Tamper evident multiple door closure

• US 8,113,377 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smalley, James N
• Application Number:
  US11/542,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20070056972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,961 Days
• Field of Search: 220/254.3, 220/835, 220/214, 220/359.1, 220/359.2, 220/359.4, 220/359.5, 220/380, 220/254.2, 220/266, 220/270, 222/480, 222/541.5, 222/541.6, 206/503, 206/508
• US Class Current: 220/359.2
• 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 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 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, wherein a central region of the closure being raised into a plateau portion having a top surface formed by the combination of the base and the at least one flap, the tear strip at least partially overlapping and welded to the top surface, wherein the tear strip has a non-hinged right angled bend configured to receive a bottom of an adjacent stacked container.

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.

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, the projection being plastic welded to the top surface of the at least one flap or base member.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

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

3. A closure for a container;

the closure being a single molded plastic unit and comprising in combination;

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 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 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, 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.

11. A closure for a container;

the closure being a single molded plastic unit and comprising in combination;

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 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 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, wherein a central region of the closure being raised into a plateau portion having a top surface formed by the combination of the base and the at least one flap, the tear strip at least partially overlap in and welded to the to surface, wherein the at least one plastic weld includes a first weld between the tear strip and the at least one flap and a second weld between the tear strip and the base, whereby the tear strip is welded both to the at least one flap and the base.

12. A closure for a container;

the closure being a single molded plastic unit and comprising in combination;

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 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 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, wherein a central region of the closure being raised into a plateau portion having a top surface formed by the combination of the base and the at least one flap, the tear strip at least partially overlapping and welded to the top surface, wherein the tear strip has a non-hinged right angled bend positioned proximate a front edge of the at least one flap and spaced from said hinging.

13. A closure for a container;

the closure being a single molded plastic unit and comprising in combination;

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 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 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, wherein a central region of the closure being raised into a plateau portion having a top surface formed by the combination of the base and the at least one flap, the tear strip at least partially overlapping and welded to the top surface, wherein the tear strip has an extending strip portion overlying the at least one flap, the extending strip portion having a rear edge facing rearwardly toward the hinge line, and tab section projecting rearwardly from the extended strip portion toward the hinge line.

14. The closure of claim 13, further comprising a beveled surface formed into the tab section of the tear strip and facing the at least one flap, the beveled surface facilitating manual manipulation under the tab section to facilitate removal.