Patent Publication Number: US-2015083724-A1

Title: Flip top closure for container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to closure assembly for a container. Preferably, the closure includes a frangible discharge opening within the body of the assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Closures in the form of a lid or overcap for a container are provided in a number of forms. An example of a container with sealing rim for receiving a plastic overcap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,306. Means for sealing a container in conjunction with the reclosable lid or overcap are also known. One example of a seal for a container is the provision of a flexible membrane sealed to the rim of the container, with the membrane being removable to provide access to the contents of the container. 
     Wells U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,597 shows a container having a top closure including a scored section that may be deformed inwardly to create an opening for access to the product within the container. A separate tab member is attached to the top closure and includes a projecting chime on its lower surface. The tab member can be moved into alignment with the scored section and for engagement with the chime to separate the scored section. 
     Patel, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,693 shows a container having a formed recess or cavity on the upper surface of an end section of the container. A closing flap is provided at the base of the cavity with a fitment or ring provided in the recess, above the flap. The fitment is retained by a covering surface. The lower surface of the ring member forms a lancing surface that, upon application of a force, causes the closing flap to tear away from the container surface. 
     Robichaud, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,999 shows a closure assembly attached to a multi-layer package wall. The closure includes a sealing flap and a separate pushing member positioned in a recess formed by the closure. The pushing member includes a central rib that contacts a sealing surface at the base of the closure. A separation line in the sealing surface aligns with the rib. Upon application of an opening force on the pushing member, the rib causes a tear along the separation line, creating side flaps that move into the container. 
     Taylor U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,055 shows a pivoting lever having a piercing edge formed on one end for breaking a sealing surface formed within the upper surface of a container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure related to a closure assembly for a container. The assembly includes a closure body dimensionally formed for closing an opening within the container. The closure body includes a top surface having a recess formed therein. A closing flap is pivotally positioned on the top surface, with the flap having an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the flap is pivoted upward from the top surface. In the closed position, the flap is pivoted to overlap the recess and may engage with the top surface to secure the flap to the body. A frangible area is defined within the recessed surface and the closing flap is aligned with and overlaps the frangible area in the closed position. A flexible dome is formed within and is projected convexly from an upper surface of the closure flap. A contact member projects from a lower surface of the closure flap and is aligned with the flexible dome on the flap. The contact member is positioned adjacent the frangible area, when the closing flap is in the closed position. The application of a downward activation force applied to the dome causes a flexing of the dome toward the top surface and a corresponding engagement force by the projecting member on the frangible area within the recess. The engagement force causes a destructive tearing of the frangible area and a separation of at least a portion of the frangible area from the top surface, forming an opening in the closure body. 
     In a further aspect of the assembly, the closing flap is integrally formed with the closure body. The closure assembly preferably is integrally formed from a thermoplastic material and is injection molded. The container may be separately formed or may be (at least in part) integrally molded with closure. 
     In a further aspect of the assembly, the frangible area includes a defined apex formed adjacent the outer periphery of the body. The contact member preferably engages the frangible area adjacent the apex. The frangible area may further include a base, positioned radially inward of the apex, with the base forming a flexing hinge for the frangible area after opening. 
     In a still further aspect of the assembly, the dome on the closing flap is preferably formed within the recess area, projecting from the upper surface of the flap no further than the plane of the top surface of the closure body. 
     In a further aspect of the assembly, the closing flap further includes an engagement tab for releasably retaining the flap in the closed position. The closure body may further include a peripheral skirt projecting from an underside of the body. The skirt is preferably dimensioned for engagement with a rim of the container and for fixing the closure body over the container opening. 
     Other features and variations of the assembly will become apparent by a review of the disclosure below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings one or more forms that are presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a closure assembly positioned within a top opening of a container. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the closure assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , with a closing flap portion shown in an opened position. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the closure assembly with the closing flap portion shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the closure assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the closure assembly with the closing flap portion shown in an opened position. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the closure assembly as taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5  with the closing flap portion shown in an opened position and a portion of a container shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the closure, with the flap portion shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a first cross sectional view of the closure as taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 , with the flap portion shown in the closed position. 
