

Abstract

A closure is provided for a container and includes a base which preferably has an attached lid. The base includes a body for mounting to the container, and the body defines a dispensing orifice and spout. A tamper-evident seal initially closes the dispensing orifice. The body is injection molded from a first material. The tamper-evident seal structure is subsequently injection-molded from a second material. The seal structure includes a peripheral portion molded against the base body and attached thereto. The seal structure includes a partition consisting only of the second material extending across the dispensing orifice and connected around its periphery to the seal structure peripheral portion with a frangible, reduced thickness section of the second material. A grip member extends from the partition for being pulled to tear only the partition and grip member together away from the seal structure peripheral portion so as to open the dispensing orifice.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure for an opening to a container interior, said closure comprising:

a base;

said base including a body injection molded from a first material for mounting to said container around said opening, said base body including an end that defines a dispensing orifice for communicating with said container opening and that defines a pour spout; and

said base including a tamper-evident seal structure subsequently injection molded from a second material, said seal structure including a peripheral portion molded against said base body end and attached thereto, said seal structure including a partition consisting of said second material extending across said dispensing orifice and connected around its periphery with a frangible, reduced thickness section of said second material to said seal structure peripheral portion, said seal structure including a grip member extending from said partition for being pulled to tear only said partition and grip member together away from said seal structure peripheral portion to open said dispensing orifice.

2. The closure in accordance with claim 1 further including a lid for occluding said dispensing orifice in a closed position over said base body and for being moved away from said closed position to permit the dispensing of container-stored contents out of said orifice.

3. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which

said body consists only of said first material;

said seal structure partition and peripheral portion consist only of said second material; and

said peripheral portion is attached to said base body end with a weld defined by the interface solidification of melted portions of said first and second materials.

4. The closure in accordance with the claim 1 in which said first material is polypropylene and said second material is polyethylene.

5. The closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said body end defines a deck and said pour spout has a tubular configuration projecting from and above said deck.

6. The closure in accordance with claim 5 in which at least a part of said grip member is within said spout.

7. The closure in accordance with claim 5 in which said seal structure includes an annular wall molded against the interior surface of said spout.

8. A dispensing closure for an opening to a container interior, said closure comprising:

a base;

said base including a body injection molded from a first material for mounting to said container around said opening, said base body including an end that defines a dispensing orifice for communicating with said container opening and that defines a pour spout, said end including a deck defining at least (1) a frustoconical seating surface around said orifice, (2) an inner annular shoulder around said seating surface, and (3) at least one outer shoulder that is radially outwardly of said inner shoulder and that is axially displaced from said inner shoulder toward said container; and

said base including a tamper-evident seal structure subsequently injection molded from a second material, said seal structure including a peripheral portion molded against and attached at least to said base body (1) deck seating surface, (2) inner annular shoulder, and (3) outer annular shoulder, said seal structure including a partition consisting of said second material extending across said dispensing orifice and connected around its periphery with a frangible, reduced thickness section of said second material to said seal structure peripheral portion, said seal structure including a grip member extending from said partition for being pulled to tear only said partition and grip member together away from said seal structure peripheral portion to open said dispensing orifice.

9. The closure in accordance with claim 8 further including a lid for (1) being supported on said base body deck occluding said dispensing orifice in a closed position, and (2) for being moved away from said closed position to permit the dispensing of container-stored contents out of said orifice.

10. The closure in accordance with claim 8 in which said seal structure peripheral portion is attached to said base body deck with a weld defined by the interface solidification of melted portions of said first and second materials.

11. A method for making a dispensing closure for an opening to a container interior, said method comprising the steps of:

(A) injection molding a first material to form a body that mounts on said container around said opening and that includes an end that defines a dispensing orifice for communicating with said container opening and defines a pour spout;

(B) subsequently injection molding a tamper-evident seal structure from a second material to include (1) a peripheral portion molded against said body end, (2) a partition that extends across said dispensing orifice and that is connected around its periphery with a frangible, reduced thickness section of said second material to said peripheral portion, and (3) a grip member extending from said partition for being pulled to tear only said partition and grip member together away from said peripheral portion to open said dispensing orifice; and

(C) effecting an attachment of said seal structure peripheral portion to said body.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11 further including the step of molding a lid for occluding said dispensing orifice in a closed position over said body and for being moved away from said closed position to permit the dispensing of container-stored contents out of said orifice.

13. The method in accordance with claim 11 in which

step (C) includes effecting said attachment by creating a weld defined by the interface solidification of melted portions of said first and second materials.

14. The method in accordance with claim 11 in which

step (C) includes effecting said attachment by molding said peripheral portion and body together to form a mechanical interlock.