Closure

A dispensing closure is provided and comprises a base and a lid. The base includes a sidewall closed at one end by a top deck including a dispensing orifice. The base and lid are joined by a hinge to allow the lid to move between closed and open positions with respect to the base whereby to close and open the dispensing orifice. At the periphery of the top deck the sidewall forms or provides a raised lip. The lid closes onto the top deck and is bounded by the lip and the lid is generally flush with the lip when in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application PCT/EP2020/064343 (published as WO 2020/239643), filed May 23, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority to U.K. Application No. 1907442.6, filed May 26, 2019, U.K. Application No 1915647.0 filed Oct. 29, 2019, and U.K. Application No. 1917080.2, filed Nov. 22, 2019. Each of these prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to a closure and particularly, although not exclusively, to a tube closure.

An aspect of the present invention provides a dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid, the base includes a sidewall closed at one end by a top deck including a dispensing orifice, the base and lid being joined by a hinge to allow the lid to move between closed and open positions with respect to the base whereby to close and open the dispensing orifice, at the periphery of the top deck the sidewall forms or provides at least part of a raised lip, in which the lid closes onto the top deck and is bounded by the lip and in which the lid is generally flush with the lip when in the closed position.

The top deck may be dished.

The lip may be formed at the intersection between the sidewall and the top deck.

The sidewall lip may comprise two arc portions separated at a front of the closure by a lifting recess and at the back of the closure by a hinge recess.

The closure may comprise a lock for preventing the lid being moved away from the closed position.

The closure may comprise a movable locking portion movable from a locked to an unlocked position.

The locking portion may comprise a flap or panel.

The movable locking portion may be provided on or by the base.

A further aspect provides closure comprising a base and a lid, the base and lid being joined by a hinge, the base includes a sidewall, the sidewall defines an uppermost axial level, and in which the lid is generally flush with the axial level whereby the lid is recessed into the base.

The sidewall may include a lifting recess which exposes part of the lid, for example the underside of the lid and or a peak, to assist with lifting.

The lifting recess may be generally opposite the hinge, for example diametrically opposite.

In some embodiments the periphery of the lid is inboard of the sidewall; in other words, for example, part of the sidewall may extend around part of the lid.

In some embodiment the lid (or at least an upper face thereof) may be generally flat.

The hinge may, for example, be a butterfly hinge.

The skirt may be generally cylindrical. The section of the skirt may, for example, be generally circular or generally oval.

The base may comprise a top deck. The deck may have a dispensing orifice, for example a generally centrally positioned through hole.

In some embodiments the deck may be concave/dished, which may help to receive the lid.

The lid may have an overhang (such as a peak) for allowing/helping it to be lifted.

The base may be engageable on a container/tube neck using screw threads or using snap fit engagement means (such as a snap bead). In some embodiments the closure may be removeable; in others in may be non-removable.

In some embodiments the closure may further comprise a lock for preventing the lid from being lifted.

In some embodiments the lock may be configured as a transport lock.

In some embodiments a bi-stable nose/beak may be provided and can flip from or between a locked to/and an unlocked position.

In some embodiments a bi-stable locking portion may be movable between a locked position in which lid cannot be moved to an open position and an unlocked position in which the lid can be moved to an open position. In other embodiments the locking portion is provided in a locked position and irreversibly movable to an unlocked position.

The locking portion may be provided on or by the base; in other embodiments the locking portion is provided on or by the lid. Corresponding locking means may be provided on the other of the base and lid.

A further aspect provides a flip-top dispensing closure for a tube, the closure comprising a base and a top plate, the base and plate being joined by a hinge to allow the plate to move between closed and open positions with respect to the base, the base comprises a side wall closed at one end by a top deck, the top deck, together with the side wall, forms a seat for the top plate such that when the top plate is in the closed position it is flush fitting within the skirt.

A further aspect provides a dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid, the base includes a sidewall closed at one end by a top deck including a dispensing orifice, the base and lid being joined by a hinge to allow the lid to move between closed and open positions with respect to the base and to close and open the dispensing orifice, at the periphery of the top deck the sidewall provides a raised lip, in which the lid closes onto the top deck and is bounded by the lip and in which the lid is generally flush with the lip.

A sidewall lip/ridge/upstand may comprise two arc portions separated at a front of the closure by a lifting recess and/or at the back of the closure by a hinge recess.

The closure may comprise a lock for preventing the lid being moved away from the closed position.

The closure may comprise a movable locking portion movable from a locked to an unlocked position.

The locking portion may comprise a flap or panel.

The movable locking portion may be provided on or by the base and/or on or by the lid.