         FIG. 9  is a second cross sectional view of the closure assembly of  FIG. 7  with the closing flap portion shown in a closed position and with an activation force being applied to the closing flap for opening a frangible portion within the body of the closure. 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the closure body with the closing flap portion in an opened position and with the frangible portion in an opened condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals identify like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a combination of a closure assembly and container forming a sealed package. In the drawings the closure assembly is generally referred to by the numeral  10  and the container is referred to by the numeral  12 . In  FIG. 1 , the closure assembly  10  is positioned on the top end  14  of the container  12 . Typically, the container top end  14  includes an opening having a defined rim. The closure assembly  10  is inserted onto or within the opening and conforms with or otherwise engages the rim. The closure assembly  10  is preferably formed from a thermoplastic material and is preferably injection molded. The container  12  may be separately formed from any number of known materials. The container  12  may also be (at least in part) integrally molded with closure assembly  10 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the closure assembly  10  is shown to include a closure body  16  dimensionally formed for closing the opening within the top end  14  of the container  12 . The closure body  16  includes a top surface  18 . The top surface  18  includes a recess  20  formed therein and a closing flap  22  pivotally positioned on the top surface, adjacent the recess  20 . The closing flap  22  is integrally formed with the closure body  16  and is connected to the top surface  18  at the inward base of the recess  20 . The flap  22  is connected to the closure body by a living hinge. The flap  22  may be pivoted from an opened position, wherein the flap  22  is pivoted upward from the top surface  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to a closed position, wherein the flap  22  is pivoted to overlap the recess  20  and engage with the top surface  18 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As outlined in  FIG. 2 , a frangible area  24  is provided within the recess  20  of the top surface  18 . The closing flap  22  is aligned with and overlaps the frangible area  24  in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . A flexible dome  26  is formed on the closing flap  22 . 
     The underside surface  30  of the closure body  16  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The recess area  20  projects downwardly within the underside surface  30 . The frangible are  24  is defined by a series of grooves  32  in the underside surface  30 . The underside grooves  32  correspond to the outline in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and form a reduced thickness in the closure body  16 . The grooves  32  serve to form tear lines in the top surface  18  and upon tearing to create an opening in the closure body  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the closure body  16  includes an outer periphery  34  that generally conforms to the dimension of the opening in the top end  14  of the container  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Projected downwardly from the outer periphery  34  is an annular skirt  36 . The skirt  36  is dimensioned to fit within the container opening. An outward projecting rim flange  38  is formed on the outer periphery of the skirt  36 . The rim flange  38  engages the rim of the container opening. The rim flange  38  forms a leveling stop for the insertion of the skirt  36  into the container opening. The positioning of the closure assembly  10  within the top end  14  of the container  12  is shown in the cross section of  FIG. 6 . 
     The dome  26  is formed on an upper surface  28  of the flap  22  and includes a convex top surface. As shown in the cross sections of  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  9 , the curved dome  26  is formed in the closing flap  22  below the plane of the top surface  18  of the closure body  16 . This positioning of the dome  26  creates a level upper surface for the closure assembly  10 , permitting the stacking of a secondary container and closure combination. The dome  26  may, however, project upwardly, if desired. In  FIG. 7 , the flap  22  is pivoted into the opened position, away from the recess  20 . A cross section of the flap  22  in the open position is shown in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 7 , the flap  22  is pivoted to the closed position, with the flap  22  fixed in the recess  20 . 
     As shown in the cross sections of  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  9 , a contact member  40  projects from a lower surface  42  of the closure flap  22 . The contact member  40  is formed on the underside of the flexible dome  26  on the lower surface  42  of the flap  22 . The contact member may be formed as a rib, button, tab or other desired form of projection. The contact member  40  is positioned adjacent to or in contact with the frangible area  24  within the recess  20 , when the flap  22  is in the closed position. Preferably, the frangible area  24  includes a tapered or triangular form, with an apex  44  located at an outward position, relatively close to the outer periphery  34  of the closure body  16 . As shown, the apex  44  includes a rounded top edge with an outwardly tapering side edges extending therefrom. The contact member  40  is positioned closely adjacent the apex  44  in the closed position of the flap  22 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the grooves  32  in the underside surface  30  of the closure body  16  include a hinge groove portion  32   a  and a tearing groove portion  32   b.  The hinge groove  32   a  is formed at the base of the triangular shaped frangible area  24 , opposite the apex  44 . The closing flap  22  includes an engagement tab  46  on its underside edge for resilient engagement with a latch surface  48  on the outer periphery  34  of the closure body  16 . The frictional interaction of the tab  46  with the latch surface  48  retains the flap  22  in the closed position. 
