Patent ID: 8245867

Claim:
A container and closure assembly, comprising: a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said opening; and a closure configured to be attached to said container, said closure including: a top portion defining a periphery, a first skirt portion extending from said periphery, a second skirt portion extending from said periphery and spaced apart from said first skirt portion so as to define a space, a latch member positioned within said space, said latch member having a top end and a bottom end; and a hinge connected to (i) said latch member at a connection location, and (ii) said top portion, wherein said latch member includes (i) an actuator portion extending from said connection location to said top end, and (ii) a follower portion extending from said connection location to said bottom end, wherein said follower portion of said latch member includes (i) a first follower segment extending from said connection location, and (ii) a second follower segment extending from said first follower segment, wherein said second follower segment includes a blocking structure, wherein movement of said actuator portion causes movement of said second follower segment, wherein said second follower segment is movable between (i) a first position in which said blocking structure is positioned in contact with said lip of said container, and (ii) a second position in which said blocking structure is spaced apart from said lip of said container, and wherein, when the container and closure assembly is viewed in a cross sectional view while said second follower segment is positioned in said first position, (i) said lip defines an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top surface therebetween, (ii) said hinge defines a hinge surface that extends between said latch member and said top portion of said closure, (iii) said first follower segment defines a first follower segment surface that extends from said hinge surface, (iv) said first follower segment surface is positioned in contact with said top surface of said lip, and (v) said hinge surface is positioned in contact with said inner surface of said lip so that no portion of said hinge surface contacts said top surface of said lip.