A further aspect provides a closure, the closure comprising a base and a top plate, the base and plate being joined by a hinge to allow the plate to move between closed and open positions with respect to the base, in the closed position the top plate is embedded within the skirt.

A further aspect provides a closure, the closure comprising a base and a top plate, the base and plate being joined by a hinge to allow the plate to move between closed and open positions with respect to the base, the base is closed at one end by a top deck, the top deck is dished whereby to form a recess for receiving the lid.

In the closed position the top plate may be generally flush with the periphery of the top plate and/or the top of the sidewall and/or the intersection between the sidewall and the top plate.

In the closed position the top plate may be sunken with respect to the periphery of the top plate and/or the top of the sidewall and/or the intersection between the sidewall and the top plate.

In plan the shape of the top plate may be generally: circular; square; curved rectangle; squircle; oval; irregular oval; flattened sided oval; super-elliptical; rectellipse.

In some aspects and embodiments a lid/bottle cap may comprising a first portion, the first portion being extended eccentrically in a first direction/axis. This could include, for example, regular ellipse/super ellipse shapes but also more irregular shapes.

In one embodiment the top plate has a plan shape which is generally that of a superellipse.

In some aspects and embodiments the closure may be a dispensing closure.

The closure may comprise a base and a lid.

The closure may be a flip-top dispensing closure.

The base and lid may be connected by a hinge, for example a butterfly hinge.

The lid may be a top plate.

The base may have a skirt. The lid/top plate may be recessed/sunken/embedded in the skirt. The plate may be flush with the top of the skirt.

The skirt may, for example, be generally cylindrical with a generally circular or generally oval section.

The top plate may, for example, be generally flat.

In some embodiments an upper surface of the top plate is generally planar.

The base may comprise a top deck. The deck may have a dispensing orifice. The deck may be dished/concave for receiving the lid.

The skirt may have a notch to allow access to the sunken top plate. The notch may be generally opposite a hinge.

The top plate may have a peak/beak/overhang for allow it to be lifted.

The base may be engaged or engageable on a container/tube neck, for example by screw threads or snap fitting.

Some aspects/embodiments of the closure may exhibit some advantages, namely:E-commerce: due to the (within the skirt) embedded top plate, the closure will not open if dropped accidently/falls down since all energy will be absorbed by the side skirt;High customer satisfaction: due to a very ergonomic and smooth hollow around the opening, consumer can wipe the cream easily off, for example;top plate could be manufactured via2K, e.g. sequential moulding;one of the drawings shows the top plate in a different colour as an example;some embodiments are 10% lighter in material compared to average closures of similar design.

Some embodiments, for example, relate to a 50 mm diameter closure, for example with a presser.

Closures may, for example be useful for E-commerce, especially with a transport lock to prevent inadvertent opening of a lid.

The closure may be formed as a tube closure

The present invention also provides a closure as described herein in combination with a container.

The container may be a tube, for example a squeezable tube. In some embodiments the tube contains cosmetics or the like.

The present invention also provides a closure as described herein in combination with a tube, for example for cosmetics and the like.

The present invention may relate generally to a closure and particularly, although not exclusively, to a tube closure.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Referring first toFIGS.1to10there is shown a dispensing closure generally indicated10.

The closure10comprises a base15and a lid20.

The base15and lid20are joined by a hinge25which allows the lid20to move between a closed position (FIGS.1and2:1(front perspective);2(rear perspective)) and an open position (FIGS.3to10:3(plan view);4(side);5(underplan);6(rear perspective);7(rear);8(front perspective);9(bottom perspective);10(section)).

The base15comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall30with a generally circular section. At one end of the sidewall is a generally circular top deck/wall/plate35. The top deck35has a central (in this embodiment) dispensing orifice40.

It will be noted that the top deck35is dished/concave, which means that the intersection between the periphery of the top deck35and the sidewall30is “taller” i.e. axially extended with respect to the centre of the top deck. This means that in some respects the top deck is sunken with respect to the sidewall. This configuration effectively forms a shallow recess37.

The underside of the top deck35is provided with a depending outer annular skirt36which includes a segmented snap bead38for engaging a corresponding bead on a container neck (not shown). A plurality of axial anti-rotation ribs39extend radially inwards from the interior surface of the skirt36and in use can engage corresponding projections on a container neck to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Radially inwards of the skirt36a further, inner annular sealing skirt41depends from the underside of the top deck and in use would fit inside the bore of a container neck. Radially inwards of the skirt41an L-section orifice skirt43depends from the top plate around the orifice40.

At the “front” of the base, opposite the point of attachment of the hinge, the sidewall is lowered to form a curved notch50.

At the “back” of the base, a hinge notch45is provided. In this embodiment the hinge25is a “butterfly” type hinge and has two opposed lateral trapezoidal links/straps26,27and a central main hinge portion28.

