One-piece molded flip cap closure

• US 6,216,905 B1
• Filed: 12/06/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Original Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Inventors: Mogard, Jens, Elof, Gote, Lundh, Karl-Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse, Nathan J.
• Application Number:
  US09/455,296
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 220/258, 220/259, 220/269, 220/270, 220/266, 220/837, 220/847, 215/235, 215/237, 215/250, 215/253, 215/254, 215/255, 215/257, 215/258, 215/303, 215/305, 215/306, 229/125.04, 229/125.05, 229/125.14, 229/125.15, 229/125.42, 229/102, 229/214, 222/541.1, 222/541.5, 222/541.6, 222/541.9, 222/556, 222/153.14, 534/10, 531/332, 264/334, 264/328.1, 156/153, 156/629.1, 294/34, 295/271, 297/73, 294/30, 294/53
• US Class Current: 220/258.2
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/112 Single lapped joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/131 Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53247 said spouts comprising flanges
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/2878 by heat-sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/1008 Means for locking the closure in open position
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/30 Tamper-ring remaining connected to closure after initial removal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0842 consisting of a strap of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/103 Membranes with a tearing element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/746 Spouts formed separately from the container

Abstract

A closure for a container and a method of producing the same is set forth. The closure is a single integrally-molded spout, cap, hinge assembly joining the spout and the cap, and a tamper evident structure. The closure may also have a membrane and pull-ring, also integrally molded as one piece. The cap may have at least one prop for preventing interference from the cap with the pouring of the contents of the container. Additionally, the spout may have a step for assisting in the prevention of interference from the cap during pouring, and for providing a predetermined sound every time that the cap is opened. Still further, the closure may have an orienting peg for properly orienting the closure on a container.

Claims

1. An orientationally sensitive closure adapted for mounting to a container in a specific orientation, comprising:

a body;

a spout portion integral with the body;

a flange having first and second sides, the flange being integral with the body, the spout portion extending from one of the first and second sides of the flange;

an orienting projection extending from the other of the first and second sides of the flange opposite of the spout portion, the projection extending from the flange in an eccentric, non-coaxial relation to the flange and in spaced relation to an axis of the stout portion; and

a cap engagable with the spout portion to open and close the spout portion.

2. The orientationally sensitive closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the spout portion and the flange are generally circular and coaxial with one another about an axis, the spout being disposed centrally of the flange.

3. The orientationally sensitive closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the projection is a relatively short, cylindrical element having a generally circular cross-section.

4. The orientationally sensitive closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cap is hingedly attached to the body.

5. The orientationally sensitive closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the closure includes a logo.

6. An orientationally sensitive closure adapted for mounting to a container in a specific orientation, comprising:

a body;

a spout portion integral with the body;

a flange having a first side and a second side, the spout portion extending from the flange from one of the first and second sides of the flange and being integral with the body;

an orienting projection extending from the other of the first and seconds sides of the flange, opposite of the spout portion, the orienting projection extending eccentrically from the other of the first and second sides relative to an axis of the flank and an axis of the spout portion,

wherein the projection is a relatively short, cylindrical element having a generally circular cross-section; and

a cap engagable with the spout portion for opening and sealing the container.