     In  FIG. 9 , there is graphically shown the application of a downward activation force, designated by the arrow  50 . The activation force  50  is applied to the top surface of the dome  26 . Due to the flexibility of the dome  26 , the normally convex shape of the dome  26  tends to invert under the activation force  50 . The inversion of the dome  26  creates a corresponding movement of the contact member  40  and an engagement force applied against the apex  44  of the frangible area  24 . The groove  32   b  that defines the apex of the frangible area  24  creates a weakened portion of the recessed surface  20 . The activation force  50  is preferably accentuated by the inversion of the dome  26 . This flexing of the dome  26  creates a force sufficient to start the destructive tearing of the frangible area  24 , starting at the apex  44 . The relative positioning of the contact member  40  adjacent the apex  44  locates the engagement force at the apex  44 , causing a tearing along the grooves  32   b,  towards the base of the triangular area. 
     The engagement force resulting from the movement of the dome  26  and its underside contact member  40  is sufficient to start the tearing of the grooves  32   b  adjacent the apex  44  of the frangible area. Hence, the opening  52  of the closure assembly  10  is initiated by the actuation force  50 . The continued opening of the frangible area  24  may be accomplished by first moving the flap  22  from the closed position ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) to the opened position ( FIG. 6 ). A further opening force may then be applied to the (at least) partially opened frangible area  24  to complete movement of the separated portion into the container. The separated portion of the frangible area  24  is preferably pivoted about the hinge groove  32   a.  The hinge groove  32   a  forms a flexing edge or living hinge for the pivoted movement of the separated portion of the frangible area  24  once there is a tear along the side grooves  32   b.  In  FIG. 10 , the frangible area  24  is pivoted downward into the volume below the underside surface  30  of the closure assembly  10 . 
     The closure assembly is contemplated to be formed from an olefin material, preferably polypropylene or polyethylene. The material is desirably flexible, so that the flap may be repeatedly pivoted between the opened and closed positions and so that the dome member resiliently moves in response to the activation force. The convex formation of the dome is contemplated to create a flex upon inversion to force the contact member into engagement with the frangible area. 
     The body of the closure is preferably formed of the same or a similar flexible material as the closing flap. The frangible area of the body is preferably torn or otherwise separated from the body without cracking or chipping of the frangible flap or the surrounding portions of the recess. More rigid materials may result in the breaking of the material and pieces may fall into the storage volume of the container. 
     The engagement force created by the projecting contact member is preferably located at a relatively weakened portion of the frangible are formed within the body of the closure assembly. The combination of the flexing of the dome and the location and movement of the contact member concentrates the engagement force on the frangible area to start the tearing of the opening flap. If the frangible area is provided without the flap, dome and contact member, it has been found that opening a frangible flap is difficult and inconsistent. A finger or thumb force is often spread out, permitting the surface to flex rather than initiating a tear. Moreover, the materials may resiliently resist finger (thumb) opening, causing the consumer to use a tool (such as a spool, knife, etc.) to create the opening. The use of a tool may cause excessive force to be applied, resulting in a fracture or break, pieces falling into the container, or other negative consequences. 
     The form of the grooves and shape of the frangible area may be varied as desired. In the present form, the apex of the frangible area creates a natural stress concentration area for the application of the engagement force of the contact member. Positioning the apex closely adjacent the outer periphery of the closure body, stiffens the material at the location of the apex. Variations in the form and position of the grooves (tear lines) are possible to create a receiving area for the engagement force. The form of the groove ( 32   a ) at the base or hinge end of the frangible flap is contemplated to be transverse to the tearing of the frangible grooves ( 32   b ) to restrict the tearing action and retain the frangible flap connected to the closure body upon opening ( FIG. 10 ). 
     The dome forms a flexible bubble, preferably creating an accentuated transfer of the actuation force to the contact member for creating the engagement force. The flexing of the dome further creates a visual indication of flexing. 
     The interaction of the tab on the end of the flap with the latch surface on the peripheral edge of the closure body serves to frictionally retain the closing flap in the closed position. The flap stays within the plane of the top surface during shipment and seals the access opening created by the separated portion of the frangible flap ( FIG. 10 ). 
     In the drawings and specification, there is set forth one or more embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, these terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Additional structure and variations of those structures shown and described are contemplated and will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the present disclosure. The scope of the invention is set forth by the claims appended hereto.