At one end the hinge straps26,27and portion28connects to the base in the hinge notch (i.e. beneath the axial height of the sidewall ridges); at the other end the hinge connects to an arcuate portion21at the rear of the lid20. It will be seen that when the lid is closed the portion21therefore sits in the hinge notch45. It will also be seen (e.g.FIGS.4and7) that in the open position the lid sits below the height of the ridges32,34.

The notches45,50mean that the top of the sidewall provides two arcuate raised regions/ridges/lips32,34.

The lid20closes onto the base, but it is not circular and does not close onto the top of the base. Instead, the lid has a generally rectilliptical shape. This means that the two lateral sides22,24of the lid are generally parallel with (and radially inwards of) the ridges32,34respectively. In this embodiment the sides22,24extend/depend downwards. In addition, because of the position of the hinge and the hinge notch45the lid does not extend above the ridges32,34, but rather the lid can close into the recess formed by the dished top deck such that it is flush with the ridges.

The underside of the lid is provided with a spigot23which enters the dispensing orifice40when the lid is closed.

At the front of the lid (opposite the hinge) a depending peak29is provided. In the closed position the peak29sits in/above the notch50. This allows a user to insert a finger and lift up the lid.

FIG.11shows a closure110formed according to a further embodiment. The closure110is similar to the closure10, except that the closure is formed using a bi-injection moulding process meaning that the lid120can be formed in a different material and/or colour to the base115.

FIGS.12to14show a closure210formed according to a further embodiment. The closure210is similar to the closures10,110. The closure210is shown attached to a tube260.

FIGS.15to37show a closure310formed according to a further embodiment.

InFIGS.15to18show the closure in an initially closed, unopened condition.

FIGS.19to26show the closure310is as as-formed (e.g. as moulded), condition, which in this embodiment is with the lid in an open position.

FIG.27is a section of the closure shown with the lid initially closed onto the base and with the transport lock engaged.

FIG.28shows the closure with the lock pressed inwards to disengage the lock.

FIGS.29to34shows the closure with the lock disengaged and the lid flipped open.

FIGS.35to37show the closure with the lid reclosed onto the base.

The closure is similar to the closures10,110,210inasmuch as an embedded, flush fitting lid is provided. In this embodiment a lid lock is provided. This can be used, for example to help prevent the flip top from opening during transport.

The closure310has a frontal, curved notch350. Within the notch is provided a flap/panel/beak370.

As shown best inFIGS.19and22, at the top of the panel370two locking notches372,374are provided and separated by a generally T-shape central post375.

In the as-moulded and initially closed position the panel370is in a locking position, in which it bows/curves outwards (generally concave).

The lid320includes a frontal peak329. The inner surface of the peak329is provided with two inwardly directed projections/lugs/pips380,382as shown best inFIGS.19and20.

When the lid320is initially closed onto the base315the projections380,382engage into the locking notches372,374, as shown best inFIGS.18and27. In this embodiment the projections380,382can deform the post375to enter the notches. In other embodiments, for example the panel could be formed in an inward position; then lid is then closed before the panel is pulled forwards to engage the projections in the notches.

With the projections engaged in the notches the lid cannot be lifted because of the post. This can be useful, for example as a transport lock to prevent accidental opening of the lid during transport/storage. Alternatively or additionally, this system could be useful for providing tamper-evidence and/or child-resistance.

In order to be able to lift the lid the panel must be pushed/pressure inwards from the position shown inFIG.27to the position shown inFIG.28in which is rests against an inclined wall portion380that depends from the top deck. The lid can then be opened/lifted to the open position shown inFIGS.29to33.

The lid is shown re-closed inFIGS.34to37. The panel370remains in the inwards/unlocked (generally convex) position.

FIGS.38and39illustrate a closure410formed as a basic variant and with a lid shown in an open and closed position.

Lid covered from the body

Reduced weight

Improved for drop-test

FIGS.40and41show a closure510formed in accordance with a further embodiment.

Lid covered from the body

Reduced weight

Improved for drop-test

FIGS.42and43show a closure610formed according to a further embodiment.

Lid covered from the body

Reduced weight

Improved for drop-test

FIGS.44and45show a closure710formed according to a further embodiment.

Lid covered from the body

Reduced weight

Improved for drop-test

FIGS.46and47shows a closure810formed according to a further embodiment.

Lid covered from the body

Reduced weight

Improved for drop-test

InFIGS.44to47the tamper-evident tab796/898is initially frangibly attached to the lid and includes hooks to engage in/on the base. Upon first opening the tab is torn/pulled away from the lid and retained by the base as evidence of opening.