Patent ID: 7810680

Claim:
A dispensing nozzle top for a dispensing container, the top comprising: a base having an axis; a nozzle portion extending axially outward along a longitudinal axis from a first end of the base and disposed about the longitudinal axis, the nozzle portion having an outer wall defining an internal conduit for passage of a liquid, powder, or gel; and a tab integrally formed with the nozzle portion at a neck-down portion disposed about the longitudinal axis, the tab comprising: a tip end sealing the internal conduit, the neck-down portion forming a removable connection of the tip end to the nozzle portion such that twisting of a portion of the tab will break the tip end from the nozzle portion thereby creating an opening into the internal conduit, the tip end not being reattachable to the nozzle portion after breaking at the neck-down portion, and at least one shock absorbing portion configured to bend independently from the neck-down portion and the remainder of the tab to dissipate at least some of an impact load applied to the tab along the longitudinal axis to inhibit fracturing of the neck-down portion; wherein the at least one shock absorbing portion comprises a thinned flexible portion of the tab spaced axially apart from the neck-down portion and the nozzle portion, the thinned flexible portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the tab between the thinned portion and the neck-down portion, the thinned flexible portion of the tab lying in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis.